 by transcription. You're twice as sure with two great names, Frigidaire and General Motors. Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as the man called X. Wherever there's mystery, intrigue, romance in all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the man called X. You're twice as sure with two great names, Frigidaire and General Motors. For Frigidaire is made only by General Motors, and it is this association of experience with experience of skill with skill that makes Frigidaire America's favorite refrigerator. Remember this when you choose your new refrigerator. Remember that millions of Frigidaire's in millions of American kitchens have established Frigidaire's reputation for complete dependability or lasting satisfaction. Yes, you're twice as sure with two great names, for Frigidaire is made only by General Motors. No one else can make a Frigidaire. And now Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston, the man called X. Professor of Bureau, the son. Imperative, you come to Algeria immediately. My assistant, the Nali Yassaf, will meet you at Nadeg. In old Roman ruins here have found things we've talked of once in Casablanca. I believe the peace of the entire world may be threatened if this thing falls into the wrong hands. If you fail to find me, then look for Daila. It's signed Dr. Webb. Well, Chief. Well, what's he mean, Ken? Thing we talked of once in Casablanca. Something was planning to look for in Algeria after the war. He was in British Army intelligence then, but he had been an archeologist. Yes, but what the Sam Hill could be buried in an old Roman ruin that had threatened the peace of the world. I don't know, Chief. But Webb thinks it was plenty important for him to find the thing before anybody else did. Ken, I know Webb's a friend of yours, but I don't see how this affects us, the Bureau. Chief, a lot of the food for all France comes out of Algeria. Yes, Ken, you're right. With Europe starving in this country trying to help feed them, no time to have any supply of food cut off. Hmm. And one thing we don't need in this shaky world is another hotspot like... Well, like Palestine. But Ken, Algeria, that sounds pretty far-fetched. Sure it does. Sounded the same way in 1914. About a little town in Serbia. But in the next four years, because of that town, over 100,000 Americans died. Chief, I'm going to Algeria. It is no more than a day and a half since I sent you the message from Ayin Sefra. Truly thirst and offending you have come with the speed of the wind. Is Dr. Webb here in Nardig? No, Effendi. Our camp is on the desert by the old ruins of Timbak, 10 kilometers from town. I have camels waiting to take us there. Good. Then let's get started. Oh, you are a man of quick decision. I believe Dr. Webb counts on that. Come with me, Effendi. Oh, I say there, this is a bit of a surprise. I thought I heard a plane come in. Hope you'll pardon my barging in, but unusual, you know, two foreigners in Nardig. Yes, you do me. My name's Ken Furster. Llewellyn, George Llewellyn. Happy to know you all, boy. Over from London. No, from the States. American, I say you are a long way from home. Well, we both are. Well, I live up in Algiers. I run an export business. I say it's supposed to be crack open a bottle of something, nothing else to do here, you know. I'd like to, but we're just leaving for the Timbak ruins. Oh, now, really can't do that. It's nearly dark. Man might run into this Arab bandit who's been prowling around. What's his name? Kolom Bechar. Kolom Bechar. You seem to have heard of the man yourself. Oh, even the vultures have heard of him, but you are mistaken in two things, Effendi. Oh, really? What do you mean? Kolom Bechar is not an Arab. He is a carbile from the hill country. Oh. Nor is he a bandit. He is something a great deal worse. Son of a thousand devils, does he always stop, rather than a turtle? For now, huh? Thirsten Effendi, we have arrived. Son is going wrong at this camp, yourself. Look at that tent. I guess the ropes are cut. It lies up on the ground. My word appears, someone has really made a mess of things around here. Dr. Webb? Dr. Webb? Never mind, Mr. Llewellyn. Webb won't answer. Hold the flashlight, yourself. Wheresoever a man may be, death shall overtake him. Though he hide in lofty towers, mech-tube is written. Only in Webb's case, it was written on his back with a bronze knife. Have you seen one like this before? Yes, Thirsten Effendi, such knives are made by the people of the hill country, the carbile. That's what I thought. Seen them vizaz in Tangier and Tunis. A wicked looking little instrument. By the way, yourself, you. You're