 Your place is sure with two great names, Frigidaire and General Motors. Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as the man called X. Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance, and all the strange and dangerous places of the world, there you will find the man called X. Frigidaire presents Herbert Marshall as Ken Thurston, the man called X. It was a cunning and devilish scheme with a pattern that touched three countries, and crisscrossed an ocean between. Ken Thurston was called in late, but then the last stages of any game are always the most dingy. I don't know whether you've heard about the deal or not, Ken, I'll know more about it when Miss Brooks gets that call through to Pringle. Anyway, one of the food commissions up here in the U.S. contracted to buy a million dollar order of canned beef from the Gallivan Export Packing Company in Montevideo. Gallivan Export? Yeah, in fact, they advanced half the payment to this company so they could step up operations and make quicker delivery. The canning job was finished about 10 days ago. The meat intended for European relief? It was. What do you mean, chief? Well, the inspector for the commission airmailed sample cans to Washington the first of the week. Ken, every sample was spoiled. The only thing they could do was order the whole ship and destroy it. Oh, fine. And was the food situation over there the way it is? Yeah, well, it's probably nothing more than a bum job of processing, but anyway, Pringle went down there and I had the papers on the deal sent up here to the Bureau. In fact, they only got here a little while ago. They, uh... Good lord. What's the matter, chief? Well, this report, look how it's signed. Hmm? Food commission inspector. Bureau guide division. P. Zellschmidt. There you go. Now, how the hell did that bird-brained little scoundrel ever get tied up with? Oh, excuse me, this must be... Yes, Miss Brooks? Fine. Uh, she's through to Montevideo. Good. Hello? Hotel Regina? Let me talk to William Pringle. What? Uh... No. No thanks. Ken. All right, chief, let's have it. Bill Pringle was accidentally killed at 1.45 this afternoon. He fell out of his hotel window. Bill Pringle. Who the friend has ever known? Yeah. I don't know. Maybe it was an accident. But if it wasn't, then somebody's gonna pay for it. You can count on that. Chief, I'm going to Montevideo. Which way, Lieutenant Lubin? Straight ahead? Yes, senior Thurston. The office is there in the park corner of the warehouse. Oh, yeah, yeah. I see. Lieutenant, um... What do you know about this, Mr. Gallivan? Very little, senior. Except that he is the owner of this concern. The export packing company has never been subject to police investigation before. Oh, it doesn't know. It's just that I'm following a hunch, that's all. Well, seems to be a visitor leaving. You may be able to work them out. Where are they? Oh. Well, Lieutenant Lubin. I'm sorry, I don't believe... Ah, yes, the lady from France. Yes, Lieutenant. Jean de Leon, I remember. But, of course, I checked your passport when you arrived on the plane yesterday. May I present senior Thurston? Senior Thurston? How you doing? Do our residents have this beautiful little city, monsieur? No, no, I just got in from the States a few hours ago. Apparently, we're both visitors. Oh, nice. And have we not found a lovely place to visit? Imagine having summer in December. No, then, of course, it will be winter here next July. Things usually balance up, mademoiselle. Yes, yes, I suppose they do. I had not thought of it that way. I am staying at the Hotel Regina, monsieur. Au revoir. Senior Thurston, I envy you. In one minute you have made a conquest. I wonder. Ah, such elegance, charm. And the perfume she is wearing. Ah! Yes, Lieutenant, Mr. Gallivan, you remember? Of course. Oh, shall we go in? Colonel Rové, come in. Thank you. Ah, Senor Gallivan, this is Senor Thurston. Mr. Thurston? Senor Thurston is from the Bureau in New York. I see. Well, why don't you sit down, gentlemen? Senor Gallivan, the little lady who left. She is a friend of yours, perhaps? Oh, Mr. Leone? Charming, isn't she? Sorry, I couldn't oblige her. She wanted a job. You don't see how you could refuse her. Well, it