 The National Broadcasting Company presents another in the series of famous stories for the young of all ages. Adventure Ahead. This week a classic story of espionage and intrigue. Green Mantle by John Buchan. A timeless story of the men who fight behind the front. A story of the secret service. Adventure Ahead. Green Mantle. The magic word Green Mantle. The legend that struck terror along the eastern front and as a miracle came true. I want to tell you how it happened. How I came to find the secret of the legend of Green Mantle. It all began at the British Foreign Office one afternoon in the early days of the war. Major Henne? Yes? The Colonel is expecting you this way, please. Thank you. Step right in, sir. Morning, Colonel. Well, well, well, how are you, Dick? Ready for your new assignment. I'd hardly recognize you in that civilian outfit. It does seem a little strange. It's a good disguise. I only hope it fools the Germans as well. Oh? The Germans at this time? Very hard at it. Berlin, Vienna, southern Europe, right under the noses of the German secret service. I see. Must be important. Dick, the course of the war in the southeast may well depend upon information that you and your assistants obtain. Oh, then I'm not working alone, sir. Well, not entirely. It's a dangerous mission. I've assigned two men to help you. Just a moment. Yes, sir. Send in Blenke iron and Sandy cost Patrick, will you? Yes, sir. Sandy? Is he back from the Crimea? Arrived a few days ago. Sandy is the only one of our staff familiar with the mountains of southern Europe. He'll be invaluable. I'm sure he will, sir. And I'm sending Blenke iron because you may need some help in Germany before you get... Ah, here they are. Come in, please, will you? Well, hello, Dick. Sandy, how are you? Ready for another go at the Bosch? Good, so much. Dick, this is John Blenke iron, a major Dick Haneck. How do you do, Major? Pleasure to work with you all, thanks. Gentlemen, I'll come directly to the point. As you know, the Russians have finally fought the Germans to a standstill in the southeast of Europe. A stalemate that promises to last for several months. But what you don't know is that there's a growing tension down there. Rumblings of trouble among the wild, nomadic mountainsides. Well, what's that to do with the war? Well, those natives might throw thousands of armed men into the conflict. Against the Germans? No, Dick. Against our allies, the Russians. But... But why? We don't know, for certain. But it's our guess that the regular German troops are worn, tired, exhausted. And failing to get large reinforcements, the German Secret Service may have hit upon a scheme of inciting the natives to revolt. To break the stalemate? Exactly. But Colonel... Yes, Sandy? I don't see how the Germans could do it. I've lived and worked with those native tribes and even speak their language. I know their feelings about war and their religious customs. It just doesn't seem possible. But the fact remains, Sandy. Reports from our agents in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, all tell the same story. There's some sort of feeling of unrest down there. And it spells trouble for the allies. And do you believe Germany's behind it, Colonel? I'm certain of it, Lankan. Of course, when it comes, the uprising will be more like a... like a holy war, a crusade. Yes, and the natives are probably only waiting for some sort of religious revelation, like a star, a man, a prophecy to set off the fireworks. But Sandy, how could something like that cause them to revolt? They are deeply religious. They can devote it to their leaders and their prophets. Why, I expect their followers chose a leader into battle against any foe. And if the Germans knew something of that intense religious feeling, they could control an uprising and turn the natives against the Russians. Yes, it's quite possible. That, gentlemen, is your mission. To go into the mountains of southern Europe, to find that secret, and it's possible to stop the uprising. And your plan of attack, Colonel? Simple. The three of you must separate and operate alone. Then I want you to meet together, say, in, um, two months at a rendezvous in the mountains somewhere near the Black Sea. Don Raedor would be a good place to meet, Colonel. All right, Danny. It's in German hands, of course, but it's near the native stronghold in the mountains. Good. And we'll meet at Don Raedor, two months from today. Now, ask your departure from England. Tand is going directly to Istanbul, disguised as a Turkish seamen, and from there north into the mountains. Yes, Colonel. But you, Dick, and Blenkeian, are going through Germany to southern Europe