not an Arab, are you? No, Effendi. I am a carbile. Hey, Mr. Llewellyn, do it, please, not no more. I say now, really, this is too much. So that's it. Oh, the foreign legion. Now, Capitaine, on it well, I have them covered. Now, good gentlemen, I order you, hold, and this season, the name of the great white father in Paris. Pagon, Zoschman, on now! Whatever's going on, I've got to stop him immediately. Mr. Thirsten. Nice uniform, Pagon. Where'd you steal it? But I didn't, I only bought... Detachment, retire, tend, paces, and look for clues or something. We won't, Capitaine. I shall keep everyone covered. That's a cheerful prospect. Mr. Thirsten, you've got to help me shake this little character. He thinks I'm a captain and he's not only follows me around like a bloodhound, he's also a nuisance. Well, why don't you let him be captain a while? Why, because I, uh, because, uh, say, maybe I could. It's very stupid. Hey, you, look, I want to talk. Well, yourself, with Dr. Webgone, I'd better try to find Dala now. Dala? Oh, the name seems to be familiar. Uh-huh, seems I've heard of a dancer by that name. I'm a girl of an Algiers. Dala Effendi is the most beautiful girl in North Africa. Maybe I ought to go to Algiers. Good idea, and if you have an extra seat on the plane, I'd like to go along with you. Okay, I'm ready, Mr. Thirsten. Let's go to Algiers. Pagon, what in blazes did you do with your clothes? Oh, I sold them for 10 francs. I told you he was too. Merci, Mr. Zelschmeet. I think of it. I am a captain with two uniforms. I have brave new worlds. And now, Mr. Thirsten, if you would be so kind as to lend me one of your extra suits... What extra suits? You don't mean? Oh, no. Mr. Thirsten, you can't let me go running around Algiers with nothing on but my ABCs. But, Mr. X, I'll be the laughing stock of Algiers walking the streets in a white nightgown. Pagon, all the natives wear things like that. Now, get on up to the car's bar, see if you can locate Dala. When you find her, come back here to the hotel and let me know where she lives. You got it? Hanging clear down to the ground, stepping on the hem every 10 feet and falling flat on my face. Well, you can stand around if you want until somebody recognizes you. In the foreign region, they only shoot deserters. Huh? Mr. X, which way is the car's bar? So I walked on and on. Mr. X, up one dark sinister alley after another. Mile after mile through the car bar, risking my life, facing terrible dangers on every side. Pagon, did you find Dala? But I'm coming through there. Yes, or no? Oh, I'm disillusioned. All the way back there, I kept thinking you would say, Pagon, you would say you have risked your life in my service. Here, here is a thousandth price. Pagon, something's been turned loose around here that a bit of smart man thought might threaten the peace of the entire world. I haven't got a lot of time to waste. Did you find out where that girl lives? Huh? Oh, sure, I found out. Mr. Thurston, maybe I could have two hundred francs. All right, as quick as I'm trying to bargain with you here. Then maybe only a hundred and... Mr. X! You can faint later. Now, where is she? Where is she? Mr. X. Come with me to the car's bar. We continue with Frigidaire's Man Called X, created by J. Richard Kennedy. This is Wendell Niles speaking. Think for a moment how you would design a new electric range. Well, Frigidaire engineers asked for the opinion of hundreds of women just like you. That's how they were able to match your ideas so closely. Knowing you have an eye for beauty, they gave the new Frigidaire Electric Range modern, free-flowing lines. Gave it a finish of sparkling white porcelain and rich chrome. Touched here and there with a golden gleam. They knew you wanted speed in your cooking. So this new Frigidaire Electric Range has radiant tube units that start getting hot the instant you turn the switch. The big oven is so fast heating, it's up to baking temperature in just five and one-half minutes. Yes, and Frigidaire engineers knew you'd welcome anything to make cooking easier. So just see all these work-saving features. A deep well cooker that cooks a complete meal. A broiler that's waist-high to save stooping. Automatic time and temperature control. Most exciting of all, an automatic oven control that cooks an oven meal while you're away from home. Actually turns the oven on and later turns it off all by itself. Remember how Frigidaire engineers designed the new Frigidaire Electric Range to give you all the advantages you want. And remember, you're twice as sure with two great names. For Frigidaire is made only by General Moltres. And now