 Adventures by Morse. Carlton E. Morse presents The Land of the Living Dead, featuring Captain Friday. If you like high adventure, come with me. If you like the stealth of entry, come with me. If you like blood and thunder, come with me. Death comes to La Jolla. Tonight's episode opens with the Dr. Julian English expedition at the seaport of La Jolla on the coast of Chile, following the deadly adventure on shipboard with the guerrilla man and the werewolf. Two barriers placed by the ancient priests of the hidden sacred city have now been overcome by Captain Friday and Skip Turner. Agents of the ancient priesthood of the living dead had attempted to prevent the English party ever leaving San Francisco and then had attempted to annihilate the whole party at sea. But the little group has won through to this abject little Chilean seaport of La Jolla on the edge of the fever jungles. But here's Captain Friday. Yes, the seaport itself has perhaps 500 inhabitants, not counting the superstitious half-savage Indians of the surrounding jungles who enter and leave the seaport at will. Shacks make up the town's edifices with the exception of the single two-story hotel. At the moment, Dr. English, who heads our expedition and we four, who are his companions, stand gazing with interest on the Indians who pass us by with ill-natured stares. Dr. English's injured left arm is still in a sling, but Judith, his daughter and Skip Turner are in high spirits and eager to push on toward the peaks of Zambala, behind which the sacred city is said to lie. Even the pessimism of our Spanish guide, Mrs. Santas, has somewhat fallen away as a result of again setting foot on her native soil. How about that arm, Dr. English? Think you can travel? Without the least discomfort, Captain Friday. In any event, we start for the ancient monastery immediate. Hey, you say you got the man who can guide us through their secret passage, Miss Santos? See, I have found Juan Mendoza. Well, then we can get going today, huh? Patience, Mr. Turner. The path we take is a long one. A path of many traps and creeping horrors. A path encompassed about grotesque tortures and pitiless death. Do not be too impatient to thrust yourself into it. Oh, must we always hop on the gruesome, Mrs. Santos? We... Father. Father, quick! Huh? Did you see her? Did you see that girl? What do you mean, Judith? What girl? It's the girl who shot Robert. The girl with the green eyes. Tula. Tula here? Are you certain, senorita? Do you think I'll ever forget that face? I tell you it was she. Which way did she go? Quickly, Judith. Which way? She plunged into that crowd of Indians down at the end of the street. A girl with green eyes. You can't miss her. Come on, Skip, let's find her. Yeah, man. I always did want to get my hands on a green-eyed girl. Save the jokes. This may not be a laughing matter. We'll catch up with you later, doctor. So Tula is back in La Jolla. But how could she get here before us? We took the first boat out of San Francisco. Most certainly by airplane. She is cosmopolitan, that's senorita. That seems a little out of character, Mrs. Santos. The ancient jungle priests resorting to airplanes. Nothing is out of character for the priests of the La Jolla jungle, senorita English. Why, some of the most cultured diplomats of Europe are their ancients. Just as surely ours are such obscene monstrosities as this vicious werewolf being. Oh, I hope Captain Friday and Skip catch that girl. I'd like to see her suffer as she's made us suffer. They will not overtake her, senorita. Why do you say that, Mrs. Santos? Yes, she's had been a moment's toss. Senorita English. Tula is the mystery woman of three continents. Always it is the same with Tula. One moment she's here, the next she is not. Do you mean you believe the woman has the powers of black magic, Mrs. Santos? Who am I to say? All that we know is that she is the darling of the ancient priests. The priests that work again, eh? Building another formidable barrier between us and their precious secrets. Be very sure of it, doctor. Tula's presence in this place means something, something ominous. Something very bad for us. The quicker we get out of here and into the protection of the secret passage, the better. Come, we'll wait for Captain Friday and Skip at the hotel. Hello, who is it? Senora, senora. Ah, it is Juan