In this intriguing episode, we delve into a complex tale of deception and murder involving a swarm of bees, a mysterious skull, and a cunning plot. The story unfolds with Dennis and Patsy planning to remove bees from a professor's cottage, only to stumble upon a human skull hidden within the hive. As they navigate the peculiar request to eradicate the bees, they uncover a sinister plot involving murder and deceit, orchestrated by a seemingly innocent couple.
Inspector Percy Margo takes charge of the investigation, unraveling the mystery behind the skull's discovery. As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that the murder was a calculated scheme by Patricia Laker and her lover, Dennis Mosley, to frame her husband and inherit a fortune. The episode explores themes of betrayal, greed, and the unexpected twists that come with uncovering the truth. Join us as we piece together the clues and reveal the shocking truth behind this chilling tale.
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[00:00:00]
Unknown:
If your job at a health care facility includes disinfecting against viruses, you know prevention is the best medicine. And maintaining healthy spaces starts with a healthy cleaning routine. Grainger's world class supply chain helps ensure you have the quality products you need when you need them. From disinfectants and cleaning supplies to personal protective equipment, so you can help deliver a clean bill of health. Call +1 800 click grainger.com, or just stop by. Granger, for the ones who get it done.
[00:00:35] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:00:36] Unknown:
Dennis?
[00:00:37] Unknown:
Yes. Is that you, Patsy? Uh-huh.
[00:00:39] Unknown:
It finally happened. The bars are off for a week's leave to Western Super Mare at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
[00:00:45] Unknown:
So at last, we're ready. You're quite sure that nip of an Amazon naturalist is serious this time? Absolutely sure.
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Their train leaves from Walton Cross Station at 06:30. Crackerjack.
[00:00:57] Unknown:
Now all you have to do is to ring up an apiarist and we're in business. Do you know of one offhand? Oh, no, darling. No, darling. We mustn't ring an apiarist.
[00:01:04] Unknown:
Bowers is a well known naturalist after all. He might easily be known to anyone we telephone.
[00:01:09] Unknown:
Good point.
[00:01:10] Unknown:
How do we get the bees out? You're not suggesting that I do the job. Don't be silly, darling. But what you must do is ring a firm in the West End that specializes in odd sort of jobs and get them to fish out the bees. Got a pencil handy? Yes. Right here. Fire away. The telephone number is 595. The company is called Assignments Unlimited, and the address is 33 Half Moon Street.
[00:01:58] Unknown:
No money for honey. Even as the man was speaking to me on the telephone, I was making a mental note to subcontract the job. It must have been Ned Benson's sudden arrival that put it out of my mind. Certainly, the outcome might have been dramatically different if I had subcontracted. All I could remember at the time was the man's preoccupation with the queen, the queen bee, that is. This entomological phenomenon had more importance for him than Sheba had for Solomon.
[00:02:35] Unknown:
It's of paramount importance, mister Mason, that you find the queen. She's always at the back of the hive. Unless you dislodge her, all your efforts will have been to no avail. The bees will simply multiply all over again. I understand that, mister Barr. Professor Barr. You see, I've been given a week's unexpected leave. My wife and I are off in the morning to Western Super Mare for a bit of a break. I would like the piece removed before I get back. In fact, if you can do the job tomorrow, so much the better. Well, I'll do my best, professor.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
I'm not sure that I have an expert in my staff, but, well, you can rely on us to complete the task satisfactorily.
[00:03:11] Unknown:
I take it you will want the swarm removed to another hive. I'm not that he's been concerned with what you do with the wretched things as long as they're gone before my return. But I emphasize that I must have the queen. Dead or alive?
[00:03:24] Unknown:
Sounds like a tribal war in darkest Africa. It's no laughing matter, mister Mason.
[00:03:29] Unknown:
I've been plagued with these bees for months now. My wife won't let me go near them and this week at the coast is heaven sent. I can sleep easily if I know they'll be gone when I return. I'll just heap everything to us, professor Barr. Now I'll have them out of there first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you.
[00:03:44] Unknown:
I think that's all, mister Mason. Well, you haven't given me the address, professor.
