 Herbert Marshall is Ken Thurston, the man called X. Space and time can play funny tricks with a man. For instance, six weeks ago, an American flying boat was on route from Singapore to Manila. Over the South China Sea, a thousand miles from nowhere, someone entered the pilot compartment. Hey, what's the big idea? Looks like no one comes in here without a purpose. Wait a minute. No! I've never heard from a gem. But six weeks later, on 1500 miles away on a dirty side street in Saigon in French Indochina, two men stood looking at the body of a third. Maudier, it is Professor Gibbons. But this is incredible. I do not understand, Inspector Abe. Jean, this man you see lying there died six weeks ago. But this is not possible, Monsieur Lancecteur. His body is still warm. Nevertheless, Jean, it must be so. I know him. He is American. And he was on board the plane that disappeared at sea six weeks ago. Then, 12 hours later, halfway across the world in Budapest, I got a phone call from New York City. Hello. Nice work, Chief. But now, stop making like a travel bureau and tell me what's up. I don't know. That's what I want you to find out. Yeah, well, sing plain. Sure. What about it? About time some two million natives out there got a crack at real civilization, freedom and education. Yeah, but Chief, why are you calling me about it here in Budapest? I just got a cable car for your disposal, including one automobile. This way, please. Chief Inspector Abe has been awaiting your arrival with great anticipation. I bet. Now, he's the one who identified Professor Gibbons, isn't he? Oui, Monsieur. The inspector had met Monsieur for sure by before they were. When he was conducting anthropological expeditions, he was caught in China. So, he has more than an official interest in his affairs. Oh, here is my automobile, Monsieur. If you will be pleased to enter. Oh, thanks very much. I assure you, the pleasure is entirely mine. Noir, a native cafe here in Saigon. I'm Arlene Nelson. I just got the ropes around your wrists and ankles. We'll go into the cafe as soon as you're ready. Sure. Let me turn to the point. That's the way I like things to be. We'll look like them that way, too. You grow your police inspectors to be rugged out here. That was a gag, Mr. Thurston. Yes. He's not with the police. He owns this place. Lucky for you, I saw his boys carry you in here. Then what's his interest in me and yours? The mutual interest of the three of us. The throne of Tainine. I think we can beat him to it if we work together, Mr. Thurston. Tainine, two questions, Miss Arlene. Two? What makes you think I'm interested in this throne? And if I am, why should I spring along with you? Two heads are better than one, Tainine. Besides, you're smarter than Professor Gibbons was. Smart enough to know what to choose when it's between two million dollars and debt. Oh, this table will do, Ken. The native I want you to meet can see his carers in here. What makes you think he's going to tell you information about this throne of Tainine? In the game we're playing, Ken. Nothing talks but dollars. Two million of them? That figure makes sense. I'm not sure you do, though. When this little business deal is over, I'll try to change your mind. I think you'll find that worth waiting for. Don't you? Maybe I've taken worth gambles. Arlene, darling, here you are. I thought I was like going looking for you. Oh, hello, Stuart. This is Ken Thurston. Ken, Mrs. Stuart Harding, an oil company geologist out here. Thurston, how are you all mad? What an introduction. An oil company geologist. You know, I think my burning passion view is much more noteworthy much here. Oh, no. Oh, that atrocious music. Well, I'd rather dance to it than try to talk through it. Do you game, Eileen? I think Ken should have something to say about that. Oh, you won't mind. Will you, sir? There's a native soothsayer making the rounds at the table. Have him forecast your future. I'd be interested. Come along, Eileen. All right, Stuart. I'll get rid of him and be right back, Ken. Blessings of Brahma, Vishnu, and Chirobe upon thee, O noble Saeed. You just signal to me. Come off it, Pagon. Pagon? What kind of a peculiar name is this? It's even more peculiar when you end up with Zelschmet. Mr. Thurston, I would like you to know that the name of Zelschmet goes back to the dawn of history. If it's such a funny name, how come Mark Anthony Zelschmet could make time with that cute little cookie-clair patra? And how did you know it was me? Pagon was not a turban or a fake beard in the world that can hide the dollar signs in your eyes. What are you doing in Saigon? Well, it's a long-sets story. And the saddest part being this is a lousy racket. Fortune-telling. There's no future in it. Then give me a reading about the present. Pagon, what do you know about the murder of Professor Gibbons? I didn't do it. I got friends who'll give me an alibi. Can those underworld friends of yours give you information about the throne of T. Meen? Huh? Or a connection with Professor Gibbons on a missing plane over the South China Sea? Mr. Thurston, I haven't heard from nothing about drones, missing planes, or murders. Okay. Yeah. But something connects with three and out. Pagon, take a look at that table over there. The table