The Shadow Strikes (1937) - full transcript

A little piece of lead stopped
the brilliant career of one of

the finest men who ever lived.

I'm sorry I never
knew your father, sir.

He was a great
liar, Hendricks.

Every racketeer in the
country feared him.

That's why they got him.

But you're carrying on, sir.

Oh, after a fashion, but I'd
give anything in the world,

if I could match that bullet.

Will you be wanting
the car, sir?

Yes.



He wouldn't keep
affidavits in here, Steve.

'Course not.
Lawyers got brains too.

You think you can make it, kid.

Say, this is as
easy as a dimebag.

Nothing to it. Quit patting
yourself on the back.

Sorry to interrupt, boys.

The Shadow.

[phone ringing]

Hello.
Yes.

OK, I'll be right over.

Another one of those calls.

Come on Kelly.

Hey, what's your game, mister?

Well, it's a form of solitaire.



All right, boys, keep 'em up.

Well, if it ain't Red Hogan
and his little playmate, Stevie!

Get going.

Beat it.

Yes, sir?

Things don't look
right in there.

You better take 'em down.
I'll join you later.

OK.

Come on.
Get 'em up.

Well, what's this?

Hello.

Oh, I'm... I'm Mr. Randall.

I must thank you for
coming to my rescue.

Say, did you just come in?

No, I was in my office.

To be truthful, I
locked myself in when, I

heard them working on the safe.

Hm. Guess it's better
to be careful, eh?

Mhm.

Oh, I'm glad you're
here, Mr. Randall.

I have a few questions
I want to ask.

Oh, just routine
stuff, you know.

I'm at your service.

We might be more comfortable
in my private office.

- Come in.
- Yeah.

- Sit down, Inspector.
- Captain, Captain Breen.

Oh, I see.

Did you phone headquarters?

Yes.

Those papers in the safe
must be pretty valuable,

aren't they?

To me, yes.

I see.

All right, drop that.

Don't shoot, sir.

Don't shoot.

This place is full of burglars.

I'm sorry to
disappoint you, Captain.

That nervous individual
happens to be on my side.

Oh, I... I see.

Ma... may I relax, sir?

Yes, all right.

Oh, Hendricks, take those
papers to my apartment.

You know the ones I want.

HENDRICKS: Oh, yes, sir.

And if you have any
difficulty, remember,

you're working for
Chester Randall.

- Oh, yes, sir.
- Thank you.

[phone ringing]

There's your
phone, Mr. Randall.

Yes, thanks.

Hello?

Yes, this is Chester Randall.

I'm calling for
Mr. Caleb Delthern.

Mr. Delthern wants me
to come to his home.

What?
At this time of night?

Sorry about the
hour, Mr. Randall,

but before Mr. Delthern's
lawyer left for Europe,

he insisted that we call
you, in case of emergency.

Well, wouldn't tomorrow do?

Oh, I see.

Yes.
Well, what's the address?

Have you got a pencil, Captain?

Thank you.
Yes.

Fine.

Yes, thank you. I'll be over
as soon as possible.

Yes.
Goodbye.

What's up?

I don't know.

Well, thanks, again, Captain.

If you need me for anything
later, I'm at your service.

Oh yeah.
Sure.

Oh, I think I'd better
go along with you.

Well, I don't think
that'll be necessary.

You don't seem to know
what they want with you,

and perhaps... yes, I
think I'd better go along.

All right.
If you think it best.

Pardon me.
I'll get my briefcase.

Sure.

You're ready, Captain?

Oh, yes.

RANDALL: Would you
mind locking the safe?

- No at all.
- Thank you.

After you.

Wait for us.

- Mr. Randall?
- I'm Mr. Randall.

Mr. Delthern is waiting, sir.

- Thank you.
- Anything I can do?

Oh no, sir.
It's really not that serious.

Thanks for your
kindness, Captain.

Not at all.

Glad to have been of
service, Mr. Randall.

You see, I've been out in
the sticks for a long time,

and we don't get to meet
very many big time lawyers.

I was wondering why you
hadn't recognized me.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Headquarters.

At your service, Mr. Delthern.

- Sit down, please.
- Thank you.

That's all, Wellington.

I'll have Mr. Randall help.

Yes, sir.

Good night, sir.

I thought there
might be a possibility

that you were in your office.

I'm glad I was, Mr. Delthern.

I want to be of assistance,
but this is rather unusual.

Unusual, that's it.