[00:03:48] Unknown:
Of course. No wonder they say professors have some mind today. It's Number 24 River Lee Cottages, Freezywater, Hertfordshire. You got that? Oh, we found it easily. It's on the Green Line bus route, actually. Oh, I know the area well, professor. That's all I think. Don't forget the queen, will you? I won't. Well, goodbye. Have a nice holiday, professor. Goodbye.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Yeah. Well, that sound like a summary dismissal. Was it a client? Yes, Benson. A professor of entomology. Bees. And so that's why you told him to buzz off. Oh, easy on the puns, Benson. I've got a sting in my tail too. And your client's got a bee in his bonnet.
[00:04:28] Unknown:
What gives? Well, he's got bees in his cottage roof, and while he's on holiday, he wants us to remove them. Know anything about bees? Oh, I'm strictly a boy for two legged honeys. Oh, I should have known better than to ask. Ned Benson,
[00:04:40] Unknown:
the glamourpuss of assignments unlimited. Oh, no. Wait a minute, chief. Wait a sec. Hi, Ned. Hi, chief. Hello, general. How'd you go? Oh, dead easy. I drove the old boy to the Queen Mary and using my delectable charms, got him onboard the Queen in half an hour. See? Modesty. The female glamourpuss of Assignments Unlimited.
[00:04:58] Unknown:
What's eating him? Yeah. We also have our problem with the Queen. Not the Queen Mary. A lesser monarch. A queen bee. Well, when I see a bee in this office, I eliminate it.
[00:05:09] Unknown:
Like that. Are you sort of reckon we should spray them out? Why not? What's good for one is good for the whole house. Don't you mean bad? Jill, we can kill those bees. It just isn't that as bad for the national economy. I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't protected by the Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Anyway, the chief said the owner is a professor of entomology. That means you'll have a bug about bugs, you know? He's sadly a very young professor. Oh, and he didn't mind in the least about the bees' welfare, Dead or alive with the queen. It's all the same to him. Oh, I can already hear the Newgate Bell sounding its best little. Look, honey, if you wanna go and play Florence Nightingale to that swarm of bees, it's alright with me, but I stay right here. Either we heist that queen mother with DDT or I'm not going.
[00:05:50] Unknown:
Were you ever bitten by a bee? No. But I was once done by Pearlie King. Alright, handsome. Death to the winged insect. Freeze the water, did you say? I'll get the car. You'll get the cans of aerosol insect spray. Here's where we begin operation extermination.
[00:06:13] Unknown:
Look, we should have come at night. Those things are active in the daylight. Look at the way they fly in and out of the hole there. The poison spray works just as well with a very awake or a The point is at night they're all inside the hive. In the daytime they're flying around in the air. I can't kill them one at a time. We haven't got 10,000 squares in this thing. I don't expect you to kill them as though he were on a on a clay pigeon shoot. Walk right up to the hive and shoot the works down the hole. First, I'm gonna buy myself a mosquito net. Oh, don't tell me you're chicken. Oh, not chicken exactly this time. I feel like a Nazi pilot over London to Africa. His flying lances look very determined to me. Excuse me.
[00:06:48] Unknown:
Were you looking for professor Bauer? I'm afraid she's gone away to Holland. No. No, ma'am. We're from assignments unlimited. Oh, we were sent to eradicate the swarm of bees. Yeah. The professor rang up last night and asked us to come down. Ah, April. Well, with, homicidal tenants. Oh, yes. Yes. That's right. I'm Jill Perkins, and this is Ned Benson. Hi. How nice to have someone new to talk to. It's very lonely here, you know. Oh, hi, missus Cratchley. As you see, the cottages are semi detached, and I live in the one next door. Can I offer you a nice cup of tea? Well, after the extermination, we'd be grateful, mad.
Surely, you're not going to harm them. Oh, they won't feel safe. No. That's not, missus Cratchley. This is a new kind of spray that just stuns the creatures and even move them to a place of sleep. What, Pearl? I wondered. You see, the old professor so loves his bees. In fact, he loves all insects. They've been his life's work. Did you say old professor, Mrs. Cratchley? Who was that rude of me told dear, had I'm not so young myself, am I? Well, we've we've never met the professor. She said he sounded young on the telephone. Sounded young? Oh, goodness me. He would be amused.
The professor's on the wrong side of 70 and suffers badly with his chest. That's why they've gone on holiday to the sea.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
They both much prefer it. Alright. So the chief meets the nearest, sir. And so what about the flying termites now? Bees are not termites.
