 You're twice as sure with two great names Frigidaire and General Motors Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall is the man called X Whatever there is mystery intrigue Romance and all the strange and dangerous places of the world There you will find the man called X How Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall is Ken Thurston the man called X An early morning missed Shroudsland Guyon Gulf in the Philippines as two men load a heavy chest into a ship's dory Drawn up onto the shore Suddenly from the nearby jungle a voice hails You hear see See amigo, we will identify ourselves like this You've killed a government agent. What else could I do anything but that? You've forgotten who arrived in Manila last night What there can be no connection between him and these anything is possible you idiot with a man called X Give me a senior at Thurston the Philippine Ministry of Finance shall do everything possible to help you Thanks, sir. No, you're new and that's not able to be a pretty big order I know the territory of Macau is Portuguese 500 miles across the south china sea near Hong Kong We have no jurisdiction over it Nor has the united states But something's got to be done to stop the international black market in gold that's operating there See senor it is a constant threat to the efforts of your country to maintain a A worldwide economic stability. What's more important? It means starvation for a lot of the people in this world Now the bureau believes that the bulk of that black market has been supplied by Philippine gold Gold that normally will be earmarked for the united states Senor Thurston, we have reached the same conclusion And something occurred this morning, which may have a bearing on it. What was that? One of my men was killed at Lingaiung Gulf There were signs that a small boat had landed nearby and uh, we found this upon the sand Leonid that looks like a chinese gambling ship It is senor It is a marker that came from the Lotus Blossom a notorious gambling hall in macau uh-huh Our agents tell us that the Lotus Blossom is operated by a woman known as madame Hongshan who has an interest in every underworld activity in macau including black markets in gold What would your guess be senor thurston? I'll let you know deony When does the next plane leave for hong kong? It's a pleasure to make my air You will be in hong kong for some time senor thurston. I'll have to let my business aside that dr. Dhamico Are you americano please this man always with a nose to the grindstone as a physician I prescribe relaxation the kind one can find in macau Oh, see I have a private sanatorium there in the northern hills Secluded quiet overlooking the camo and scarlet sounds restful and healthy But then macau has the healthiest climate in all asia You would be doing me a favor senor if you would visit me there the daily steamer runs from hong kong It uh, oh up to your old tricks again, dr. Senorita burton. I did not see you on the plane Don't let your surprise make you forget your manners doctor a thousand products And may I present mr. Thurston? Mr. Thurston the famous senorita frances burton. Oh, how do you do? Well, you were right doctor. This is a pleasant trip. Thank you, mr. Thurston And now dr. Dhamico this time your patient is going to write the prescription It calls for you to take my seat in the rear of the plane while I talk to mr. Thurston Doctor's orders doctor And then what can I do but obey the hunt to remit against in your person And please remember that invitation is always yours. Thanks dr. Dhamico adios All right, miss burton Why perhaps it's because you're the only presentable american on board Oh the famous office can write better lines than that. Oh, you've read my books a couple of them Undergrowth underworld europe underworlds african. They're good Accurate factual. Thanks. I tried to make them that way That's why i'm going to macaul An underworld asia coming out. Yes And the reason I picked macaul for research is the same reason. I wish to speak with you Oh Dr. Dhamico was not entirely correct macaul can be the unhealthiest place in asia Particularly for anyone who interferes with madam hung shang's activities The gambling fishing opium or gold Why tell me this? Very simple mr. Thurston Everything I've said about the danger of interfering with her goes double If the man involved Is the man called x I am very sorry, sir. The steam into macaul is already overcrowded. There are no cabin accommodations left then I'm very sorry, sir. Not even that will help you get the cabin What a dope turning down good american dollars like that pagan Hello, mr. Thurston pagan. What in the world ever brought you to hong kong my uncle ahmed He told me about this black market and gold in