That's why I need a lawyer.

This is my last will.

Read it.

Would you call that dangerous?

Yes, under certain
circumstances, I would.

I guess you think
I'm eccentric.

Maybe I am, but I
wanted one member

of my family, the eldest,
to be head of the Deltherns.

When you have a
new will written,

I suppose it's my
advice you want?

Yes, yes,

It would be better to
specifically name your heirs

in the amount that goes
to each, instead of merely

stating "to my eldest
surviving heir",

I leave half of my estate."

That's what I want
to do, Mr. Randall.

Fine.

Well, then, if you'll stop
into the office about 10:00

in the morning, we can...

That may be too late.

Well, I don't understand.

Well, I've never been a man
to let my imagination get

the better of me,
but I have a feeling

that my life is in jeopardy.

Who knows the
contents of that will?

To my knowledge, nobody,
with the exception of my niece

and nephews.

I told them about
it a few days ago.

But I don't think
that any one of them

would deliberately plan
to get me out of the way.

I wish you'd make a new
will for me right now.

Why, I'd be glad
to, Mr, Delthern,

if that'll make you
feel any better.

- Have we some paper?
- Yes, certainly.

Who is Winstead Comstock?

He's my nephew.

- He's about 35.
- 35.

The eldest of the lot.

And Humphrey Comstock?

Humphrey is his
younger brother.

Now, Marcia and
Jasper Delthern,

are they your children?

No, I've never
had any children.

They were my brother's.

He and my sister were killed
in an accident five years ago.

Oh, I'll close it for you.

So many weird things have
happened the last few days.

Where do your niece
and nephews live?

Here, with me.

Humphrey's the only
one who's home.

I want a clause
written that Marcia

is to be completely disinherited
if she married Warren Ru...

[gunshot]
Ugh!

Uncle?

I heard a shot, Mr. Humphrey.

He's dead, Wellington.

Stand back.

- I've got you covered.
- Huh?

Hendricks, what
are you doing here?

What happened, sir?

- Mr. Delthern's been shot.
- You do it, sir?

Well, no, certainly not.

Well, let's get back, before
you become involved, sir.

That's precisely
what I intend to do.

Perhaps it'd be a
good idea to pick

up Mr. Randall's briefcase.

But who could have killed him?

I don't know, sir.

I left him in here with
Mr. Randall, a lawyer.

Your uncle sent for him.

Did you find any
trace of the murderer?

No, I didn't.

You're Humphrey Comstock.

Your uncle said
you were at home.

Yes, I'm somewhat dazed
by the suddenness of this.

It might be a good idea,
sir, to phone the police.

HUMPHREY: Yes, of course.

[dialing]

Get me a headquarters.

You're not going?

Oh no.

Naturally, the police
will want to question you.

Yes, of course.

Hello, police headquarters?

This is Humphrey
Comstock speaking.

Caleb Delthern
was just murdered.

What's the matter with
you tonight, Marcia?

You've been so quiet and
preoccupied all evening.

I don't exactly know,
Warren. I...

I suppose after we're married,
we'll live scrappily ever after.

I'll be all right tomorrow.

Don't come in.

Good night, darling.

Good night.

Why don't you call it
a day and get yourself

some beauty sleep, Wellington?

I... I have some very bad
news for you, Miss Marcia.

- What is it?
- Your uncle, Miss.

I wouldn't advise your going in.

- Take it easy, Marcia.
- Why, he's dead.

I don't understand.

He was feeling all right
after dinner, when I left him.

Uncle Caleb was murdered.

This is Mr. Randall.

He was here with
Uncle when they...

Then you can tell us about...

There isn't much to tell.

We were seated at the
desk, and a bullet

came through that window.

Maybe...

[buzz]

That's the police, Wellington.
Let them in.

WELLINGTON: Yes, sir.

You started to say something.

Oh.
Oh, nothing.

This way, gentlemen.

I think you'd better
hold that man, officer.

He seemed very
anxious to get away.

I think I can explain that.

What are you doing
in this house?

Your uncle sent for me.

That's right.

I was in the office when Mr.
Randall got the phone call.

As a matter of fact, I
drove out here with him.

Pardon me, Mr. Humphrey, but
I happen to know your uncle

was expecting him.

Where'd the shot come from?

- Through that window, Captain.
- All right, Kelly.

Take Graham and
search the grounds.

Sure.
Where's the telephone.

Hello.
Is this is the coroner?