[00:08:24] Unknown:
Missus Cratchley, is there any way we might get at the bee's nest from inside the house? Why, yes. I think so. If you got up into the attic, you should be able to reach the nest easily. I I haven't been up there myself, of course, but I know the professor used the attic when he inspected the bees and took some of the honey. I have a key to the cottage if you'd like to go in. Very kind of you, missus Cratchley. It'll make our job so much easier. Are you short enough trouble? Oh, no trouble at all. You get everything ready in the meantime. I won't be a moment.
[00:08:58] Unknown:
Now look, honey. What's all this messy aleth, Jasmine? You know, finally gonna exterminate the beast. This was a little white lion head. Might have upset the old lady if she thought we were going to cure her. Well, she's gonna find out soon enough. Not necessarily.
[00:09:11] Unknown:
The chief can explain what happened in a note when he sends off a bill to the professor. He doesn't keep up the appearance. Funny about him, Ed. She said he was young and couldn't care less about the insect world. This is Pratchey. He's his lover. Look. The chief only heard this old guy on the phone. Do I make a big drama about it? Let's go and gas the sugar factory and go home, please. Scratch this guy. I believe the important member of the hive is the queen. Is that not so? Yes. Yes. That's right. And if you have the queen, you can start off a hive anywhere. Anywhere that gives the bees cover inquired. As a matter of fact, Professor Bough was most emphatic about his queen. We must be quite sure to get her safe ring. Oh, it's really quite exciting, isn't it? I never thought I'd see the day when I would ensue over the life cycle of the Manti.
But since I've met the professor, he's opened up a whole new world to me. Well, now let's open the door, shall we? There we are. It's a a loft more than an attic. The stairs lead right up from the hall here. Will you be long? Not not too very long. Missus Cranchley, this is a a sort of new kind of gas. It's a a sort of experiment. Like, I I I don't think under circumstances you should stay here. I in the least bit worried, miss Pearl. Nevertheless, I I think Ned is right. Nobody can ever be quite sure how these will react. Oh. We both feel much easier in our own minds if you were safely inside your car. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. Oh, very well. I'll put the kettle on, and then you can come right over when you've finished. How's that? Oh, just drink. Drink. Oh, I won't keep you then. As soon as you've finished.
[00:11:03] Unknown:
And now you've kinda made me feel like a murderer. Come on.
[00:11:07] Unknown:
How can you say that? Whoever could get murdered in this Sleepy Hollow. Is that spray safe for humans? Yes. And animals.
[00:11:14] Unknown:
And I am to come into the end. We are mopping up operations for strays. How can you mop up before the operations become? So far in this assignment, the cart's been before the horse all the way. Now there's the hole here. It's better from the inside. Watch it if they go crazy, make a run for the trapdoor and jump through. Alright? Alright.
[00:11:33] Unknown:
Ned. What is it?
[00:11:35] Unknown:
I'm scared. Oh, this is a great time to go feminine on me. Oh, you'll be alright. Hand me that spray. Here. Nice one. Here it goes. Alright. Keep your fingers crossed. Well, it, it worked. Well, you know, let's have a look around here. It's over here, Jill. This is where the professor took his honey. Now where did you say the queen was enthroned? Oh, along that little tunnel. Mhmm. She said the queen bee is the one furthest in, and that's the furthest in. Alright. I'll put my hand down and see if I can feel it. I just hope all the guards are kaput. Hey, Jill. There's there's something in here. What? I don't know. I'm gonna pull it out so we can have a look at it.
It's a skull. A human skull. Is it is it old? No. No. It's not old. Look at the cranium. It's been crushed in by a blow. See all this guy, whoever he was, was murdered.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Inspector Percy Margo was a kindly looking man. He asked his questions with an apologetic air and seemed almost embarrassed that murder should be committed in the metropolitan area. But, well, this was merely a pose. Margo of the murder squad was a ruthless and painstaking investigator with a hide of leather and a wool of steel. He used the cottage with its grim relic as his base for operations, smiling benignly on Mrs Cratchley who, bubbling over with excitement, relished the discovery of the cottage's ghastly secret. She plowed stoically to and from her kitchen, plying the inspector with an endless river of piping hot tea. He'd been there for two days before he sent for me. Sit down, mister Mason.
