 You're twice as sure with two great names Frigidaire and General Motors. Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as the man called X. Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the man called X. Now Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston, the man called X. Well, you might as well sit down and take it easy, Ken. Unless the bureau's called in on it, our hands are tied. Not a thing we can do. I know, Chief. Two million dollars worth of radium. Somewhere between here and Manila, the stuff's going to be hijacked. I'm sure enough to bet on it. What time's the plane scheduled to leave, Ken? Around 5.30 this afternoon. It's a charter line, so they don't have any set schedule. And you say there'll be other passengers besides this Don Louie roof? Sure. Three or four already. The flight's wide open for anybody who wants to buy a ticket. They're not even using a private plane. How do you think anybody with enough ability to run the radium supply agency would have the intelligence to realize what a chance he's taking? Dr. Mosley, it's not his intelligence, Chief. It's his attitude. He feels we're unduly alone. Of course, his responsibility is finished as soon as he turns the stuff over to Don Louie here in New York. And Don Louie doesn't want any protection either, eh? Consider it an insult to suggest it. I suppose you told Mosley about the... Chief, I used every argument I could think of. I told him in spite of his secrecy, the whole underworld knows about the shipment. That Mr. Coco, probably the smartest international crook in the world, is supposed to be here in New York right now, and for one reason, to swipe that radium. Mr. Coco, I told it... Oh, well, what's the use? I know how you feel, Ken, but unless they call us in, it's simply not our job. If this thing were a private deal, I'd say all right. They don't pay for their cockiness, but it isn't. This shipment's being donated to the clinic by public subscription. Money kicked in by hundreds of citizens here, as well as in the islands. They wanted to go where it'll do some good. I hate to see people like that let down. Well, I can't see how we can... Pardon me. Hello? Oh, oh, put him on. Yes, that's right. Uh-huh. Well, of course, we were glad to. Right, right, Ken Thurston. He'll take over immediately. Goodbye. What's up, Chief? That was Don Louie Roof, the man from the Commonwealth Clinic. Somebody tried to tap his phone line at the hotel. Now he's plenty worried. Wait, you mean? That's right, Ken. He's yelling for help. Good. That's all we need, Chief. Where in it? Mr. Pagan Zelschmidt Esquire. Who's talking, please? Is this Zelschmidt? I mean, most likely you have the wrong number. I never even heard of anybody like that. So I'm very sorry. Zelschmidt? Right. I shall go find him immediately. As soon as the money gets here, of course. You'll go now, too. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've had the pleasure, I'm sometimes known. But this fellow is a very dangerous character, Mr. Thurston. If we get to this plane, maybe he's going to bump you up. Then what? In that case, Pagan, you'll have to carry on by yourself. Well, I would be only too glad... Huh? I'm not going. As a matter of fact, I just this minute remembered an appointment, though, or something. It's probably that hundred bucks. You'll be in seat five, Pagan. I've already bought your ticket. But, but... Pagan, you wouldn't have a close friend going to danger by himself now, would you? No, wouldn't I? Mr. Thurston, I only came to warn you. This Mr. Coco is not only a criminal crook, but he's also a very tough cookie. And he means business. Then if he gets us, we'll go together. Friends to the last. Don't say such things. I beg your pardon, gentlemen. Huh? Since we seem to be fellow passengers, permit me to introduce myself. I am the Baron Irving von Pulf. At your service. Hi, Baron. My name's Ken Thurston. This is Mr. Zell Schmidt. Gentlemen, I wonder if either of you knows reason for this delay. We should have departed three minutes ago. I believe they're waiting for another passenger, a senior roof from Manila. Highly inconsiderate of him. We should have been here a long time. You seem to have been a pretty big hurry to get to San Francisco. Are you going on business? Not at all. I do not engage in business, Mr. Thurston. I find the income from my baronial estate quite adequate. You're lucky. Oh, dear, say. Ah, we're being honored. Here comes the princess. Princess, friend of yours? Well, I met her a few minutes ago and found her most charming. Yeah, you can tell that from here. Pardon me, Baron Wolfe. Do you know why we are being held up? Oh, there's another passenger. So, Mr. Thurston tells me. Princess Kattushka, allow me to present Mr. Ken Thurston and Mr. Zell Schmidt. I am