This is Breen talking.

I'm up at the Delthern's.

Yeah.
Mr. Delthern.

Right away.
Goodbye.

I'm sorry, old man.

Forget it, please.

Hiya, Breen.
After this, don't drive so fast.

We couldn't keep up with you.

Someday, I'm gonna be fortunate
enough to lose you newshounds.

So Delthern was plugged, huh?

That's just what we
needed, a nice murder.

Yeah, well, don't touch
the body, you understand?

I think we'd better
go to another room.

Who done the job?

Don't know yet.

Stick around, Davis.

See that these highbinders
don't get away with anything.

OK, Captain.

Grab some pictures.
I'll wake up the city editor.

Hm.

- Taking a little stroll?
- Why, yes.

It's a nice night,
for it, isn't it?

Yeah. Come on.
Take a walk with us.

Oh. Oh, I can't do that.
I... I'm going in there.

I'm Winstead Comstock, you know?

Well, now, isn't that
a funny coincidence.

Yes, yes.

That's just the
way you we're going.

Oh, really?

- Yeah, come on.
- Here.

- Don't do that.
- Come on.

I don't know who done it.

It's a mystery, I tell you.

Now, watch the birdie.

We found him outside.

What's happened to my uncle?

Hold the wire.

Well, in case you don't
know it, your uncle's dead.

Dead?

Well, he was quite all
right when I left here.

- Where is Breen?
MAN: - In the other room.

Breen?
Who's Breen?

Oh, you'll find
out soon enough.

Come on.

They'd have a motive,
particularly the eldest.

Winstead.

We found him roaming
around outside.

I'm sure there's been
some mistake, officer.

Marcia, who are all these men?

Please explain
where you've been.

- Hmm?
- I said, where have you been?

Oh, out walking.
Why?

Where's your hat?
I presume you wear one.

Oh.

Yes, I... I left it at the
cinema, the Palace Cinema.

Oh.

The show has been
over for two hours.

Where have you been since then?

I don't remember.

Walking around.

BREEN: You didn't
stop anywhere where we

could check up on your story?

No.

Of course, you're
aware of the contents

of your late uncle's will?

- No.
- That's a lie, Winstead.

Why, he told us about
it only a few days ago.

See here, young man.

Are you arguing with me?
Realize that...

I beg your pardon.

You seem to have
all the matches.

- May I have a light?
- No.

No, of course not.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

All right.
Take him in, Kelly.

Take?
Hmm?

Come on.

You mean to say that
you are going to take me

to what you call your
hoosegow without what

I would call my mouthpiece?

- You got it, brother.
- I got what?

My hat?
Come on.

Come on.
Come on.

Come on.

Hello.
Hello.

Get me a rewrite man, quick.

What?
Have I got a story?

Well, what do you think I got?
The Saint Vitus Dance?

Hurry up and get me
somebody, quick. Hurry up.

Well, you cleaned
me in a half hour.

Here you are, Brosset.
Put it among your souvenirs.

If I remember correctly,
you owe me 10 grand.

Oh well.
Maybe my luck will change.

Well, one way or another,
I want your account

straightened out
by tomorrow night.

By tomorrow night,
you'll be owing me money.

Oh, Adams.

- Give Delthern another grand.
- Yeah, sure.

Gordon's waiting for
you in the office.

- Gimme, gimme.
- Keep your shirt on.

Oh, ti's too late for that.
Brosset's got it.

Take it easy, kid.

What's on your mind?

I just talked
with Red and Steve.

Yeah, it's about
time they showed up.

- Where are they?
- In the tank.

The cops picked 'em up
at Randall's office.

- What happened?
- The Shadow stepped in.

I'd just like to
know who he is.

Mr. Jasper came home about
five minutes ago, Miss.

- You wanted to know.
- Thank you, Wellington.

Jasper?

[mumbling]
Go way.

Leave me alone.

Maybe Winstead is innocent.

I guess we'd better
phone the police.

We can't do that, Humphrey.

No?
What do you suggest?

This Mr. Brosset's a
very popular man, sir.

He's even wanted in China.

Yes, the Chest Randall
will never get him.

These affidavits
won't help much.

Brosset seems to have an
alibi for every occasion.

[phone ringing]

Hello?
Who?

Mr. Randall?
Well...

Hello.

Yes, this is Chester Randall.

Oh, hello, hello.

Well, what's the trouble?

You can't tell me
over the telephone?