[00:13:46] Unknown:
Don't be apprehensive. The murder wasn't committed in this cottage. Do you know where it was committed? Well, nothing is certain in this world. Well, almost nothing. One thing I can guarantee is a good cup of tea. What about it, missus Gladstone?
[00:14:00] Unknown:
In a minute, inspector.
[00:14:02] Unknown:
She means it. Can't bear to be away from the investigation for a minute. I could use her if she were 50 years younger.
[00:14:11] Unknown:
You know Bottomley, I believe. Yes. He's a very close friend of mine as a matter of fact. He's on another case.
[00:14:17] Unknown:
Now let's get down to business. An unknown person telephoned you on the night of the twenty fourth and said he wanted you to remove a bee's nest from this cottage. Well, that's not entirely correct. He said he was professor Bauer.
[00:14:30] Unknown:
Would you describe his voice? For instance, did he sound like a professor? Well, I'm not sure what a professor is supposed to sound like. Well, his voice was young and for an entomologist, he displayed a singular disattachment for the insect world. In fact, he told you to kill the bees.
[00:14:46] Unknown:
Well, alive or dead? It was all the same to him. You see, professor Bauer is an old man with an harmonious attachment to all insects. If he thought you were going to kill his bees, he might easily contemplate killing you. But it wasn't professor Bauer who fooled you. I've been in contact with him. I've told him to stay on holiday. But if not him, then whom? The person who wanted you to find the skull. But why us? How long had the skull been there? Just over a year. And to answer your other question, I think I know why the person rang you. Professor Bower is a well known entomologist.
Now if this person had telephoned an apiarist, he might have accidentally hit upon a friend of the professor, and that might have started inquiries and scotched the whole deal.
[00:15:32] Unknown:
You mean an apiarist might know the professor's voice on the phone? That or he might wish to see the professor personally.
[00:15:38] Unknown:
Didn't it strike you as odd the man of Bauer's experience and reputation should ask anyone to remove a swarm of bees for him? A task he must have performed himself a thousand or more times. As a matter of fact, it did. The man himself explained that away without my asking him. He said he couldn't stand the things but, well, was forced to tolerate them because of his wife. An insect expert who didn't like bees?
[00:16:03] Unknown:
When I met point duty policemen who can't stand pedestrians, I've yet to find a physician who's friendly with the microbes he fights. Touche.
[00:16:11] Unknown:
But you have your answer as to why you were put on the job. Well, not entirely, Inspector.
[00:16:16] Unknown:
You said the man who phoned was the person who wanted us to find the skull. If this person knew of the existence of a murdered man's skull in the wall of the cottage, why didn't he simply ring the police? He wanted the discovery to look like an accident. I'm still in the dark. Obviously, he couldn't be the murderer who telephoned but he could have been an accomplice who, for some reason, wished to double cross his erstwhile colleague.
[00:16:39] Unknown:
Oh, the murderer's wife, mister Mason.
[00:16:41] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. The wife. Well, that would add up. She was to see justice done but couldn't bring herself to inform the police. Yeah. But wait a minute. It was a man who rang. Yes. He was so emphatic about that queen bee. Must have known the skull was there. He must have known all about it, everything. So that discounts the wife's theory. No. No?
[00:17:03] Unknown:
It's unfair getting you to theorize. I have the advantage of you. I know the identity of the murdered man. Already. Oh, I knew who he was two days ago. Now if you go over there in the corner and sit very quietly with missus Cratchley's cup of tea, You can listen to a conversation I'm about to have with a certain young lady, and then you can tell me what you make of it. Alright? That's jolly nice of you, inspector. Bottomley is my senior at the yard. Inspector Margo, if I'd committed a murder, I'd hate to have you on my track. Well, apart from gang murders that I don't give a fig for anyway, I always get my man or woman.
Oh, come in, missus Lager. Oh, thank you, inspector. This way, missus Lager. I do have a chair. Oh, thank you.
[00:17:53] Unknown:
Do you mind awfully if I smoke? This is being a bit of a shock. Please do.
[00:17:59] Unknown:
I take it then that sergeant Wells filled you in on the details of the case on the way down here. Yeah. Yes. He did.
[00:18:07] Unknown:
There's no doubt about it. I mean, it really is uncle Benjamin.
