 For suspense tonight. We present menace in wax by John Dixon Carr during the French Revolution of 1793 a Swiss girl copied in wax the severed heads of those who had just been guillotine She married a Frenchman named to sod and came to London and she founded Madam to sod wax work there it is still in Marleybone Road near Baker Street station Not the original building that was destroyed by fire But it remained untouched when a darker shadow than revolution came to England They plastered high explosives all along that road and hit the cinema next door We are going to London under the bombers Late one night in March of 1941 a young man Buried up to the great glass doors of madam to son Wanda this hour of the night. My name is Rogers. I'm from the Daily Record. Oh To let me get inside. I'll show you my press card. Didn't you get any orders about me? Well, maybe I have it that oh You're the bloke's wants to see the chamber of ours. That's right Alright, you may as well come in My paper got a tip. There's something funny going on around here something funny going on here Yeah, that's a good one. The raid's not very heavy tonight, is it? No, they're going over you ain't heard where governor We got a teletype flash. There was a Midlands Lord Lummi and I've got a sister in Brummingham Oh, why can't she come and stop in a nice safe place like London? Pop guns opening up again teeth rattling shakes the acts of the dummy's heads You know this chamber of ours is getting to be popular tonight. You mean there's been somebody here before me Yes, a woman. That's right governor about five feet two inches tall very pretty if you like them brunette and big Eyed and a phony French accent now governor. No, this was only an old lady that lost her handbag Oh, thank the Lord for that anyway Now then what is going on around here? I don't know governor you'll have to ask Pearson about that whose Pearson Oh, he's the bloke. That's the watchman down there. He's old and he imagined things. He phoned your piper Have you got an electric torch? Yes Then go straight on through the marble all and down the stairs on your left and don't speak to the policeman cause He's wax. Yes. That's the way governor. That's the way to the chamber of ours. Thank you. Yes, sir You're looking for me. Oh I didn't see you there must have thought you were one of these wax dummies Ugly dim light, isn't it? Yes. Roger's is my name. I'm from the Daily Record. Yes I'm glad you came over. I phoned your paper myself Maybe I'm just Imagining things but I don't blame you this place would make anybody nervous especially during an air raid Well, sir, it's all right as long as you don't get to imagine they're watching you. Oh, and do you? Oh, yes Sometimes That's the gambling group in the center there. What's that thing over there? That's the famous guillotine Oh, wait a minute. Oh boy. You're not trying to tell me. That's the original guillotine. No, that was burnt in the fire Madam Tussaud bought it from sands and the executioner Let me tell you something mr. Rogers. What? Years ago This is straight A young French woman came in here There was nobody else in the place She thought to be great fun to say she'd put her neck in the same guillotine as Marie Antoinette So she climbed up on that platform She snapped the little wooden collar down round her neck shutting herself in All of a sudden she realized she didn't know which spring Control the collar and which spring control the knife good Lord. She didn't know But they say she went crazy They say she screamed and scream What's that I didn't mean to scare you but sweet mama. I'm so scared myself. I cannot help it Susie. Oh, no, no, no, no Not Susie Susie You make it so it rhymed with floozy. That is not not why you little devil. I ought to turn you across my knee What are you doing here? And will you forget that French accent? You're driving me crazy. You know this young lady, sir Do I she works for my paper? She's haunting me but that's not nice. I like the way I talk Only try to give you ideas. It's just what I mean. I'll take your arms from around my neck. She's French Her mother came from New York like I did She's got some funny ideas accents and disguises. Oh, I dress up as an old lady and I come along too. That is clever No, definitely no, but I go into what I think is the ladies room and there is Jack the Ripper I'm so scared. I almost kick the ghost whatever else you do miss for the love of heaven put out that cigarette It is not permitted. It is what they are most afraid of in this place If you vouch for this young lady, Mr. Roger, I don't vouch for anybody, but go on now What's all the mystery here at Madame Tussaud's you see the group over there? It's called the gamblers That three men and a woman in 18th century costumes sitting around a table playing cards. Yes, and About once a week when the lights are out. Yes those dummies do play cards Is this a publicity trick of some kind? Oh And what's the game? I'm not crazy. I know they don't actually do it, sir What I want to know is who changes the cards round in their hands and why? Well, could anybody anybody from the outside? I mean get in to change the cards. Oh, yes There's a