to the... Mr. Thurston, I don't think that's needy what we're there like, sir. Look at how he's glaring. Send to your... Don't be funny. He's a dacoit. And you know what a dacoit is? Yeah. That's Cochin China for torpedo. And torpedo kills people. And I don't like the way he's looking at us. Mr. Thurston, someone turn out the lights. Look out, Pagon. There's something unbelievable. Why doesn't somebody turn on the lights? Why doesn't somebody turn on the lights? You'd only open your eyes, Pagon. You'd see that somebody has. If I'd opened my eyes... Oh, you're right. The lights are back on. What was the big idea of setting the table over me? Take a look at my chair. That's nice. Right through the back of it. The dacoit did it. Could be. And it could have been someone else. It could have been Ken, but it wasn't. You sound pretty sure, are you? I am. I saw that dacoit before the lights went out. He was the man who was going to tell us the information. Apparently, it changes man. Yes, and so have I. Our partnership has dissolved, Ken. Oh. Why does sudden change of heart? If the dacoit wanted to play that rough, he must have known you were working for the other side. So from here on in, it's no holds barred. Mr. X. Believe me, Mr. Thurston, this is positively without exaggeration. The finest hotel room in Old Saigon. You don't know how lucky you are. I found it for you. For 20 bucks, sir. I didn't need that kind of luck. That attitude shows you just don't understand the foreign exchange. Figuring the rates of international interest and... Save your breath, Pagon. The hotel clerk told me you only gave him five dollars for the room. He did, eh? Well, of course. You wouldn't take the word of that deceiving, no good, recaturing of Delcler against mine, would you? Sure. Oh. You can stop right there, Thurston. Well, our impassioned oil geologist. Oh, honey. That's right, Thurston. Glad you remember me. I never forget a face behind a garden. I'm going to make this short and sweet. Stay away from Eileen. What's the matter, Jetta? Well, not of you, sir. The throne obtained me. You understand? No. Well, then I'll make it clear. The centuries men have killed for the jewels in that throne. I'm not going to let you lead Eileen to her death, too. She's harder to try to be lived around, Harding. Well, hadn't you noticed? I know. She inherited more than Thor's thunder from her father. Thor's thunder? I mean, it's the schooner she has down at the dock. The one he used when he was a free-booting pirate. I'm not going to let her wind up the way he did. I'm going to talk it over with her instead of... All right, let me have that gun. Go on my own, Thurston. I go. Sure. Soon as you drop it. All right. Get it, Pickle. As good as it got. Okay, Harding. It's not a different thing straight. I don't like guns being waved in my face. I guess I heard that today. I could fool Thurston. I'm sorry. How can I apologize? By answering some questions, perhaps. What's the throne of Eileen? And what do you know about Professor Gibbons' connection with it? I thought you knew. The throne is a fabulous legend in Gucci in China. It had been lost for centuries, and Professor Gibbons claimed to have found it just before the war broke out. Go on. Well, the throne's good. It's a comparatively small affair. Easy for him to hide away when he left Saigon to support the Japanese invaders. I see. So now it's all sitting somewhere waiting for someone to find it. And the two million dollars worth of jewels encustered on it. Eileen thinks she can find it? Yes, but she doesn't stand a chance. Not with Beaumont, but with Croy to almost knife you and the other murderers and couples who are trying to find it, too. You're not helping her by shoving guns into people's faces, Harding. I know, I know. I must have been out of my mind. But first, can I do anything? Anything in this world to keep her out of trouble over that throne? Then relax and let me take over. I'll do my best to keep everyone out of trouble. Including me. This is ridiculous. Looking for Eileen Nelson's both at this hour of night? Is it? Of course. Anybody could tell you that looking at that pretty petunia that she's innocent like a baby. She has nothing to do with nothing. Any better suggestions? Sure. Beaumont. He's the man you want. Such a non-good. You know, he wouldn't even pay me a salary when I was working at his café? Well, that doesn't prove he's guilty of anything. Just sensible. Here's the boat. Just go aboard. You think aboard a ship this way? What if somebody sees her? Don't worry, Peg, I'm no life-sharing. Probably no one aboard. Then what do you expect to find here anyway? Whose? To what? That gorgeous throne? To the missing American scientist. Let's try the main cabin. That should be it. Let's go in. What did I tell you? There's nothing in here. How can you tell without any light? My natural trust in that Eileen Nelson. I don't trust his flashlight. There. You see? Just like I said, there's... that throne of pain. Yeah, the whole two million bucks worth. Sitting right in the middle of the cabin aboard Eileen's schooner. Now where's your natural trust in her? I won't believe it. Beaumont pulled her. He pulled her into telling him he used this place to hide the throne. Don't watch, Pegon. If