[00:18:12] Unknown:
I'm afraid so. Oh, gasket. You have my deepest sympathy, missus Laker. You're very kind, inspector. Now I'd like you to fill in a few details for me, if you will. Anything I can do, inspector. Anything. Can you recall the circumstances of your uncle's death?
[00:18:28] Unknown:
It was over a year ago. Probably just a general outline. Oh, well, uncle Benjamin was the adventurous one in the family. He was addicted to skin diving, often swam in heavy seas. Yes. Yes. Well, he he just disappeared one day without trace. Two months later, his his remains were washed up on the beach near Torquay. That's that's about it, inspector.
[00:18:52] Unknown:
His remains were easily identified, missus Laker, despite the fact that the head was missing? Yes. At the inquest, a verdict was brought in of death by misadventure, but now we know otherwise. The head was removed because had it still been attached to the body, it would have been obvious to anybody that your uncle Benjamin was bludgeoned to death with a blunt instrument. In short, he was brutally murdered, decapitated, and then thrown into the sea. Please, inspector. Yes. I I do go on a bit, don't I? I'm sorry. Anyway, we have the head now. It was found in this cottage.
Who was the owner of this cottage, by the way, at the time of your uncle's death? We were. I mean, my husband was the owner. Oh, yes. Of course, your husband is in South America at the moment. On business.
[00:19:38] Unknown:
I'm sure that if he comes back, he can explain.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
If he comes back? And, missus Laker, we have extradition facilities for the Brazilian government. He'll be back if we want him. Jacob Benjamin was a pretty rich man. Yes.
[00:19:52] Unknown:
Peter, my husband, inherited everything.
[00:19:54] Unknown:
Is that when you sold this cottage? Yes. We could afford something,
[00:19:58] Unknown:
well, bigger. Peter likes Kent much more than Hertfordshire anyway.
[00:20:03] Unknown:
Do you have any children, Mrs Laker? No. Why do you ask? No particular reason. You realize that things look pretty bad for your husband.
[00:20:12] Unknown:
Yes. I suppose they do. Does he well, does Peter know what you found out about uncle Benjamin?
[00:20:21] Unknown:
Only if he's read the English newspapers in Brazil. I haven't been in touch with him, if that's what you mean. How well do you know of mister Dennis Mosley?
[00:20:32] Unknown:
Quite well.
[00:20:33] Unknown:
How long have you known him? Oh, for about
[00:20:36] Unknown:
two years.
[00:20:38] Unknown:
July the eighteenth last year. That would make it seventeen months. You met on that date at the Kit Kat Club.
[00:20:45] Unknown:
If you're new, then why did you ask them? Talking
[00:20:49] Unknown:
bends my memory. Oh, that's all, missus Laker. Thank you so much for coming. Hope you had a pleasant trip back to, Kent, wasn't it? Yes. You won't want me again for anything, inspector? No, missus Laker. I shan't want you for anything more. Good day.
[00:21:07] Unknown:
Goodbye, inspector.
[00:21:14] Unknown:
For the life of me, I can't see why you asked half of those questions. You obviously knew where you're going. Oh, yes.
[00:21:21] Unknown:
Interesting woman, isn't she? Beautiful.
[00:21:24] Unknown:
Too beautiful for her own good. Do you think she knew all the time? I mean, she helped her husband to murder their uncle.
[00:21:31] Unknown:
Peter Laker's a quiet studio sort of fellow. Museums and things. That's what he's doing in South America, studying the dietetic habits of the upper Amazonian hivaros. But there remains one pebble on the beach we haven't kicked yet. It happens to be the most important one, at least the one who's the reason for you being here. Me? You're not here entirely because Bottomley is my senior. Now grab that telephone. I've had these installed especially in a link up to the college next door. Missus Cratchley is my assistant. I'm going to talk to someone.
Now you listen on the other phone and wrap your hand with your round the mouthpiece. I don't want him to hear that you are listening.
[00:22:16] Unknown:
Yes, inspector.
[00:22:18] Unknown:
And put mister Dennis Mosley on the line, will you, missus Cratchley? Yes. Here he is, inspector. Hello? Inspector Margo here, mister Moseley. How does one get to your cottage in Kent?