wasn't easy. Mr. Thurston, if the Commission sent you down here to turn the heat on for the money they advance, well, I haven't got it, and I don't know how I can get it. I'm not interested in money right at the moment, Mr. Gallivan, but I would like to know what caused the whole shipload of canned meat to turn out bad. So would I. Well, your inspector called and gave me that report from Washington. I just couldn't believe him. Now, as I understand it, the Commission ordered the shipment destroyed. Is that right? Yes. And that'd mean another big expense. If it hadn't been for the generosity of Mr. Valtón. Who's Valtón? I only met him two days ago. A man with a badly scarred face. He's an agent for the French Uruguayan steamship lines. Arranged to take the stuff aboard the New York bound freight at Polynes. It left Montevideo yesterday. But the entire order's condemned. Why ship it to New York? Well, they put it in deck storage. It'll be dumped to sea. But it's tragic for the hungry people in Europe who needed that food. I think it may be quite unfortunate for Mr. Valtón. I swear by the father of my father. Oh, pipe down Pagom. But... Inspector Zelschmeck. Mr. X, you always said I should work at something honest for a change. You were joking, of course. Pagom, you can't even spell honest. A capital O-N. Oh, skip it. Whatever gave you the idea of working for the food commission in the first place? For 500 bucks a month. I mean, I saw my duty. And I did it. They practically drafted me. Why, the general manager of the Congress called me up and said... I've already seen that letter of recommendation. Said to me, he said, oh, you mean the letter you wrote? I mean the letter you wrote. And signed my name to. But you were out of town. And anyway, I knew how you felt about it. Oh, sure. Irreproachable character, highest ethics. A genius who speaks nine languages fluently. But... You can't even speak one language. But, but... Down here to sample a million-dollar meat order. Well, you wouldn't know how to sample shoe polish. Huh? That just goes to show you. So I didn't. I hired an expert. You what? Sure, a little Euro guy named Pedro Zapata. But, sir, it isn't for practically nothing. I'll bet. I was recommended by my very close friend, Mr. Noble. The French consul, you know. And how did you get to be a close friend of the French consul? Oh, he dropped around last week just to pay a socialist call. You understand? Yeah, yeah. Maybe I do understand, Pagan. Tell me, what does this Mr. Noble look like? Very distinguished. Strictly first-class big shot wife. He even used to fight duels, Mr. X. Scars all over his face. So I can assure you, Monsieur Thurston, that during the three years I have been company agent here in Montevideo, no one by the name of Alton has ever been connected with the French Uruguay line. Well? And also, as I told you, the French consul has been up in Panama for the past ten days. He will not return before sometime next week. I see. There's one more thing. One of your freighters, the Polonaise, self-New York yesterday. What you have been misinformed, Monsieur, the Polonaise is bound for Lyaha, France, not New York. What do you know about a shipment of canned meat to be dumped overboard somewhere at sea? Monsieur is joking. There is no such shipment. A large consignment of the type was shipped by, uh... By, uh... Oh, yes, yes. Mr. Smith. Smith, eh? But most certainly not to be dumped overboard. You see here? Here. Destination, there, France. Do you happen to remember anything about the appearance of this Mr. Smith? Oh, just an ordinary man. Except for some rather deep scars on his face. Well, thanks for your trouble. I won't take up any more of your time. No trouble at all. The motto of our line is service with a smile at no cost. No inspiring. Good day. There you are, Mr. Thurston. I thought you were going to stay there all day. If I'd known you were out here, I would have. Well, it's a long way gone. But Mr. Rex, he said for us to wait right here at the bottom of this little alley. He wants to make a phone call. Who did? Well, that's what I'm trying to tell you. My very dear friend, the French Council. I see. He came down here with you, eh? Oh, sure. He's