the hard way. I take it there's work to be done en route. Right, Mr. Blenkeian. The major is traveling alone, of course. But I'm counting on you to follow him in case he needs help. Yes, sir. I understand. You'll pose as engineers from neutral countries. But since you both speak German fluently, you'll have no trouble passing a citizen's lunch or inside Germany. On your shoulders, Dick, calls the greatest person. Yes, Colonel. You must find out something about this unknown trouble that's brewing in the south. I can't tell you where to get the information because I don't know. Look for the answer in Berlin first. Then Vienna. Caucasus. Anything. Yes, sir. Here's the address of Otto Spion. Why are there agents in Berlin? Maybe he can help you. And if possible, I want you to become acquainted with the Colonel von Sturm. Von Sturm. He's head of the German secret service in southern Europe. Just now he's in the north, according to Otto Spion. I see. That's all I can tell you, Dick. The rest is up to you. Your mission's difficult, you see. It's not almost impossible. You may not succeed. I understand, sir. But if you three do meet again, two months from now in Don Raider, perhaps you'll know the secret of the trouble. Sandy left for Istanbul that night. And leaving Blenck iron to follow me within a week, I flew from England to a neutral country, carefully rehearsing the part that I must played to gain the German confidence. And I had not long to wait. For an arrival at the airport, I was questioned at the German passport office. Senor Hene. See? Your passport and papers seem to be in order. Of course. But they're curious about your business in Germany. Why do you insist upon flying to Berlin immediately? Why? Because I'm an industrial engineer, as you can see from my papers. And I bring many suggestions, which I think your Ministry of Labor will find of interest. Particularly plans for the commercial development of the Crimea. Oh, I see. It is important that I reach Berlin soon. Of course, Senor Hene. It can be arranged. In fact, I can give you transportation until next plane. No, Senor. It is impossible to find a hotel room anywhere in Berlin. But I must find one. Here, now. Well, I... I see what I can do, Senor. Who is that man? The new one. His name is Hane, a neutral. His face seems familiar. You have checked his passport? Of course. Everything is in order. I went everywhere in Berlin, mingled with the military, the politicians, attended all the theaters, the meetings, the cafes, hoping to hear some word or phrase, some bit of information that would help me. But there was nothing. And then, after two weeks, when I thought that it was safe, I looked for Otto Speon, our agent in Berlin. Good evening, Freiland. Good evening. I just happened to be passing by your shop. I thought I'd stop in. Yeah, my dear. Very nice shop you had here, Freiland. It belongs to my father. Oh, Herr Otto Speon? Yeah, my dear. Is he in that? I'd like to see him. No, he is not here just now. Oh, that's too bad. I've come a long way to see him. Would you tell him that Richard Hane paid a visit? Oh, you are... you are Mr. Hane. Yes. Oh, we've been expecting you just a moment. Mr. Hane! Oh, well, good, good. Mr. Hane. I'm glad you're all right. Thank you, Herr Speon. Your friend Mr. Blankhian was here a few days ago. Blankhian here? He seems to know more about you than you do about him. I've been busy ever since I arrived, looking for stray bits of information and trying to locate Colonel von Sturm. Von Sturm? He's in Vienna. Vienna? His home is there. Oh. Why do you want to see him? I must find some vital information. In the difficult, dangerous mass. What kind of information are you looking for? I must find out about the situation near the front in southern Europe, about the nomad tribes in the mountains. The mountains? I see I startled you, Herr Speon. Indeed you do. Only yesterday one of our men has met her, returned from that region with the mountains. What did he tell you? What did he say? He was afraid to talk. Even to me. He told you nothing? He was even afraid to write a report. Where can I reach him? I'll give you his address. It's near the Wilhelmstrasse. I'll find it. But be careful. Her metal said the things that he's been followed. All the way across Berlin I ran into a shabby tenement up the noisy stairs to the unlocked door of Mittelsbrunn. But I was too late. By minutes. But he'd been shot within the hour and lay there weak and dying on the floor before me. Mittels. Mittels, speak to me. I'm your friend. Try to talk to me. Mittels, try to talk. Tell me about the trouble in the south, the mountains. Trouble will be trouble. Yes, yes, I