[00:22:32] Unknown:
But you must be mistaken, inspector. I have no cottage in Kent. In fact, I haven't got a cottage anywhere. What?
[00:22:39] Unknown:
I must be barking up the wrong tree. I'm so sorry. Well, mister Mason?
[00:22:46] Unknown:
Oh, well, it's it's him. Of course. The same voice. I swear in court that it's the same man who spoke to me at 33 Half On The Street. It wouldn't stand up as evidence in court, you know.
[00:22:56] Unknown:
But we don't need the evidence now, do we?
[00:23:00] Unknown:
You knew the identity of the murder all along, didn't you? Within two hours. But you know now, don't you? Yes. Oh, yes. I know now. Peter Laker was quite innocent of the killing. His wife and her lover, Dennis Mosley, planned it and executed it and very nearly got away with it. They knew that Peter Laker was the sole beneficiary to Uncle Benjamin's will, just as his wife Patricia was the sole beneficiary under the terms of Peter's own will. They murdered Uncle Benjamin, decapitated him and hid the head in the wall of the cottage. Denis planted a a bee swarm in the hole for two reasons.
The first was that the angry little insects would act as guardians of the skull. And secondly, once Peter had inherited the money from Uncle Benjamin's will, he was certain to sell the cottage and move to Kent. The purchaser of the cottage would be certain to have the bees removed and in so doing would discover the skull. Peter Laker would be duly tried and convicted of first degree murder. Patricia Laker would inherit the money and she and her boyfriend could live happily ever after. But, unfortunately, the cottage was purchased by a professor of entomology who loved the bees and had no intention of disturbing them in any way.
Sir Moseley and Patricia Laker had to wait until the professor vacated the cottage and then get someone to clear away the bees and, well, accidentally discover the skull. But it didn't work out quite so well as that, did it?
If your job at a health care facility includes disinfecting against viruses, you know prevention is the best medicine. And maintaining healthy spaces starts with a healthy cleaning routine. Grainger's world class supply chain helps ensure you have the quality products you need when you need them. From disinfectants and cleaning supplies to personal protective equipment, so you can help deliver a clean bill of health. Call +1 800 click grainger.com, or just stop by. Granger, for the ones who get it done.
[00:00:35] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:00:36] Unknown:
Dennis?
[00:00:37] Unknown:
Yes. Is that you, Patsy? Uh-huh.
[00:00:39] Unknown:
It finally happened. The bars are off for a week's leave to Western Super Mare at the crack of dawn tomorrow.
[00:00:45] Unknown:
So at last, we're ready. You're quite sure that nip of an Amazon naturalist is serious this time? Absolutely sure.
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Their train leaves from Walton Cross Station at 06:30. Crackerjack.
[00:00:57] Unknown:
Now all you have to do is to ring up an apiarist and we're in business. Do you know of one offhand? Oh, no, darling. No, darling. We mustn't ring an apiarist.
[00:01:04] Unknown:
Bowers is a well known naturalist after all. He might easily be known to anyone we telephone.
[00:01:09] Unknown:
Good point.
[00:01:10] Unknown:
How do we get the bees out? You're not suggesting that I do the job. Don't be silly, darling. But what you must do is ring a firm in the West End that specializes in odd sort of jobs and get them to fish out the bees. Got a pencil handy? Yes. Right here. Fire away. The telephone number is 595. The company is called Assignments Unlimited, and the address is 33 Half Moon Street.
[00:01:58] Unknown:
No money for honey. Even as the man was speaking to me on the telephone, I was making a mental note to subcontract the job. It must have been Ned Benson's sudden arrival that put it out of my mind. Certainly, the outcome might have been dramatically different if I had subcontracted. All I could remember at the time was the man's preoccupation with the queen, the queen bee, that is. This entomological phenomenon had more importance for him than Sheba had for Solomon.
[00:02:35] Unknown:
It's of paramount importance, mister Mason, that you find the queen. She's always at the back of the hive. Unless you dislodge her, all your efforts will have been to no avail. The bees will simply multiply all over again. I understand that, mister Barr. Professor Barr. You see, I've been given a week's unexpected leave. My wife and I are off in the morning to Western Super Mare for a bit of a break. I would like the piece removed before I get back. In fact, if you can do the job tomorrow, so much the better. Well, I'll do my best, professor.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
I'm not sure that I have an expert in my staff, but, well, you can rely on us to complete the task satisfactorily.
