 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. The message was received by the State Department in Washington shortly before midnight. Within an hour after decoding, there was a vaporized burst of activity in the offices of the Atomic Energy Commission. Counterintelligence, end of the Bureau in New York City. So Professor Chourney has disappeared. That's right, Ken. It apparently happened three weeks ago. Where, Chief? At Los Alamos? No, much worse. At Lince, Austria. On the border of the American-Russian zone. What was Chourney doing there? His family disappeared there during the war. A month ago, he took a leave of absence from his nuclear-efficient work at Los Alamos. One last stab at finding them. That's so, Chief. Ken, I don't have to tell you that Professor Chourney is one of the greatest living experts on nuclear-efficient. Yeah, I know. Why, his mind contains secrets that'll be worth, well, almost anything to certain interested nations. That's right. For Pete's sake, Ken, what's the matter with you? Don't you realize what this might mean? Chourney disappears only 25 miles from Czechoslovakia. What if he's being held somewhere behind the iron curtain? Being questioned. Well, officially, the Bureau can hardly go into Czechoslovakia on this drink of a guest? I know we can. That's why I wanted to talk to you. Don't you have any suggestions? Chief, what do you know about music boxes? Music boxes? Yeah, like the one I got here. Came to my apartment, Air Express, this morning. When you phoned me, I thought I'd bring it along. Now, wait a minute, Ken. What are you driving at? It was an interesting little gadget, Chief. Listen. You like it? Ken. Sorry. By the way, did you know Professor Chourney made a hobby of collecting these things? He did. Yeah? Well, he was very fond of, played Brahms, lullaby. Hmm. Who did you say sends you that music box? I don't know. There wasn't any name or return address on it, only the name of the manufacturer. The Batava Toy Company. According to the postmark, they are located in Prague. Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia? Yep. Yeah. Chief. Yeah, Ken? I've been working kind of hard lately. Hmm. I don't suppose you'd care for... Why, thanks, Chief. A vacation is just what I need. That's what I figured. Any idea what you'll do with your time? Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll start collecting music boxes. In Prague. Afternoon, sir. Welcome to Bratava's Toy Shop. Thanks. Is the owner around? I am Papa Bratava. Is there something I could do for you? Maybe. My name's Ken Thurston. Uh-huh. And America. That's right. And what is it that brings you to see me, Mr. Thurston? Oh, you have quite a reputation back in the United States, Papa Bratava. Oh. That is most pleasing. Yep. You've been recommended to me as an excellent manufacturer of music boxes. Oh. You are interested in music boxes, Mr. Thurston? That's right. A friend of mine has one that came from there. I could use one just like it. And the name of this, uh, friend. Could you tell me that? Yeah. Professor Choney. Well, Papa Bratava. Mr. Thurston, there is down the street from here a cavern, a cafe known as Flecus. Flecus? Yes. If you will go there, please, and wait for me. I will join you within an hour. Why an hour, Papa? It will take me that long to, to make up my mind, Mr. Thurston. Uh-huh. What about? If I should give you what you seek, or if I should kill you at Flecus within the hour then, Mr. Thurston? Ah, here is a table such as you wish, sir. Quiet, secluded. Yes, thanks, sir. I don't suppose you serve Martinez. Martinez? I never mind. I'll settle for a glass of pilsen. Yes, sir. Pilsen, it shall be, sir. Hello, Mr. Thurston. Oh, no. I'm some classic fiddle, eh, Mr. Thurston? Pagan, I never heard such atrocious catawalling in my life. Thank you, Mr. Thurston. Better even than the music box, eh? What do you know about a music box, Pagan? What do I know about it? Who do you think sent it to you anyways? You? Certainly. I knew who would be interested in learning about the certain Professor Chornie party. Not mentioning any names, of course. So I sent it to you. Pagan, if you had anything to do with Professor Chornie's disappearance... Oh, I swear by the father of my father, Mr. Thurston, I didn't have absolutely nothing to do with it. Only I got friends, you understand, with ears hanging to the underground. They told me. What did they tell you? Mr. Erks, do you think I'm the kind of a guy who gives away his friend's secrets for nothing? After all, there are certain Mr. Lindy's expenses involved. Okay, pal. Pagan, you'll get paid. Now, welcome to talk. Well, I got to play here another 15 minutes, and my public demands that you understand. Oh, sure, sure. No, but there's an alleyway behind this gypsy juke joint. I'll meet you back there when I get through now. Now, if you will excuse me, I'll go tear a few more hearts out with my music. I might have known. Ah, here is your Pilson, sir. Thanks. Two. I didn't know I looked that thirsty. The other one is for me. Well... Do you mind? Sit down, please. Thank you. Here, keep the change. Well, thank you, sir. Thank you very much. My name is Ilta. What is your name? Ken Thurston. American? American. I like Americans. I like you. Well, thanks. You