THE SHADOW

The Death Triangle
December 12, 1937

Dated Death 'The Death Triangle' is the twelfth episode of The Shadow. The first episode was 'The Death House Rescue' on Sept 9, 1937. Welles last episode as the Shadow will be 'The Caverns of Death' on Sep 11, 1938.	The Shadow (Frank Readick) Announcer	Organ music. rush of wind. laughter. The Shadow knows. ha haha hahahahahaha Blue Coal presents the Shadow, the mystery man who strikes terror into the very hearts of sharpsters, lawbreakers and criminals. Today, the Death Triangle. MUSIC PEOPLE MURMURING DRUM ROLL
French Guiana. Devil's Island is one of three smaller penal-colony islands located off this island. Prisoners from France and French colonies were sent here.	VOICE	On this day, December 22, 1913, by order of the authority of Devil's Island, you, Pierre Martan, are hereby sentenced to one hundred days in confinement solitaire. MEN'S MURMURING And a hundred lashes in the presence of the assembled prisoners, as a warning to all who would attempt to escape. Let the punishment begin. DRUM ROLL
	Martan	I will find the devil who betrayed me.
	VOICE	One. SOUND OF LASH
	Martan	I will learn his name.
	VOICE	Two. Sound of lash
	Martan	I will kill him
	VOICE	Three Sound of lash
	Martan	I will find him and kill him
	VOICE	Four. Sound of lash
	Martan	I will kill him (VOICE GROWING PROGRESSIVELY ANGRIER AND WEAKER)
	VOICE	Five. Six. Seven. Eight (Each number followed by sound of lash) MUSIC
		ORGAN MUSIC
On October 30, 1938, an organ recital is interrupted by a reporter commenting on a strange object that has struck the ground near Grover's Mill, New Jersey. Perhaps Welles got the idea for that famous hoax from this episode.. ,,p.. ,P>	NEWS ANNOUNCER	Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt this program of organ music to bring you a special newsflash from our affiliated press service. New York, December 12, 1937. The Shadow has been found. Dr. James Evans, world famous child surgeon, told reporters this afternoon that a wounded man who claimed to be The Shadow forced his way into Dr. Evan's private clinic, and at the point of a gun, forced him to remove a bullet. The wounded man then revealed that he was none other than that mysterious character who has waged a one man war against crime, The Shadow. Before Dr. Evans could report the case to the police, however, the Shadow mysteriously disappeared. The famous surgeon believes the Shadow has little chance of surviving his wound. Our organ recital now continues.... ORGAN MUSIC PHONE RINGS, LIFTED UP
	Evans	Hello, Dr. Evans speaking.
	SHADOW	LAUGHS. Dr. Evans, the man you claim to have operated upon was a fake. The real Shadow has not been wounded.
	Evans	The Shadow? You are the Shadow?
	SHADOW	Yes, Doctor. Evans You don't seem surprised.
	Evans	I'm not. I've been hoping you'd get in touch with me. That statement I issued...was false.
	SHADOW	False? Come now, Dr. Evans. A man of your high standing in the medical world, does not issue false statements without very grave reasons.
	Evans	There was a very grave reason. I need your help. An old acquaintance of mine, Raymond Dubrille, the financier has received a death threat.
	SHADOW	Have him notify the police.
	Evans	No, he refuses to do that.
	SHADOW	Then, let him take the consequences...unless...Dr. Evans, have you also received a death threat?
	Evans	Yes, I have.
	SHADOW	Before I made this call, I investigated your past, Dr. Evans.
	Evans	My past is a matter of public knowledge.
	SHADOW	You were once a political prisoner on Devil's Island. You escaped twenty years ago with three other men, Raymond Dubrille, the banker and Pierre Martan the concert pianist.
	Evans	Yes, but our convictions were reversed by a high court a year after we escaped.
	SHADOW	I know it was proved that you three were innocent, but what about the fourth man who escaped with you. The murderer.
	Evans	Doug Corvet, he was caught and sent back to Devil's Island.
	SHADOW	After the escape. One of you betrayed him to the police.
