Vintage Sci-Fi Radio

The Avenger - The Cradle of Doom

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Duration:: 31m
Broadcast on:: 28 Jun 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

It is Ryan Seacrest here. Everybody needs some variety in life. That's what I love about Chumba Casino. They know how to keep things fresh and exciting. All their games are free to play. Like spin slots, bingo and solitaire. You can claim free daily login bonuses too. And they release new games every week. So spice things up with Chumba Casino.com now for your chance to redeem some serious prizes. Sponsored by Chumba Casino. No purchase necessary. VGW Group. Void. We're prohibited by law. 18 plus terms and conditions apply. Hey there. It's Solomon from Solgood Media. A lot of our listeners have asked how to get ad-free access to our podcasts. You asked and we answered. We're offering an exclusive one-month free trial to our ad-free streaming platform packed with over 500 audiobooks, meditation sounds and engaging podcasts. No strings attached. Just pure listening pleasure. Sign up today at solgoodmedia.com and dive into a world of stories and sounds that inspire and relax. Don't miss out on this limited time offer. It's your gateway to unlimited audio enjoyment. That's solgoodmedia.com. S-O-L-G-O-O-D-M-E-D-I-A.com. Check it out. We hope to see you over there. The Avenger. The road to crime ends in a trap that justice sets. Crime does not pay. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] The Avenger sworn enemy of evil is actually Jim Brandon a famous biochemist. Through his numerous scientific experiments Brandon has perfected several inventions to aid him his crusade against crime as the Avenger. Most remarkable of these inventions is the highly secret diffusion capsule which quotes him in a black light of invisibility. Brandon's assistant, the beautiful Fern Collier, is the only one who shares his secrets and knows that he is the man the underworld fears as the Avenger. And now. The Avenger and the Cradle of Doom. Jim, there's a mosquito fly here to see you. Oh, you didn't make any appointments for me this morning, did you Fern? No, but this girl. Sorry, but we've got to finish these chemical tests today. If it's important, I'll ask you to come back tomorrow at 11. Mr. Brandon, excuse me for a shooting like this, but you've got to sing now. It's really very important. Miss Wiley written it into me for five minutes, Mr. Brandon, and then I'll go if you want me to. All right, Miss Wiley, sit down and tell me what's on your mind. Thank you. I've come about my fiancé, John Martin. He's been framed by his brother Tobias and is being held in communicado at White Ridge. White Ridge? Where's that? It's a small private sanitary about three miles from here and locks per road. Oh, I see. You'd better take this down in your book, Fern. Right here. Now, Miss Wiley, you telling me your fiancé has been committed to White Ridge by his brother? Yes. John's perfectly saying, Mr. Brandon, but Tobias wants to collect his share of the Martin estate, and this is the method he's using to do it. That's a very serious charge. Anyone found guilty of such a crime faces a penalty for kidnapping and extortion. I know. Believe me, I wouldn't be making these accusations if I weren't sure. Exactly what does Tobias Martin stand to gain by this? Several million dollars worth of John's holdings. Usually when John's father died about a year ago, he willed an equal share of stock in the Martin steel mills to reach his two sons. This stock cannot be sold, but if either the son's dies or is declared incompetent, the entire holdings pass into the hands of the other brother. How long has John been at White Ridge? Almost two weeks. Why didn't you report it to the police immediately? Because I hope the whole thing would be settled quietly. I thought I could get John out of White Ridge and placed in my custody. And when that failed, I tried to reach Tobias, reason within. You haven't seen Tobias then? No. I went to his home several times, but his secretary told me he was ill. Wouldn't even let me in the house. Who's in charge of White Ridge sanitarium? A man by the name of Dr. Marcus Falco and his wife. Are they many patients? Only a few, I think. From what I can gather, the doctor limits the service to the very rich. Mr. Benjamin, can you help me? Can you get John out of White Ridge? Well, I'll certainly look into it another Miss Wiley. Where can I get in touch with you? I've taken little cottage just west of White Ridge to be near John. 1215 Larkspur Road. The telephone is Larkspur 9000. Thank you. I'll call you the moment I have anything to report. I don't know how to thank you, Mr. Benjamin. Never mind that, Miss Wiley, and don't worry. If John Martin is sane, he released, and the law will take care of everything else. That must be White Ridge just ahead there, friend. That big house on the hill surrounded by poppers. Oh, gosh, it's lovely. Certainly doesn't look like a sanitarium, does it? Not from down, anyway. Oh, here's the driveway. Jim, considering