Speaker 1: The Avenger wrote a crime and then a trap that
justice sets crime does not pay.
Speaker 2: The Avenger, sworn enemy of evil, is actually Jim Brandon,
a famous biochemist. Through his numerous scientific experiments, Brandon has
refected several inventions to aid him in his crusade against
crime as the Avenger. Most remarkable of these inventions is
the highly secret diffusion capsule, which floats him in the
black light of invisibility. Brandon's assistant, the beautiful Fern Cordier,
is the only one who shares his secrets and knows
that he is the man the underworld fears as the Avenger.
Speaker 3: And now.
Speaker 2: The Avenger and the Hooded Circle. A group of influential
businessmen have assembled luncheon in a private dining room. The
conversation during the meal has been general, but as soon
as the dishes have been cleared away, Howard Gleeson's self
appointed chairman, calls for order.
Speaker 4: Gentlemen, gentlemen, your attention please.
Speaker 1: I know that all of you are wondering just why
you were invited here. I, oh Benton, would you.
Speaker 4: Stand over there near the door.
Speaker 1: Please don't let anyone come in here, right mister Grayson,
And now gentlemen, I'll come straight to the point. If
you will look about you, you will see that this
gathering is composed entirely of influential business men who have
resided here in Springville for many years.
Speaker 4: The reason for that is that you men have an
investment in this town.
Speaker 1: I mean the real spring Bill, not the noisy honky
tonk it's become within the.
Speaker 4: Past few years.
Speaker 1: Now, don't you think the time has come for us
to protect our homes and investments here and get rid
of the grifters who are ruining our city? Just a moment,
the moment, gentlemen, let me have a few opinions. Bob
Clifford has the four Well, I.
Speaker 4: Agree with you, Lison.
Speaker 2: I think the situation here in Springville has become intolerable.
In fact, it's reached the point where the decent citizens
must drive off the riff rath or they'll drive us out.
Speaker 4: But what can we do?
Speaker 5: Cood just ought to these people out of town. As
long as they're macimony here, they'll.
Speaker 1: Stay, That's just it. They're within their legal rights. But
are we to stand by and let them destroy us.
Speaker 4: Because of that? Not something? Gentlemen, There is a way
to handle this. If you men have the courage to
adopt it, what is it?
Speaker 2: I think you'll find us willing to cooperate.
Speaker 4: All right, here's the blacklist. Let's see if we agree
on that.
Speaker 1: First number one Ambrose Grier.
Speaker 2: I think that Greer has stepped on the toes of
every man here in one way or another during the
past three years.
Speaker 1: Well, let me acquaint you with his latest plans. He
is gradually buying up all that Ohld mill property along
the west fork of the river. He intends to dam
up that tributary and convert its power to his mill. Now,
if that happens, our hopes for a state park on
that fine land are due. Well he's got to be stopped,
that's all, and let me continue different. Second on this
list is Jarvis Paton. When timber was badly needed, he
brought up that forest land beyond the lake and made
a fortune chopping it. Now he intends to ruin the
entire woods in that section in order to commit more.
Speaker 4: That's carrying profittary a little bit too far.
Speaker 2: What about that ring or tupple who runs the gambling
boat out on the river. Places are disgrace of this community.
But what's to be done about it.
Speaker 1: As far as I can see, all we can do
is start the ball rolling to have a few laws
and active restor.
Speaker 4: That would take too much time.
Speaker 1: I have another plan, but I do not feel at
liberty to discuss it here.
Speaker 2: Where can we discuss it?
Speaker 1: Then the utmost secrecy will be required. But I think
my plan will prove quick and effective. Well, when can
we hear it? Lison, We're willing to listen. Those who
are interested will meet in the deserted barn at Croning
Corners tomorrow night. I thought it might be well to
adopt a plan to shield the identity of those who
wish to work within this group. There's a package here
for each of you. It contains a robe and hood.
Wear them tomorrow night. Otherwise you cannot be admitted to
the hooded circle. I'm glad you and Fern were able
to drive out here to Springville with me from my inspector.
Speaker 4: That anonymous note you received interested me.
Speaker 6: Inspector Wolf was in that note to bring you and
Jim Tearing out here to Springville.
Speaker 1: Well, among other things, Fern, it contains warning that Springville
is in for a reign of terror.
Speaker 6: But isn't it outside you a territory.
Speaker 4: Yes it is.
Speaker 1: I call the Springville Sheriff about it, but he's laid up,
so he wants me to take over for the time being. Well,
of course, inspector, we may be out here on a
wild goose chase. An anonymous letter nine times out of
ten is written by a crank.