back door But why would anyone want to break in here just to change those cars around Moshe bear a cookie listen I have make a discovery listen if you're going to talk speak English or better yet Just keep still but I have made a discovery this card game. What about it? It is crooked Here is a man, which has two deuces of hearts in the same listen Susie. I don't give a Wait a minute Wait a minute. Let's have a look at those cards. I give you ideas. Yes Susie for once you're right And look here Two of these players have all the clubs and hearts The other two have all the diamonds and spades Susie how many letters in the alphabet 26 no and twice 26 is he too the number of cards in a pack Give me a pencil Susie quick The War Office Whitehall MI5 headquarters of military intelligence They're next morning in the map room used as an office by a Colonel Warrander Mr. Rogers, I'm a busy man. I appreciate that Colonel Warrander. Anyhow sit down. Thank you, sir No, what's all this these cards you claim and form a code is that it? Yes, sir now look sir Let each letter of the alphabet represent a card in clubs and hearts That's 26 and then and then when you get to the middle of the message switch the alphabet over to diamonds and spades Then you won't keep on repeating now. Will you? Read what I've got written on this piece of paper Jack of diamonds Q3 of clubs F That doesn't seem to mean much. I'll never mind the cards Colonel. Just read the letters Q F a C T O R Y. Yes, sir Q factory point. Oh just a moment. What is that in a funnel noise? Johnson but oh don't bother with that sir. Just read the message, please Q factory 10 p.m. 15th today's the 15th of March Colonel. Oh All preparations made used dive bollers see This message was left openly so openly that nobody ever noticed it. Yes, the tricks been tried before no contacts No gatherings no letters that might be intercepted a whole spiraling could walk through that wax museum and read the message without being seen You're a new spiff of men trying to teach me my job. I'm sorry sir. I only know go on Well, don't you see three or four little boats with portable wireless sets go down the Thames estuary When they're beyond pursuit they send that message by radio somebody listens And it's no secret in Pleat Street sir that Q factory is out in the wilds of Glebershire There's no secret anywhere and that we're making the Shaftesbury bomber out there So tonight unless we do something about it. They're coming over and bomb Q factory to blazes Or can't you tell me I can tell you this much. Yes, sir Q factory is so well hidden that even our own pallets can't fight it from the air That's one objection to this message any other objection. Yes, this talk about dive bombers Dive bombers in a night attack What's the good of a dive bomber if he can't see his objective? Well, suppose somebody showed a light He'd be shot dead as soon as he showed it Every inch of country for a quarter of a mile round the factory a quarter of a mile mr.. Rogers is put so day and night Well, just the same they're going to have a try at it sir. How I don't know how then if you'll excuse me mr.. Rogers This is Colonel Wander Will you give me a pass to go down there to the factory certainly not no one's committed to go there except the workers How is the place defended? There's a night fighter station nearby And several batches of four three point seven guns, then give me a pass to the fighter station or to the gun post That's all a gentleman newspaper request Well, I might manage a passport of the gun post And you'll do it well wasn't earth is that internal row? Sounds like somebody locked up in a coat cupboard. Yes as a matter of fact Colonel It is somebody locked up in a coat cupboard young lady so-called a young lady Who locked her up? I did and just what the devil do you mean sir locking up people in coat cupboards in the war office? Well, she's a bit excitable Colonel. I thought that she'd better not see you. Oh, thanks for consideration There's just one other favor. I'd like to ask as well if she asked you for a pass Don't give it to her don't give it to her under any circumstances. What's the name Susie Dubois You're rather too late for that young man The public relations office granted her a pass two hours ago what oh a Woman to an anti-aircraft battery. This is what we call a mixed battery Women on the guns as well as men. She said it would make a good human interest story for the press I must say I agree with her. Oh one moment mr. Rogers before you go. Yes, sir That gun post is fully two miles from the factory You can go there, but if you take one step further you'll be shot on sight by our guards I warn you. I'll be careful Colonel. I'll be careful Somewhere in the west country The yellow moon shines over bare trees A white mist moving clings to the ground Susie are you sure we're on the right road? Oh Sure, they have taken away all the signposts in case there is an invasion. I know that but I follow the map The map cannot be wrong. We've been driving for hours must be Yes, it is nearly half past nine Half an hour to go Trees trees and still more trees Look There's a break in the trees ahead. You will be open