[00:03:11] Unknown:
I take it you will want the swarm removed to another hive. I'm not that he's been concerned with what you do with the wretched things as long as they're gone before my return. But I emphasize that I must have the queen. Dead or alive?
[00:03:24] Unknown:
Sounds like a tribal war in darkest Africa. It's no laughing matter, mister Mason.
[00:03:29] Unknown:
I've been plagued with these bees for months now. My wife won't let me go near them and this week at the coast is heaven sent. I can sleep easily if I know they'll be gone when I return. I'll just heap everything to us, professor Barr. Now I'll have them out of there first thing tomorrow morning. Thank you.
[00:03:44] Unknown:
I think that's all, mister Mason. Well, you haven't given me the address, professor.
[00:03:48] Unknown:
Of course. No wonder they say professors have some mind today. It's Number 24 River Lee Cottages, Freezywater, Hertfordshire. You got that? Oh, we found it easily. It's on the Green Line bus route, actually. Oh, I know the area well, professor. That's all I think. Don't forget the queen, will you? I won't. Well, goodbye. Have a nice holiday, professor. Goodbye.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Yeah. Well, that sound like a summary dismissal. Was it a client? Yes, Benson. A professor of entomology. Bees. And so that's why you told him to buzz off. Oh, easy on the puns, Benson. I've got a sting in my tail too. And your client's got a bee in his bonnet.
[00:04:28] Unknown:
What gives? Well, he's got bees in his cottage roof, and while he's on holiday, he wants us to remove them. Know anything about bees? Oh, I'm strictly a boy for two legged honeys. Oh, I should have known better than to ask. Ned Benson,
[00:04:40] Unknown:
the glamourpuss of assignments unlimited. Oh, no. Wait a minute, chief. Wait a sec. Hi, Ned. Hi, chief. Hello, general. How'd you go? Oh, dead easy. I drove the old boy to the Queen Mary and using my delectable charms, got him onboard the Queen in half an hour. See? Modesty. The female glamourpuss of Assignments Unlimited.
[00:04:58] Unknown:
What's eating him? Yeah. We also have our problem with the Queen. Not the Queen Mary. A lesser monarch. A queen bee. Well, when I see a bee in this office, I eliminate it.
[00:05:09] Unknown:
Like that. Are you sort of reckon we should spray them out? Why not? What's good for one is good for the whole house. Don't you mean bad? Jill, we can kill those bees. It just isn't that as bad for the national economy. I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't protected by the Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Anyway, the chief said the owner is a professor of entomology. That means you'll have a bug about bugs, you know? He's sadly a very young professor. Oh, and he didn't mind in the least about the bees' welfare, Dead or alive with the queen. It's all the same to him. Oh, I can already hear the Newgate Bell sounding its best little. Look, honey, if you wanna go and play Florence Nightingale to that swarm of bees, it's alright with me, but I stay right here. Either we heist that queen mother with DDT or I'm not going.
[00:05:50] Unknown:
Were you ever bitten by a bee? No. But I was once done by Pearlie King. Alright, handsome. Death to the winged insect. Freeze the water, did you say? I'll get the car. You'll get the cans of aerosol insect spray. Here's where we begin operation extermination.
[00:06:13] Unknown:
Look, we should have come at night. Those things are active in the daylight. Look at the way they fly in and out of the hole there. The poison spray works just as well with a very awake or a The point is at night they're all inside the hive. In the daytime they're flying around in the air. I can't kill them one at a time. We haven't got 10,000 squares in this thing. I don't expect you to kill them as though he were on a on a clay pigeon shoot. Walk right up to the hive and shoot the works down the hole. First, I'm gonna buy myself a mosquito net. Oh, don't tell me you're chicken. Oh, not chicken exactly this time. I feel like a Nazi pilot over London to Africa. His flying lances look very determined to me. Excuse me.
[00:06:48] Unknown:
Were you looking for professor Bauer? I'm afraid she's gone away to Holland. No. No, ma'am. We're from assignments unlimited. Oh, we were sent to eradicate the swarm of bees. Yeah. The professor rang up last night and asked us to come down. Ah, April. Well, with, homicidal tenants. Oh, yes. Yes. That's right. I'm Jill Perkins, and this is Ned Benson. Hi. How nice to have someone new to talk to. It's very lonely here, you know. Oh, hi, missus Cratchley. As you see, the cottages are semi detached, and I live in the one next door. Can I offer you a nice cup of tea? Well, after the extermination, we'd be grateful, mad.