Well, that's all right.
Yes, I'll be right over.

Goodbye.

I gave her my telephone number.

She said she'd keep
it confidential.

I sincerely hope she does, sir.

Maybe I'd better come with you.

Well, what's the matter?

You afraid I'll invite
Breen to tea or something?

Oh no, sir.
I don't think you'd do that.

Then, thanks for your
faith in me, Hendricks.

And by the way, I've
got a job for you.

Yes, sir.

Go to the Palace Theater
and get the head usher.

See if he found any
hats there last night.

And here, go to this
place, Barney's Cafe.

Find out if they know
a Winstead Comstock.

And in the meantime, if
you want me, I'll be at...

Yes, I know, Mr. Delthern's.

That's right.

I hope you didn't
mind my calling you.

Oh, not at all. It was a
pleasure to hear from you.

I hope you'll telephone again.

I thought you would help.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have phoned.

Don't worry, please.

Everything's going
to be all right.

- Hello, Randall.
- Oh, hello, Humphrey.

I still think we'd
better call the police.

Yes, I think
that's a good idea.

Hello.
Is Captain Breen there?

Oh, at home, catching
up with some rest. I see.

This is Chester
Randall speaking.

Is that you, Kelly?

Could you give me the
caliber of the gun

that killed Mr. Deltern?

Yes.

I see.

Thank you.
Goodbye.

Well?

Uh, this is not the gun
that killed your uncle.

[buzz]

I'll answer it.

Shall I put this away for you?

Put it in the
drawer of the desk.

- The desk?
- In the library.

Pardon me.

Mr. Berranger, Miss.

Marcia, why didn't you call me?

I'm sorry, Warren,
but there was

nothing you could do, really.

Mr. Randall, Mr.
Warren Berranger.

How do you do?

So you're Warren?

Pardon me.

May I suggest that I
fix a little breakfast?

Won't you join us?

Uh, yes, gladly.

Says the the boss was there.

Say, I thought Mr.
Randall was out of town.

He is.

Well, there's something
screwy going on here.

Well, it won't take long
to find out what it is.

Give me police headquarters.

Gee, this is exciting.

Maybe the guy's a
crook or something.

May I talk to
Captain Breen, please?

[phone ringing]

I'll take it, Kelly.

Hello.

Captain Breen, speaking.

I'm Miss Hughes, Mr.
Randall's secretary.

I read in the paper
that he was supposed

to be in town last night.

But that isn't so, Captain.

He's on a vacation.

Oh, yeah, sure.

I'll take care of
that, Miss Hughes.

Thanks very much
for tipping me off.

Goodbye.

Mr. Comstock was at both
places, like you thought, sir.

There he is, sir.

Thought I'd find you here.

Glad you dropped in, Captain.

Yeah.

You and that pelican-faced
stooge or yours

are pretty slick, but you
can't get away with whatever

you're trying to do.

Captain, I don't know
what you're talking about.

Your secretary called me.

- Oh, did she?
- Yeah.

And she told me that Chester
Randall is not in town.

Well, there must
be some mistake.

I'll say there is.

So you're a phony.

Certainly, you can
prove who you are.

Yes, I think I can.

Captain, would you
mind phoning my office?

The number is Madison 6432.

Ask for Miss Hughes,
my secretary.

Yeah.
Thank you.

[dialing]

Hello.

Is that you, Miss Hughes?

I'll speak with her.

Hold the wire.

Thank you.

Hello.
Hello, Miss Hughes.

This is Chester Randall.

Oh no, it's me, all right.

It's nice to hear
your voice too.

No, I'm sort of
hiding out in town.

I thought perhaps I could
get a better rest here

than at one of those resorts.

But I'm still on my vacation.

Yes, no, I'll be in the
office in a day or two.

Oh.

Well, if the Mayor
telephones again,

tell him I'll get in touch with
him the first of the week, please.

Now, hold the wire a minute.

Would you like to
speak with her again?

No.

No, that's all
right, Miss Hughes.

Yes, thank you.

Goodb... oh, and remember,
I'm still on my vacation.

Yes, goodbye.

I'm sorry, Mr. Randall.

Why, nothing to it, Captain.

I'm glad to know that you
have my interests at heart.

Thank you.

Oh, by the way, Hendricks
checked on Winstead,

and found out that he was at
the Palace Theater last night,

and then... then went
to Barney's, where

he remained until
shortly before he was

picked up here on the grounds.