anyone's been fooled, it's Beaumont. Look. Look on the floor behind the throne. On the floor behind? Yeah. Well, a knife in his heart. That was indeed. Especially for Beaumont and Dr. Abbey. If you had only come directly to me upon your arrival in St. Louis... What was the general idea only Beaumont and Eileen Nelson would have crimped into it? Yes, so you have told me. But I failed to see the connection between them and the throne of Dainine with your original mission here. I don't see it either, but maybe I can guess. Ah, guesswork is not considered good, but he spiked it, Monsieur. Then let's look at facts. Professor Gibbons was the only man who knew the location of the throne. He was also a member of the missing scientific mission. And what does that prove, Monsieur? Nothing except that two million dollars is worth a lot of risk to some people. I'm afraid I do not follow you, Monsieur. The path of your logic is very faint indeed. No path too faint to follow if those men are still alive at the end of it, Inspector. You don't believe me? Check with a couple of million natives on the Pacific. Whose future welfare might be set back a generation of those scientific findings a lot. Okay, Inspector, there's a schooner. Let's go aboard and look at some other facts. Very well. Maybe they'll help you change your mind. Well, perhaps, Monsieur, though I'm inclined to doubt it. Well, I... I thought you said the ship was deserted. The light is shining up the companion way. Ah, that's taken on guard. His bravery and the presence of dead bodies goes only so far. And it's not as distant as the dark. So, the throne is in the main cabin? I'm here. You can face some facts for yourself. What is this, Thurston? Your idea of a joke? My sense of humor is better than that, Inspector. But this room? Yeah. No pay gone. No Beaumont. No throne. Our entire file on the case of Professor Gibbons, Monsieur Thurston, we investigated everything, even the earth found on his shoes and clothing. Is this your laboratory's analysis of that earth? Yeah, but... Well, most of it's silica, high alkaline rating, 85 pH... Yes, yes, yes, but we got nowhere. So far as we could tell, Professor Gibbons disappeared aboard that plane and reappeared in second out of thin air just a moment before he died. All of which brings us right back where we started from. Ah, and that is? The key to the missing expedition. That lies in the missing throne. Ah, Monsieur Thurston, you still pursue a will of the wisp. Yes, the theories mean nothing without facts to back them up. Oh, pardon. I'll speak to Rabbi Kipal. Yes, pardon, Monsieur L'Inspector, but we have just picked up a crazy man out of the river. Oh, where is he? Right here, in the other office. He keeps raving, muttering something about an uncle Axe made, a very, but usually we do with him. Let me handle that one, Inspector. An old, maniac friend of mine. Oh, but of course, if you wish. See you later, Inspector. Good night, Monsieur. Oh, I pay, don't come along. We've got what to do. And that's what happened, Mr. Axe. It was stuffing that cabin. I went up on the deck for a breath of fresh air. And somebody did what I've often been tempted to do. Huh? Conked you over the head. Mr. Thurston. Well, anyway, the next thing I knew, I'm making like a fish in the river. I never want to see boats in water again. That'll make it kind of tough for you. You're going back to the docks right now. Huh? I want you to hire a speedboat, Pager, with a cruising range of at least 60 miles. What are we going to do? Ah, let you know as soon as I see a geologist. You'll find out what Siliconator 5, BH 10.5 really means. There's no doubt about it, sir. From the analysis you've given me, that soil can come from only one place in Indochina, the island of Kualung. Kualung? Where's that hubby? It's a volcanic uproar of some 20 miles down the coast. Geologically speaking, it's a beautiful specimen, but unfortunately it can't be examined. I know. It seems the Japs left it booby trapped with countless landmines. Several tourists were killed there last year, and the authorities are barred to the public. Oh. I hope I've helped you, sir. Sort of makes up for the way I behaved earlier, but may I ask, what your interest is in this soil? Professor Gibbons died in Saigon, Harding, but the dust in his shoes came from the island of Kualung. Some steamboat, eh, Mr. Thurston? He handles like a charm, Pager, and where'd you get it? What does it matter? And Zelschmidt always knows where to get luxury islands. Where other people's money, eh? Which is besides the port. I got you the boat. We're going out to that one long island. Kualung, Kualung. Whatever it is, and we're both happy. Except me. Oh? You don't tell me things. Why did you have to see this Harding to get the dope on the island? The police geometrists told you the same thing, given it while I was with you. Just double checking. On report? No, no, on Harding. What a suspicious character. I bet you suspect everybody, even me. Especially you. Thank you. This is the feedboat to I.D. Norton's yacht, isn't it? Feedboat to I.D. Norton? Well, well, all the ridiculous lads, I never heard... How did you know? So she's standing right behind you. Don't be silly. How could she? I left her in the