to continue with Frigidaire's man-called ex-starring Herbert Marshall. Dala, Monsieur Perston. And before you comment on the unusual combination of brown skin with blue eyes, I might tell you my father was French. My mother a cabal. Sit down, please. Thanks. Matter of fact, I was only going to say you're nobody lovely. Merci. And that's why you came to see me. It might have been if I'd known about it before. But let's just say Dr. Webb sent me. You mean, of course, while he was still alive. You traveled pretty fast in Algeria. You knew him? I met him here in Algiers. He was sent to me by a friend. Did he tell you what he was looking for? Yes. And they found it would have been better if he had not. Dala, it wouldn't by any chance be the seal of Bucaille. The seal? Yeah. And he told me to come to you. You know, my great dear Monsieur Perston. Perhaps too much. You've heard everything, Benali. Yes, mademoiselle. I have heard everything. Good evening, Mr. Perston. Well, yourself. I thought I left you in nodded. If the wind goes where it wishes, may not a man do the same. But it's been done, Benali. Do not forget. He's a friend of Dr. Webb. There is only one course. In the morning he shall be taken to the hill country. Maybe I'll make some choice about that myself, Yesef. I have taken the liberty of making a choice for you already. Oh. It's Mila. Monsieur Perston, you have known Benali Yesef as a driver of camels. There's a word that you know now. He is the chief of all the camels. Out there in the hills, his word is the law for a million people. Not to like this so good, Mr. X. At least 24 hours now I've been prisoners in this little room. What gives you the idea we're prisoners, Pagan? If we're not, then why doesn't something happen? Isn't this Yesef fellow the head boss of all those people? All right then. Relax. If you're all right, we won't have to wait much longer now. Wait, wait. That's all you have been saying. Mr. Thurston, I think I'm going to scram out of the joint. Sure, go ahead. Of course, if you do manage to get out of these hills, you'll probably still be shot as a deserter. But I didn't join the foreign legion. You see, I was on this boat and I got kicked. I mean, I disembarked very suddenly at Algiers. Then I borrowed that uniform and started out... This is the prime Thurston offending without you in the grey hall now. All right, Yesef. Let's go. Have a gun, Effendi. Yes, come with me. I say to you, the time is now! For a thousand years we have lain in the hills and waited, shivering before the arthfires, led by old men with water in their veins. The time is now! Kolombichar, one has come for you, Kolombichar. Mr. Thurston has come to the hills, walked into the lion's den. Kolombichar, I'll take you back to Algiers. So, you hear this man? He comes to take me a prisoner to Algiers. He comes to destroy your leader, me, who will bear the seal of Bukayal. What say you to that? And what do you say, Mr. Thurston? I'll take you back to Algiers, Bichar. Men of Kaboil! Men of Kaboil's islands! I am your chief, the light of your own council fire, as you have made me so. And I say to you, that Kolombichar lies! He does not possess the seal and never will. His words bring only evil to the hills. Let no hand be raised to help him. This I command you. He is your prisoner, Mr. Thurston. Oh, what a highway! Sixty miles an hour at the Scarhems is like a billet table. How much part of this old jewellery, Mr. Thurston? Maybe our friend, Bichar, knows exactly. Yes, I do. And I would suggest you slow down for this next curve. Ah, what for? It's a cinch. I can do it with one hand tight. Hey, there's a track part across the road. It's a road block. Come on, those brakes, Pagon. This is why I told you to slow down. Hey, look, a whole gang of stick-ups! The men with the rifles take their orders from me. I have no intention of going to Algiers, at least not under escort. I'll take your gun now, Mr. Thurston. Ten to one hours, I'm not going to argue here. Merci, monsieur. Not again. Please don't shoot me again. I'll pay you all my money a hundred francs. All right, two hundred francs. Pagon, come off under that dashboard and shut up. But I can't, Mr. Rex. I'm dead. They got me. Those shots would have smashed the carburetor. From here on, we walk. Let's go. But, but... It's only 14 miles to Algiers. Ken, it's yours, isn't it? Nobody answered the door downstairs, so we came on up. Were you expecting somebody else? No, Ken, no, we... I heard someone on the stairs. I did not know who it was. Oh, I see. Yes, after Colombechard over to us, he escaped while we were bringing him in. Yes, I know. That's why we