I'll phone Barney right away.

If that's true, the murderer
of Delthern is still at large.

Yes.

Captain, don't you think
it'd be a good idea

to see Barney personally?

Naturally, you'll
want an affidavit.

Yes, that's right.

I'll go with you.

Fine.
Glad to have you.

You mind if Henricks
remains here?

I'm expecting an
important phone call,

and I'd like him to take it.

No.
No, not at all.

See you later.

Hendricks, you'll take care
of that for me, won't you?

Yes, sir.
Certainly, sir.

I'm sorry I'm late,
sir, but I'm not

as proficient in the art of
connecting phones as I might be.

Well, you can practice
in your spare time.

Thank you, sir.

Have you brought
Randall's papers?

Yes, sir.
Here, sir.

Very good.
We'll return them.

You mean, go back
in his office, sir.

Yes, sir.
Certainly, sir.

Well, I guess my secretary
didn't discover I was here.

- Evidently not, sir.
- Fill it up, Hendricks.

Yes, sir.

Miss Hughes, I've been
sort of hiding out in town.

I thought I could get a
better rest here than at one

of those resorts, you know.

Pardon me, sir.

Don't you think it'd be safer
if you spoke to Miss Hughes

some other place?

Well... oh, what's this?

What's what, sir?

Memorandum.

Look at that second
notation, sir.

Brosset wants him to call.

Oh, that's funny.

Probably thinks he can
buy Mr. Randall off, sir.

It might be a good idea to
drop in, and visit Brosset.

Hendricks, I think it'd be
better if you waited for me.

Oh yes, sir.
Certainly, sir.

- Can I do something for you?
- Oh yes.

I'd like to see Mr. Brosset.

I think he's in his office.

- This way, please.
- Thanks.

[knocking on door]

- 550.
- Come in.

He wants to see you.

Is it OK?

Yeah.

- Mr. Brosset.
- Yeah?

I'm Mr. Harris.

Mr. Randall suggested
I pay you a visit.

- Oh, he did, huh?
- Yes.

I've joined
his staff of lawyers.

Oh.

William Gordon, Mr. Harris.

How are you, Mr. Gordon?

Fine.

Sit down.

Thank you.
What's on your mind?

Nothing.

I thought perhaps you
had something on yours.

Chester Randall is
still on his vacation.

I figured I could take
care of what you wanted.

My business is with Randall.

I can't use you, Harris.

Well, I'll have
to wire the boss.

Our office was broken into.

- No.
- I just said it was.

And peculiarly enough, the
situation was saved by,

I think the underworld
calls him "the Shadow."

- That's interesting.
- Have a drink, Mr. Harris.

No, thanks.

But I'll have a cigarette,
if you don't mind.

How you doing, kid?

Well, I guess you'd better let
me have another grand or two.

That's your guess.

I'll check with the boss.

I hear the Shadow's
been making it pretty

tough for some of the boys.

You evidently get
first-hand information.

[knocking on door]
Yeah?

Jasper Delthern wants
more chips on the cuff.

Yeah, I wonder if that fellas
knows he's playing for keeps.

I've gone the limit with
him, and I want the dough

he owes me paid tonight.

- Yeah.
- Go tell him that.

Brosset has his own way of
getting what's coming to him.

Well, business is business.

Yeah.

I see you gentlemen are engaged.

I shan't detain you any longer.

Thanks for letting me in.

You're going to settle tonight.

Well, you might give
me a chance to get even.

If you know what's
good for you,

you better get
even with Brosset.

You're Jasper
Delthern, aren't you?

- Yes.
- I'm a friend of your sister's.

I'm on my way to visit her now.

Why not join me?

I might as well.

There's nothing I can do
around here but kibbutz.

Let's go.

- To the Delthern's, Hendricks.
- What, sir?

I said, to the Delthern's.

Oh yes, sir.
Certainly, sir.

You know, I was with your
uncle when he was killed.

Oh, so you're Randall?

Yes.

I wouldn't have recognized you
from my sister's description.

No?

She said you were handsome,
with a charming personality,

and most interesting.

Oh, well, that's encouraging.

I suppose since
Winstead's been freed,

the police have practically
moved in on you.

Yes, indeed.

The house has been
infested with them all day.

Have they any clues?

No, but they're under the
impression that one of us

murdered Uncle Caleb.

Yes, I thought so,
too, for a while.

The motive for the crime
points so obviously

in that direction, though,
that I'm afraid someone's

taking advantage of it.