the close-watched medical society keeps on private sanitariums, how could it be possible for a safe person to be committed to one of them? Well, an unscrupulous person might manage it somehow, but his chances of getting away with it would be mighty slim. Of course, there is a possibility that John Martin isn't sane. He did well, he could be prejudiced about that. Well, that's the reason I want to see and talk with John before I get involved in this. Oh, here we are. You'd better wait here in the car, friend. All right. But what is it, please? My name's Brandon. I've come to see John Martin. I'm sorry. Visitors are not allowed, except on Sundays. Oh, this is urgent. I'd like to speak to Dr. Palko, please. I'm Mrs. Palko. As I said, you may visit Mr. Martin on Sunday. No, that is your honor. Who's at the door? A Mr. Brandon to see John Martin, Marcus. Dr. Palko? Yes. Well, this is a matter of extreme importance, doctor. I must see John Martin at once. Are you a relative? Well, as a matter of fact, no, I'm the... The visit is out of the question. We observe rigid rules here, Mr. Brandon. Complete rest and quiet has been prescribed for Mr. Martin. I suppose to buy us Martin's permission is required in order to see John Martin. That is correct, except for the regular visiting hour on Sunday. I understand. Good day. Good day. Marcus, what is all this interest in John Martin? That was spyly, but now this night. Give John Martin and his visitors to me, Your Honor. I know what his best is. Yes, but you said when you brought him here, but I'm not so sure it's true. I wonder if his brother went sorry. John Martin is in my care. Now let me deal with him in my own way. Go to the kitchen now. Our patients will be wanting their lunch. Not very hospitable, but they can. That place is fortified with regulations, friend. Well, what do we do now? Call under bias? Oh, not yet. Let's drive down the road to Miss Wildy's place. I want to ask her a few more questions. Jim, do you suppose that Dr. Falco could be a phony? Well, no, friend, not in their usual sense, anyway. He's a licensed physician, took his degree in Vienna 30 years ago. Oh, you looked him up before we came out here. Certainly. He's been specializing in psychiatric cases and unusual nerve disorders for the past 10 years. There's always the chance, though, that he may have turned unscrupulous. In John Martin's case, there's a lot of money at stake. Now, friend, don't jump the hurdles before we come to them. This was Wildy's cottage, Jim. 1215, that was the number. Oh, this year's in the garden. Hello, Miss Wildy. Oh, hello. I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Won't you come in? Well, I know we haven't time. We've just come from White Ridge. Did you see John? How is he, Mr. Brown? I don't know. They wouldn't even let me inside of the place. But you're connected with the police. You could have forced them to let you see him. Yes, but I understood you wanted this matter handled quietly. Oh, I do. Then I suppose I'll have to wait until Sunday to see him. You know, there is one way you could talk with John without there knowing it. Oh, what's that? Well, the patient's rooms are all on the second floor in the back of the house. John's room is the one right next to the firescape. After dark, you could climb up there and talk with him through the bars without anyone knowing it. That sounds like a good idea, Jim. Yes. I think I'll do that very thing tonight. Thanks, Miss Wildy. And that's the whole story, Mr. Brandon. When every other method to get control of my money failed, Tobias framed me into this place. You see, while I'm in here, he has complete control of the Martin Steel Mills, and he's able to collect the dividends on all my holdings. You think Tobias and Dr. Falco are in this thing together then? Well, what else can I think? Dr. Falco examined me and declared me mentally incompetent. You can judge for yourself whether that's true. Well, John, my, it's all in your favor, but I'm not a doctor. And a layman's judgment in a case of this kind doesn't amount to anything. Only a physician's verdict would stand up and court. Well, then go to Dr. Stanley Myers. He's been my doctor since childhood. Less than a month ago, he gave me a complete going over and told me I was in perfect condition. He has a complete case history on me from the time I was six. That's exactly what we need. I'll go to see Myers first thing in the morning. You think I'll be out of here by tomorrow then? No, it may take a few days to straighten out the technicalities. You see, I want to make certain your exit from here is strictly legal. Otherwise, we might run into trouble when we bring charges against your brother. All right. I'll try to be patient, but work as fast as you can. Will you, Brandon? This place is worse than a prison. Sometimes I think this Dr. Falco was really trying to drive me mad. All right, Dr. Falco, now that you know the bullies are interested in John Martin's case, maybe you'll give us some straight answers. Oh, of course, Inspector, when Mr. Brandon came here. Yes, to be. He did