country in them. Yeah That's funny Look how deep the leaves are here on the road But one thing I tell you just between you and me and the bed pose gate post Susie The term is between you and me and the gate post and speak English I am speaking English very well. Thank you. I do not need your help to be pure. All right. All right now this man Well, what about it? It's say we should go through a lot of villages Midford Archideen and saffron we will I have not seen any villages. Did you say midford? Suzy let me have a look at that map. Come on. Come on hand it over. But what is wrong? It is a perfectly good map Yes, Suzy. It's a fine map. It's an excellent map only. It's a map of the wrong county. I have made a mistake No, I don't even believe you can read. This is a map of Barcicure. We should be somewhere in Glebeshire Now we're in the devil. Are we? With the entrance to some kind of clearing with leaves Somebody calling us if we're in forbidden area I see him now where behind us He came out of a white cottage back there. It's a big heavy man with a moustache. Never mind the moustache He's wearing some kind of a uniform and he's got a rifle. You think he plug us? No, I think it is not unlikely Get out those war-offs pass the bars. Good evening my friends. Good evening. Can you tell me? We don't mean any harm Can you tell me what time it is? Oh? Oh What time it is? Yes. Oh, uh, yeah, it's uh 28 and a half minutes past nine. Thank you. I will keep you covered while I set my watch Yeah, my next question is Would you like me to shoot you both? No, listen mr. Mr. Macalester captain Captain McAllister That's right Captain This girl she's been reading the wrong map you see we don't even know where we are you're in Hollywood forest my friend Hollywood forest is that good or bad and you don't know what's just beyond the edge of this clearing No, there's a big open space of a quarter of a mile in the middle of that open space To factory we're right on top of it then you have heard of Q factory my friend Captain McAllister we're from the war office, and we've got passes to prove it Let's see the passes. We were trying to find gun sight number I've forgotten the number But it's here on that card you've passed the gun said two miles back up the road All right Here your passes. What are you going to do to us? I'm not in the regular army You can thank your stars. I'm not I'm forestry preservation You are not going to chuck us in the cooler even no Turn that car on get back along this road as fast as you can if they fire at you as they probably will Oh, I wish I am home train. No mom. I wish I am home other hope for the best My watch had stopped and you did me a good turn Hurry along hurry gun sight of heavy attack battery For three point seven guns against a moon growing clear white Why does the concrete emplacements seal against light where the crews men and women sitting waiting waiting? They had to have you both here This idea of yours about dive bombers attacking a blacked-out factory in the middle of a forest is Rather fantastic. Don't you think well? I admit it doesn't make much sense captain Bronson But I have a hunch that I'm right. Well glad you and miss Susie drove out Don't see many seniors Frightfully boring nice country of course would aired everything but dull dull as ditch water What's that only some of the lads and lasses inside like to walk along the emplacement here Oh, is that a lot? Oh, certainly. Oh boy. Why not bright moon tonight. Is that yes bomber's moon? We uh, we nearly get shot on our way here quiet We're not supposed to be there if I nearly get shot. I'm going to say I nearly get shot It was a man, which is called McAllister oh Mac a very decent sort Mac. He's a tree doctor. Oh, what tree doctor got to have wood You know the trees start to die Mac goes round the edge of the clearing and smears him with stuff to keep him well How did you come to meet him? Well the fact is? We nearly got as far as the factory tonight. Oh Then you were lucky to get back alive. There weren't any barrage balloons over the factory. I noticed hardly old boy They wouldn't advertise would they with balloons in open country and if the Germans did use dive bombers Oh, they're not coming. Oh boy. Just make up your mind to that. I wonder if you'll say so at 10 o'clock, but it is 10 o'clock It's uh, it's just 10 now. Well, it can't be We drove here like blazes. It was only half past nine then in your watch must be very slow boy No, I'm afraid you're wrong. I've never seen it quiet up cold tonight. We drive a march Look all around you moonlight Open country not a sign of life quiet Peaceful and silent as the grip I Believe me get the stand back old boy operation crews coming on. I said now. Do you believe me? I want you to watch these girls work. They do everything, you know except actually fire the guns now Now keep your hair on over to these still can't see it. Oh, they'll only be going over You think so who is we sometimes get a crack at it when they're making for Bristol I have heard that noise a thousand times, but every time I hear it I get sick They're flying ruddy low, you know just what I was thinking spotter spotter any identification