very anxious to meet you. As soon as he gets back, of course. Yes. He gets back from Panama, as a matter of fact. Huh? Mr. Rex, what's the matter with that driver? Hey, look out where you're backing that truck! Wait. There's no driver in that truck. But then what? Never mind. Move back. Oh! It hit that building. Right where we were standing. Yeah. Yeah. Nice that we'd still been there. But we never made it. Oh, there's the Council now getting in the car street. Look up the street. Are you who? Here we are, right over. Mr. Rex, he's driving off. The license number 4C697. I guess he didn't see us, Mr. Thurston. Pagan, you want a bet? Del Regan is not such a hot damn. Why don't you get a suit over in my hotel? Couldn't stand the glamour, Pagan. Diplomats, consoles, all over the place. I still don't understand why he drove off to down there in the street. No. You know. Go on in. Anyway, if he's not a console, then what's so this all about? Pagan is about a million dollars worth of canned meat that somebody wants to make five million out of on the French black market. Oh, well, and that... Mr. Rex, what kind of a shaving lotion do you use? Not the kind you're smelling. It's a little French import named Jean de Lyonne. I've had a visitor. French import? That reminds me, how could anybody sell that meat when it's no good? That's what I'm going to ask your helper as soon as I can get Lieutenant Rubine to pick him up. You mean my friend Pedro Zapato? But he... Hello, operator. Get me Lieutenant Rubine at the Montevideo police. No, never mind, operator. Mr. Zapato, how can we change him up? Pagan? If it is said that I have the police come for a man when we don't know where he is. Huh? Yeah. Come and take a look behind this bed. Today's man called X, starring Herbert Marshall. Somewhere out in the South Atlantic, a cargo of canned meat is heading for the French black market. Well, down in Uruguay a few minutes ago, Kim Thurston walked into his hotel suite to find the murdered body of Pedro Zapato, the man he'd hoped might supply some of his answers. Right now, Ken and Pagan are making a hurried visit to Pedro Zapato. There's something very suspicious about that Lieutenant Rubine fellow, Mr. Thurston. Why should he have this address of Pedro's in his file? That old assistant of yours was a crook, Pagan, and he was working for a killer. I don't see how you can say such things while the French counsel himself, Monsieur... Monsieur Which? Noble or Walton or Smith? It's been all three. Well, all right then. I suppose you think I'm stupid. Pagan, don't tempt me. 26B, here we are. Ha! The door's open. Come on. You don't think maybe somebody's here? It has been anyway. Smell that same perfume. Yeah. Hey, look at this joint. Yeah. Oh, Mr. X, why should anybody tear everything up? Maybe somebody didn't want Pedro Zapato to do any talking. They're all alive. Mr. X, what's that? Oh, oh, oh. Your telephone. Hello? Mr. Thurston? Lieutenant Rubine. Somebody's already been here. They've torn the place to pieces. That I was afraid of. But I have phrased the license number you gave. Good, let's have it. The car belongs to a public rental agent. You see, that's all right, Lieutenant. Now's the time to put the lid on. Block every exit out of Montevideo. Make it fast. Indeed, senorys. That number is the license of one of our autos. The car is sitting in the back room at the moment. Uh, when was it turned in? That particular car was rented by the customer at precisely 1.48 yesterday afternoon. 1.48. It was returned this evening at 5.26. Something over one hour ago. And who was the customer? A Mr. Smith. Smith, eh? Um, fellow with the scarred face. As a matter of fact, yes. It's your friend again, Pagon. You know, Mr. Smith, it's funny he never told me his name was really Smith. It is somewhat remarkable this inquiry of yours. Only a little while ago, a young lady was asking about the same man. So, what did she look like? Ah, ravishing, such elegance, such style, such... Yeah, such perfume. But how did you know? He's somewhere in Montevideo. He's on foot and he can't, but he will hide that face. Pagon, start working from here. I'll give him a hand. Pagon, start working from here. I'll give him a