honored. You're going on this plane too? I am at any rate. Mr. Zell Schmidt isn't quite sure yet. Never any question of princess. Along with Senior Wolfe, then we seem to be the passenger list. Is that right? Oh, there's one man already on board. I'm told his name is Davey. He's been asleep in his seat ever since he got there. He snores most dreadfully. Well, I think I'll go on board. I will come with you, by name. I hope we see a lot more of each other, Mr. Thurston, during the trip. Oh, I'm sure of it. Then for the present of what? Ah, we'll see you on board, gentlemen. Mr. Thurston, I'm like a new man. Recapitulated, huh? What a luscious little chipmunk. Chipmunk, eh? Could be. Then Rachel's pulling up the Princess Kattushka. You mean she's only pretending to... Hey, what's all this? Probably our prize package, complete with police escort. Yep, here comes the only way now. Pagone? Take a good look at that briefcase. It's worth a couple of million bucks. Good evening, Mr. Thurston. Sorry to be late, but we were delayed by traffic. You know Dr. Mosley, of course. Yeah, of course. How are you, Doctor? No trouble so far, then? Not a bit, Mr. Thurston. In fact, I'm inclined to believe the incident at Senior Ruff Hotel was pure coincidence. Had nothing at all to do with the radium chipmunk. All right, it's possible. Shall we go aboard, Senior Ruff? I wish you the best of luck, Don Louie. It's been a pleasure to deal with you, sir. Sorry you're not going with us, Dr. Mosley. We have some pretty unusual people on board. I doubt there'll be a dull moment on the whole trip. Mr. Thurston, looks like we're going to land. What is this place, anyway? Kansas City, Pagon. Probably stopping for gas, so let's quick check over. Did you say Kansas City, Mr. Thurston? That's right, Princess. Yes, sir. Quite a cattle industry here, I understand. You interested in cattle, Baron? Only in a general way, Mr. Thurston. I have a large number on my stage, you know. Which reminds me, maybe I could get a hamburger here someplace if I had some money, of course. No question about it, Pagon, if you had some money, of course. Oh, well, doesn't matter. After all, I did have something to eat yesterday. Small crust of dry bread, as I remember. Or was it the day before yesterday? All right, here. Buy yourself a sack full of hamburgers. And while you're at it, send this wire to the Chief. Mr. Thurston, I'm stricken with gratitude. I shall do it immediately. Wait till we land. Huh? Oh, yes, of course. Oh, Mr. Thurston. What is this, we're landing? That's why Don Lewis shortstop at Kansas City. You had quite a sleep. Well, you may consider that an indication of my confidence new, Mr. Thurston. I felt most secure. Thanks, it's more than I feel. Something's happened? Not a thing, Mr. What bothers me? Well, they seem to have arrived. Part of the tip's over at any rate. I hope you're not too disappointed at the lack of trouble so far, Mr. Thurston. Not disappointed. Only surprised. This is Kansas City. We'll be here about an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to get out and walk around. What's the trouble, pilot? How come an hour? I'm only the co-pilot, Mr. The Home Office radio told us to wait here for another passenger. Coming in on the commercial liner from New York. Huh? Yeah, wait. Aren't you Pete Colon? Yeah. You read the newspapers, too, huh? Well, you did get quite a lot of publicity. Why not? Well, onerous makes the kind of claim she did. Said I married her for her money, threatened her life, had homicidal tendencies and a criminal mind. Who wouldn't get publicity? Yeah, I guess you've got something there. Well, don't do it. You'd like to get out, take a walk? Yeah, it's an excellent idea. Maybe somebody ought to wake up, Mr. Davis. Might want a hamburger or something. It's amazing. Except for the little time at Cleveland, the man has slept through this entire trip. Oh, perhaps I'd better tell me we've landed her. Mr. Davis? Remarkable accomplishment being able to sleep that sound late. Hey, good heavens. What is it? Man, isn't he asleep? He's dead. Look, Mr. Thurston, here comes your friend now. Apparently, he hasn't deserted after all. Hello, Mr. Thurston. Pagon, what the Sam Hill have you got in all those paper bags? Oh, hamburgers. Well, you only had five bucks. Must have taken most of that for the telegram. Oh, that, I sent it to collect. Here, have one. No, thanks. Go ahead, I've got plenty of them. Twenty-five, in fact. I thought I might get hungry in a plane, you understand? I see. Mr. Thurston, do you think we'll be held here because Mr. Davis is dead? No, Don Lurie. We'll probably take her right away. Our new passenger was supposed to be on that line that came in a few minutes ago. What do you think was the matter with him, Mr. Thurston? His