Speaker 5: This one's worth checking on him.
Speaker 4: Where do you think we ought to begin? Drive down
at the courthouse. I'll make a few inquiries of the
officials there.
Speaker 3: Who's there?
Speaker 2: It's number fourteen, bringing in Ringo Tupple?
Speaker 4: Enter? Is everyone here?
Speaker 1: There are two less than at the last meeting, But
we'll proceed of sit over there, Say what kind of
a deal is this? Why was I brought here? You're
about to find that out a couple? You can remove
his blank phone now number fourteen right there? You are
a touple.
Speaker 5: Hey, hey, what's the pitch here? If you huded? Guys
are trying to put over a joke. It's a joke.
Speaker 4: Tuble, the Hooded Circle is here to decide your faith,
decide my fate? What are you talking about? Just this Tuble?
Speaker 1: We find your presence here in Springble undesirable. You want
you to clear out entirely, or convert your gambling boat
into a respectable show boat. And if I refuse, steps
will be taken. Now listen, I'm a business man. If
it's cut on the gambling propits you're after, we can
work out a deal.
Speaker 4: We don't want your money tuble.
Speaker 1: Our one and only purpose is to rid our city
of riff raff and profiteers. We're giving you a choice.
Meet our requirements at once or get out.
Speaker 4: Well, I've got a big investment here. I can't very
well pull out.
Speaker 1: And we'll expect the gambling on your boat to discontinue
at once.
Speaker 5: All Right, You've got me in the tight spots, so
I'll play ball. Now. I'd like to get out of here,
if you don't mind.
Speaker 1: Oh, you need not be afraid. Oh, we have no
intention harming you. After the meeting, you will be escorted
back to your boat. However, in the meantime.
Speaker 4: We have a little job for you to do.
Speaker 5: Now listen here, I'm a gabbler, not a mug.
Speaker 1: If you merely want you to shuffle these cards and
deal one to each member of our circle, what for?
Never mind that that's.
Speaker 4: Here that card. You will note that all of the
low cards have been removed in order that the number
of card equal exactly the number of hooded men gathered around.
Speaker 7: You.
Speaker 4: Er check the beck and tell us that the Jack
of Spades is there.
Speaker 5: Yes, it's here.
Speaker 1: Then shuffle the cards and deal them. We have a
mission for the man who gets the Jack of spades.
Step up, men and form a circle number fourteen.
Speaker 4: Did you lock tuple up in that small shed at.
Speaker 2: The end of the barn, And that's been done. But
we'd better keep our voices down so you can't hear us.
Speaker 1: Then listen care all of you. One member of this
hooded circle was dealt the Jack of Spades. Only the
man who received that card knows that he has it,
and it is to him that I direct the following instructions.
Speaker 4: Go at night, disguised as you.
Speaker 1: Are now to Ambrose Grier. Give him three days to
clear out of Springville. You may go arm for your
own protection, but no violence will be sanctioned. A hooded
circle will meet here again on Thursday night, when the
next assignment will be given.
Speaker 3: Good luck Jack of Spades.
Speaker 6: With the inspected Jim I thought he was to meet
us here on the post of the hotel.
Speaker 4: He is still all trying to trace that letter.
Speaker 6: Friend, Have you made any hitway on that, Jim?
Speaker 4: No, And I'm glad we haven't, why.
Speaker 8: Because that means it probably was the work crank and
that no reign of terror is threatening Springville. I hated
to think that perhaps a group of citizens who have
decided to take the law into their own hands.
Speaker 6: Do you think that's what the little implies?
Speaker 3: Yes?
Speaker 8: And that sort of thing, regardless of its intentions, is
vicious and unpatrioty. It should have no place in the
civilized society, where the law of the land is the
best law for the individual living under.
Speaker 6: Oh, here comes the insteptor now, and he looks as
though he swallowed a can air.
Speaker 5: Jim, we've hit on something big here.
Speaker 4: What have you found out? Inspector?
Speaker 5: Come upstairs, Jim.
Speaker 1: In ten minutes, we're going to have a very interesting visitor.
Ye're sure nobody saw you coming here, Temple. No, I
came in the side entrance and used the service elevator. Good,
sit over there and we'll get down the business.
Speaker 5: Thanks, Inspector.
Speaker 4: Now, Temple, repeat that story you told me to Brandon here.
Speaker 1: Well, it's like this, mister Brandon, I run that big
gambling boat on calla river. Last night, some guy relays
me on the dock, sticks a gun in my back
and blindfold me.
Speaker 5: Next thing I know, we're in a car driving.