cab, drive up the avenue, if he's seen this Smith, or Valdon, or Noble Guy. Mr. Thurston, you can count on me. When you find out anything, I'll be at the hotel. I'll get moving. I'll drag the double-crosser in by my heels. Oh, uh, Pagon, remember how Pedro looked? Sure, I'll mutilate him. I'll... I'll... oh, oh, no! Hello, Ken. Yeah, go ahead. Oh, no, no, Chief, I don't need it. I've seen her. Oh, look, Ken, if you've got some... There's a lot. So long, Chief. Pagon, why aren't you busy trying to track Valdon? Because I have already. He's out that expert packing company joint. Sure about that? Well, that's where some cab driver took him about an hour ago. An hour ago? Oh, come on, Pagon, let's go. You don't use that flashlight. Hey, is that the French cookie? Hi. You see, I became lost here in the dark, Mr. Thurston. I was going to call on Mr. Gunnivan. Here, I'll take your gun. Thanks. Mr. Leone, I know who you are. I know what you are. But how could you know? Because he is the man called X. He's... Oh, no! Come on, let's go ahead and pay that visit you were planning. Mr. Thurston, Inspector Salford. Good evening, Mr. Gallivan. Mr. Gallivan, we just caught a housebreaker outside of your warehouse. This little cauliflower here. What? Well, it's Mr. Leone. What's going on here? I'm blaming you for wondering, Mr. Gallivan. The moves are coming pretty fast in this game. Has Mr. Valtorn been here? Valtorn? Well, of course not. As far as I know, he's on a freighter headed for New York. Mr. Thurston, I just figured it out. This guy, Gallivan, is Valtorn. What? Well, sure, sure. Why not? He uses makeup to look like scars on his face. He's just a Dr. Jerkel and Mr. Hyde. Grab it. Oh, pipe down, Pagon. I saw Valtorn and he didn't weigh any more than Mr. Leone here. He is guilty, Mr. Thurston. Mr. Valtorn. Huh? Who's that? Come in, Lieutenant. Who? I came as quickly as possible after I received your message, Senior Thurston. Well, you're right on time, Lieutenant Rubin. The only person we need now is Mr. Valtorn. And I suppose you are going to tell us what has happened to him. Yes. I wouldn't reach into that draw, Mr. Gallivan. Mr. Valtorn, Rubin, have you covered? You will please not move, Senior Gallivan. Pagon, that looks like a closet back in the desk there. Why don't you take a look? Oh, sure, Mr. Thurston, I'd be glad to. May have to have to pay a search, Lieutenant, but I did smell powder smoke when I came in here. It's him. Valtorn. He's in there with holes all over him. Well, Mr. Gallivan? He's the one who did it, Valtorn. He talked me into it. He's the one who killed Pringle and Zapato. Oh, no. He might have killed Pedro Zapato, but not Bill Pringle. Because of the very moment that happened, Valtorn was halfway across town winning a car. What? Bill Pringle was my friend, Gallivan. Before I came down here, I swore somebody was going to pay for killing him. All right now. Talk and tell the truth. Wait a minute. Where does this little De Leoni number fit in? Pagon, that must be De Leoni. There's an agent with a friend still in it there. That is correct, Monsieur. You see, I followed Monsieur Valtorn from France when he was one of the leaders of the black market. Well, except, Mr. Thurston, I guess we did it. Oh, sure, sure. Yes, we did it all right. That was a... I suggest you cable your headquarters and arrange a reception for that freighter when it gets to Lav. I shall take care of the matter, Monsieur Thurston. And may I offer my sympathy in the loss of your friend? Thanks, that was a... I don't know. He died so a cargo of food could reach the starving people it was meant for. Maybe that's a very small reason for a man to give up his life. Maybe it's the biggest reason in the world. Thanks for being with us. Next week our story is called Delta Concerto. And don't let that title fool you, because it's packed with mystery and suspense. As usual, Leon Balasco will be along in the role of Pagon's elsewhere. So join us, won't you, when next I return as the man called X. Good night. The 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. 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 into CBS, the biggest show in town. At the CBS Columbia Broadcasting Center.