macaul. So when I tried to figure where you'd be Where else you mean where does gold as zelschmidt and pretty lucky for you Where else could you get the tickets for a cabin on that steamer and practically for nothing? How much pagan believe me to bargain mr. Thurston only 75 000 dollars Chinese dollars or only 50 dollars american money. Uh, is it a deal? I'll give you 10 bucks cash You know something mr. Thurston. It's a deal Good, let's see if it's Well Has there not been some mistake gentlemen, or is it your custom to enter other people's cabins without knocking? Well, if it's a mistake, it's the luckiest one I've made in years. This is the cabin. Look, it's on the ticket number 18 Number 18. Are you sure? Yeah, and that's what it says on the door Then I must beg your pardon. It is I who have entered the wrong cabin. Please forgive me. I will leave at once For getting something aren't you Forgetting. Yeah The man with his hand sticking out of those drapes over the bank. Oh, no Goodbye, mr. Thurston. I just remember relax pagan He can't hurt you now. No doing many good Lying there that that sticker in his throat the surgeon scalpel Well, miss All right, I will tell you the truth My name is marise I am traveling to macau for a group of wealthy chinese investors Frankly, it is to purchase gold from a dumb hong shang of the lotus blossom After now that makes sense going an appointment was made for me to meet her representative in this cabin When I entered he was lying there just like that I was about to leave when you walked in that is all I know Well Serving me won't do you any good. You'll have to convince the captain of this ship I do not think I care to do that at the moment, mr. Thurston. Have you any objection? She's got a gun. Yeah I believe my point is clear. I have no wish to inform the captain of this affair too bad. You're a little late Come in miss Burton and bring the captain with you Thanks for the invitation. Oh looks like a cozy party. Come on captain You know, I reserve this cabin for the trip and I just assume not share it with the corpse You do something about that. Indeed. I can Sanjirita you were pleased to hand over that gun at once and consider yourself under arrest Very well captain Here it is. That's being sensible marise Unfortunately, you have not been the same mr. Thurston. Oh There are two flowers both with white blossoms that bloom in the wild places of the world A sensible man would have chosen the sweetness of the lotus blossom Rather than the poison of the deadly nightshade This is the prior grand day ken or cows main promenade your hotel the ascension is at the end of it You seem to know this town didn't hear before no, but I have friends who told me about it The same friends who told you about The man called x And I met some strange people while writing my book about europe's underworld A few of them had information about things like that for a price one of pagans relatives. No doubt Or was it someone like madame hung shang for a blank there ken. I've never met anyone who's even seen her Dr. D'Amico has made arrangements for us to meet. That's why her cabin was reserved for me On the steamer D'Amico gets around doesn't he what do you mean? Wasn't his medical bag with your luggage in the cabin? That's right. He had no cabin and thought it would be safer than mine What's wrong with that? Nothing, nothing Unless a scalpel belonging in that bag has been misplaced In somebody's throat Hello, mr. Thurston back to the hotel so soon all right big on Stop trying to steam open that radio gram and give it to me. Mr. Thurston I was just making some tea and and sort of fanning the steam away. Uh, could I help it if it loosened the envelope? Oh Bad news. Hey, mr. Thurston. That depends on how you look at it Mr. Sincino Leone His answer to the one I sent on a steamer giving a description of the dead man That was silly. Why should Sincino Leone know anything about him? I don't know except that the message says Description that'll Joseph Natalia Philippine treasury agent Dead man Filipino agents. Mr. Thurston. What's this all about? Anyway, what are you doing here? That's top secret pay, huh? Some people will pay a small fortune to find that out Huh, uh, they would sure Especially madame hong chung or even dr. D'amico Mr. Thurston now that i'm working for you again, don't you think I should know all about there? I don't know. There's no telling what some people might do as they found out I was here about the sale of gold Gold yeah Philippine gold to be offered to the black market I said, uh, don't you worry, mr. Thurston. I'll keep climbed up like an oyster. Well, I better be leaving See you later, mr. Thurston Okay, pay your Okay No, sir, can't it your own darn fault as long as you keep him