 Stay tuned for Herbert Marshall as the man called X transcribed Screen stars John Fontaine and Herbert Marshall will appear in this Sunday's theater guild on the air presentation It's a a Milne's fascinating story Michael and Mary Another Sunday night chime favorite is the authentic tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray Remember this Sunday night on NBC for the theater guild on the air with Herbert Marshall and John Fontaine and Tales of the Texas Rangers with Joel McCray The National Broadcasting Company presents Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston 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 It began near the island of Xenophon off the coast of Greece in the Aegean Sea began when a giant transport plane came plunging helplessly down from the clouds of the sparkling blue waters below And they later in Athens, Greece The disaster that hit that plane caused another Her simply dressed woman paid a visit to the chief and me in the offices of the bureau High up above the teeming streets of New York City Now just why did you come here to the bureau, Mrs. Masters? You see it wasn't because of my son Arides. He live in Athena in Greece where I come from Your son is a readers Masters. Yes. Yes, a doctor sure Chief you remember dr. Masters one of the greatest research men in the world Worked with us during the war on battle for T war new rooses. Oh sure again, of course Come to think of it. I saw his name in the papers just a month or two ago. Didn't I yeah He's doing some advanced work on cancer research in Athens on the track of something to according to the article My son wrote me letters Telling me about some medicine miracle worker and he called them The name I kept yes. Oh, thank you What are they Ken radioactive isotopes chief isotopes Miracle workers of science is right. They've been using mistracers to determine the cause of certain diseases chief Radioactive isotopes might hold the clue to curing any number of diseases tuberculosis cancer Apparently dr. Mastos is going to use them in this cancer research No No, Arides will never use them. Oh You see my son is dead. Oh Sorry He was shot to death shot Then that's why you came to us You want us to find this killer? No No, I do not believe in revenge What is done is done. My son is gone But his work must live on and Yesterday I get another letter from a friend in our things These things my son won't I have never arrived. I see go on please so I go to the company today What company mrs. Mastos the said or mercantile company said or mercantile term They are the ones who were to send these things to Athens to my son But the man will not help me will tell me nothing only to come here for the government to assist me You will have please You will see that my son's work can continue our promise you this mrs. Mastos Everything your government can possibly do to help is going to be done That is good. I will go home now, you know I'm very proud of my son of his work Almost as proud as I am of my country well What do you think chief? Ken the bureau has already got a report on those missing isotopes. Huh sure a hundred units were shipped to Athens 60 days ago They were lost overboard while being transferred to another ship near the island of Xenophon Xenophon. That's all that lies behind This is an unfortunate accident. I wonder hmm chief What do you think a hundred units of isotopes would bring on an international black market say in Eastern Europe? Oh probably a couple of million to Can chief I'm paying a visit to the Saydoor mercantile company Pay the man out of petty cash herman. It's only two million dollars Don't be some petrified script only you'll have to stand in line with the others Hang on hang on get your feet off that disk and wake up I'll have your head for breaking me up like this. I Know mr. Thurston. Hey gone. What are you doing here at the Saydoor mercantile company? No, where oh you mean here? Why I'm the vice president and general manager in charge of mercantiles and things So you're the one who sent me this master's to see me of course I didn't know what she was talking about besides. I wanted you to find out about about my salary That big fat man hasn't been back since what big fat man the one who hired me three days ago He hasn't been back since and the join is clean as a pistol. No papers. No supplies. No nothing Think I got a fast brush up somewhere. Yeah Whether any phone calls any in a mail telephone is unconnected and the only thing in the mail was this I Opened it accidentally Pagan This is a shipping invoice three days ago 50 units of radioactive isotopes were shipped air express via Rome To a dr. Mitter of Athens General Hospital What does that mean? It could mean that the Saydoor outfit muscled in on three million dollars worth of isotopes And they're gonna shoot them into Eastern Europe, but but but that's right They flew the coop after this last shipment and left you holding a bag Mr. Thurston then I'm working for crooks and not even getting paid and salary. Oh Yeah, so do I And I'm going to see a doctor. Hmm. What doctor dr. Mitter at