Mendoza. One moment, Juan. There, there, come in. Senora, I have come to report that all is in readiness. The back train stands at the beginning of the secret passage. Behind the church of Santa Maria. Oh, I beg of you, senora, be discreet. The walls have ears. You have heard something, Juan? Only that a misplaced word may bring death to us all. La Jolla is filled with the spies of the priesthood. And when do we start, Juan? At the hour before dawn. That is well. Then, with your leave, senora, I go now to Santa Maria to say a prayer for our safe journey. The hour before sunrise, tomorrow. But if we should meet you before then... I shall be in readiness, senora. Religious, chap. All South America is religious in one form or another. Intensely religious. Fanatically religious. Dangerously religious, perhaps. You will learn just how true these words are, Dr. English. Before you have been in La Jolla many days. Hello in there. Oh, it's Captain Friday. They're back. The door is unlocked, Captain. Hello. I hasn't skipped back yet, but you were together. Lock it. Will you cup it on Friday? Oh, yes, of course. Skip didn't return to the hotel then. I know. How did you happen to separate? Is anything wrong, Captain? Not that I know of. He went down one side street. I took another. We agreed to meet back here. It's funny. He's had plenty of time to get back. Did you find the girl too low? Yeah, no luck at all. Hey, wait a minute. Maybe skip found her. That's why he's not here. I will not be too certain of that, Captain Friday. What do you mean? Senior Turner will never find Tula until she wants to be found. By the way, Mrs. Santas, what's wrong with the Indians? The Indians? Yes, they're in ugly humor. Got at me off the sidewalk and snout at me like animals. In fact, it was all they wanted to stick a knife in my back. I wondered what form it was going to take this time. What do you mean, Father? The priest's newest effort to stop us. Don't you see? If what the captain says is true, then the priest prevails the Indians against us. See, and we have a lot of Indian country to go through before we reach the monastery. The new barrier between us and the Sacred City. Is that it, Mrs. Santos? See, Captain, what you have just told me makes me anxious about Senior Turner. No, that must be skipped now. I'll get it. Who are you? My friend. I am myself, and myself alone. May I enter? A priest of the Chicotas. What do you want? A little courtesy, my friend. And the word with your esteemed companion, the Doctor English. Come in. This is Doctor English. Ah, yes. The illustrious Doctor Julian English. Archaeologist, anthropologist, and anthologist. And Senora Roberto Santos, with all the learned Doctor Santos, who was beloved by all the people of La Jolla. Ah, and the Senorita, Julian English. Who are you? What's your business with me? Does it matter who I am? I am an Indian. I am a descendant of the Chicotas, an Indian who has struggled valiantly with the intricacies of your civilization. Your robe proclaims you a priest of high office. A matter of no importance. I serve at times, indifferently well. If you'll excuse me, Doctor, I'm going to have a look for Skipper. Ah, but my young friend, I am going to ask you to stay. Thanks for the invitation, but I'm leaving. Now. No. You are to remain. Perhaps this dagger will convince you that I am serious. Oh, no. I don't like people pulling knives on me. You'll regret this, Valence. Not regret, my friend. Pay perhaps. Yes. I shall pay dearly for holding you here, but not regret. You bet you'll pay. You're just making silly conversation, Captain Fryday. I know. What are you driving at, Priest? I say, I know I shall pay for my act. You see, we Indians are sometimes gifted with clairvoyance, inner knowledge. Ah, rubbish. So? Just the same, Captain. I know you are going to stay with us. Get away from that door. Just a moment, Captain. Look here now. Just why did you come here? What do you want? I am here to reason with you, perhaps to bargain with you. Are you an agent of the brothers to the living dead? Doctor English. How indiscreet of you, Doctor. Señor, let your mind go back to high noon every day of last year. To high noon the 28th of January, picture a cell near the roof of a monastery in Tibet. Oh, no. A patch of sunlight on the cell floor, a Dalai Lama seated in that patch of