not do it. All right, Jim, let's get to the bottom of this. Dr. Falco, when you examined John Martin two weeks ago, just what did you find wrong with him? Well, eh, to put it as simply as I can. His symptoms indicate that he's suffering from acute menia, and he has constant hallucinations that border on delusional insanity. In other words, you pronounced him dangerously insane and recommended his commitment here at White Ridge for treatment. Yes, I am sure that any reputable psychiatrists would agree with me in regard to John Martin's symptoms. Then you won't mind if we take a look at your record, Dr. My records, Mr. Brandon. Yes, also the commitment papers bearing the signature of Tobias Martin. Oh, of course, naturally everything was handled in the proper manner. You will not find any irregularities here at White Ridge. The papers, please. They're safe in the adjoining room. I-- I've got some-- Well, Inspector, what do you think? Uh, it's pretty hard to say offhand, Jim. We know Dr. Myers is on the level, and he's willing to swear there's nothing wrong with John Martin, but this Dr. Falco is something else again. He's a smooth operator, all right. We're going to have our troubles pinning anything on him, even if he is mixed up in this. If Tobias Martin brought it to Falco out, we'll find some way to prove it, Inspector. Eh, eh, this is some layout. He's got to accommodate three or four patients. He's going to be here all the papers. Well, thank you. Oh, here's the one we're after, Inspector. Ah, yes. It's signed by Tobias Martin, all right? Uh-huh. How many times have you seen Tobias Martin, Dr. Falco? Oh, only twice. First, when he brought John here to be examined, and then again, when he committed him. Take charge of these papers, Inspector. Tobias Martin has a little explaining to do. [MUSIC] But I tell you, Mr. Martin, he can't see anyone. No, no, who are you? Well, I'm Charles Burton, confidential secretary to Tobias Martin. Oh, Mr. Burton, we're the police. Step aside, we're coming in. Police, oh, why didn't you say so? Where is Martin? Well, at the room at the top of the stairs, I'll tell him you're coming. We'll be right behind you. Come on, Jim. It looks like Tobias intended to give us the run-around, Inspector. Second, bad. Do you think he could have a better dodge than that? Well, have you announced this, Burton? Mr. Martin, I'll see you. I'll say, well. Ah, Tobias Martin. Yes? What is all this? Well, I'm Inspector White. This is Jim Bryan, and we'll hear about your brother, John. What's he up to now? Well, at the moment, he's rather anxious to be released from Dr. Falco's sanitarium. Oh, so that's where he is. Look, Mr. Martin. Let's not waste time, huh? You know where your brother is and how he got there, and you probably know what the penalty is for falsely committing a person to an institution of that kind, right? What are you talking about? Yes. John Martin's commitment paper is signed by you. For posterists, I never sign this paper. You deny that you're a signature? Well, no, I can't very well deny that. My writing, all right. But to the best of my knowledge, I never laid eyes on this document before. Now, what about you, Burton? Do you deny all knowledge of this too? Well, I certainly do. That signature must have been forged. There's one way to prove whether you sign that paper or not, Martin. How? The signature was witnessed by Dr. Falco. It's just a matter of bringing you to face to face. But Mr. Martin is too ill to leave his bed. The doctor left him in my care, and I... Well, I can't take the... Then we'll bring Dr. Falco here. We'll soon find out who's lying. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Now back to the Avenger and the Cradle of Doom. [Music] You and your citrus experiments. You still where they've landed us under the civilians of the police? Please! You keep quiet, you am I. My experiments have nothing to do with it. The police are merely checking on John Martin. That's what you say, Martin. But how do I know? For years, you've kept your experiments as secret from me. That room in the tower that is always locked. And rather that big motor in the basement. Partly used to... Oh, have told you. Just part of my experiment. A wonderful experiment that may be the salvation of all the mental unfortunate in the world. I do not believe you, Max. I think that you have bartered science for game. Either that or you yourself are mad. You are not. Hear me out, Max. All these years have labored at your sight. But I believe to be a great and humane cause. My faith in you was quite complete. That it was also blind and you failed me in it. No, no, I haven't. I have warned you. I will not stand beside you now. To face, I do not know what they can do. Joanna, stop. And listen to me for a moment. I have nothing to hide from you or anyone else. It is only that my experiment is in its infancy. And I wish to keep it a secret until its worth was proved. Come to the tower with me, I will show you. The mind is on contact. You can no longer cope with the problems and the complexities of life. Therefore, to