heart, maybe? No, Pagon. I think he was poisoned. What? But you mean because of this? That's right, Don Lurie. Because of what's in that briefcase. Davis was the crook who used to run the Christmas gang. I recognize them in New York. But he'd have eaten glanced at it all during the trip. Hadn't got around to making his play yet. But somebody on board decided to cut down the competition. Poisoned him. Oh? What's this about someone being poisoned, Mr. Thurston? Oh, Baron. I was sitting in senior roof, but the late Mr. Davis was undoubtedly poisoned. But that's all still a hooker have done it. Any number of people. Our copilot Pete Cullen filled the water bottle at Davis's seat. I believe he had a drink with you, Baron, when we stopped in Cleveland. And I saw him eat some candy mince that you gave him, Princess Kattushka. But there was no reason. None of us even. You'll be mad. Of course, not Quintus. Mr. Thurston, here comes somebody. Maybe the new passenger, huh? Yeah, I guess. Well, is this quite a surprise, Dr. Mosley? Hello, Mr. Thurston. Don Lurie. To Bosley. I suppose this does seem a bit foolish, but I found your apprehension contagious and decided to come along as far as San Francisco. I caught the next... Oh, well. Hello there. I beg your pardon? Oh, sorry. You don't know these people, do you? Princess Kattushka, Baron Von Wolf, Dr. Mosley. But I... How do you do, Dr. Mosley? A pleasure, Princess Kattushka. Well, I'd better get aboard. I've laid you enough already. Perhaps you should all get aboard. An excellent suggestion, Don Lurie. Unless you object to traveling with their poisoners. That's according to Mr. Thurston's theory, of course. Matter of fact, Princess Kattushka, I've got more than one theory. Really? Such as? Well, one of them is that you may be the Princess Kattushka, and again, you may not. How interesting. And as far as Baron Von Wolf's concerned, I seem to remember a celebrated jewel theft in London some years ago. The defendant used that name. A remarkable coincidence, sir. However, we do seem to have a certain advantage over you, Mr. Thurston. How's that? Because I am quite sure that all of us are aware of your real identity. Mr. Coco. Now to continue with Frigidaire's man-called ex-starring Herbert Marshall. Mr. X has watched the briefcase of Radium like a hawk, ever since the plane left New York. But so far, no direct attempt has been made to steal it. Right now, the plane is making a brief stop in Denver, Colorado. Hello, Mr. Thurston. Hey, what happens in Europe? Nothing's happened to him, Pagon. He's sitting over there on that station bench. Exactly 31 feet away. Why? Oh, nothing, except I always become very uncomfortable when I get close to a couple of million dollars. Here's a telegram from the chief. How do you know who it's from? I'm very glad you mentioned that, Mr. X. You see, it's the humidity. The envelope came unstuck. I see. Keep an eye on Don Louie for a second. Mm-hmm. Right about five feet, six, age 37, dark complexion, black curly hair, teeth, no visible fillings, weighs somebody 140 pounds. But, Mr. Thurston, there is nobody on board like that. Yeah, so I've noticed. Look, somebody's talking to Don Louie. Yeah, Dr. Moseley. Now, he's picking up the briefcase and setting it down again. What is he trying to do anyhow? Hard to tell, Pagon. Attention, all passengers from Charter Plain to San Francisco, please come aboard. Charter Plain... Only when I saw that Princess was her name... How could I know she was only a cold fish? Cold fish? Oh, no, I wouldn't say that. Well, Dr. Moseley, you practicing weightlifting? Thurston, oh, I didn't hear you come up. I was just telling Don Louie here, this briefcase must get pretty heavy, all the lead shielding in it, you know? Yeah, I suppose it does. Well, I was just going to carry it to the plane for Don Louie. No, I wouldn't think of letting go to all that trouble, Dr. Moseley, here. I'll be only too happy to carry it. Shall we go, gentlemen? Where do you think we're now, Mr. Thurston? I don't know exactly, Pagon. We're out of the Rockies, somewhere over the desert, I guess. And the next stop, San Francisco. Not only this Mr. Coco doesn't show up himself, but he doesn't even have any agents like you said he did. Strictly one big block. I thought you'd all like to know we're running dead into a pretty bad storm. We'll bear off south and try landing at Rock Rim emergency field. Oh, uh, Mr. Colon. Yeah, Mr. Thurston, what's on your mind? I was wondering why we didn't wait this out at Denver instead of heading on into it. Would have if we'd known about it. This one came up unexpectedly. Oh, no, Mr. Colon. Yeah? I happened to see a copy of that storm warning the field dispatcher handed you in Denver. I'd hardly call this unexpected. Good heavens. You can't see anything in