sunlight spinning a prayer wheel. So that's it. That is it. A package. A package that was given into the hands of Robert English, your son. Doctor, I want that package. And the agent of the brotherhood of the living dead. The contents of that package was destroyed before ever we set foot on American soil. Doctor, I am pained to remind you that your statement is not entirely true. There was a map. A map drawn in a parchment of human skin. A map indicating the secret passage from the monastery of your friends to the sacred city of the living dead. A secret passage that even Maya Nakib does not know of. Doctor English, I must have that map. In all the world, I alone know where that map is. In Ikskan, there's no power anywhere that could make me reveal my secret. Be fair with yourself, doctor. You are a man of science. You have no chance of reaching the mountains of Zambala alive. Come. The map. And in exchange, I promise safe conduct back to the United States. Judith, I... No. No, father. Don't get into him. You realize what you're saying? Don't you dare give it to him. The answer is no, priest. Such determination. Such self-sacrifice. You are going to fly in the face of fate. But none of you will ever live to see the sacred city. Except perhaps the charming senorita, English. If she were inclined to look upon my master... Are you good for nothing? Just a minute, doctor. Ikskan, don't say that again. The matter rests entirely with the senorita. Get out of this room before I kill you. Of course, captain. Oh, one thing more. There is a little matter of hostage. Hostage? One more inducement. Should you have a change of heart? Should you decide to part with the map? Your personal aids and your skip-turner, quaint name, will be delivered safely into your hand. You've got skip? Add you, ladies gentlemen. Move a step and I'll drop you in your tracks. Get away from that door. Really now? You leave this room to lead me to skip-turner or you don't leave at all. If I died, you suppose skip-turner will leave to hear about it? The priest of the living dead, Ikskan, stands in the hotel room of Dr. English with drawn knife. Captain Friday has him covered with his gun. As Judith and Senora Santos watch in white-lip suspense. Captain Friday has issued an ultimatum. Ikskan, unless you agree to take me to where skip-turner's held captive, you'll never leave this room alive. There are certain people whose one object in life is to prevent you reaching your destination. I am expected to join them in five minutes. Should I not appear, it is understood that I have failed to accomplish my purpose. Undoubtedly, others will come with more persuasive arguments than I have put forth. A bluff. It won't get you any place. You are going to be annoying, aren't you? My young friend, I am ready to go and I will wager one gold piece. Here, Dr. English. I will wager that one gold piece that I leave this room unmolested. Unmolested and, though it is unkind, I shall laugh as I go. Ikskan, but your word as a priest tell me what is Tula doing here? Tula? Tula, the blazing one. The torch that has lighted 10,000 hearts because of my naive throughout the world. Ikskan, what brings Tula here? Ah, Senora Santos, the forces of my Anaheib are gathering from all over the world they are gathering. Have you forgotten that the Hila monster is soon again to ride with the sun? Then my Anaheib is preparing for some great catastrophe. The whole world is preparing for the catastrophe, but it knows it not. Only my Anaheib knows. Tula. Enough. Now I go. Take one step and I'll drop you. So, my young friend, you give me a choice. Either a bullet in the back or jail. Or leaders to skip. That is not possible. Hmm. You force me then to leave as I said I would. A thousand pardons, Senorita English. Senora Santos. The knife! No, no! Look out, he stabbed himself. Madre did you, Ikskan. Was these necessary? The only way I have failed. My Anaheib continent is no failure. And you sense my friends. Senora Santos, for your ear alone. Si, si. Strike quickly, Miss Santos. Or Tula is forever lost. No, no, don't say that. Shhh. Someone will hear. Dr. English. It is useless to examine me. I know where to strike to make a wound fatal. I am slowly bleeding to death. A gold piece. I stake the piece of gold that I would leave this room unmolisted. I am going now. Going. Do not