the General Hospital in Athens Oh, thanks, no You seem surprised mr. Thurston. I am I didn't expect dr. Mitter to be so Feminine someone should have told you that the name is Eleanor Mitter Won't you sit down? Thanks You wish to speak with me concerning radioactive isotopes and Our interest in them here at the Athens General Hospital. That's right. What can you tell me about them? We had a great man working at this hospital, mr. Thurston Dr. Aridos masters I know Do you also know that he was very close to determining the cause and the possible cure for cancer? So he applied for radioactive isotopes under the ECA grants to Greece He did and the hospital contracted with the Saydoor mercantile company to send the isotopes from the United States to Athens 100 units of them. Yes. It's a pretty large order for one hospital to handle, isn't it? Cancer is a pretty large order for humanity to handle mr. Thurston What happened to him the first shipment was lost at sea wasn't another 50 units shipped by air express a few days ago It was but the plane crashed off the island of Xenophon two days ago Xenophon that was a scene of the first last two wasn't it? It was coincidence. What else could it be? They were both accidents. Yeah What about dr. Masters death dr. Mirrore was that or was that an accident too? Dr. Masters was murdered mr. Thurston while resisting a bandit who was attempting to rob him. You're sure that's what it was. I Am not interested in theories about murder Only in carrying on dr. Masters research if I am able Could you persuade your government to ship us still additional units of isotopes? Asking us to stretch our generosity a bit, isn't it? We have no place else to turn There's always the black market doctor Mr. Thurston There is no black market in radioactive isotopes Yeah, oh well Thanks for the information dr. Mitter I'll see if I can do anything for you Bye dr. Goodbye mr. Thurston and thank you spotter two five seven three please Hello, this is dr. Mitter a mr. Ken Thurston was just here You might possibly be taking the steam at a xenophon and it is also possible that mr. Thurston is The man called X Mr. Thurston, how long do we have to travel in this cattle boat? Already my stomach is telling my nose to move away Cheer up Pagan. We'll be in Zen upon in 24 hours Now this should be our cabin here. Oh You must be a colonel Creighton and if I am the passenger agent tells us we'll be sharing this cabin ships pretty crowded Yes, yes, I've already been informed of these miserable arrangements the very idea of a member of the king's personal guard being forced to Share his quarters with strangers. We're not complaining colonel. Why should you just bear in mind? Please this and false proximity does not entitle you to any social amenities Now if you'll excuse me, I shall leave for dinner. I trust the cabin should be in an orderly condition upon my return What a stiff shirt am I gonna tell him a couple of things or two? Yeah, sure Let's put our bags away Pagan Yep Good evening your pardon for this intrusion. My name is Dementro Sedol. Mr. Thurston, it's him. It's him. The big fat man Yes, you recognize me. My girth is difficult to disguise. You crook at no good cheating me out of my salary I'll have the I'll have the lawn you I'll punch you black and blue. I'll Mr. Thurston do something That won't be necessary Quite right sir quite right my apologies there Smith a cable from Greece Unexpected business emergency no time to notify you perhaps this will suffice for back salary at me little him Asino Exactly are we still enemies my dear sir? Oh, how did you ever get such a silly idea? Mr. Seder my dearest friend Now if there's any little job all right say don't let's have it You wouldn't come in here just to settle up with Pagan You have a keen mind sir a very keen mind No, I came here as a friend to warn you There is someone aboard this ship sir who intends to take your life What makes you think so my sources must remain a secret sir. However, this much I can tell you There is no on the in Colonel Creighton connected with his Majesty's guard Oh, at the moment the Colonel is dining with the last-minute passenger the lovely dr. Eleanor Mitter of Athens My gesture of friendship you mentioned two names as homicidal suspects. How about adding a third the third sir? Yeah Demetros said Part of this rail not to mirror The deck is free to all passengers mr. Piston. Oh, thank you It was only out here this hour a night, isn't it? That's why I chose it. I Prefer quiet and solitude on the nights before I operate Operate that is why I'm traveling to Xenophon The pilot of the plane carrying the isotopes had his skull fractured in the crash. Oh Funny thing about that crash doctor. Oh, yeah, I checked on it. The weather was calm and clear Too bad of the pilot died during the operation and couldn't tell how it happened There are other things more dangerous to human life than a scalpel in the hands of a trained surgeon, mr. Thurston Now if you will excuse me, I think I'll retire Good night, doctor We're going to be killed murdered even die. Whoa. Well, wait, wait a minute