dock after that. Miss Nelson, you triple crossed me, and please put down that gun. Let that be a lesson to you, Pager. Never trust a woman. Never trust a Zelschmidt, I.D. Well, now what? Now that I've learned where you're going and where the throne is, I'm taking over. Any argument? Oh, no. Any word of advice? Watch out for this wheel. It pulls a little to port. Oh, you fool! We're healing way over with you! Let's have that gun, I.D. You're a pretty smart chick, Ken. Stop that sting or drop the ticket away from you. No. No, Ken. You don't have to take it away from me. I'll drop it. Don't worry about a thing, Mr. X. I have the wheel for back on course again. Good work, Pager. Are we back on course again? Well, what's that supposed to mean? They're still holding me. And you know I like it. Quite a change of pace, I mean. It's not really, Ken. Remember last night at Le Chinois? Remember what I said about a certain moment, being worth waiting for? Well? Maybe we won't have much longer to wait now. Let's talk about that when this is all over. No, don't waste precious time, Ken. Well? There's a sea plane flying overhead following the same course. And if it's flying where I think it is, you and I may never leave the island quite long alive. Mr. Thurston, I don't like this. How can we land at this place? People get killed here by bombs and things. Not even a word of land, Pager. What kind of a talk is this? Who knows where to land? That oil trick and the water are going to tell us. Huh? I don't get it. It seems to be flying out from that underbrush, Ken. Yeah. And that's where we're heading. Mr. X, you're driving the thing right into those bushes. Ken, you were right. A harvest behind the overhanging brush. Yep. Complete with landing dock, sea plane, and all. That's where the oil slick was coming from. What do you got to do now, Ken? Look for the pilot of that plane. Huh? And the throne of T. Meehan. And the missing expedition. The smart-to-leaf take-on along on the dock. No, it would've been smart to leave you there, too. Not for me, it wouldn't. Don't trust me. I trust no one where $2 million is a concern. Huh? Hold it, I mean. What is it, Ken? Look down that slope. The small clearing over there. Ken, look at them. Ragged bearded and shamed. The man you were looking for? Yeah. Brilliant men of science. Trained on there like animals. Don't thank God they're still alive. Dave, you'll thank Sturston. They won't be for long. Inspector Abbey. Yeah, that's the execution that's done in your hands, Abbey. It is, Sturston. I've had it ready waiting for you. But you disappoint me. You do not seem the least surprised at my being here. Why should I be? Your own geologist knew that the soil on Gibbons' shoes came from here, but you made no attempt to investigate. Ken! Sure. He knew Gibbons had hidden the throne. And when he learned Gibbons was off in that scientific mission, he decided to go after it. Right, right, Sturston. It was simple to board that plane at Singapore with my police credentials. Even more simple to dispose of the crew and fly the plane here to Kualung. Only Gibbons proved stubborn, didn't he, Abbey? He wouldn't tell you where the throne was hidden. And when he escaped from here and made his way to Saigon, you caught up with him and killed him. All right, Abbey. Ken, now! Stand back. Your time will come soon enough. Yeah, like Beaumont. What happened there, Eileen? Did Beaumont make a deal with you to get the throne aboard your schooner? Yes, Ken, but I didn't trust him. I weren't looking for you. While I was away from the ship... Yeah, Abbey had him killed. The throne was put aboard the sea plane and Abbey flew it out here today to keep under cover until it was safe to dispose of a jewel. You are a very clever man, Thurston. Unfortunately for your own welfare, you are too clever. So the time has arrived for that execution, I mentioned it. What the devil? Sounds like somebody's latching on to your throne, Abbey. No, it's not possible. Let's argue later. Well, a flyer shouldn't have seen it and just distract him, Abbey. Look, what happened to you? There's no time to admire your handy work, Ken. We've got to stop that plane. All right, it's not going anywhere. What do you mean? How are you going, Ken Flyer? Hey, Ken. Sure. I didn't know whether Abbey would show his hand where we were here. Oh, stay hidden. Either way, I figured a motor start he would bring the vultures did. So, Ken, as usual, Mr. X has successfully completed his mission. And now what are your plans? Well, what depends on what turns up, I view. And if it should be the author of the South Sea Island cruise that turns up aboard a good sea-going schooner named Thor Thunder? No, no. I'm afraid not. But why not? We're two of a kind. Roaming the byways of the world for danger and adventure. We play the same kind of game, Ken. Oh, no, I mean. I was gambling for those scientists. You and Abbey gamble for two million dollars against the future welfare of two million people. No, I mean. Things we stand for are on opposite sides of the fence. A constant battle between them. You said it yourself. With no holds barred. Rick Marshall came to you from Hollywood. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service. Voice of information and education.