Have you any suspicions?

No, not exactly.

Tell me, do you
know if your uncle

ever received
threatening letters

from a racketeer or gambler?

No.

I know about your
activity in that field.

I'm afraid Brosset's
going to force your hand.

I'll get it straightened out
just as soon as I see Winstead.

Mhm.

I see you're are still
on the job, Captain.

- Yes.
- Where's Winstead?

I haven't seen him for
about a half an hour.

He's in the library, sir.

Winstead!

Shh.

What are you doing there?

Where have you been?

Hmm?

Come on.

Get a side angle.

We got a swell idea
for a feature story.

It's called "the
House of Murder,"

and all the heirs gets killed
the same place as their uncle.

No, now, you
didn't tell me that.

'Course I didn't.

If I had, you
wouldn't have posed.

Come on, handsome.
It's your turn. Sit down.

Will you get out of here?

Well, how do you like that?

Here's a guy that don't want
his picture in the paper.

Yes, get outta here.

Well, come on.
Let's throw them out.

Maybe we'd better get out.
These guys are half cracked.

- Winstead.
- Mhm?

I've got to have $11,000.

11,000?
Hm.

Fancy that.

Where are you going to get it?

Why, I thought
you'd loan it to me.

You thought I?

Well, you have another
thing coming, young man.

Been gambling again, huh?

JASPER: Now, please
don't lecture me.

What I need is that money.

Let's take a look
around first, shorty.

Right.

Well, you're not
gonna get it from me.

I've got to have it, tonight.

My dear jasper, you
have my utmost sympathy,

if that's any good to you.

You're pretty sure of yourself
since the police let you go.

Why shouldn't I be?

You know, Winstead, there's
such a thing as hiring

a man to do a killing.

Are you accusing
me of something

we all know that you are...

The trouble is that we
haven't had a fingerprint

or a clue of any kind.

[gunshot]

Ditch the rod, Chuck.

Jasper!

Winstead's dead.

Well, at least we know
who killed this one.

- I'll...
- Get him, Kelly.

But I didn't do it.

Well, what are you
doing with that gun?

Picking your teeth?

No.

I thought I could force
Winstead to do something for me.

P... p... put your
hands up, please.

Walk a little faster,
gentlemen, if you don't mind.

I was afraid this would happen.

Warren Berranger,
where have you been?

Out in the garden,
having a smoke.

Got your alibi already, huh?

Pardon me, sir.

What Mr. Berranger
said is the truth.

As a matter of fact,
a few moments ago,

I overheard Winstead
giving Jasper

a lecture about gambling.

They were having
it hot and heavy.

Warren.

May I see that gun, Captain?

All the cartridges
have been fired.

It may interest
you to know that we

saw this gun this morning.
Miss Delthern saw it too.

One of the cartridges
had been fired then.

You can make a paraffin
test, and see if it's been

fired in the last two hours.

What in the world are
you doing, Hendricks?

I caught them running
from the house, sir.

It's a little trick I
learned when I worked

for the telephone company, sir.

They may be the men
you want, Captain.

I found this in the car, sir.

Frisk 'em, Kelly.

They're unarmed.

Come on, Jasper.
You'll have to come along.

My brother is not a murderer.

I think Captain Breen'll
find that out for himself.

In the meantime, your brother
will be in a safe place.

Please, don't worry.

I don't want to see
Jasper punished if he's

innocent, but don't forget.

He's gained the bulk of an
$8 million dollar estate

through Winstead's death.

That's a lot of money.

All right, take him in, Kelly.

Come on, Jasper.

Oh, this document is
more valuable than ever.

Uncle Caleb's will?

Yes, will you please keep it
in a very, very safe place?

Marcia, I don't understand.

What has changed
you so completely

in the last few days.

It seemed only natural under
the circumstances, doesn't it?

Yes, I know, but your
whole attitude toward me

is different.

Probably your imagination
is working overtime.

Possibly.

What is that man
doing in the hall?

Oh, he's from the
telephone company.

Excuse me.

Having a little trouble?

Well, a little.
I had a bad connection here.

Yeah?

Somebody yanked this
cord out and stuck it back

int place with chewing gum.

Why, yes.

I remember someone calling, and
telling me to hold the line.

But then we were disconnected.

Well, that's all I wanted
to know, Miss Hughes.

And thank you.
Thank you very much.

Then, he isn't Randall.