lost no time coming here. One thing we can't do is to let Bechard get a hold of the seal. The man who holds the seal of Bucail can commend the carbiles to his wishes, Ken. Yeah. That is the old symbol of unity in the Hilltrives, isn't it? Lost since the days of the Roman conquest. Until Dr. Webb dug it up. They still believed in it, Ken. They would still follow the seal. The selfish, greedy ones, at least. The others, they would be drawn in. Then civil war, death, disease, starvation here, and famine in France. And that's what Colombechard was planning. That's why he murdered Dr. Webb. Yes, Ken. All right, Bechard. Come out of there with your hands up. You're covered. This situation seems to be reversed again, Mr. Thurstall. Permanent at this time. Can I try to think of some way to tell you he was hiding here? Yeah, I got the idea. All right, search him, Pagon. Well, I'll be only too glad. Oh, no, you can't. Look out, Della. If you shoot your killer, I'm getting out of here. You haven't got a chance? Let me go! All right, I will let you go. Dr. Arthur, Mr. Rex, we've got a week. Look, see anything under the window? I don't know. No, it's all right, Della. Take it easy. Hey, there he goes, Mr. Thurston. No, Pagon. He didn't get away. Was there? He's in there? Yes, yes, Della. Pagon, go down and find the commanding officer. Tell him I'll talk to him later. Okay, Mr. Thurston. And say it, what about that George Llewellyn guy, too? Oh, he's just an old busybody with too much time in his hands. You mean, I mean... On your way, Pagon. How do you feel, then? All right. All right now. Why'd you do it? Why'd you risk your life to get mixed up in this thing? Can I could not let Betcha have a seal? It is here, you know. Dr. Webb, he gave it to me. There was no one he could trust. He was afraid to keep it in camp. Yeah, I thought you had it. There wasn't any other reason for Webb telling me to find you. But there's more to it than that, Della. I told you, my mother was a cabal king. The hill people, they are my people. And I've found a way of life that is good. They've learned to raise crops and sheep to sing in the village at night. For them, Betcha would have given them only the sound of war in place of that. I have heard those sounds again. That's all right. You said the seal was here, Della. Yes. I hid it here on the charcoal bridge. There. It holds too much power for any man to destroy it. Carved in obsidian, inlaid with gold. That's all that is to it. And a thing like that is the price of death. The price of peace is even higher again, I think. What do you mean? Golem Betcha was my brother. Ah, the price of peace. How many times will that price be paid? How often has the world said, never again? And suddenly written the words in the sand? And how many times has the world stood by while the storm blew the words away? Must they always be lost? Forgotten? Are they being forgotten again? Now? Frigidaire star Herbert Marshall will return in just a moment. The man called X has presented each week with the best wishes of your Frigidaire dealer. I invite you to come in and learn about the famous line of Frigidaire electric refrigerators, electric ranges, electric water heaters, home freezers, the new Frigidaire automatic washer, electric dryer, electric ironer, and a wide variety of refrigerating and air conditioning equipment for homes, farms, stores, offices and factories. Our Frigidaire star Herbert Marshall. Thanks for being with us. Friends, there are millions of people in this world who need food. Men and women and children who must have food if they are to go on a living. So let's all of us do all we can to help them by saving wheat and saving meat. Now next week our story is called Journey to Xenophon. And if you know where the island of Xenophon is, well, you're way ahead of me. Anyway, we have a real thriller lined up for you and The Unbelasque, of course, will be alone to complicate matters. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the man called X. Good night. Frigidaire's man called X is directed by Jack Johnstone with music composed and conducted by Johnny Green. Tonight's story was written by Les Crutchfield. So until next week, same time, same station, this is Wendell Niles speaking for Frigidaire made only by General Motors. All characters and incidents used on this program are fictitious. The resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental. The man called X, starring Herbert Marshall, came to you by transcription and returns next week at this same time over the same Columbia stations. This is CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting System.