Speaker 4: Like man and the idea of the direction now I
lost all sense of that.
Speaker 1: Go ahead, well, anyway, In about a half an hour,
I'd find myself in a big deserted barn someplace, surrounded
by about twenty guys in robes and hoods. They called
them sounds a hooded circle. Jim, oh, that letter was
on the level and looks that way.
Speaker 3: I'll go ahead, tubble.
Speaker 1: Well, these guys warned me to get out of town
or cut out the gambling on my boat. I could
see that they meant business, so I agreed to get
out the gambling.
Speaker 4: I get to the part about the card and double yeah.
Speaker 5: That was the craziest part of the whole thing.
Speaker 1: They gave me cards to deal out to the men,
and the man who got the jacket sage, was elected
to pull some kind of a job.
Speaker 5: What was the job, I don't know. They locked me
up after that, and I couldn't hear much of what
was going on.
Speaker 1: You did hear something, though, well, as far as I
could make out they had it in for somebody by
the Room of Fear, or well maybe it was Greer
something like that.
Speaker 4: Have you any idea who that might be.
Speaker 1: No, I've been trying to figure that one out all morning,
but I can't tie that tag up with anybody I.
Speaker 5: Know around here. I'll thank Itet Tumble, you've been a
great help to us.
Speaker 8: We'll write to work on this for the time being
tough and for your own safety, you'd better not take
a chance on getting in touch with us directly, but
keep your ears and eyes open.
Speaker 5: I sure will, mister Branham.
Speaker 8: If anything develops, suppose you telephone this card you're here
at the hotel. The're your message carefully the inspector and
I will figure it out.
Speaker 4: And thanks again exactly.
Speaker 6: I just Jim fourteen West Maple.
Speaker 8: Stream Welfare and I hope we have more luck with
the Greers than we had with the Spears.
Speaker 4: Which greer is this Ambrose?
Speaker 6: I'm being systematic and taking them in alphabetical order.
Speaker 8: Oh good, say this is quite a pretentious looking place. Well,
come on, let's take the bull by his horns.
Speaker 6: According to the Telephone book, this Ambrose Greer owns a
whole string of sawmills.
Speaker 4: Well that sounds respectable enough.
Speaker 6: It doesn't thing to be anyone at homes you it
must be.
Speaker 4: I can see a light burning on the back of
our house.
Speaker 6: Maybe you'd better buy the Georgian just in case anything
might be wrong.
Speaker 4: I think I will.
Speaker 8: The door's open for him. Come on, anybody home.
Speaker 6: He would hardly have left the door unlocked if he
went out, wouldn't he.
Speaker 8: I don't think so. Let's investigate that light in the
back of the house. Through the hall here, furnstay back,
don't come in here. Go to the telephone. Quick call
inspec to White. Tell him we found the first victim
of the hooded Circle.
Speaker 7: He's been murdered.
Speaker 2: Now back to the Avenger and the hooded circle.
Speaker 8: Oh, they're just the head of the third bond we
picked up for the flame this afternoon.
Speaker 6: Ferns On much more deserted. Question than the other region.
Speaker 8: Well, let's pull up and see you. Oh, there's been
some cars around here recently. Look at those fire marks. Hopeful,
Come on, friend, let's investigate the bond.
Speaker 6: Ah, here's the place. I'm surprised if the door isn't knocked.
Speaker 8: It's got a big latch here on the inside. We'll
leave the door open so we can see ferns. This
is the meeting place, all right. Look, here are the
remains of several candles, and here's the wrapper from a
pack of cars. Couples said he was blocked in a
small shed at the end of the barn. Let's for that, Jim.
Speaker 4: Here's a door. This must be here. Oh, yes, this
is the shed.
Speaker 6: Everything ties up there.
Speaker 8: Yes, Now, we've got to get back to town as
fast as we can. I want to put in a
telephone called the tupple. I want a complete.
Speaker 1: Description of those robes and hoods, but just one meeting.
The inspector and I are going to oppose as members
of the hooded circle. Oh well, how are you making
up with your sewing parents? Oh?
Speaker 6: I see the door all right on the straight, seasiness,
But I get ahead of myself on the stop her.
Speaker 1: Well, this robe looks as if it might hold together
for one meeting anyway.
Speaker 6: Now, inspected, No remarks from you, that's at all. When
I was hired as Kim's secretary and assistance, I was
not informed that plain sewing would also be required.
Speaker 4: Answer returns please.
Speaker 9: Hell else, yes, tire oh, yes, he had to take
a message. I always form it the tuble go ahead, right,
I have it.