	Evans	I don't believe that.
	SHADOW	Why else should he mark you for death?
	Evans	Then you know Corvet escaped from Devil's Island a second time, six months ago?
	SHADOW	Yes, Dr. Evans.
	Evans	Then you're interested? You'll help?
	SHADOW	Yes, I will help. But only because your life is in danger, Doctor. The world can ill afford to lose the skill and genius that has saved the lives of countless children.
	Evans	You overestimate my importance Shadow. But will you help?
	SHADOW	Yes. When and where does Corvet's warning say he will strike first?
	Evans	At Dubrille's Long Island estate, tonight.
	SHADOW	How do you know this warning came from Corvet?
	Evans	Dubrille received a miniature music box, in the shape of a coffin, in the mail, this morning.
	SHADOW	A musical coffin?
	Evans	Yes And when the lid of the coffin is raised, the music box plays a tune. A tune Dubrille , Martan, Corvet, and myself whistled as a danger signal when we were planning our escape from Devil's Island.
	SHADOW	Where is Dubrille, Dr. Evans.
	Evans	At his Long Island estate. Martan is staying with him and I am driving out there to spend the night. I had hoped you'd come and help.
	SHADOW	I will help you, Dr. Evans. Tell Dubrille, and Martan, that the Shadow will be there, tonight.
		OMINOUS MUSIC BUZZ OF DOORBELL
		Clearing throat, Opening door, Sound of wind, and Traffic noises
In the pulps, the Shadow had an army of agents, and Lamont Cranston had a manservant. On the radio, the manservant showed up less often. In the pulps, Cranston was just one of the Shadow's secret identities.	Manservant Margot	Good afternoon, Miss Lane. Is Mr. Cranston at home?
	Manservant	No, Miss Lane, he's not.
	Margot	Do you know where I can reach him?
	Manservant	He may be at his club.
	Margot	No, I've tried there.
	Manservant	Well, his office?
	Margot	Yes, everywhere. Nobody's seen him all day.
	Manservant	Well, is there anything I can do?
	Margot	Be sure and stay here in case he comes home. I'll call you on the phone later.
	Manservant	Yes, miss.
	Margot	I've got to find him, I've got to, I've just got to! Sound of cars. Music and cars
	Margot	I've got to find Lamont. Maybe Dr. Evans knows more than he told the newspapers. His office said he might be at home. Music and car sounds. Number 33. Yes, this is it. Knocks on door. Oh, Lamont, I knew they'd shoot you some day.
	Butler	Yes, miss?
	Margot	Is Dr. Evans here, I must see him.
	Butler	I beg you pardon, miss, but are you another reporter?
	Margot	Yes, and I must see Dr. Evans. It's important. It's A matter of life or death.
	Butler	I'm sorry miss, but Dr. Evans has nothing to say to the press. He's not at home.
	Margot	But I must see him, I must find him!
	Butler	I'm sorry. SOUND OF CAR DRIVING AWAY
	Margot	That car! That's Dr. Evan's car!
	Butler	Yes, miss
	Margot	Where's he going?
	Butler	I'm not at liberty to say, Miss.
1937 Buick taxicab	Margot Taxi Driver	Never mind, I'll find out myself! Taxi! Taxi! Okay Miss. CAR DOOR SHUTS Where to?
	Margot	Follow that big black limousine. The one with the green cross on the license plate.
As long as a doctor was responding to an emergency,he could drive through traffic lights and break the speedlimit. This law is in effect today in the United States, as well.	Taxi Driver	That's a doctor's car, miss. I may have to break a lot of traffic laws if it goes through red lights.
	Margot	Never mind, I'll pay the fines. But don't lose sight of that car for a minute.
	Taxi Driver	Okay, lady, but this is going to be one fast ride. Organ music. Car driving
	Margot	Driver, driver slow down. That car is turning into that estate.
	Taxi Driver	What do you want me to do? Go through the gates after it?
	Margot	No, no, stop here.
	Taxi Driver	Okay.
	Margot	Here's five dollars.