know. But what's going to happen there? Happen? Happen? Yes, yes. Green mantel. Green mantel. That one meaningless word, green mantel. And he was dead. The first time I'd heard it, but that word was destined to roar in my brain a thousand times again. I knew it was important. And I resolved to go to Vienna to see von Sturm. But I must see the colonel. I am sorry, my hair. He is conferring with the deputy. Colonel von Sturm cannot be disturbed. But it is important. It concerns his interest in the south, the mountain. The mountain? Yes. Oh, I am taking the colonel's view immediately. I must apologize for keeping you waiting, her honey. That's quite all right, colonel. I was discussing some matters with Rasta Bey, the young man who passed you in the doorway. You know him? No, colonel. He also is concerned with the mountainous region near the Russian line. Oh. But suppose you come to the point of your visit, her honey, what interest do you have in the region? My interest, colonel, is mainly one of economics. Oh, so. As I've told you, the government in Berlin has directed me to survey the newly conquered territory with a view toward establishing certain slave labor factories. Oh. And you wish to know something of the possibilities of the region in that regard? Exactly, colonel von Sturm. Well, I can give you that sort of information. I suppose just a moment I get my portfolio. Here we are. My plans are in here. Even the plans for rain mantles? What did you say? What do you know about rain mantles? Nothing, colonel. Then how did you know that name? Rumor, perhaps. I heard it mentioned around the government offices. No one seems to know much about it. Oh. I see. That's different. I'm sorry, colonel. I didn't realize it was a military secret. Sorry. That's all right, honey. You'll be able to read all about green mantles some day after the fall of Russia. But until then, the plans will have to stay right here in my portfolio. I knew then that part of the secret of green mantle was in Vienna. And somehow I must get those papers. Walking back from my visit near the Bristol Hotel, I had a strange encounter when... Oh, no. A big your father. Quite all right. My fault. I was... Plank iron. Careful. Step down, Miss Addie. No idea how glad I am to see you, Plank iron. I'm at your service, Major. Plank iron? Want to commit a burglary? Of course. What is it, a piano? Harder than that. Some confidential papers in the portfolio at von Sturm. But that place is surrounded by policemen and soldiers day and night. That's right. Won't be a simple task. Hmm. But I think we can handle it, Major. First of all, we'll have to borrow a few boxes of groceries. Here, you two cannot enter the Colonel's residence. That's because we must. These groceries are for Colonel von Sturm himself. Special order. All right. You can go in. But there must be a mistake. We did not order all these groceries. We don't know about that. All we do is deliver. Well, you can leave them if you must. I'll tell the Colonel about it as soon as he wakes up. This is the bedroom. Mm-hmm. If you're gun-handed, you may need it. Right, Major. Careful now. There he is. Sleep. Mm-hmm. They have a portfolio. Go ahead, Major. I'll keep him covered. All right. I'll stand here by his bed so he can't... Hey, hey! What are you two doing here? Who are you? What are you doing here? Don't move, Colonel von Sturm and keep quiet. You can't. My pot for you is a plant. No, you can't. You can't. I told you to keep quiet. Close the papers, Major. These are the ones. We've thought of the information about Green Mantle. You, I should have suspected you from the past. But, fortunately, you didn't, Colonel. You'll never get away with this. And you'll fly on. Will you keep quiet? I'll track you down if it's the last thing I ever do. Sorry, Colonel. You can't say I didn't warn you. Let's get out of here. I'd like to kill the arrogant fool, but I suppose it's going to make too much noise. No time for that. We've got to separate and escape. There's a car down the street you can use, Major. And you? I'll manage. Then we'll meet as we plan. At Gongra Edau. At our rendezvous. Precious plans concealed upon me. I was in Vienna, speeding westward in the car Blinkiron had stolen. It was a wild ride. Over rough, deserted roads and highways with my foot jammed down upon the floorboard, nursing every bit of speed I could. Although I had a few hours' time, my nifty of arm would soon be out and the roads would be thick with men and cars searching for me, waiting to kill me and take back the secret papers. Instinct led me westward and southward toward the Daniel, the only hope of quick escape. Till at last, the sputtering