The Prepper Broadcasting Network - The Shadow 060 - The Inventor of Death

Episode Date: August 25, 2026

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The shadow, law and order, is in reality Lamont Cranston, wealthy young man about town. The shadow uses his hypnotic power to cloud men's mind so that they cannot see him. Cranston's friend and companion, the lovely Margo Lane, is the only person who knows to whom the unseen voice of the shadow belongs. Today's story, the inventor of death. Oh, Lamont, this is really fun. I thought you might enjoy it, Margo.

And you asked me to come to an exhibit at the Hall of Science. began trying to think of fast excuses about sick grandmothers. Oh, really? 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 up. Let's find out. All right. 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 of the men. things that man can do. Come on, Marco, we can't miss this. Oh, Lamont, you've seen robots before? Yes, but you never know when one may be different, more advanced you know. Well, I'd like to bet this one's no different from the rest. Well, you can. I beg you 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'll find that this robot is entirely different from any of that you've seen before. Oh, is it really? You seem to know quite a lot about it. Well, yes, I do. As a matter of fact, well, that is...

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. Naturally. Come on, George. They're waiting for you to stop a demonstration. Oh, of course.

This is my wife. Mr. Crenston is the name, and this is Miss Margolemyne. How do you do? How do you do? My name is Alton. Mr. Orton? Well, aren't you coming in to watch? Oh, yes, certainly.

I was trying to persuade Mr. Cranston to go in anyway. Wasn't I, Lamont? Why, of course. Come right this way, please. Oh, what a little liar you are, Margot. I know, isn't it awful? Well, if you'll come through this side door with me, I'll see that you get a good place to watch the demonstration.

Thank you. Thanks very much. And so, of course. Oh, here he is now, ladies and gentlemen. I'd now like to present the inventor of this mechanical man, Mr. George Alton. 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 on an entirely new principle. He is electrically controlled and can be operated by this small box here on the table. It comes to commands in the mind of the operator, rather than to certain sounds of the human voice, as has here tofore been the method of operation. 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, Lamont, do you think such a thing is possible? Well, in the realm of science these days, Margot, anything is possible.

I suppose so. The Mond, don't you know it's rude to stare? Oh, was I staring? I'm sorry. That man over there in the crowd interests me. Who? The hunchback? Yes.

You notice anything peculiar about him? Peculiar? Yes, I'm speaking of a size. Size, what do you mean? Have you ever seen a hunchback so tall? Well, no, I don't believe I have. Now, ladies and 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 robe at Lamont. It must be at least ten feet high. That's right. 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. The month, look, that thing stepped right down off the platform just as he said it would. Yes.

I will now be to answer a few questions. Henry, how much is two-some question which he will answer? I think he doesn't. The Monch, you're not listening. Stop staring at that hunchback. I'm sorry, Margo, I was watching his expression. Just look at him. Faces all contorted in pain.

Not pain, Margo. Hate. Well, unless I miss my guess, it's hate for your little inventor, Mr. Alton. Now, walk among you and pick up various objects which I will call out from the platform. Perfectly amiable and obeys my...

He wouldn't harm a plan to show you that Henry's... perfectly harmless. Lamont, if Henry toddled this way, harmless or not, you'll find me joining the parade to the exit. Ladies and gentlemen, please, enter the platform. He's none the worst for the experience.

He has more nerves than I have. Misses Alton up out of the chair. Oh, she looks so small and helpless. Lamont, I'm afraid. I don't know why you should be frightened, Margot. 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 her. Look, Lamont. The robot is stopped. Yes. Good Lord! No, Henry! He's struggling to get down! To get out of here. Darling, the police have ordered us to stay here.

Lamont, how do you suppose it could have happened? I don't know, Margot. I don't like it. What do you mean? There's something behind all this. Something sinister. Something perhaps for the shadow to investigate? Margot.

Please don't ever mention that name in public. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sure no one could have overheard. Do you think so? Look behind you. Why, it's the hunchback. He wasn't there a minute ago, but I'm sure he didn't hear me. I hope not.

Look, the mechanical man, it's moving. Yes, so it is. Its mouth is open. It's going to speak. I imagine that outburst when he broke the machine, relieved the nervous tension. He 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, Muggle. I don't know, Muggo. I really don't know. Look, Lamont, Alton's eyes are opening. I think he's waiting out. No.

Where am? I wonder what's happened. We're just taking it to a place where you can get some rest. Well, oh, I see. My wife. My poor wife. Easy now, easy. Mr. Alton, you've got to help yourself at this point.

Myself. What does it matter about me? Mr. Alton, do you have any... enemies, anyone who might be jealous of you or your invention? Enemies? No, no, I... Well, unless Dr. Zaruga... Dr. Zaruga, who's he?

Well, he's an inventor. He devised a radio-controlled incendiary bomb, which was turned down by the Army a year ago. It was too frightful a weapon to use even in modern warfare. Well, what has Dr. Zaruga got to do with you? What? Well, at the time the Board of Science accepted my invention for display, they turned down the robot invented by Dr. Zaruga.

He was furious, and... Oh, what does it matter now? What does anything matter? Why was Dr. 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, Mr. Alton. This Dr. Zaruga... Is he a hunchback? No. No, I...