Speaker 7: Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: What a tuple tayfer?
Speaker 6: And it didn't make any sense to me, He said,
I've been invited to a private game of cards tonight
at ten o'clock.
Speaker 8: Fine, that means the hooded Circle is meeting tonight. Come on, friend,
doct you're ston We've got to get those costumes finished.
Speaker 4: Is the shed where we hide? Inspector?
Speaker 1: Hey, Jim, would you mind explaining why we came out
here to this barn before nine o'clock when the meeting
isn't scheduled to attend.
Speaker 8: We had to be the first arrivals, Inspector, in order
to get in here when meeting time rolls around. They
probably have a guard station at the door. They may
even have a password of some kind. No use taking
a chance on being challenging.
Speaker 1: I guess you're right at that, but I'm not so
sure we'll get away with this anyway, Jim.
Speaker 8: Our chances are good if we're careful ringo tuples. There
were about twenty members of said a circle. I don't
think two more are likely to be noticed. Now, come on,
let's get into these prigs and rooms.
Speaker 1: Right, Okay, say Jim, what about this angle? Suppose Tumbles
called upon the deal a card each member the twenty members,
he'll only be given twenty cards to deal out. That
means we'll have to be left out of a dealing, now,
won't that be obvious?
Speaker 4: Well, it would be, except that I've arranged for that emergency.
Speaker 1: Eah.
Speaker 8: I had Kern called top before we left tonight and
tell him just to pretend to deal cards to you
and need But hownd blazers will he know?
Speaker 5: Like this?
Speaker 8: Hold out your hands, yeah, palm up there. Now, that
red mark I make in the center of your palm
will identify.
Speaker 4: You the tubble.
Speaker 1: So far, so good, But of course you realize we
could be walking right into a perfect trap.
Speaker 4: Gare I know that? But it's the chance we have
to take.
Speaker 8: However, if we don't show up at the hotel restaurant
by one o'clock, Farn has instructions to call the state police.
Speaker 1: Well, and the main time, all we can do is
wait and hope this scheme of your works.
Speaker 5: Quiet, these quiet.
Speaker 1: The meeting of the Hoodedge Circle is called to order
the first and most important matter to be brought before
this meeting is the unfortunate fate of Ambrose Greer. A
circumstance would indicate that someone present here tonight kill Greer.
I find it very difficult to believe that. But if
it is true that man must be punished for his crime.
Who received the jack of spades at our last meeting?
Will no one answer the order?
Speaker 4: Well?
Speaker 5: Who that man was?
Speaker 4: Only he himself knows.
Speaker 2: Ria must have been killed himself defense. No member of
this circle that kill in cold blood.
Speaker 4: But what all these the newspapers are saying about Greer
being robbed? I don't believe those stories of any basis
in fact.
Speaker 1: However, let this tragedy be a lesson to all of
us to act cautiously and wisely in the future.
Speaker 4: Nothing more than a warning must be given to these
others on our list. We'll loose.
Speaker 3: Next.
Speaker 1: Let's get this over with Jarvis Peyton. Tell him his
timber cutting days in Springville are over. Give him forty
eight hours to get out of town. Take him away
on business. He won't be back until tomorrow morning. That
will be time enough. Now bring in Tupple.
Speaker 4: We'll let him cut the cards right.
Speaker 1: The man who gets the jack of spade will handle
this next assignment, and I would caution him once more,
give Peyton a warning. Nothing else here a couple here,
you are a temple twenty cards.
Speaker 4: Each man will leave as he receives his card.
Speaker 1: Now shuffle and deal them tupple for a better Springville.
Speaker 6: Kim, isn't he inspected? Joining us for midnight's next No?
Speaker 4: Fairly, inspector went to bed. Looks like we're going to
have a big day tomorrow.
Speaker 6: He's found out twenty at that meeting tonight. We did well,
you're not going to hold out on me, are you too?
Speaker 4: You can wait another day, can't you?
Speaker 6: You do know who kill Gridan?
Speaker 4: Yes, and by this time tomorrow the criminal will be apprehended.
Speaker 3: I hope.
Speaker 6: So I manages to get away from Springlee and its
hooded circle.
Speaker 8: Well, one thing was evident that that leeting tonight, the
hooded circle is composed of a group of amateurs. No
professional troublemakers have moved in yet.
Speaker 6: I don't want to make it easier to dissolve. But
how are you going to expose Gria's murder again?
Speaker 8: A man by the name of Jarvis Peyton is next
on the list to be visited by a number of
the Hooded Circle. Peyton lives alone in the Tumberland beyond
the lake. They'll arrive home from a business strift in
the morning, and I think he's marked for murder.