engine told me that the gas was gone. And then I struck out through the forest, knowing that the Germans were not far behind me. For that night, still another day and night, I stumbled blindly through the forest. I did not stop to rest or read the papers that I'd captured, for they were all around me. I knew Von Sturm was at my heels. Watching every opportunity, using every trick I knew, I managed to evade them and struggled onward, tired and worn and hungry, toward the river and escape. And on my fourth day of wandering, I crossed the hill and saw the Danube there below me. Mr. Lein, want to get on the way? Aye, Captain. Captain Schenck! Oh, Captain Schenck! Huh? Well, well, what's the matter? This man here, Captain, just came on board once a child. Oh, so? Yes, Captain, I need a job. Ever worked on river barges before? Well, yes, yes, I have. I'm an engineer. Could use another engineer. Long trip ahead. I can handle the job, Captain Schenck. All right, it's yours. Take this string of barges all the way down the Danube with me, and it's worth five marks a day. Good enough. And, uh, what is our destination? Well, half the cargo goes to Sevastopol. Yes, Captain. And the rest goes to a port over close to the mountain, a place called Donra-Edov. End of our trip. So, this is Donra-Edov? Small port, but important. Front line of the war, not more than 30 or 40 miles from here. Other side of the mountain. Yes, I know. This all used to be Russian country, whether... Oh. Army officials there coming aboard. Wonder what they want. I don't think I'll stay to find out. Must be a couple of colonels among them. Service. Hmm. Can I help you, gentlemen? You have a man on board named Mr. Honey. Honey? Why, uh, why, of course, new man. He's here, Colonel Von Stumpf. He's here. Oh, well, well. So, I have at last caught up with him. Where is this man, Captain? Well, uh, over there in his cabin. He went inside when he saw you coming. Oh, he did, huh? Hmm. Get your pistols ready. The man's dangerous. He may try anything. Now, Captain. Yes, sir? It's Kevin here. This is it. Then throw open the door and let us kill the rat. We have trapped. But he's gone. So my arrival at Don Raida was somewhat icy cold and wet. Although I had escaped Von Stumpf again, there wasn't much relief in knowing that he was so close behind me, trailing me, guessing my every move. The day was soon at hand, however, for our rendezvous, and I waited at a table in a small sidewalk cafe, the appointed place at the appointed time. Soon, two figures approached me. I presume this gentleman wouldn't mind if we sat here. I hope not. Sandy, Blank iron. Welcome. Sit down. Sit down. Hello, Dick. Can we meet again, eh, Major? Yes, and it's good to see you both. Blank iron, you had trouble? Not a bit, Major. My life's been quiet since you left me. Do you, Sandy? Well, nothing happened on my sea journey, Dick, but since I arrived a week ago, I've been up in the mountains talking with the natives. Oh, tell me. The nomad tribes are in an ugly mood. Why, Sandy? Because their prophets foretold the arrival of a leader who soon to appear and lead them into battle. A prophecy is sort of a legendary figure, a man they've never seen before. And his name? Green Mantle. Oh, that confirms the papers, the plans we stole, Major. It does, Blank iron. What's all this about, Dick? We also know something of Green Mantle, because we stole the plans of this uprising from Von Sturm. The German secret stories? Mm-hmm. Look here, Sandy. All this? Yes, Sandy. This is part of the secret of Green Mantle that I've carried halfway across Europe. You're right about the prophecy, the legend of Green Mantle. But listen, the Germans plan to produce a live man, a leader, a flesh and blood Green Mantle to fulfill that prophecy, to lead the Nomad tribes against our allies. But that's impossible. The Green Mantle doesn't exist. It's not unless the Germans produce a bogus leader, a man who claims to be Green Mantle. Oh, so that's their plan. A hoax seems incredible. But I can see that it might work. Right now, the natives are restless waiting for the prophecy to come true. They'd follow almost anybody into battle. Then we've no time to waste. That uprising must be stopped. But what can we do, Major? We must find out the identity of the man who dares to pose as Green Mantle. But how? We must go to the only man who can tell us. We must go to the only place that we've yet to visit. Where? The control point of this entire uprising. The headquarters here, the German secret service. And Colonel von Sturm. Dick, are you mad? They've been after us ever since Vienna. Yes, I know, I know. It's like putting our heads in the mouth