I'm positive that he isn't.

I'll send bird on a vacation.

Party of the first part,
party of the second part.

Now, let's see.

Good morning, Hendricks.

Are you taking up law?

Not exactly, sir.

I was just looking up
the penalty for one

man impersonating another.

Good old, Hendricks.

I wouldn't worry about
that, if I were you.

Pardon me, sir.

If you don't mind my saying so,
but you have other way to do.

Yes, I know, but there's
something about this Delthern

case that fascinates me.

She's very charming, sir.

I wouldn't be a bit
surprised if he had something

to do with the murders, too.

Maybe it's a good idea my
imagination worked overtime.

If I only knew where I
could get a hold of him.

- Why...
- Do you know?

I'm sorry, but I can't
help you get hold of him.

I'm so glad that you have my
interests at heart, Captain.

I guess you can't
talk, eh, Chuck?

I see.
They get Bill too?

Well, I'll try and spring you.

The Shadow get 'em?

Chuck didn't say.

They're both in with
murder charges against 'em.

Oh, itchy trigger fingers, eh?

You better go see
what you can do.

And tell those two mugs
that Burt Webster's

my mouthpiece, not them.

They oughta keep
their mouths shut.

OK, Brosset.

- I've got to talk to you.
- Well, hello, there.

Get inside, quick.

Something wrong?

The police are looking for you.

Why?

They found out that
you're not Chester Randall.

I guess it's dark enough
to venture out, Hendricks.

But you promised Miss Delthern
you'd remain here, sir.

Yes, I know.

I wonder if you'd
mind my talking to you,

not as a servant,
but just man to man?

Oh, not at all.
Sit down.

Well, I suggest that
you stay undercover

until this Randall
situation cools down a bit,

and then get out of town.

No, Hendricks.

I'm going to carry on,
as you so aptly put it.

But you're wanted
by the police!

Now you'll have both
sides against you.

You evidently forget that
none of the gang leaders

know who I am.

How long do you think you can
keep your identity a secret?

I never cross a bridge
before I come to it.

Well, it's about
time you started.

You want to Brosset.

You'd match your life
against the chance of getting

the man who killed your father.

But well, you... you're only
defeating your own purpose.

Now, don't think I don't appreciate
your great loyalty and interest.

You still intend
going out, sir?

I do.

Very well.
I'll get your hat, sir.

Thank you.

And where do you
think you're going?

With you, sir.

Good, old Hendricks!

You'd better let me do
this alone, Hendricks.

I'm sorry, sir.

I have a little
carrying-on to do, too.

Oh, that's fine, old boy.

Well, drive the car
around to the alley

behind Brosset's office.

Be careful, and remember
what I told you.

Yes, sir.
Certainly, sir.

[knocking on door]

BROSSET: Yeah?

- Hello, Brosset.
BROSSET: - How are you?

I was in the neighborhood,
and thought I'd drop in.

See the publicity
your boss got?

Yeah.

Have they caught the fellow
that's impersonating him?

No.

It's a funny set-up, isn't it?

Yeah.

When's Randall coming back?

Tomorrow, I guess.

You play golf, Brosset?

No, not much.

I talked with Randall on
the long distance telephone.

I don't think you'll have
much difficulty getting

him to listen to reason.

That's what you wanted, is it?

BROSSET: I'll talk to
Randall about that.

OK.

- Hi.
- Oh, hello, Gordon.

Hello.

I've got a little
business with Brosset.

- I hope you don't mind.
- I see.

Putting me out again, huh?

Well, not exactly.

OK.
See you later.

- So long.
- So long.

Well?

What'd they say for themselves?

Webster talked to them.

They claim they
didn't do the killing.

Burt'll bail them out tomorrow.

But I learned a couple of
very interesting things.

Yeah?

Yeah, the Shadow had
nothing to do with it.

Well, there's
something, anyway.

What else?

Chuck told Webster about
old man Delthern's will.

It seems Jasper's in line
for an $8 million cut.

Yeah, I just read about it.

I thought maybe we could
muscle in on it somehow.

Without that will, I guess the
estate will be divided equally,

- huh?
- Yeah, I guess so.

The answer is more
simple than I expected.

All we've got to do is to get
that little piece of paper.

And my friend Jasper'll
pay, and play plenty.

[dialing]

The will's probably
at the house.

Well, if you hurry, you
won't have any trouble.

Gordon tells me Breen and
Kelly are at the station house

right now, questioning Jasper.