cry, Senorita. Life is not worth it. Life is very cheap in Nahoya. The monster rides with the sun again. Your, your pardon. Please. Ixcan is gone. A strange perverted spirit. Do not weep, Senorita English. He did not want it. Another pawn removed from my Anaheim side of the chess board. Now we've got to call in the constabulary and hope to heaven they'll believe we didn't kill this fellow. No, no, Capitan. That we cannot do. You do not know Nahoya as I do. We would be arrested. Held in the horrible jail for months. Perhaps even convicted and shot. But, but we haven't done anything. We would have a hard time proving it to unfriendly officials. No. We cannot bring in the police. We certainly got to take some action. Leave the body here. Get into the secret passage to the monastery as fast as possible. Quiet. Listen. The werewolf man is outside in the hall. The cry of the pack. The promise of death. I'll get that thing this time. Do not, Captain. He won't follow anyone again. Now there's, there's nothing here. The devils, why don't they fight me open? This black magic stuff's getting on my nerves. We've been fighting in the dark for years. This is just the beginning for you. But Skip, Father, we've got to help Skip. And this body, do we have to stay in here with this body? Let howl again. Look out. I'm going to shoot through the door. No, no. Open that door, Doctor, and stand out of the way. Juan Mendoza. You, they got you too stabbed in the back. Murdered. Come out here, Doctor, quick. Take care of this man. The hall's empty. I'll bring him in our room. I'm going out and get Skip. No, don't go. Please don't go, Captain. Come, Captain. You're in need of here. Juan is not dead. Help me. Give me a hand, Captain. All right. Easy. Easy with him. I came almost too late, Senora. Easy through the door. That's it. Judith, close the door. Now, then, gently. Turn him over. Oh, Father, murder, murder. Every way we turn, we find death. Senora, see Juan? Senora, I have heard that this Senora Skip Turner has been captured by... Yes, tell us by whom? By whom, Juan? By the Indians from down the river of broken waters. Bring him, carrying him to Zambala. The work of the brotherhood. Senora. Juan. Pray for me, Senora. I see Juan. I will pray. He's dead, Mrs. Santos. Juan is dead. Take him away, Father. Take me to my room. I can't stand anymore. Catch her, Captain Friday. I've got her. And just a faint. Here, we'll take her across the hall. You stay with her, Mrs. Santos, until she's recovered. You say Mrs. Santos is still with Judith? Yes, I locked him in the room. Now what, Captain? Did you hear what the priest Ixcarn said to Mrs. Santos just before he died? We weren't meant to hear. You heard? Yes, I did. He said, strike quickly, Mrs. Santos, or Tula is lost forever. He said what, Captain? Strike quickly, Mrs. Santos, or Tula is lost forever. But what does it mean? Only one thing that I can see. Mrs. Santos has some connection with the brotherhood to the living dead. You mean... It's to me like she's working with him, hand and glove. Impossible. She's our friend. She's helped us. All the better for the priesthood. If they've got a friend in the enemy's camp, all the better for their cause. I don't believe it, Captain. She knows all together too much. She explained that? How do you know she's Roberto Santos' wife? We just took her word for it. I'd believe her. Robert would never have trusted her unless she was one of us. I'm sorry, Doctor, but Robert could have been mistaken. Captain, you believe this and yet you leave her alone with Judith? It was the only way at the moment. Don't let her know we're suspicious. But if my daughter's in danger... Judith's not in danger. Mrs. Santos will want to stay with us. She'll do everything possible to avoid our suspicions. She'll do everything possible to keep in our good graces until... Yes, Captain, go on. Until what? Until the moment comes to strike the blow. The blow that'll sweep us all into eternity. But to have such a traitor right with us... But danger will be small now that we have her spotted. Leave it to me. I'll take care of Mrs. Santos. But what's our next move? Obviously, it's to get out of here before these two bodies are found with us. To get on the trail of skips, kidnappers as quickly as possible. But with one dead, we haven't a guide. If we could only just get