Speaker 6: And if I know you, you are going out there
to night to.
Speaker 4: Wait for him.
Speaker 8: Right, Burns, the Avenger must be on hand in the
morning when Peyton's murderer arrives.
Speaker 6: What was that noise?
Speaker 5: Who's there?
Speaker 4: It's the Avenger? Peyton?
Speaker 5: What do you want with me?
Speaker 4: I I've committed no crime.
Speaker 8: Your crimes are many, Peyton, and avarice and greed are
not the least of them.
Speaker 5: I've broken no law.
Speaker 3: You you've nothing on me, Avenger.
Speaker 4: That is true. That's why I've come here to protect.
Speaker 8: You, protect me from one from the same fate as Ambro's.
Speaker 4: Career who murder.
Speaker 8: That is right, But it can be prevented if you
will do exactly as I tell you.
Speaker 4: What what tell me what to do?
Speaker 8: Locked yourself in the cellar of this house and don't
come out until I tell you to all right, and hurry.
Your murderer may arrive at any moment.
Speaker 1: Haydon, Haydon, where are you got a message for you?
Speaker 5: Peyton?
Speaker 1: I know you're in here. I saw you arrive. Don't
be a paid ofs remember of the Hooded Circle. I've
brought to news that might save your life.
Speaker 4: And why have you come with a gun in your hand?
Speaker 5: Who's there? Who spoke to me? Come otter off? Shoot?
Speaker 4: You can see the Avenger, he can see you.
Speaker 5: What's your game of enter?
Speaker 4: My game is law and justice.
Speaker 8: I intend to see that you're given a big dose
of both of them.
Speaker 4: For what what can you prove against me?
Speaker 8: The depth of Ambrose breer, motive, robbery, also intent to
kill and rob Jarvis Peyton.
Speaker 4: You'll have to catch me first before you can.
Speaker 5: Bring those charges.
Speaker 8: You won't get out of here, Oh yes, I will
get away from that door. I'm going to stop you
this since you've insistent, and there you'll stay until the
police arrive. You're loaded gun in one hand and these
two jacks of spades you had in your pocket in
the other. That's the kind of evidence the police will
like to see. Ringo Tupple, Ordering the.
Speaker 1: Court, Sinton has been proved to the satisfaction of this
Court that the members of the Hooded Circle were only
inadvertently connected with the crime of murder for which ring
o' tupple had been convicted. I hereby suspend the sentences
of these twenty men, in order to give them a
chance to prove themselves good citizens of their country.
Speaker 5: These men are not.
Speaker 1: Blameless, and they will be held answerable to this court
for their actions at all times. Therefore, I would warn
them to remember this pride in one native city is
not sufficient reason to set oneself up as a good citizen.
The laws of your land must stand above all the
peppy aims of prejudice and pride. Let the lesson in
good government that you have learned here at this trial
vanish from your minds all that is not tolerant and
just and right.
Speaker 4: For all.
Speaker 1: Those who hide behind the mask to impose their will
on others have robbed themselves of the great protection of
the laws the countless men have suffered to create and
to preserve down through the centuries. Guard those laws, do
not tamper with them.
Speaker 6: Casiosns well, Jim, I guess that winds up our time
as in springle yes, parent, come on, let's stuck out
this side door. Somehow, one would never expect to encounter
sever a criminal like Tupple in a town like Springle.
Speaker 4: He was clever, all right, I'll admit he had me
buffalo at the beginning.
Speaker 6: What has led you to suspect Jim?
Speaker 4: He never told me.
Speaker 8: When the Inspector and I attended that meeting of the
Hooded Circle, I saw Tupple palming a card as he
dealt them, I realized them that he himself was taking
the jack of spades. That way, he was able to
commit the crime, rob his wealthy victim, and at the
same time to see the members of the Hooded Circle
into thinking that one of their own number was guilty.
Speaker 6: Couper informed on the Hooded Circle, just to throw a
sand in your arm, right, That anonymous letter was sent
by one of the men who attended the first meeting
of the Settle and then became pity Jim. Look, those
men are starting a big bonfire in the courthouse yard.
Speaker 8: Yes, it's the ex members of the Hooded Circle. They
are burning their robes in public. Well, turned, I guess
this town's growing pains are over. Springville has come of age.
Speaker 2: All characters, names, places, and plots used in the Avenger
Program are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead
is purely coincidental.
Speaker 4: This is a thought, a thought, a thought.
Speaker 1: Remember listen for another adventure of the Avenger.