	Taxi Driver	Hey, thanks, ma'am. Car door opens and closes, car drives off.
Being a wealthy young man about town, Lamont might have driven a Lincoln roadster.	Margot	I wonder if this is just a wild goose chase. Lamont couldn't be way out here. Not if he's wounded, dying. Sound of car driving up. That car, it sounded like... Oh, but it couldn't be. It is! Sound of someone getting out of car. Whistling. It's Lamont! Lamont.
	Lamont	Margot! Margot! What in heaven's names are you doing here?
	Margot	Oh, Lamont, then it wasn't true. You weren't shot. Dr. Evans didn't operate on you.
	Lamont	Oh, so you heard that newsflash too.
	Margot	The papers are full of it. I tried to find you, at your office, at home, at your club, everywhere.
	Lamont	I'm sorry, Margot, I should have known you'd worry, but I've had a very busy afternoon. Uh, How did you get here?
	Margot	I followed Dr. Evans car. He just drove through those gates. What's happening, Lamont. Are you trying to find out why he said he'd operated on the Shadow? Is someone impersonating you?
	Lamont	No. No, Dr. Evans did that knowing I'd get in touch with him. He needs my help in a very special manner.
	Margot	But why? Is someone after him? Threatening him?
	Lamont	Yes, also the owner of this estate. The banker Dubrille, and Martan, the concert pianist.
	Margot	And you're going to help them?
	Lamont	I'm interested in helping Evans. He's a great doctor and a great humanitarian. His life is in danger.
	Margot	Lamont, now that I'm here, is there anything I can do?
	Lamont	Yes, Margot, wait in my car, keep your eye on the house. If you see a light go on and off twice in one of the windows, drive to the nearest payphone and notify the state police to come to the Dubrille estate.
	Margot	I'll watch for the signal.
	Lamont	Fine.
	Margot	I suppose there's no use my asking you to be careful?
	Lamont	No, Margot, (Annoyed and tired with it) but, I'll try, I'll try to avoid really putting Dr. Evans to the trouble of removing a bullet from the Shadow. MUSIC POUNDING ON TABLE
	Evans	Dubrille, stop pounding on the table and cursing Corvet.
	Dubrille	Oh, that's all very well for you to say, Evans. Your turn hasn't come, but it will. If we three sitting here you, or me or Martan, don't get Corvet when he comes here tonight, you will be next on his list. You or Martan.
	Martan	Don't concern yourself about my fate, Dubrille. I am not afraid of Corvet.
	Dubrille	Oh, you'll change your mind if he manages to kill me, Martan.
	Martan	Laughs. I wonder what it's like to die? What do you think, Dubrille, or do you ever think of anything but your fat stomach and your money?
	Dubrille	Why you.....
	Evans	Gentlemen, this is no time to argue. I have something more important to tell you.
	Martan	What is it, Evans? I hear you had quite an experience today. Operated on this man who calls himself The Shadow.
	Evans	Yes, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.
	Martan	Ah, there's a man, Dubrille. The Shadow. He might save you from Corvet
	Dubrille	Oh, what could he do? I've had the best private detectives in the country trying to find some trace of Corvet, ever since he escaped from Devil's Island again, six months ago.
	Martan	By the way, Dubrille, I've always wondered, who tipped off the police, when Corvet was hiding after he helped us escape twenty years ago.
	Dubrille	Corvet was a murderer, we were innocent men.
	Martan	And also, who betrayed me, Dubrille, the time I tried to escape alone the first time.
	Evans	Mantan, Dubrille, now listen to me. A moment ago we were talking about the Shadow. Well, he isn't dying. I didn't operate on him. I announced that hoping the real Shadow would get in touch with me.
	Dubrille	Did he?
	Evans	Yes. He's coming here tonight, to help us.
	Martan	I've always been curious to see this Shadow.
	Evans	You won't see him. No man has ever seen him, but, he'll be here.
	Dubrille	Ah, Evans, for a man of intelligence you're talking like a fool. The age of ghosts and mystic presences...