word to the monastery for aid. That's impossible, of course. I suppose so. Look here, Doctor, we've got to take a desperate course. Our pack animals are waiting at the beginning of the secret passage. Yes. Well, we'll lead the animals and get away. You have maps. We'll just have to chance getting through. If we fall in with the proper people from village to village, all will be well. If not, then we're lost. Yes, there's no turning back now. Doctor, what is this secret passage? There are two passages. One from La Jolla to the monastery. The second, the secret passage from the monastery to the sacred city of the sun. The passage which our friends at the monastery have sought for centuries, but have never found. And our arrival at the monastery will mean much to our friends who are fighting the priests of the living dead? It means everything. That's the reason we can't turn back. Yeah, long chance, Doctor. Are you stuck? Please, Senorys, please open the door. Open up, Doctor. I've got the door covered. And it's a trap I'll get him. Wait, Captain. Hello? Who's there? It is I, Carlos. The door. Open the door. It will be too late. Open it, Doctor. Open it. Muchas gracias, Senorys. I'm not too late. I shut the door. Shut it, please. What's the matter? Save me. Save me. The constabulary are after me. Step back, Doctor. I've got him covered. Do not let them catch me. Hide me. Take me into the jungles with you. Shut up. They say in the marketplace that you go into the jungles. Take me. Take me or I am a dead man. Here, get holy yourself. Now, what's the matter? Who are you? I am Carlos. I place myself on your mercy. The constabulary are coming here. Hide me. Hide me, Senorys. Coming here? Keep your hands up. Look here, Carlos. What have you done? Why did I want you? Senorys, I am no bad like you. I have killed a man. Like us? See, Senorys, he had to die. You see, I had to kill him. That's enough. You say the constabulary is coming here? Any moment. Save me, Senorys. And I will never breathe a word that you two have killed. Take me with you. Don't say that again. We haven't killed anyone. But the bodies, Senorys, the two bodies. Great. Luck is running true to form, Doctor. Come, Senorys. We can save each other. Now, see here, Carlos. You're mistaken. You have nothing to fear from Carlos, Senorys. He will never tell. Who are they? Ah, the priest who calls himself X-Chan. Good work, Senorys. A wolf, a jackal. You're talking of the dead. And Juan Mendoza. Juan knew the jungle as few others. But, Senorys, I do know the jungle. You knew Juan Mendoza? He was a friend, Senorys, a good friend of Carlos. What Juan knew, I knew. You save me now, and I will save you in the jungle. Listen. What's that? It is the gathering of the mums, Senorys. They have come with the consubnary for me. We must do something, Captain. Come, we'll go for Missesatos and Judith. Are you going to trust this fellow, Doctor? We've got to. Perhaps he can be our guide. Oh, gracious, Senorys. But make haste out of the back way. I'll get Judith and Missesatos. Carlos, you see that the passage in the back is open. Is he? Come on, Doctor. Here, I have the key. Captain, the door's unlocked. They're gone. Judith and Missesatos are gone. What have we done? What have we done? Look, they've taken all Judith's baggage. Everything's gone. Quick, let's check Missesatos' room. It's just next door. This door's unlocked, too. Look, nothing here at all. Gone. All gone. My son gone, my friend is gone, and now my daughter is gone. That cursed woman, that traitor's... carried Judith off right under our eyes. They'll take her to that evil Jakotas high priest, Mayanahi. Doctor, we mustn't waste a minute. I'd rather know she was dead than in their hands. We've got to get through to the sacred city now. We've got to get through. Poor dear, Seniors. They are opponents. The constabulary is a opponent. Run for it, Seniors. Or we will never leave this hotel alive. Now the mob's breaking in. Come on, Doctor. We've got to save ourselves. That's the only way we can help Skip and Judith. Skip Turner in the hands of the enemy. Judith betrayed by Missesatos. The Indian mob of La Jolla at the heels of Captain Friday and Dr. English. Listen next week to Chapter 4 of The Land of the Living Dead, which is entitled The Tree that Eats Flesh. You are listening to Adventures by Morse.