heal it, one must work backward. Smooth away the burdens. Lighten all the pressures that experience has inflicted. Let the mind revert to the tranquility and to the peace if you invade the world. Then it must be built up again from there. Stronger, firmer, more assured. But how can that be done, Max? But what does this tower room have in that experience? Look about you, Joanna. This would seem to be an ordinary room. It is furnished so that it would look that way. But it is not. This room is a large-sized grave where my tired patients were rocked into a state of complete relaxation. Hey, a cradle? Yes. This entire room is suspended from that ridge pole in the roof. My huge belt line is hooked to that and runs down through that chimney to the motor in the basin. When the motor is turned on, the patient can be rocked without his being conscious of it. And that swaying movement of everything about him produces the same soothing effect as rocking an input in the cradle. Good. That is the furniture. It is all clamped to the floor. Come, I will show you. Here. This is my muckus. First clamps have been broken. What? Yes. Now help me examine the other furniture, Joanna. Max, someone has closed the door and knocked it. That cannot be. The patients are all locked in the rooms. It's locked all right. That's what we're going to do. I don't know. I can understand this. Who would want to lock us up in here? And the fight, Max. But if someone prints the mulper on, he's having furniture but mangle us. Joanna. The cradle. The cradle is rocking. Someone has sent the muckus on full force. Be careful, you're all. Max, this is easier. Oh! Joanna! Help! Help! Jim, this place seems to be deserted. What do you suppose the Falco's are? I don't know, friend. But one of them must be around somewhere. Dr. Falco? Hello? Dr. Falco? Come on, friend. I don't like the looks of this. We'd better see if John Markman's all right. Maybe Tobias got word to Dr. Falco and warned him to leave. That way Tobias couldn't be identified as the one who signed the paper. Well, we've got Tobias where we want him anyway. You left the inspector guarding his house, didn't you? Yes, he can't get away. Ah. This is John's room. John! John! Are you all right? Yes, I'm okay. What's the matter? What's the matter? This is Brandon. John, have you any idea where the doctor kept his keys? No, and his pocket was lagging. Did Mrs. Falco ever sit? I suppose so. She delivered all our meals. Run down to the kitchen, friend. She probably kept them there. If not, look in the library. Right. John, the Falco seemed to have fled. Well, that's great. How did you find her to do? I heard a terrible person come into the tower. The tower? I'll have a look up there as soon as I get you out of here. Here, Jim, I found a set of keys in the kitchen. Good. Let's see. A 201. This is the one for John's room. All right, John, come on out. Oh, what in the world's going on here, Mr. Brandon? We don't know yet, John. I think the best thing for you to do is to get out of here. Go down to eat its place. What can you say, Mr. Brandon? I'll wait to eat its fork. Right. Now, friend, our first stop is the tower of these stairs. I understand how Tobias and Dr. Falco ever expected to get away with a thing like this, Jim. Everything is beginning to add up a little too neatly. Hi. Here's a door. Let's try this. The keys on the outside. But the door is unlocked. Jim, Dr. Falco and his wife. Don't come inside, friend. I'll see what's happened here. The whole place is a shambles. Shall I call headquarters, Jim? No, not yet. I'd like to investigate this place first. Well, the doctor and his wife are dead all right. Batter to death by this furniture. Jim, look. That whole room leads to one side. Yes, and there are clamps on the floor where the furniture belongs. Why, this whole room is suspended from that rich pole. Come on, friend. Jim, now that you've discovered that motor in basement, and you know how the Falco's were killed, why do you want to examine the rest of the house? Fine, now that any of the patients could have left their rooms. But they couldn't have. All their rooms have special locks. They can only be locked and unlocked from the outside. It must have been suicide, Jim. Well, as soon as we finish here in John's room, we'll report this. Does there seem to be anything unusual here? No, it's exactly like all the others. Jim, it seems to reason that if the Falco's have been murdered, the tower room would have been locked from the outside. That door wasn't locked. They could have gotten out if they'd wanted to. Yes, unless the murderer unlocked the door after they were dead. Jim, what was that you just picked up? It was a small piece of cellulose tape. We were sticking to the floor here by the door. Oh, I thought it might be a clue. It is. Friend, drive into town and call. The inspector, tell him to bring a squad of men out to 1215, locks per road. What's called, Jim? The Avenger will deliver a herdera to them there. I told you not to worry, Edith. Everything worked out exactly as we planned it. Tobias's goose is