 You're twice as sure with two great names, Frigidaire and General Motors. Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as 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. Here serve in more American homes than any other refrigerator. And now Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston, the man called X. Last night, a man died in his room in a small hotel in Lower Manhattan. Ordinarily, the Bureau wouldn't have been concerned, nor the police, in fact, since the cause of his death was heart failure. But as they stand talking in a small, bare room, Ken and the Chief realize the police were right in notifying them that this case does concern the Bureau and maybe the world. If we ransack this room from one end to the other, Ken, looks like that's all we're going to find. Well, it's not the start on, Chief. The biggest break in the whole mess is the list the police found here. Seven hundred and fifty submachine guns, Model R-14, one thousand automatic rifles, five thousand grenades. It tell us exactly, but the list of stuff that disappeared from that army warehouse in the car over two years ago. But we still haven't found anything to show where this dead man fits in. Yeah. I checked in here three days ago. I had a return ticket by airline to Akasa, Nigeria. Sure, sure. And a canceled passage on some African riverboat called the Niger Queen. That's all. So, where do we go from here? I don't know yet. But one thing's certain, if this, what's his name, Jules Von Els, hadn't been knocked off by a bomb heart, we'd still be in the dark about that two million dollars worth of stuff swiped from the car. And paid for, Ken, by American taxpayers. Yeah, but it's worse than that, Chief. The best place to sell two million bucks worth of illegal guns is someplace where there's trouble. Maybe the answer is somewhere in the African jungle along the banks of the Niger River. In a way, we can still... Wait, Chief. Come on in, Pagon. Hello, Mr. Thurston. Val Schmidt. Well, I guess I'd better be going now. Oh, no, you don't. But, Mr. Thurston, I don't know nothing about it from nobody. I never saw anybody before. I swear by the father of my father. Step it. But, but... Talk, Pagon. The truth. But I was only... All right. Somebody said there was a guy in this room that wanted to sell some guns. So I came up. To buy some guns? Well, he... I thought maybe I could be a middleman. I know a lot of characters who always go around starting revolutions. I see. Anything to make an honest dollar. Well... All right. You've stuck your neck into this, so now you're going to stay in. We are going to Nigeria. But I never ever heard of it. You will. Chief, I'll send you a wire from a casa. Come on, Pagon. I don't get it, Mr. X. Department stores, street cars, telephones, and even this hotel. It's got ice water. If this is Africa, why doesn't it look like Africa? It will, Pagon, as soon as we leave the city. Now, we may get an answer to that ad, so you stay here in the room. The paper will be on the streets in ten minutes. But where are you going? To the Casa Docks. To look up a certain Captain McCarthy. Who is he? Only a name, so far. Signed on a cancel boat ticket in a dead man's pocket. Nobody's going to answer such a screwy ad. Gun collector will pay top price for the car models in good conditions and over two years old. That sounds silly. There's nothing silly about two million dollars. Two million? What are we waiting for? It may be dangerous, so watch yourself. Oh, well, in that case, I... Any better place for a middleman than right in the middle. See you later. But Mr. X... Mr. Thurston, I'm Captain McCarthy. Captain Mack, everybody on this river's called me for the last twenty years. Real name's Catherine, if it makes any difference. I see. Well, you'll have to pardon my surprise. Yes, I know. You expected to find a man. Well, I ain't. I'm a woman. A two-fisted woman. Anything I can do for you? Yeah, you might tell me what you know about Jules Van Elst. Van Elst? What do you want to know about him? You bought him downriver a few days ago, didn't you? Sure. He bought a ticket. The Niger Queen will haul anybody as long as they buy a ticket. Where'd he get on? Bantu Landing. That's the end of Maron, about 150 miles upstream. Anything there? Sure. The jungle settlement, native king, and the like, the plantation. Which one of those was Jules Van Elst tied up with? Mr. Thurston, in twenty years on this river, I've learned one thing. To keep my trap shut. That's why I'm still alive, while a lot of people that used to be around here ain't. Oh, Pagan, I see we've got a visitor. Mr. Thurston, I want you to meet my very dear friend, M. François Léviard. How are you, François? Pleasure, monsieur. We've only got a quitted accident, you understand. François was really hunting for some other room. Very slightly, but it does not matter. Monsieur Pagan has been teaching me to play jean-rummy. I find it the most fascinating game. Well, with Pagan teaching you, I don't doubt it. Already, I want 237 francs. In a week, I'll have 5,000. Hey, I wonder how much is that in real money? You won't have a chance to find out. We're catching a boat upriver in the morning to Bantu Landing. Oh, Bantu Landing. That's all right. But no white man ever goes to Bantu. Jules Von Elstead? This man I do not know, but he should not go there either. They have malaria, snakes, crocodiles, wild animals. Ah, maybe that is it. You are going to hunt. Yeah, I'm definitely going to hunt. In which case, you shall need a guide, a man who knows the Bantu country like