take them Who's going to commit all this mayhem the phony Colonel Creighton? That's who I saw him in the cabin Just just out cleaning the cannon. Anyway, calibrate eight automatic. He's going to kill us Take on dig your nose up out of that deck whoever it was is gone in the shadows Whoever it was, huh? Yeah, who else could it be but that no good colonel? Dr. Middle left in the direction of those shots Look over there now. What do you see that darkness? Nothing but a big shadow it Mr. Thurston, it's it's moving It's coming towards us Pleasant journey this one to Zedafan. Is it not mr. Thurston? Very pleasant journey indeed Mr. Thurston, why don't we get off this floating cattle car dr. Mitter sneak the shore special priority She's got an operation coming up. Huh, maybe if I play sick do we can Listen to this look look how somebody's jumping on us relax. That's nothing but the shadow of the cargo Imagine that but why do they have to keep swinging that thing over our heads all the time couldn't they That's why I said oh I was wondering where that plane of yours crashed. Oh, yes. It's unfortunate accident Notice that mooring buoy in the bay the ship anchored nearby that marks the spot Looks like that boat has diving tackle rigged on it Your eyes are as keen as your brain sir. Yes, that is a sponge diving boat one of my fleet mr. Thurston. Oh, so you're in the sponge business too, huh? Quite right sir. I find it a dull venture, but Quite profitable as profitable as handling radioactive isotopes on the Eastern European market You joke of course No, no, I do not think the sponge business would be as profitable, but perhaps far less dangerous That is my answer sir a good one is it not What's so good about it? It didn't answer nothing. That's why it's good pay gone Well anyways with him and dr. Mitter out of our way. We got nothing to worry Hey, mr. Thurston, the cargo net stepped right over us Big on the net Mr. X those crates fell right where we're standing tons of them. Yeah They couldn't mashed out fluttered and flat jacks. Yes, he even fluttered What an accident I wonder if Colonel Creighton had called it that huh Colonel Creighton What's he got to do with this? I don't know what he's standing over there beside the donkey engine beside it Mr. Thurston that engine. Yeah It handles the cargo net that spilled over our heads Yeah, take this money Search read around the village see what you can buy with it learn if there's any black market American goods You know cigarette money anything then meet me back here at the hotel. Mr. Cax you don't abandon But what are you? What are you gonna do check on an operation? Huh? I want to see how dangerous a scalpel in the hands of Eleanor Mitter can rarely be Ken You've come to the hospital to check up on me. Not quite Eleanor. I want to talk to your patient that pilot about Accidents to cargoes of isotopes That is if he's still alive you talk like a fool Do you think he deliberately fractured his skull in such an accident merely to make it look legitimate? No, I think the fractured skull was the only accidental thing about that plane crash I see and I suppose an unsuccessful operation would mean I deliberately let him die in order to seal his lips Did he die Eleanor? The operation was successful Come I will take you to see him. I Hope this will end these suspicions you have Ken This is his room Kind of drafty isn't it? Oh that stupid nurse left the window open. She knows the patient is vulnerable to pneumonia Don't don't don't bother. I know He's not vulnerable to anything. What? He's dead Can't but must have been post-operative shock or an embolism. Yeah All that knife sticking out of his chest Now let me see. Mr. X gave me 200 clams. I spend only a hundred Mm-hmm. I give him back 30 that makes a profit of 70 bucks. They're not bad Hmm, maybe I better figure out again. See I don't cheat myself. He gave me 200 Samoans. Good evening, mr. Zell Schmidt. Oh, oh, hello Colonel Creighton. Nice night, isn't it? Now, let's see 200 clams. That's right Colonel Creighton your identification is correct. So Schmidt despite the darkness of this side street. Have you noticed no one else's around? Yes, well Was nice seeing you colonel drop around again sometimes I At knife be careful with that knife. I shaved once already today I'm going to ask you one question Zell Schmidt if you wish to live you will answer it correctly Who is Ken Thurston? Oh, is that all? Well, that's a sin. She's the ooh No, no, no, I can't answer Zell Schmidt. Who is he that knife? Who is Ken Thurston? He is the man called X Come in sir, please come in. Thanks. Well, it's a surprise. Most welcome. I Must confess I expected you to call. Yes, we've got something to talk over. Perhaps we have sir. Perhaps we have what Subject did you have in mind? Radioactive isotopes? My God sir, I admire you straight to the point. No beating around the bush. Well, what for? We both know you were behind those accidents. Why not admit it? Why not sir? Why not indeed? The airplane pilot is dead. There are no witnesses here. I don't mind speaking frankly good Then tell me if I've got the