Million-Dollar Ransom

Presenting the transcription feature, Superman! Up in the sky! Look! It's a bird! It's a plane! And now, Superman. When we last saw him, Superman, as Clark Kent stood amazed in the office of the City Commissioner of Direville with Lois Lane, as the radio blared the threat of the yellow mask.

Unless the sum of $1 million was paid within 36 hours, Direville would be wiped into oblivion. As our story continues, 24 of the precious 36 hours have already passed. Once again, Kent and Lois Lainer in the office of the Commissioner, while a dark cloud hangs ever lower over the city's heart.

Listen. What's that? Half past 12? Half past 12. Don't keep thinking of the time, Commissioner. Confounded Kent, what else can I think of? You say yourself, this fellow, this yellow mask means what he says?

Yes, I'm afraid that's true enough. Commissioner, suppose you were going to destroy Dierville. How would you do it? I can't you're out of your mind. Now I see what he means, Commissioner. Is there any way you can think of any sudden disaster that would destroy the city at once?

Well, fire, I imagine. Or flood. Flood? Yeah. You mean a flood from the river? Oh, not exactly. Flood from the hills. Flood from the hills? How do you mean? Here, look here. Take a look at this map on the wall.

It shows diorville and its suburbs. Hmm. Right up in the fold of the hills. Yes, that's it, Kent. Right under the mountains. And you see that black line just above? Huh? What's there? That's the Harley Dam with the lake up above.

Say, come to think of it. If I were bent on wiping diorville off the map, I'd blow up the Harley Dam, if I could. Commissioner. If the dam did go out, what would happen? The end of the world, Kent.