Escape's "The Fortune of Vargas" was adapted from the 1937 novel The Third Hour by Geoffrey Household. The story, being too long for a half-hour show, was considerably trimmed and altered for radio.
The episode opens in Panama City, where Toby Manning is arguing with his boss about quitting his job as a mining machinery salesman in Latin America. Toby is discouraged about his life, but three days later, he is confronted with a new opportunity. While out for a drink, he strikes up a conversation with the bartendar, Manuel Vargas. Toby asks Vargas if he would like to help him start a revolution, but Vargas declines because he has already done that. Years ago, he fought alongside General Lara in a revolution...and that is how he knows about a fortune in gold hidden in the Mexican mountains.
Manuel decides that Toby is the right man to help him with the difficult task of retrieving the fortune. If Manuel enters Mexico, he will be executed. That is why he needs a partner. Toby agrees to retrieve the gold and split the half million dollars.
Will their plan succeed? Or, will Toby be back selling mining equipment in a few weeks?
"The Fortune of Vargas" was adapted for radio by Les Crutchfield and produced/directed by Gordon T. Hughes. Victor Mature starred as Toby Manning. William Conrad also appeared. The names of the other actors aren't given. This episode aired on September 21, 1949.
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