Anything happening, Hendricks?

I say, Hendricks,
what's the news?

What's new, sir?

Why, Brosset's sent a couple of
men to get Mr. Delthern's will.

He figures he can make Jasper
divide his share of the estate

somehow.

Oh, he does, huh?

Well, what are you
going to do, sir?

I'm going to the Delthern's.

Oh, you can't do that, sir.

The polic will...

But I'm not going there
as the man the police want.

Good evening.

Not so fast.

We want Delthern's will.

[gunshot]

All right.
Over there, copper.

What's the meaning of this?

Hand over the old man's will.

Why, I haven't it.

Don't tell me, lady.
We know different.

It's upstairs.
I'll get it.

That's what I
call a smart girl.

Hey, this was easier
than I thought.

- Let's get going.
- Stay where you are, gentlemen.

Drop that gun.

Leave that paper in this house.

And he waited for the
police, and then disappeared.

What gets me is how the Shadow
knew what we had in mind.

Say, what about
that guy, Harris?

Well, he left here
before we did any talking.

Hey, take a look at this.

There must be some
connection between that guy

Harris and the Shadow.

You were quite right, Warren,
when you said I'd changed.

I didn't realize it myself.

But I do want to
be fair with you.

Why, Marcia, you talk as
though it's all off between us.

That's exactly what
I'm trying to say.

Oh.

I'm sorry.

So am I. Say, you aren't going
for this mysterious tall, dark,

and handsome, are you?

To be honest, I don't know.

Well, I guess there's no use
in my hanging around here.

There's no need
for you to hurry.

Goodbye, Marcia.

And good luck.

- You'll need it.
- Goodbye, Warren.

- Thanks.
- I couldn't help overhearing.

It's a peculiar
thing, Wellington.

My competition happens
to be a man of mystery.

Most mysteries are solved, sir.

- Thanks, good night.
- Good night, sir.

Well, anyway, we
definitely know Brosset's

a first class blackmailer, sir.

I feel certain we can get more
on him than that, Hendricks.

Well, here's the alley, sir.

Do you think we
should return there?

I know what I'm going to do.

- How about you?
- Maybe he'll come back.

He wouldn't have the nerve.

I... there's a car.

It looks like Harris.

We'll give him a
chance to get set.

Turn out the lights.

It's dark, sir.

Guess they went out.

Yeah, well, they
might come back.

Come in, Gordon.

And I thought that guy
Harris was on the level.

He had me fooled, too.

It's a good thing for us
that I checked up on him.

Well, Sergeant hello.

Brosset talking.

Send a squad over
here right away.

I think we can
pick up a man you'd

be very interested in getting.

Have the boys drive in the
alley in back of my place.

I'll meet them there.

Anything wrong, sir?

We're calling it
a day, Hendricks.

Drive through the
alley around the corner.

Wait a minute.

Follow that car.

Put the car away, Hendricks.

Don't move.

Oh, hello, Wellington.

I'm here to kill you.

Well, I rather expected
you to come here,

but hardly to kill me.

[knocking on door]

Open it.

If you even hint that I'm
here, I'll let you have it.

- Hello.
- Hello, Brosset.

I'm surprised to see you.

I thought you would be.

- The Shadow, eh?
- Oh...

I wouldn't move, if I
were you, Mr. Shadow.

I've got you covered, Welling...

[gunshots]

What... what?

- Keep him, Hendricks.
- Yes, sir.

I'm through.

I was mad, I guess.

It I hoped to kill you.

I wanted my son to get
some of the Delthern money.

Your son?

Yes.

Warren Berranger, my son.

Then, I'm forgiven,
Mr. Randall?

There's nothing to forgive.

I accomplished more by
taking a vacation than I

- ever could have in the office.
- That's most generous of you.

And thank you, Mr.
Cranston, for upholding

the name of Chester Randall.

Good day.

Well, I guess we'd
better shove off, too.

Oh, don't rush away.

There's no hurry.

You haven't forgotten you're coming
to the house for dinner, have you?

No, dinner at 8 o'clock?

You could come earlier.

Thanks.
I will.

- Goodbye.
- So long.

I found this bullet
in the wall, sir.

It must be from Brosset's gun.

I thought you might
be interested.

Thanks.

Where are you going, Hendricks?

I thought I'd
throw it away, sir.

I wouldn't do
that, if I were you.

There may come a time when
we can use the Shadow again.