in pocket money. Pagan will continue to hound you You know, I don't trust him why for a few bucks. He doubled cross his own grandmother to say nothing of you chief That's just what I'm hoping for right now. Okay. Okay. I give up Now is there anything else I can do for you? No, just check the files and let this going on there. Can you hear me can? Can yes. Yes, what's happened there? Who are you? My name is marise. Yes, you have to bother checking up on me. What I can give you the information in one center Never mind that what's happened to ken thurston that is in ket off by Macau Attempting to halt the illegal flow of philippine gold into the black market Gold originally earmarked for the united states While reporting to the chief his phone conversation is interrupted by gunshots And the beautiful marise informs the chief that ken is in the hands of the infamous madam hung shang Now sometime later ken has regained consciousness in a sumptuously appointed oriental apartment You are feeling better now, mr. Thurston. I guess I'll do What gives marise you are in my private quarters at the lotus blossom So you're madame hung shang that is right. Are you surprised? No, not particularly What went on back in my hotel room? Assassins were attacking you mr. Thurston my men arrived in time to dispose of them However, they were afraid you might shoot at them by mistake during the confusion So they Rendered you unconscious Cautious little creatures aren't they? What were they doing there anyway the captain of the steamer released me at once of course They accompanied me to your hotel. I was most anxious to discuss certain Business with you concerning murder Concerning gold Oh Particularly a certain shipment from the philippines due to arrive in the morning I wish you to secure it for me What makes you think i'm tied up with anything like that for money one can secure almost any kind of information in macau If you deliver the gold to me, you will be entirely safe here if not I see How much time have I until dawn tomorrow generous, aren't you? Your answer mr. Thurston. I'll let you know marise At dawn So fear mr. Thurston. I'm right at home handling the reins with the donkey in the harness Pagon how much did madame hung shang give you the spill about me mr. Thurston How could you possibly accuse me of such a thing how much I swear by the father of my father A measly hundred bucks, but I didn't really tell her nothing. I'll bet Well, here we are mr. Thurston some joint. Hey, yeah, dr. D'Amico does all right for himself Hey, how come if macau is in such a healthy territory? There's enough sick people for him to support the place like that That's what i'm going to find out inside if you've done your job job What job? Selling me out to dr. D'Amico too I am very pleased in your thirst and that your quick acceptance of my invitation I figured a little visit here might be helpful dr. D'Amico a very wise decision my friend We can be quite comfortable here on the patio. Please be seated. Thanks And now send your trust and let us get down to business that makes sense What's on your mind? Philippine gold. You've got a lot of company perhaps But not competition. What makes you think so? I have a customer with a great deal of money. He spends it foolishly So foolishly he is willing to pay 51 dollars an ounce for that gold Quite a difference being that on the legal world ceiling of 35 Why does he do it? You know as well as I senior that gold is the only thing of value in the world today I can tell you a few others peace The welfare of the peoples of the world. It is no time for abstract philosophies Now it has come to my attention that uh, you have a certain interest in this Philippine gold In a way, yeah, and uh, naturally you we still sell it to us Oh, I'm afraid not and why not? Price doesn't appeal to me and what price would appeal to you? Maybe those abstract philosophies Well, goodbye dr. D'Amico you are intending to leave now. Mm-hmm any objections? I regret to say I have Sebastian is in your You see senior you will have to make up your mind here And for your own sake, I would advise you to hurry mr. Thurston Oh, you almost frightened the life out of me. Sorry Francis. I wasn't expecting you. I found out How do you know I was here strange creature who's been tagging around after you? You spying on you and saw them carry you under their pagoda He figured the information was worth something to me. He was right. I could ask why don't not now. I've got to get away from here first Come on Ken The front page no good D'Amico's having a party which is one of his guests that I managed to sneak out here Oh Let's see what board is this place on the back gardens of commons I make it hide in that wilderness. Well, then we can yes Come on