would like to be friends with Ilta? Do you always make friends this quickly? Why not? Life is too short to be wasteful of it. I like you. If you like me, why should not we be friends? Well, it seems to make sense. Only I was wondering. What? About your real reason for coming to my table. Ah, you sound almost as suspicious as Kumlov. Kumlov? You do not know him? Well, should I? No. But I will not spoil this moment of our meeting by discussing him. Goodbye for now. Well, that was a pretty short friendship. Oh, no. It has hardly begun. Here. This is my address. I will see you there about 8 o'clock tonight. You seem pretty confident that I'll be there. Of course. We have much in common to talk about. Kumlov, ourselves? A missing professor? Hmm? Mm-hmm. Yes. I am quite confident you will visit me at 8 this evening. Mr. X? Why did I pick such a dark alley to meet Mr. X? I should have had my head examined. Things I do for that man are out of the goodness of my heart so he can do things for me. Oh. Why do I stick my foot out into it? It's like this. Anyways, I... So you can chisel a few bucks back now? Oh. Oh, it's only you, Mr. Therson. Who else were you expecting? Who can tell in a dark place like this? Must be plenty of people jealous of my fiddle playing. But anyways, right now, that's neither here. You got my pay off for me? I've got it. But first I want to hear what you know about Professor Johnny. Uh, you almost talk like you almost don't trust me, Mr. Therson. Start talking, Pagon. Well, uh... Well, I wasn't Bratislava a couple of weeks ago playing my fiddle in a very exclusive joint. That's when I heard this couple of guys talking. Wait a minute, Pagon, wait a minute. Hey, hey, that car. What are they doing? They're flushing their flashlights in my eyes. They could be looking for us, Pagon. With guns in their hands now, that's ridiculous. Why should they... guns! Do not move, either of you. We will fire at the first motion. Mr. Therson! Better do as he says. Surround the two of them. Get any sign of resistance, shoot them. So, now which one of you is Pagon's elch-mate? Pagon? Oh, Pagon's elch-mate. I've never heard of that character. You lie. I swear by the father of my father. Like my great-great-uncle George Washington Zesmit used to say, I cannot tell I... Dobre. Dobre Beach. Take him away. Mr. Therson, do something, do something. With these guns in my back, sorry. You speak very wisely, my friend. You are not able to do anything. Hey, look what you've done. You knocked him subconscious. You... Into the car with him. Now, to headquarters. Yeah, most anxious to question him. Yeah, comrade Kumlov is anxious to question him. Who would you are conscious at last, Mr. Therson? Oh, what? What? Oh, it's, uh... Papa Potava. Ah! And please, you are able to recognize me, Mr. Therson. Yes, oh my. Who are we? In a room behind the Bratava Toy Company. Oh, why? I was going to Flag Coast to join you, as agreed. I saw the car with those men turn into the alley and watched them. When they left, I brought you here. Well, you haven't killed me. So you've apparently made up your mind to work with me. That is quite right, Mr. Therson. Since last we were together, I... I have spoken with... them. It would seem they recommend you most highly. Well, that's nice. But just who are they? The people's underground, Mr. Therson. Oh. The democratic resistance movement here in Czechoslovakia. Some of them work with you during the war against the Germans. I remember. And now they're still working. As long as there are those like Kumlov who seek to deprive us of liberty and freedom, we shall continue to work and to fight. Kumlov again. Who is he, Papa? He is head of a secret police organization in Czechoslovakia. Terrorists and cutthroats. All whose one aim is the destruction of everything democratic. Sounds like a pleasant soul. He wouldn't happen to be the one who's got Professor Chorney. He is? Ah, you know what that means. I do. And Professor Chorney's knowledge must be put to work for the benefit of mankind. Not for its wholesale destruction. You must get the professor back to the United States before it is too late, Mr. Thurston. That's what I'm here for, Papa. What help can you offer? An underground escape route. We use it for loyal patriots who have become known to Kumlov and must leave the country to preserve their lives. Good. What is the route? I can only tell you that from here one goes to the Radkani Kale in Mainz at Benestov. Our contact there is Piatka. Piatka at Benestov? Yes. He will have to direct you from there on. Each station knows only the next one along the line. So if Kumlov questions one of us, he cannot possibly get information about the whole system. What else have we got to work with? There is Joseph Atacar. Atacar. One of our men who has succeeded in getting into Kumlov's secret police. He has been made a deputy commissioner. He can help us locate the professor. Good. And lastly, we can supply you with four credentials, though that will take some time, a week perhaps. Oh, that'll be too long, Papa. Kumlov's already had three weeks with Shawnee. With no time to waste, we'll have to... Expecting someone? Yes, Joseph Atacar. He was to come here as soon as he finished his tour of duty. I shall be right back. Amen, Joseph. I have