I believe he was at one time a high military officer In some European army He 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. Mogo, see that car coming?

Get over to the right-hand side of the road wall. Lamont, something's wrong in the steering wheel. I can't control the car. Put on the brakes, quick! I can't. The control's a lock. Marco, you've got to fire! Look out, we're going to crash! Oh!

Dr. Ewan, do you think Mr. Crenst is going to live, sir? Well, of course, Alan. Of course he's going to live. Takes more than a simple automobile smash-up to permanently damage a man with the physique of Lamont Cranston, even if he has been unconscious for 24 hours. Yes, I hope so, sir. When Mr. Cranston comes to Ellen, see that he stays in bed and keeps those vanages on his arm. Yes, a very good doctor, in bed. Benages on arm. I'll do my best, sir.

Good night, sir. Good night. Bed. Blandage is on. Oh, dear. I'd better write it down, so I shan't forget it. Oh, it's coming through. Mr. Cranston, sir.

Alan, 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 24 hours. If I've been unconscious for 24 hours, how could I remember? Well, yes, sir. Quite so, sir. Well, what happened?

How did I get here? You're in bed, sir. Let me say now. Oh, yes, keep in bed, bandages on. Keep in bed, bandages on. Oh, stop mumbling. How did I get here? Well, you were in an automobile accident, sir.

Yesterday, your car ran off the road and overturned in a ditch. Automobile accident? Yes, sir. Oh, yes, yes, of course. And the others, how about the others? If you're referring to the young gentleman who was apparently riding in the car with you, sir, I'm afraid, well, that is... Dead?

Yes, sir. His neck was broken in the crash. Oh. What about Miss Lane? Miss Lane, you idiot. What about her? What about her? Was Miss Lane riding with you in the car?

Was Miss Lane riding? Alan, what's happened to Miss Lane? Speak up. Well, I don't know, sir. There was no sign of her at the scene of the accident. The police just reported finding you and the other gentleman. Alan, give me my clothes. I'm getting up.

But, sir, the doctor said in bed, and banded yourself. I'm blazes with the doctor. But I've got to find out what happened to Miss... Mr. Kratson. that if you go out now in the condition you're in, I shan't be responsible. You're just flying in the face of Providence.

Providence, that's it. That's it, Arlen, Providence Street. It's a wild hunch, but it may be a good one. A hurry man, give me my clothes at once. It's you. Yes, my dear. Dr. Zaruga, you're humble, sir. You are hoping for someone else, I...

I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, yes, you do, my dear, Miss Lane. Why do you keep me here locked in your laboratory? Why don't you let me go? Oh, you, fiend. You inhuman theme. Inhuman. Perhaps my character deceives you?

I think you are being confused by my appearance, my hunchback. Why, you're not... No. That hump on my back contains the electrical equipment by which I not only control my own inventions for those of other inventors, who, unfortunately, are not as brilliant as I am. Then you're not equipped.

No. No, I tricked them all. Silly. fools. They wouldn't look at my inventions. So I caused your car to crash off the road killing that little upstart often. I made his robot run amok. I forced it to kill his wife. Oh, you... Now, what do you think of me? I think you're a madman, a maniac. Oh, that poor girl. Seeing her crush like that. Oh, you murder. Oh, you still don't believe I'm the greatest inventor the world has ever seen. I'll show you.

What are you going to do? Why are you keeping me here? Because, Miss Lane, I ever have you make some reference to the shadow. The 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 ever 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. Therefore, Miss Lane, I am going to slightly... alter my plans. I am going to give you a treat. What do you mean? I am going to demonstrate for you a role that I have invented. When you have seen it, I think you will admit that a terrible injustice has been done me. No. No! You will see it. Of course, you may not survive the demonstration. Oh, no. But that can be helped. As a matter of fact, it's just as well. You'll know too much about me. Stop.

Stop toning me. I keep it in a secret compartment. Open this panel. And there it is. Oh. I admit it is not a pretty sight. You see, my dear, your little friend, Alton built his robot for constructive uses to benefit mankind.

Mine is for destruction, weapon for war. Imagine a regiment of robots like this marching against flash and blood men. Horrible And now I will show you how he works Robert Step forward Great patience

I want you to go to that girl No Pick her up But delicately No please please Delicately I want her to see how Gentle you can be

First So devised That will follow impackably Until he catches up Or until I give the command Despite my dear Van Steer It will be over very quickly.

Walk, Robert! You and I, and I knew that you had come to. I'll meet you for a long time, Shadow. Meet you and test my powers against yours. 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 are finished, you will think differently? Finished? With what? You will find out. You see that, Robert? He is my servant, my slave, obedient to my every command. He is not bound by human limitations. He can see you, Shadow. He can see you.

Whatever 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. Crush to bits in his arms. You and the young lady, too. Dr. Zaruga?

Can't talk yourself out of this shadow. Robot, find this man. The shadow you've met your match. What avails man's mind against a machine? I agree with you, Dr. Saruga. Heard and you want, have a leaf. Oh, you think so, huh? Well, after my little experience with the doctor and his mechanized murderer,

I'll think twice in the future before I even use an electric toaster. 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 on sale at your local newsstand.