of a lion. But if you're with me... Count me in, Major. Of course, Dick. Then I have a plan for learning the rest of the secret of Green Mantle. And the first step is to surrender to Colonel von Sturm. I must say I never expected to catch all three of you. To have you standing before me here. Helpless in my own office. Nevertheless, Colonel, here we are. And at my mercy. I don't know the meaning of that word. I'll make you three regret the day you ever joined the British Secret Service. Because I can assure you, gentlemen, your death will not be quick. Why? Careful, Blankine. I have on you. Stand against that wall. There's three of you. This lube on my desk is not an ornament. We understand, Colonel. Now, before you are taken away, I have a surprise for you. Since you have all expressed such an interest in Green Mantle, I thought I'd let you see him. What? Green Mantle? Yes, Major. That's impossible. It's only a legend. Then watch, and you will see a legend materialized. I'll be ready, Dick. It's not yet late. Rasta Bay? Rasta Bay, come in here. Rasta Bay? I've heard that name before. Rasta Bay. You call me Colonel? Come here. I remember him. Now, I saw him in Vienna. Look at his cape, Major. Emerald Green. The emblem of Green Mantle. Rasta Bay? Yes, Colonel? Show the gentleman your beautiful green cape. Yes, sir. You see? Yes, sir. Now, tell them what your new name is going to be in just a few hours. My name will be Green Mantle. I will be Great Man. Hero. Great Man. All right, now. That's his attention. I'll grab the gun. I will be Hero. Green Mantle. Very good. You're excellent for the fast. I will be Greatest Man in... Look out, Colonel. No, you don't, Colonel. Colonel, Colonel. I've got the gun now. You all right, Tandy, Major? Yes, I'm all right. No, you can't get away with it. Keep him covered, Blink Iron. Yes, Major. What you do? What you do? Take off that cape. No. I'm not take off. I am Hero. That's what you think. Take off that cape. No. No, I run away. I run away. I'll take care of that. What have you done? You have keep him. Oh, no, Colonel. He's just wounded. Now, keep quiet, Tandy. Yes, sir. The green cape. Grab it. Right. What are you doing? You can't do that. Colonel, if you don't keep still, I'm going to bust you over the head again. What are you going to do? I'll tell you what we're going to do, Colonel Von Sturm. The Nomad tribesmen are going to be led into battle after all, but they won't be led against our side as you'd planned. Instead, they'll attack and fight the Germans. No! No! You can't do that! No! There's not so much noise there, Colonel. All right, Tick. I'm ready to ride. You look fine, Tandy. Don't stay here and watch the channel. Of course, Major. The careful Von Sturm doesn't play any tricks on you. I've got him covered. Good luck. We'll have to hurry, Tandy. Long ride to the mountains. I saw some horses outside. That'll be the quickest way. I only hope the natives wait until... I guess the channel tried to play a trick. And didn't get away with it. The natives were assembled and waiting as we rode into their camp. I stood aside there, watching Tandy as he moved up through the milling mass of men. And the hush fell over them like a spell. And Tandy spoke out loud and clear. Men of the mountains! Your prophets have told you that Green Mantle would come and lead you into battle. I ask you now to follow me to attack the Germans who cringe beneath the blows of our lives. If you believe your prophets, if you believe the legend of Green Mantle, then follow me to victory into battle against the Germans. Tandy rode along out through the mountain pass. He was almost beyond their sight before the first few natives took their guns and rode behind him. Then others fell in behind the leaders. And there were more and more until at last every man of them rode out roaring through the mountain pass, storming toward the German lines to crack the eastern front. And in the very front, a single man with sandy hair, a bright green cloak. But the prophecy had come true. The long-looks-for revelation was a fact. The prophets of the people had not failed. Green Mantle had appeared at last. Adventurer-Head has presented the famous John Bucken story, Green Mantle, in a radio dramatization by Tom Gouttage. In today's play, the part of Dick Hane was played by Alexander Scurvy, Guy Spall as Blankern, Jack Stanley as Sandy, and E. A. Krumschmitt as Von Sturm. Others in the cast were Horace Bram, Guy Sorrell, Len Shira, Kathleen Cordell, Charmé Allen, and Guy Sorrell. The entire production was under the direction of Herbert Rice. NBC and its affiliated independent station presented Venturer-Head as a public service.