	Evans	You're wrong, Dubrille, you're wrong. Because I am a doctor I can readily accept the fact that the Shadow is a master of the powers of mental suggestion. Of mass hypnosis. Recent experiments have proven conclusively that ...
	Dubrille	Rubbish.
	SHADOW	LAUGHTER Allow me to convince him, Dr. Evans.
	Dubrille	What? What was that? Who spoke then?
	SHADOW	The Shadow, Dubrille. You do not accept the theory of my power of invisibility, but perhaps you will accept the fact, for I am here.
	Evans	Sit down, Dubrille. You look rather pale.
	SHADOW	If I am to help you, you will all sit down. Sit at that table there. I understand there is little time to lose. I must know the whole story, the truth, if I am to help you.
	Evans	Do as the Shadow says. Sit there, Martan, and you, there, Dubrille.
	Martan	Well, why don't you talk back, Dubrille?
	SHADOW	Be quiet, Martan. Dr. Evans, I will help you if I can, but there is one gap in the chain of events leading up to this moment.
	Evans	I'll tell you anything I know, Shadow.
	SHADOW	Then tell me this. When, and under what circumstance, did Corvet first threaten your lives?
	Evans	It was the last day we spent in the open boat in which we escaped from Devil's Island, twenty years ago. Storms had blown us off our course. Our food was gone. Our water was exhausted. Corvet, the only one who knew how to navigate, was...well, he was slowly dying from hunger and thirst.
	Corvet	Water, water...
	Dubrille	Oh, be quiet, Corvet, there is no water. The cask is empty.
	Corvet	You're lying, Dubrille, all of you. You've been drinking my share. Give me that bucket. Give me a drink of that bucket!
	Evans	Don't do that. Salt water will kill him.
	Dubrille	What does it matter, Dr. Evans. Seventeen days in this open boat. Nights of storm and days of blazing heat.
	Corvet	Water, water, I'm dying. I tell you, dying. You're not giving me my share! You're stealing my water. Where will you be if I die?! I'm the only one who knows navigation!
	Evans	Be patient, Corvet. It may rain tonight.
	Martan	Ah, we may as well be back on Devil's Island. At least there was bread and water there.
	Corvet	(Weakly) Bread. Bread. A crust. Just a crust of bread and water. Water.
	Evans	There's no bread, Corvet. The last crust went three days ago.
	Corvet	You're cheating me. Cheating me. You only brought me along to steal the boat and now you're starving me to death. You don't want me to live. But I will live. I'll get you for this. I'll live to kill everyone of you for this. You, Dubrille, you, Martan, you, Evans.
	Dubrille	Oh, shut him up, Evans. You're a doctor. You know what to do.
	Evans	Gasps. Look! Martan, Dubrille, seagulls!
	Martan	What does it matter? We have no a gun.
	Evans	I know , but don't you see? Seagulls never fly far from land, or a ship.
	Martan	Look!
	Dubrille	Look, to the west, it's land, land at last!
	Evans	You're right, there to the southwest. You can see the sun on othe mountains. We're saved, free at last. Corvet, Corvet, sit up, sit up! Look, We've sighted land. There'll be food and water. Plenty for everybody.
	Corvet	You tried to kill me. Starve me to death. But I'm going to live. I'm going to live until the last one of you is dead. Dead! (Voice fading)
	Evans	So you see, that's how it all began. And now Corvet is free and out to get us, Shadow.
	SHADOW	But, what makes you so sure it is Corvet.
	Evans	Well, it couldn't be anyone else.
	Martan	It's Corvet, alright. He sent Dubrille that thing on the table.
	SHADOW	That oblong box.
	Evans	Yes, Shadow. Notice its shape. It's a miniature coffin, beautifully carved.
	Martan	Corvet was a wood carver. He was always handy with a knife.
	SHADOW	But still it does not follow that he is the one.
	Evans	Except for one thing, Shadow. When the lid of the coffin is raised, it's a music box. And that tune its playing is the warning signal we used while planning our escape from Devils Island. Remember, only the four of us knew it. Dubrille, Corvet, Martan and myself.