you. What are you doing with that? No. No, don't. No! Please, come in, Ken. Thanks, Joseph. We are to be friends then. Or are you here merely because of what I said at Flakus? I don't pretty much depend on what you say now. You'd better get started also. I have a hunch time is running out. Oh, why do you say that? Papa Butava just had a very convincing demonstration. Yeah, I know. You know why? I will answer that, comrade. Well, that gun in your fist looks familiar. Ah, you recognize me then? The alley behind Flakus wasn't that dark. Where's Pagan? He's being detained, awaiting questioning. I suppose I'm next in line. Would your question be answered, Mr. Thurston, if I put this gun away? So... No. Oh, do you not understand, Ken? The gun was for the precaution to prevent you from some hasty action when you recognize Joseph. Joseph? Attica? That is correct, Mr. Thurston. Now, do you see, Ken? Joseph and I are with the Czech resistance movement also. Then why that double-talk at Flakus about Kumloff and Torny? I recognize you from your work here during the war. I know you must be here on one or both of those matters. And I could not talk there. So... Yeah, well, you got me here. And apparently you know about Papa Butava. That is so, Mr. Thurston. I was approaching the toy shop when he was killed by one of Kumloff's men. What about the arrest of Pagan? Kumloff's orders. He seemed quite interested in obtaining information about you. Uh-huh. Do you think Pagan will talk about you? Oh, he'd talk about anything with a price tag attached to it. And that's what I meant by time running out. If we are going to get Professor Torny, we've got to do it fast. Do you know where they're holding him? Yes, at the detention cell of the secret police, an old-blick warehouse in the Vlatava River near the outskirts. He was in charge there at night. Only the captain of the guards, squad of men. Good. Good. What do you have in mind, Ken? At the car is Kumloff's deputy. What if he and I walk in there with a signed order to release Torny into our custody? Oh, that is impossible. Joseph may be Kumloff's deputy, but you would hardly sign an order for you releasing the professor. Wait, Ilsa, wait. It can be done. Yes, I can obtain forged documents in an hour. Orders, credentials for Thurston. A police car for us to escape him. Then get him at the car. We're going after Torny tonight. There's the detention warehouse, Ken. Good. Keep the motor going, Ilsa. The minute you see us at the gate, get there fast. Yes, Ken. Okay, Atacar. Let's go. Here is the professor's cell, comrades. Open it, Captain. Of course, Deputy Atacar. All right, Torny. You have visitors. Get up. I said get up. Get up! You're wasting time, Captain. Those drugs and all the questioning have left him on his semi-conscious. We'll have to help him, Deputy Atacar. Of course. Come on, Torny. On your feet. On your feet. Come along, Professor. Are you who? Are you who, Mr. Thurston? Oh, no. Thurston? What is that prisoner saying? I'm all fucked up and ready for trouble. There is something wrong here. God! God, the report to the front! Shut up, Pigar. Keep the gun handy, Atacar. Looks like we've a long way to go. It's gone wrong in there. There's almost 15 minutes now since they left. Still, they have not... shot. There is trouble outside. Let's get him in. Come on, Professor. In the car. In the car. Mr. Thurston, stand back, Pigar. What is it, Ken? What went wrong? Time for that later. Okay, Atacar. Hey, go and get in. How's the Professor? He'll be all right, Thurston. The questioning was, uh, painful. But without any permanent injury. Good. Boy, it sure is lucky for you, a brook out of that jail joined, Mr. Thurston. Well, those guys didn't want to know about you. I'll bet. This is the road to Venice of Ken. Which is there we will find the first station of the Underground Railway. Yeah, at the Kailin mines. Our contact's a man named Pietkeff. And from there, Thurston, Pietkeff will have to tell us. The station knows only the next one along the way. Say, maybe this Underground Railway will be a cannonball express. Hey, Mr. Thurston? Pigar, you better pray that it is. Because Kumlov's gonna try to wreck us all the way down the line. Go on, Pietkeff. Our next shipment of Kailin goes to the Rudka porcelain factory at Meroveche in the morning, Mr. Thurston. Your party will be aboard one of the freight cars. Good luck to you. There it is, Pigar. This is the riverboat that'll take us from Meroveche to Tin. Riverboat? First, I bum around the freight car wrapped up in clay, and now you want me to make like a bilge in a boat. I wouldn't do it. I'll travel on a train by myself. Okay. I'll be sure to give my regards to Kumlov when he spots you. Mr. Thurston, welcome aboard. That is the Kutna Sho factory, just ahead, Ken. According to the directions at Tin, it's got to be over. And the Austrian border must lie just a short distance beyond. Yeah. The professor's journey back to Friedem is almost over. Why are you always worrying about him? He's been sleeping practically the whole trip. After what he's been through, he deserves some rest, Pigar. You sure the shoe factory is the place we go, Mr. Thurston? No lights on inside. Well, the night watchman will be there. He's our contact. Come on, Advocate. Let's find