Diabombers I Look here you two newspaper people. Yes, sir might be things popping. You know can't tell I'd like to get below No, no, thanks. I don't like this bird that I'll stay too Look here you to those war office passes you gave me I'm not supposed to keep them No, I'd better give them back just in case predictor Here we go ladies and gents Mortar's message, sir. Yes corporal Is the matter with them harsh planes There's still a good way off, but they don't come any closer. Hmm. Let's be going over after all circling I Think they're waiting for a signal Anyhow, here are your war office passes you you seem to have got them all smeared with oil oil That is all right. We'll share when we get them back from Captain McAllister. They have oil on them I think maybe drop them on the lease because there's oil on the tires of the car, too Then I think how always in this we meet things that burn have Madame to so's last night They would not let me smoke a cigarette in case of fire fire That's it fire. What's the matter with you old boy? Why did that fella? Way out at the end of nowhere want to know what time it was. Are you scattered McAllister? You told me so yourself He goes around the edges of the clearing and smears the trees with stuff to keep them well. Oh, what about it? Suppose it was crude oil Suppose between each tree he laid an invisible fuse of dead leaves soaked in oil I uh, I don't understand in 30 seconds a complete square of fire runs around the limits of the factory grounds That draws the bombers in and as the flames blaze higher They've got enough light to dive on their target getting loose Bronson. I see it all now come on We've got to get to that tree dr. McAllister. It's a matter of minutes Fling in the car behind us. Yes, we've got to get to McAllister's cottage This McAllister. I bet you ten to one the real McAllister is either dead or tied up in that cottage The fellow we saw was an imposter Look out Susie keep your head down Those fighters they will chew up every younger in the place. They have not got the chance of a No shoe in heaven. No Susie not a snowshoe in heaven you mean I know you are English at a time like this, but I cannot understand See why he hasn't set his signal off. What is delaying him? Why don't he strike a match when the bombers come over because he's a good Nazi a good Nazi my watch was slow Don't you remember I gave him the wrong time He had orders to strike his match at 10 o'clock and he'll not do it until 10 o'clock if there are 500 planes instead of 20 But I see him where far up the road. He's running. Yeah Yeah, that's him. I think we can reach him before he gets the clearing chance about snowshoe in heaven signal Bronson to pass It's a long shot with a rifle might hurt one of the anchors is hit That's not all he's unloading his bombs that whole sticks coming straight down our direction This is a dirt road the bombs sank too deeply before it exploded. We didn't catch the blast Come on Susie McAllister was just ahead of us. Come on. Let's get out. You can't drive any further This road is full of bomb craters Wait a minute Susie. There's McAllister He He is dead Yes, Susie Killed by a Nazi bomb look on the ground. What are those two white cards? Oh, they're all smeared with oil Must have fallen out of McAllister's pocket just before he got hit. Let's see What do you know what are the cards for Two tickets for madam to sods wax works I'm afraid our friends never going to get to use them Not the chance of us no shoe in heaven and so ends menace in wax tonight story of Columbia presents these stories of mystery and intrigue and dangerous adventure for your relaxation and enjoyment Next Tuesday, there'll be another in this series same hour 930 Eastern wartime William Spear the producer John Deets the director Bernard Herman the composer conductor John Dickson car the author Our collaborators on Here is a message of vital importance to every person who drives an automobile in America There is wide misunderstanding about gasoline and rubber and the government wants the following facts brought to everyone's attention Actually, there is no scarcity of gasoline except in some parts of the east But nowhere in the country is there enough rubber for military and civilian use Starting two weeks from today December 1st mileage rationing goes into effect This means that no car owner anywhere in the United States will be able to buy gasoline without a mileage rationing book The purpose is to conserve the rubber we have by eliminating all unnecessary driving When we think of the tremendous distances our mechanized army is traveling in North Africa and the long road to victory that still lies ahead This extra effort on our part is slight indeed Remember everybody is going to have mileage rationing So why not be prepared the best way each of us can save rubbers by sharing our car with others Let one car do the work for two or three So why not arrange with the neighbors tonight and start sharing the car tomorrow? It's the one real important contribution that every automobile driver can make don't be a lone rider Share your car and do your share for victory. This is the Columbia broadcasting system