	Dubrille	Stop it, Evans, stop that cursed thing. Stop it I tell you. I can't stand it! SOUND OF BREAKING WOOD
	Martan	So, you have a conscience, eh. Dubrille That danger refrain recalls the past, doesn't it?
	Dubrille	Stop talking about it!
	Martan	It looks as though Corvet meant business, doesn't it?
	Dubrille	Don't sit there conniving over me. You forget your turn may be next. Maybe tonight, even!
	Martan	I am not forgetting anything, Dubrille.
	Evans	You'd better steady yourself, Dubrille. I'll get you a drink.
	Dubrille	Oh, never mind. Here's the decanter. I'll pour it myself. SCREAMS SUDDENLY Oh, that tune, where is it coming from? I smashed the coffin.
	Evans	Good heavens, Dubrille. It's the decanter in your hand! YELL AND SMASH OF GLASS
	Dubrille	Someone! Someone changed the decanter. Corvet, he did it, he's here, he's been in this house tonight.
	Evans	Dubrille, Where are you going?
	Dubrille	To my room. I don't trust anybody. I'll be safe there behind locked doors. And if Corvet comes I'll be ready for him.
	Evans	Wait, Dubrille, wait.
	SHADOW	Let him go, Dr. Evans.
	Evans	He shouldn't be left alone. Corvet may carry out his threat.
	SHADOW	Are you sure it is Corvet?
	Martan	What do you mean, it must be! It couldn't be anybody else. The coffin, the decanter, are his warning.
	SHADOW	I know, but you said the four of you knew the signal. Are you sure, it isn't one of you.
	Evans	Of course not.
	Martan	I thought you said the Shadow was here to help us.
	SHADOW	I am. But I am content to let events lead themselves to a logical conclusion.
	Evans	You mean, you won't use your power to save us from him?
	SHADOW	I shall use my power at the moment it is required, Dr. Evans. Right now, for instance, look on the table. There's a note where the decanter was standing.
	Evans	Good heavens! Corvet has been here. Listen to this Martan. 'You are the first, and you will die tonight, Raymond Dubrille.' COMMERCIAL ORGAN MUSIC Wind blowing. Door closing.
	Corvet	Dubrille, Dubrille, wake up, I have come for you.
	Dubrille	Laughter. So you've come, Corvet. Why you poor deluded fool. You think I'd let you kill me in my sleep? I've been awake, waiting here in the dark for you to come. Strike of match. A little light. So you've grown a beard since I saw you last, Corvet. And your hair is gray.
	Corvet	That gun in your hand won't save you, Dubrille. If I die I will take you with me.
	Dubrille	Listen , Corvet. I didn't steal your food in the open boat, I swear it!
	Corvet	Oh? You also betrayed me to the police, you told them where to find me. And I am not the only one you betrayed, am I, Dubrille? You betrayed Martan the time he tried to escape alone, didn't you, Dubrille.
	Dubrille	Yes, yes, but what do you care, Corvet? He wouldn't take me with him. But I did not betray you!
	Corvet	Have you paid Martan for those hundred lashes, and those hundred days of bread and water he got because you betrayed him?
	Dubrille	Oh, he doesn't know, he will never know, it was I.
	Corvet	Dubrille, remember how we passed the long days in that open boat, throwing knives?
	Dubrille	Don't raise that knife, Corvet!
	Corvet	We got so good we seldom missed.
	Dubrille	I'll shoot if you move!
	Corvet	But Martan was the best. You may shoot me Dubrille but my knife won't miss.
	Dubrille	Wait, Wait a minute, Corvet. I will make a deal with you. Listen, Corvet. You're out to get Evans and Martan, too. If you throw that knife I will shoot you and you will never get them!
	Corvet	You would help me kill Evans? I know he's here in the house.
	Dubrille	Yes, yes, yes, I hate Evans, and Martan, too. I will help you get them.
	SHADOW	LAUGHS So, you would betray Dr. Evans to save yourself, Dubrille?