record straight. Yes, certainly sir. You had a two-way purpose behind those accidents, say door Bleeding the ECA funds to Greece for some three million dollars and Seeing that those isotopes ended up in the country you're working for I said you were a brilliant man, sir. Your deductions are quite sound Unfortunately, I've succeeded only partially both shipments were lost at sea. I found it impossible to recover them So you see we've both lost. I have no isotopes. You have no proof of crime Our little contest ends in a draw. Okay, say no, that's that Looks like I go back to Athens and I sir return to my sponge diving business By the way, if you're not familiar with the process why not drop around tomorrow? I'll take you aboard one of my boats. You might find it interesting. Maybe I'll take you up on that side or good night. Good night, sir Good night Well, my dear, did you hear it all you always were a talkative fool to Metro. Why did you mention the diving? Please be to be apparently frank yet. Tell him nothing now He will leave Xenophon and we shall have nothing further to worry about you mean I shall have nothing further to worry about Is that mean I have Don't be foolish my dear. What could it possibly be just this to Metro just this Clear like a shell mr. Thurston good How's the motor operating the air pump? That little putt putt is purring like a puppy. See that it stays that way I'll keep it running smooth like a carpet Unless maybe the crew of this boat is coming back. Don't worry They were ordered to stay away officially then who is coming this way in a speedboat speedboat Well, what do you know? It's that pretty little pill peddler dr. Mitchell. That's right. Miss dr. Mitchell welcome on board Thank you and mr. Thurston. Where is he? I must speak with him at the air pump The diving equipment is working. Sure. We're learning how to be sponges aren't we mr. Thurston I see the diving rig phone is working But the meter you got a gun you mr. Thurston my hand is over the transmitter. He cannot hear you nor could he hear the sound of shots Move backward quickly and stay there Ken Ken do you hear me? What are you doing aboard? I followed you from your hotel Ken. I have important news. Oh, you were right Those accidents to the isotopes were planned the matrix said I was behind it. He But if you are diving out here, you know his plan Yeah, that's right. I don't know he had his agents dump the isotopes into the ocean to make the accidents look legitimate Then he'd recover them with his sponge divers as you are trying to do now the isotopes are right below the boat Eleanor a diver can get to them in the morning So my work's almost over for the night Ask Pagan to pull in the lines for young first darling. I think you should know something Dometro said or has a partner I Was working with him But now that said or is dead All the profits shall be mine Yes, darling, I disposed of him as I did with a pilot and as I am going to do with you Why shouldn't I be you'll find it rather difficult to breathe down there with your air supply gone Too bad it had to end this way darling, but Goodbye Dr. Miller the air pump it stopped Yes, oh Schmidt and now it is your turn Mr.. Thurston hell. Oh you fool. He cannot help you now. He's Take a gun Colonel with pleasure. Let me have a doctor. All right first and you're alive And then Colonel Creighton of the Athenian secret intelligence sure You made a mistake not seeing the telephone wire going into the cabin. Oh, no now Pagan Her mistake was trading in a physician's oath for a handful of money She's going to pay for that mistake now Yeah So will all those who trade in the same kind of coin Someone said it long ago much better than I remember What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul Now here is our star mr. Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us Next week we've planned a low-key mystery for you with a twist at the finish I think you'll find interesting and we're kind of startling as usual realm blast will be along as Pagan zelschmidt So join us won't you when next I return as the man called X. Good night Starling Herbert Marshall is a J. Richard Kennedy production and is directed by Jack Johnstone with music composed and conducted by Felix Mills Tonight's transcribe story was written by Sydney Marshall Heard in the night's cast where we'll write that's the chief Alan Reed as Demetro Sador Joe and banks as dr. Mitter Dan O'Hurley as Colonel Creighton and Peggy Weber as Mrs. Mastos all characters and incidents used are fictitious Any resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental and so until next week same time same station This is Jack Latham saying good night for the man called X Three chimes mean good times on NBC Sunday afternoon chimes mean mystery and action on NBC Mike Wehring better known as the Falcon lends his debonair touch to the solution of another mystery followed by that polite Diplomatic and very deadly detective the saint After the saint the big guy steps into mystery and danger and your Sunday afternoon of mystery concludes with that new private eye Charlie Wilde