this dust. We'll get lost. We'd better stop. Oh, the building's over this way. Oh. If I know anything about the desert, there'll be a rain behind this wind. It's a very good thing I bought those hamburgers in Kansas City. Ha, 14 left. Maybe I can make a little profit out of it. Here, over this way. Here's the door to the field office. Ah, the adjustable climate, I must say. Nothing like it on your estate, Baron. Ah, shelter at least. That's a relief. Hurry up, everybody inside. You want to keep this sand out. Isn't there anyone here? Place seems deserted. Yeah, it does. Well, note from the attendant here on the desk. Oh, it's there. Yeah. In the event of any plane being forced down here, entire facilities are at the disposal of the personnel. I intend to be gone three days, servicing flight beacons on the mountain range at the west. Well, that's a good idea. There seem to be bunk rooms of some sort along the hall back here. Probably living quarters in the rear, they usually are. Uh-oh, the phone's dead. There's a rather nice lounge. Well, whatever it is, it looks like it's ours for the night. We're stuck here until morning at least. Eight people and two million bucks. This might turn out to be quite a night. Oh, would anybody like to buy a nice hamburger? Only 75 cents. What's the matter, Princess Insomnia? Oh, you startled me, Mr. Thurston. I didn't see anyone sitting there. You may as well make it Ken, since we've come this far together. Sit down. All right. Ken? Of course, that leaves me still wondering what to call you. You still think I'm an impostor, don't you? Aren't you? No more than you are. Mm-hmm, to share. I suppose our little friends are all tucked in safely. I guess so. Rather surprised at you letting Don Louie out of your sight. You followed him around like a shadow. Good reason for it. Well, of course, you know about that. I can guess. Ken, why do you dislike me so much? I don't. I've been avoiding you because I think you're dangerous. There's a big difference there. Dangerous, Ken? In what way? Well, the way you said that, for one thing. The way you're looking right now. How am I looking? Let's say, um, desirable. That covers a lot of ground. I don't go so much for just looking, Ken. No more do I. Where do we go from here? San Francisco. Oh, that's for tomorrow. How about tonight? Tonight? That settles that question. Ken, those were gunshots. That's right, baby. Now, now, you stay where you are. Listen to Thurston. That noise. Oh, it woke me up. What happened? I think it's a safe bet that somebody shot somebody. Yeah, well, but we've got to do something. Where'd it come from, and who was it? I believe I can answer that question, Dr. Mosley. Please stand where you are, Mr. Cullen. Don Louie. Well, Cullen, that's quite an arm you've got on you. I don't think he's wounded seriously, Mr. Thurston. I'm something of an expert with a pistol. How did it happen, Don Louie? I woke up to find Mr. Cullen going through my luggage. Since he had a knife, there was no other choice than to shoot him. And it's fortunate you woke up. Otherwise, he'd have had the briefcase. It's too bad Mr. Thurston was so engrossed out here in the lounge. I thought the shots woke you up. Well, at least you weren't where you should have been, with Don Louie. No, no more was the briefcase. Where is it? Under those cushions there. You've been sitting under it for the last five minutes. Since I was quite sleepy, Mr. Thurston was kind enough to take over my responsibility for a time. Mr. Thurston's well-known on two continents for that sort of kindness, Don Louie. Hello, Baron. You always wake up with a brandy bottle in your hand? Oh, it's so much excitement. I ought to drink might be in order. I've even found glasses. How about one all around? Excellent suggestion. You can count me in. Well, there we are. Just a moment. Mr. Thurston, what's that gun for? Suppose we wait for our host to drink first. Well, Baron? All right, put that gun on them. We can make a deal, Mr. Coco. Coco? But Mr. Thurston is the man called X. Miska. The Baron's been under a misapprehension, and I'll take that bottle now. I think it'll probably hang you, Baron Wolf, for the murder of a man named Davis. But, Mr. Thurston, think of the humiliation for the honorable name of Zellschmidt. Travelling up here with all these bad characters, and your gun pointed at my back. Why can't I sit with you and don't Louis? Hang on. For all I know, you may be one of Mr. Coco's agents. Mr. X, I swear by the father of my father that... Oh, Stibbit. In a way, you're a petty profiteer. 