the inside of his own hat. A man such as the one you see before you now. Monsieur? Oh, now I couldn't ask you to risk all those dangers you mentioned. Well, in return for my services, and for exposing myself to the danger, I shall expect some slight remuneration, of course. Pager, here's a man after your own heart. Oh, I think maybe I shouldn't have got acquainted with people so easy. Come on, friends, do our shuffle the cards. Hey, who's that? A good way to find out is... open the door. Whoa! How do you do? You are the Mr. Thurston who placed the ad in the paper? You have some guns for sale? Hardly. I'm a reporter on the paper, Annette Collins. Miss Collins. I wonder if I might have an interview, Mr. Thurston. Sure, what would you like to know? Well, for one thing, how long you plan to stay here in Acasa? I'm leaving in the morning. Too bad. Where are you going? Up the river, to Bantu. Bantu? I suppose you're going on the Niger Queen. Matter of fact, yes, yes. It so happens I'm taking that trip myself, just for the ride. Quite a coincidence, isn't it, Mr. Thurston? Yes, yes, and I think this may turn out to be a pretty interesting trip. Anyway, you look at it. Hello, Captain Mack. The casting is allowed in the wheelhouse after dark. Sure, come on in, Mr. Thurston. We don't set up no formality in a jungle riverboat the way they do on ocean liners. Good, I like that. I want to know about John Lekna, this plantation owner at Bantu. What's he look like? Like a man that's tough enough to keep on living in the middle of a jungle with 5,000 savages all around him. Did Jules Von Elst work for him? Von Elst? You know, I just can't remember that name to save my life. All right. What about that native king you mentioned? Bakolo? Oh, he's quite a boy. Kind of likes to meet anybody that comes barging into his territory. You better look him up when we land tomorrow afternoon. I will. Too bad we can't send word ahead. He might cook up a royal reception. Oh, don't you worry about that, Mr. Thurston. You hear that off there in the jungle? All those drums? Signal drums, been going since dark. You don't have to send word to Bakolo. He knows already. So? So they know all about you up there at Bantu Landing. Nor your common, nor what to expect. But you don't, Mr. Thurston. You ain't got the slightest idea of what to expect. Yeah, it's not much of a city, Captain Mac. Half a dozen shacks and a rickety wharf. Native village is about a mile inland and there are a few representations off there in the jungle. I see. And well, I find King Bakolo. You won't have to. He's the tall one standing there by himself. Oh, well, I'll... I'll see you later. We'll head back for a casa tomorrow morning, Mr. Thurston. Passengers can sleep on board tonight. Thanks. And be careful. Oh, sure. Stick with your gin rummy, Pagan. You've got a good thing there. Welcome to Bantu. Thank you. I understand your name is Bakolo. You have been correctly informed, Mr. Thurston. I had been hoping that you would. Shall we walk? You knew I was coming across. Drums have told it for day and night. And have they told you why? They have called you mighty hunter from across the sea. Whispered you have two names. Have they told you what I'm supposed to be hunting? Many kinds of quarry in jungles of Bantu. Bakolo, what do you know about the Lekna plantation? We need walk no further. I have heard it said that John Lekna is evil man who deals in unlawful affairs. To inquire more is dangerous. I see. And what if it's dangerous if you told me of two million dollars worth of stolen guns that have been stored on the plantation? Very dangerous to both of us. All right, if you want, you want. However, if I were to answer call for help from man with two names, then the matter might stand in different light. Bakolo, how do I get to the Lekna plantation? So the crops are in excellent shape, Mr. Thurston. The jungle here is remarkably untouched and the weather has been dry. But you did not come 150 miles up the Niger River to talk about those things. What is on your mind? All right, Mr. Lekna. But in our business it pays to be a little cagey. Exactly what is our business, Mr. Thurston? Oh, let's stop beating around the bush. I'm in the market for guns. According to Jules, one else you've got some you'll pick up at the car. Really? And where did you meet this Jules, one else? In New York. I'm willing to close the deal on his terms. But I've got to see the staff first. Mr. Thurston, you've come to the right place. Good. One thing I can't understand is why Jules didn't send you to the boss in a cusser. He told me about the boss. But I was in too great a hurry. I see. Anak! Bambakul! There's really no point in delaying any longer. You may as well take a look at the guns. All right, let's go. Quite unnecessary. You'll turn around. You can see two of them pointed at your back. Huh? Quiet, devil, don't they? Don't they know how to talk? They're paid to listen, to obey orders. Jokandango, keep him covered. It was an excellent performance, Mr. Thurston. Until you said you'd been told about the boss. In that case, you'd have known that the boss came upriver in the same boat you did. Yeah. A dead giveaway, wasn't it? That's a nice choice of words. Dead giveaway. Jeno Park, the bungy poke. Bambakul! Tie him up. Lock him in the south wing. The boss would want to talk to him later. Bambakul! Bambakul, huh? Now, where does that tinhorn king fit into this? And just who is this Ken Thurston anyway? Look at the cars, Pagon. François, my friend, excuse me. I trust you explicitly. Deal him out. You're