cooked. Now let me get things straight, John. In order to make, the Falco's death looked like suicide. You went back after they were dead, unlocked the tower door and left the key on the outside. That's right. That motor in the basement could be set to stop automatically, couldn't it? Yes. When I turned it on, I set the automatic stop for 15 minutes. I knew it would take Brandon longer than that to drive to White Ridge from Tobias's place. The theory the police would go to work on is that when the Falco's realized their complicity. Tobias was known to the police. They took the easiest way out. Right. That leads Tobias holding the bag with a signature to explain and a suicide that the police will explain for him. And you and I in complete control of the Martin millions. Wonderful, John. Except for one thing. You mean, Burton? Yes. He's strung along with us all the way so far. But when you're in control of the money, what's to prevent him from trying to blackmail us? How can he? We've got too much on him. He not only impersonated Tobias in making all the arrangements with Dr. Falco, but he managed to get Tobias's signature on the committal papers by placing him among a stack of form runners. He could get a stiff sentence for that. And I suppose you're right. John, did you hear a strange noise just now? Yeah. It seemed to come from that whole door. There's no one there. There is someone here, John Martin. This is John. I can't see anyone. You can't see the Avenger eat at Wiley. The Avenger? Yes. I came to inform you of a forgotten clue. But you have obliged me with a complete confession. A clue, what clue? A little strip of cellulose tape. But I think a jury will find it quite big enough to hang you. He just quick get the car. We've got to get out of here. It's much too late for a flight, John. But please have an appointment with you here. And those sirens should tell you that they have arrived to keep it. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Fern, did you send those notes of Dr. Falco's through the Medic Society? >> Yes. Jim, do you think his theories may prove valuable in the treatment of mental cases? >> I'm afraid not, Fern. About the greatest tribute we can pay the old gentleman is to say that he was sincere and idealistic. And that his treatments didn't do his patience any harm. >> Jim, am I right in believing this case almost had you crying, uncle? >> Well, now that John, Edith, and Burton are safely in jail, I think I can risk admitting them. >> It was that cellulose tape that tipped you off at the whole thing, wasn't it? >> Yes, up until then, the case against Tobias was practically airtight and ingeniously clever. Edith's coming here pleading for help. John, obviously sane in the asylum. Tobias's signature on the papers is denial of writing it. And finally, what looked like the suicide of the doctor and his wife? >> Yes, but just what did that little piece of tape do? >> It meant that John Morton had figured out a way to keep the doctor from locking his door whenever it suited his purpose to do so. >> But how? John was locked inside his room when he got there. >> Of course. It was part of his plan to be found locked inside then. But when he wanted the door to remain unlocked, he stretched the cellulose tape across the part of the door frame that the lock fitted into. It wasn't noticeable and it prevented the lock from catching. >> When the doctor tried the door, John stood tight against it and held it, and the doctor thought it was locked. >> Then all John had to do when he wanted the lock to catch was remove the tape. >> Right, Fern. >> But how did John know exactly when to kill Dr. Falco? >> Burton called Edith and told her I was on my way to bring the doctor to identify Tobias. She went to White Ridge and mourned John from the fire escape. >> And John pretended he was insane when Burton, impersonating Tobias, took him to Dr. Falco to be examined. >> Yes. Even the best psychiatrist can sometimes be fooled by a clever patient. >> Well, that makes it all clear. >> Oh, Jim, before you go, will you snack, talk, or fail? And you'd better form the habit of reading all your letters before you sign them. >> All characters, names, places, and plots used in the Avenger program are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. [MUSIC] >> This is a thought, a thought, a thought. Remember, listen for another adventure of the Avenger. [MUSIC] >> Hey there, it is Ryan Seacrest with you. >> I want to make this summer unforgettable. Join me at Chumba Casino. It's this summer's hottest online destination. They are rolling out the red carpet with an amazing welcome offer just for you. So don't wait. Dive in now and play hundreds of social casino games for free. Your chance to redeem real prizes is just a spin away. Can you join me? >> Sponsored by Chumba Casino, no purchase necessary, VGW group. Avoid where prohibited by law, 18-plus terms and conditions apply. >> Welcome to Solgood Media, where your journey into a world of endless audio possibilities begins. 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