him. I'm with you, Thurston. Pay me to meet you. I'm not going to stay out here in the dark alone with only a woman and an old man for company. Oh, sure. Let him go with you, Ken. The professor and I will be all right. Okay, sir. Come on. Believe you me, Mr. Thurston. I'm going to be one happy chump when he leaves this wedgie workshop and get across that border. What a way to get from one country to another. Kumlov would be willing to give up everything he has in Czechoslovakia. If he could destroy this escape route, Zershmid. Ah, here's the door, Thurston. But I do not see any sign of the watchman around. No more do I. The door's open. Let's go in. It's darker in here than in the dark outside. There's a desk here. There should be a lamp on it. Yeah, there it is. Ah, that's better. Now let's see if we can find that watchman. I would not worry about that if I were you, Zershmid. You were never going to cross the border anyway. That's what you think. Believe me, the quicker I get out of Czechoslovakia, the faster I... Mr. Thurston, he's got a gun. Yeah. What's that mean, Attacan? A glance through the window will show you what it means. A glance through the... Mr. Thurston. There are lights out there and men. And guns. Yes, Zershmid. You have reached the end of your travels. Mr. Thurston, what's the matter with this joker anyways? Has he blown his nagging or something? That's pretty simple, Pagan. Kumlov's learned, but he'd give his soul to learn if he had one. The escape route. The members of the Underground Railway. The names of assistance leaders in every town we've visited. Kumlov. Yes, Zershmid. I am Kumlov. Oh, no, let's... You had it all carefully planned, didn't you, Kumlov? Even to the master's stroke of letting us rescue Professor Charney. Why not? There was no risk involved? When I learned our destination at the last stop, I sent word to my local deputy to meet us here with his men. Besides, you did not know us for what we were. Yes. Ilse and I could have killed you at any time if necessary. Ilse, you mean that pretty Petunia is working with this? No good? Sure. She had to be Pagan. Kumlov had every little detail carefully worked out except one. I doubt that I overlooked anything, Thurston. Do you? Then maybe you'd better take a look out of that window. Huh? Those men out there aren't your secret police. They're members of the Resistance. The Resistance? You're mad. Kumlov, you're not the only one who made preparations at our last stop. I told the underground contact there all about you and Ilse. What you hoped to gain by this fairy tale, I do not know, Thurston. How could you possibly have known about us? Ilse said she recognized being proud because I'd worked there during the war. I recognized her too, Kumlov. She was working for Nazis then. Go on. It would take a week to get forged credentials for me. You got them within an hour. There was no time to forge them, so they must have been real. And who but Kumlov could have put the genuine signature on them? You are telling the truth, aren't you, Thurston? These things you say, they are the truth. That's right, Kumlov. You and Ilse are the ones who reached the end of your travels. Yes. So it would seem. Which of my dangers also, Thurston? Come, Pagon. He shot me. I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dying. Oh, relax. Those bullets didn't come within three feet of you. But everything's going dark. That's because I smashed the lamp, you idiot. Oh, then everything's... Hey, where's Kumlov? He beat it out the door. Then he's getting away. He is getting away. No, Pagon. This kind never gets away. You know, Kumlov thought he could destroy an escaped route to freedom. But nobody can do that. There's nothing powerful enough to close the doorway to freedom for the peoples of this earth. I guess our job is to see that nobody tries. Come on, Pagon. We'd better get Professor Chourney home. And now, ladies and gentlemen, here's our star, Mr. Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us. Next week, the mysterious disappearance of obscure plantation owner leads Ken Thurston to a rendezvous in Rangoon. That becomes a rendezvous with death. And here I add that Leon Balasco will be along as Pagon's self-wit. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the man called X. Good night. The man called X, starring Herbert Marshall, is a J. Richard Kennedy production, and is directed by Jack John Stone with music composed and conducted by Felix Mills. Tonight's story was written by Sidney Marshall, and heard in the night's cast were Jeanette Nolan to Zilzer, Tony Barrett as the guard, Lou Merrill as Bratava, Gerald Moore as Attacar, and Will Wright as the chief. All characters and incidents used on this program are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental. So, until next week, same time, same station, this is Jack Latham saying good night for the man called X. Free times mean good times on NBC. Sunday is a big day on NBC. It's a big day because of the big show. Tallulah Bank had his MC, and your stars in Sunday's hour-and-a-half broadcast include Fred Allen, Jimmy Duranty, Ethel Merman, Frankie Lane, Mindy Carson, Meredith Wilson, and a host of others. All this and Tallulah too. Yes, it's the big show, an hour-and-a-half every Sunday on NBC.