75 cents for a stale hamburger. Stay right where you are. How long will it be before we reach San Francisco, Mr. Thurston? I'd say about half an hour, don't Louis. Can't you time to make connections with the clipper? I'll tell you one thing, Mr. Thurston. As soon as I can get in touch with the proper authorities, you're going to be very sorry for this treatment. What's wrong, Dr. Mosley? Aren't you comfortable? Treated like a common criminal, a man of my position. Relax, Doctor. Colden and the Baron are in a tougher spot than you are. They're not doing any squawking. The stakes were big enough to take a chance, Thurston. When you lose, you lose, that's all. Quite a philosophy. You and the Baron should have worked together. How do you feel about it, Princess? I'm not a princess, and you know it. I showed you enough credentials to prove who I am. Sure, sure you did. Helen Bartlett, magazine feature writer. That was a new role, wasn't it? It was not a role, it's the truth. I admit it was a fool idea, but I had to get an inside story on this radium deal some way. Dr. Mosley backs me up. Yeah, I've noticed how willing both of you are to support each other's claims. Now look here, Thurston. You look here, Dr. Mosley. Thousands of people in this country kicked in money to send this wadium to a Philippine hospital. All I care about is making sure it does go there. Compared to that, your little troubles don't mean very much. Is that clear? Mr. X, do you think one of this suspects could be Mr. Coco maybe? Maybe. Ha! Which one is it? That's a good question, Pagan. Which one do you think it is? That looks familiar. You mean the clipper, don't you? No, the wharf there. That's where I first landed, coming over from Manila. Well, I guess we may as well see you aboard. And you ought to have a pretty quiet trip from here on. Well, at any rate, Mr. Thurston, it's quite a relief to be vindicated, finally, and see the proper criminals put into custody. Yeah, it's been quite an experience. From a dangerous femme fatale to a suspect to a bona fide magazine writer all overnight. Helen, you'd be dangerous anyway. But you still show me San Francisco tonight in spite of it, won't you, Ken? Well, here we are, Mr. Thurston. Yeah. Nice view across the bay. Yes, yes, it is indeed. Now I as well take the briefcase. Mr. Thurston, neither I nor my people can ever thank you enough for your protection on the trip from New York. That's very generous of you, Don Louie. As I said before, my one interest in this affair is to make sure the radium gets to its destination. Those customs guards there, they have the same idea. But why? Those rifles are pointing at us. Oh, no, no. Not us. Every one of those rifles is pointed straight at you, Mr. Coco. I seem to have underrated you, Mr. Thurston. How did you find out? Your gun first freed. Thanks. Well, it was your topcoat. You threw it across a seat in the plane and I happened to notice a label. Gonzalez, the tailor, Manila. But Don Louie was from Manila? The rounder was a line of tiny pinpricks where another label had been ripped out. So I wired the chief a description of the real Don Louie roof. You didn't fit it, Mr. Coco. But, Mr. Thurston, I dealt entirely with this man. He presented all the necessary credentials. What happened to the real Don Louie? Well, Mr. Coco, any answer there? We'll find him all right, and when we do, I think we'll find a few bullets fired from this gun. And that ought to make a pretty tight case. Now that I come to think of it, Mr. Thurston, I thought this fellow's voice sounded familiar. Yeah, he's the one who called me on the phone. Pagan, have another hamburger. Well, I don't mind if... Well... Yes, they're all such fools, Ken. But they never see it before it's too late. Helen, any man's a fool when he sets himself against humanity. That's the real man without a country. If such there be, go mark him well, for him no music's rapture swell. As a fool, he lives and blindly dies, finding death his only prize. It's a beautiful sunset there beyond the Golden Gate, except for one dark shadow from that rock on the right. Mr. Coco, that's the rock they call Alcatraz. Mr. Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us. Next week, our story is called Run, Thief, Run. I invite you, sir, because there's plenty of action and suspense in it. As usual, there'll be Leon Bolasco along as Pagan Zelschmidt. So join us, won't you, when next I return, as the man called X. Good night. Frigidaire's Man Called X is directed by Jack Johnstone, with music composed and conducted by Johnny Green. Tonight's story was written by Les Crutchfield. And so until next week, same time, same station, this is Wendell Niles speaking for Frigidaire, made only by General Motors. All characters and incidents used are fictitious. And any resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental. Remember, every Thursday, for the best in entertainment, tune in and stay tuned in to CBS, the biggest show in town. CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.