I heard him, you know, I think he means that and here use this. Well, thanks Looks like I'll have to uh, let's get out of here before D'Amico really gets mad Okay, Francis They're going back into the house. You can talk now. Talk, Ken. Yeah You're going to explain your rescue act remember simple and pagan told me what had happened to you. I realized it's all right Amico was dangerous possibly a killer And you were really my friend you changed friends fast, don't you? No woman's perfect Even I can be fooled you do all right Do I can any reason to think otherwise? I don't know Ken is funny Usually I've had command of situations like this shoes on the other foot. You don't like it. No It might be worthwhile With a little encouragement. I expected a woman like you to take not ask Sometimes a woman like me Might even beg now chill Francis the patterns too deep it What is it Ken those bells? You know what they are? Yes Temple bells in the chinese quarter They peel that way when the fishing fleet is due in the next morning It reminds me that I've still got some fishing to do tonight Have you Ken? What do you hope to catch? I'm not sure yet I'll get something I feel that certain you must have a sure fire bait. I have $51 an ounce This is ridiculous How does anybody fish from a flying boat and at 5 a.m in the morning relax pagan Just keep your eyes peeled for a fishing boat fishing boat, but we already passed a whole flock of fishing Yeah, yeah, they're due to dark at Macau or dawn Wait a minute. What do you see below there? Just another boat Falling behind the fleet a little more trying to catch up Hang on to your hat. They're going we're going down to find out which Pull over and close the line. I'll explain on board Did you have to land on the windy side of the fish boat mr. Thurston already? It doesn't smell so good in here. It'll be worse when we get a board pagan But why do we have to visit such a dirty thing anyway? Are we mr. Thurston that boat it's getting pretty close isn't it time it's slowed down? Not of the intend to ram us Ramos, mr. Thurston Overboard pagan jump This is Burton Good, you weren't really expecting to see anyone else were you? No Oh, I must admit your man Belchnitz was surprised Surprised? You run us down you pick us up you you I don't get it's simple pagan Miss Burton is the fish we were after She had a bit of smart scheme for getting gold from the Philippines to Macau Using a fishing boat and timing the trip So it could put in with the fleet getting the gold ashore and detected the good scheme can How did you puzzle it out? I wasn't too tough After that pagan paved the way by giving him information to sell As a result Marie Sondamico thought I was the agent for the Philippine gold and tipped me off that it was expected this morning And you helped by knowing that the fishing fleet was due to docket dawn But but but that doesn't make sense. Mr. X. She was the one who raced you from dr. Damico Sure By that time she disclosed who she was and was afraid Damico might tip me off So she had to get me away from him But you aren't getting away francis. You forget yourself You may have escaped from my men in your hotel room, but there's no escape for you from here You better check with senor leone about that francis. You're learning. Yeah Of the Philippine ministry of finance It's now About 529 You were supposed to make contact with us at 530 Safe table in the next minute or two. We should know whether Somebody's shooting at us. There was only a warning shot across the bowels Fire by a Philippine gunboat the senor leone aboard Looks like you won't dock at Macau after all francis. So can Hey, well, but you'll never dock anywhere again. Let me have the gun. Let's have it We did it. We did it. We got the gun here You can come up from behind that table now pig. Uh Too bad I had to be rough francis But your kind can't be handled any other way To you goes an end in itself Something to fatten a few curses Instead of nourishing the bodies of starving people D'Amico said peace and the welfare of mankind are only abstract principles If you think so just ask the people They'll tell you And how they'll tell you Next week mr. X goes to the timber country of the great northwest Where the least of the dangerous he encounters is a two-headed axe swung by leon belasco in the person of pegon zelschmidt I think you'll find it the real thriller. So join us. Won't you? Where next I return as the man called x good night. This is directed by jack john stone with music composed and conducted by johnny green Tonight's story was written by sydney marshall So until next week same time same station This is wendell niles speaking for frigid air made only by general voters 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