	Dubrille	The Shadow. Courbet, don't be afraid. He's only a man. By some trick he can make himself invisible. But he's flesh and blood. Quick. Lock the door. We'll deal with him first! SOUND OF KEY TURNING IN LOCK
	Corvet	He won't get out.
	Dubrille	Now, now, Shadow, what can you do to stop us? Speak up! I dare you to speak.
	Corvet	Listen where his voice comes from, Dubrille. Then shoot quickly.
	Dubrille	No no no, the shot would bring Evans and Martan. Throw your knife, Courbet.
	Corvet	Make him speak! I won't miss.
	Dubrille	Speak up Shadow!. We will find you anyway! You can't get out!
	SHADOW	I am here, in the corner.
	Dubrille	In the far corner! Throw your knife, Corvet! THUKK
	SHADOW	LAUGHTER
	Dubrille	Oh, you missed!
	Corvey	But he was there!
	SHADOW	No, only my voice was there.
	Corvet	Throw your voice. He's there in front of you, Dubrille. Shoot, shoot!
	Dubrille	Dubrille Laughs. Yes, I will shoot now. Yes, I will shoot. But not the Shadow. He came here to help us catch you, Corvet, and he has. Your knife, it's gone. Now, Corvet, you are helpless. And now I'll deal with you. BANG!
	Corvet	You treacherous snake! You fool! You think I'd carry only one knife? This one is for you.
	Dubrille	GASP. oh! You devil! But I take you with me, Corvet! BANG, BANG
	Evans	Dubrille, Dubrille, Dubrille, open the door. Dubrille. Dubrille!
	SHADOW	Dubrille is dead, Dr. Evans
	Evans	Is? Corvet's kept his word. Where is he?
	SHADOW	Look there, on the floor by the window.
	Evans	Corvet? That's Corvet?
	SHADOW	Dubrille tried to save his life by promising to help that man kill you.
	Evans	Dubrille? Dubrille offered to help Courbet kill me?
	SHADOW	Look closely, Dr. Evans. Remove the gray wig, and the false beard.
	Evans	Its....its.. It's Martan!
	SHADOW	Yes. Martan disguised as Corvet.
	Evans	Still alive, breathing.
	Martan	Get away from me, Evans Don't touch me. I hate you. I hate you both.
	Evans	Why did you do this, Pierre, why?
	Martan	I hated Dubrille because he betrayed me on Devil's Island. I hated you Evans because you have got the things that I always wanted. Success, fame, glory. It was I sent the musical coffin. The warning note. I knew you'd think it was Corvet. I got Dubrille but Courbet will get you, Evans. He's after you. He will get you. He will kill you..eh
	Evans	Martan! Not breathing...dead.
	SHADOW	Yes, Dr. Evans, he's dead. You are quite safe now.
	Evans	You forget Corvet.
	SHADOW	No, Dr. Evans. I knew, when I phoned you today, that it was not Corvet who sent the musical coffin.
	Evans	What?
	SHADOW	I knew it was not Corvet, it had to be Martan or Dubrille.
	Evans	Why didn't you stop them?
	SHADOW	Martan or Dubrille were both criminals plotting to kill you. If I'd stopped them your life would have been in danger as long as you lived, hating you always for having obtained the things that life denied them.
	Evans	But you forget, Shadow. Corvet may find me, succeed where Mantan failed.
	SHADOW	Never. I learned the whole history of all of you before I saw you.
	Evans	Yes?
	SHADOW	Everything, Dr. Evans. Your escape from Devil's Island after Dubrille's betrayal of Martan, that resulted in a hundred lashes. His resolve for vengeance. From the authorities of Devil's Island, I learned the truth about Corvet's ...last escape.
	Evans	Yes? Yes, I see now why he hated us. But what about Corvet?
	SHADOW	You are safe now, Dr. Evans. Safe from Corvet. The chain of logic is complete. Three months ago, a bleached skeleton was found on a deserted beach, at Trinidad. It has just been identified, as the body of Corvet.
	Shadow/Frank Readick	Rush of wind, organ music. Hmm hmmhmm ha ha ha. The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay. The Shadow knows..HHHAHAHahahahaah. MUSIC.

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