a most generous comrade. When is your friend Mr. Thurston coming back? Who knows when he gets mixed up on some business he even forgets to eat. Precisely what business is he in, Pagon? Why, he's the... Oh, no, François. You heard me tell this reporter, Miss Collins already. It's very secret. Oh, sure. Very secret. Maybe you and he are professional car shoppers, huh? That's what you think. Why, if I told you who Mr. Thurston is, you'd fall down subconscious with surprise. Come on, then, Pagon. Surprises. All right, he's... No, no, I think all of a sudden I guess I'd better be going to something. Well, you'd better look for Ken Thurston while you're at it. Oh, Captain Mac, come on in. Have a drink. And things going on out there in that jungle, them drums have been talking for half an hour, and Thurston ain't showed up yet. Oh, he's all right, probably over in the plantation some place. That's where you're going. Tell him to get himself back on board. Huh? Oh, no, it's dark out there. Zelschmidt, when I give an order, I don't want any back talk. You heard me, get going. Yes, ma'am. One moment. Come outside. No one at Lekker's house has been wakened yet. I don't have a gun. Lekker took mine. Can you get hold of one? I have something better than guns, Mr. Thurston. Any jug? Your men? Two hundred warriors are bound to surround the house. We have but to drop Flaming Arrow on the straw roof to force Lekker out. Good. And it's about time for the showdown. Where you may lead, we follow. Okay. Lekker. John Lekker. Lekker, the place is surrounded. You and your men come out with your hands up. All right, have at it. Stand back on the tree, Mr. Thurston. We'll shoot Flaming Arrow. All right. There goes an arc of flame. Help me at court. Look at the spread of that blaze. Lekker, better come on up while you still can. Wait, wait. Nothing happens to the house. Look, Mr. Thurston, the whole place blew up. What was it? The end of John Lekker, Bakolo. There were 5,000 grenades in there with those guns. You can't find you, Mr. Thurston, only when I heard all this shooting I thought I'd better hide. I mean, I mean, wait here on the wharf. Until I knew where my services would be the most good, you understand? Okay, Pagon, now come on, let's go on board. What happened over there anyhow? Plenty. Lekker and his men are wiped out. Guns are destroyed. Well, good. Then everything is all over, eh? No, I wouldn't say that. What? Lekker was the only hired man. He wasn't the boss who was on board with us, remember? Hello, Captain Mack. Glad to see you're still alive, Thurston. What was all the ruckus about? Oh, some guns blew up. Guns you hold up here to have been through a couple of years ago. So, that's what was in them cases. I didn't ask any questions about them. We can't all go around sticking our necks out the way you do. I guess not. Where's Miss Connens? Right here, Mr. Thurston. Yes, I had a pretty good hunch, eh? I thought I'd get a story for the paper if I followed you up here. You may get an even better one as soon as I talk to Mr. La Vie. Francois? Yeah, he's the boss, back of the whole business. You see, Lekker, let's slip. It was someone aboard this boat. But Vie left the boat right after Zelschmidt. Haven't seen him since. He's got away, Mr. Thurston. And he owes me 30,000 francs. We've got to do something. Ah, Bacolo? Mr. Thurston. Vie has gone into the jungle. Any chance of tracking him tonight? It will not be necessary. They walk. Time to walk. Take care of our new... The jungle telephone. The boy will be ahead of him before he's gone five miles. Mr. Thurston, do you think he can hear those drums out there in the jungle? He can hear them all right, Pagon. He'd hear them even if they weren't behind them. When a man sets out to profit on the weakness and hate and prejudice of other men, he moves into a dark jungle. And as long as he lives, he'll hear the drums close behind him, like heartbeats of humanity, just as truth and tolerance. And what man can escape his own humanity? Superintendent of schools of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Fine, Wendell. Go ahead. It's addressed to you, and it says, Dear Mr. Marshall, on Sunday evenings, I frequently listen to your program, the man called X. Usually, I'm not moved to report on radio programs, but I do feel that yours is in a class by itself. It is my opinion that you are doing a lot of good in creating a better background of understanding for all peoples everywhere. Best wishes, sincerely yours, Lloyd Norricks, Superintendent of Schools, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Well, isn't that fine, Wend? I just want to say thanks to Mr. Norricks and to so many others who have written us about the man called X. Thanks for being with us tonight, and I'd like you to know that Annette was played by Kathy Lewis. Next week, our story is called Operation Silver, and it concerns one of the most dangerous rackets in our country today. It's a thriller. As usual, of course, Leon Balask will be along as Pagan Zelchman, 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, the music composed and conducted by Johnny Green. Tonight's story was written by Les Crutchfield, and 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. Any resemblance to actual persons or incidents is purely coincidental. Remember, every Sunday night brings you two popular dramatic shows on CBS, The Man Called X, and the Adventures of Sam Spade. Yes, for the best in entertainment, tune in and stay tuned in to CBS, the biggest show in town. CBS, the Columbia Broadcasting Center.