Surely, you're not going to harm them. Oh, they won't feel safe. No. That's not, missus Cratchley. This is a new kind of spray that just stuns the creatures and even move them to a place of sleep. What, Pearl? I wondered. You see, the old professor so loves his bees. In fact, he loves all insects. They've been his life's work. Did you say old professor, Mrs. Cratchley? Who was that rude of me told dear, had I'm not so young myself, am I? Well, we've we've never met the professor. She said he sounded young on the telephone. Sounded young? Oh, goodness me. He would be amused.
The professor's on the wrong side of 70 and suffers badly with his chest. That's why they've gone on holiday to the sea.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
They both much prefer it. Alright. So the chief meets the nearest, sir. And so what about the flying termites now? Bees are not termites.
[00:08:24] Unknown:
Missus Cratchley, is there any way we might get at the bee's nest from inside the house? Why, yes. I think so. If you got up into the attic, you should be able to reach the nest easily. I I haven't been up there myself, of course, but I know the professor used the attic when he inspected the bees and took some of the honey. I have a key to the cottage if you'd like to go in. Very kind of you, missus Cratchley. It'll make our job so much easier. Are you short enough trouble? Oh, no trouble at all. You get everything ready in the meantime. I won't be a moment.
[00:08:58] Unknown:
Now look, honey. What's all this messy aleth, Jasmine? You know, finally gonna exterminate the beast. This was a little white lion head. Might have upset the old lady if she thought we were going to cure her. Well, she's gonna find out soon enough. Not necessarily.
[00:09:11] Unknown:
The chief can explain what happened in a note when he sends off a bill to the professor. He doesn't keep up the appearance. Funny about him, Ed. She said he was young and couldn't care less about the insect world. This is Pratchey. He's his lover. Look. The chief only heard this old guy on the phone. Do I make a big drama about it? Let's go and gas the sugar factory and go home, please. Scratch this guy. I believe the important member of the hive is the queen. Is that not so? Yes. Yes. That's right. And if you have the queen, you can start off a hive anywhere. Anywhere that gives the bees cover inquired. As a matter of fact, Professor Bough was most emphatic about his queen. We must be quite sure to get her safe ring. Oh, it's really quite exciting, isn't it? I never thought I'd see the day when I would ensue over the life cycle of the Manti.
But since I've met the professor, he's opened up a whole new world to me. Well, now let's open the door, shall we? There we are. It's a a loft more than an attic. The stairs lead right up from the hall here. Will you be long? Not not too very long. Missus Cranchley, this is a a sort of new kind of gas. It's a a sort of experiment. Like, I I I don't think under circumstances you should stay here. I in the least bit worried, miss Pearl. Nevertheless, I I think Ned is right. Nobody can ever be quite sure how these will react. Oh. We both feel much easier in our own minds if you were safely inside your car. Yeah. That's right. Yeah. Oh, very well. I'll put the kettle on, and then you can come right over when you've finished. How's that? Oh, just drink. Drink. Oh, I won't keep you then. As soon as you've finished.
[00:11:03] Unknown:
And now you've kinda made me feel like a murderer. Come on.
[00:11:07] Unknown:
How can you say that? Whoever could get murdered in this Sleepy Hollow. Is that spray safe for humans? Yes. And animals.
[00:11:14] Unknown:
And I am to come into the end. We are mopping up operations for strays. How can you mop up before the operations become? So far in this assignment, the cart's been before the horse all the way. Now there's the hole here. It's better from the inside. Watch it if they go crazy, make a run for the trapdoor and jump through. Alright? Alright.
[00:11:33] Unknown:
Ned. What is it?
[00:11:35] Unknown:
I'm scared. Oh, this is a great time to go feminine on me. Oh, you'll be alright. Hand me that spray. Here. Nice one. Here it goes. Alright. Keep your fingers crossed. Well, it, it worked. Well, you know, let's have a look around here. It's over here, Jill. This is where the professor took his honey. Now where did you say the queen was enthroned? Oh, along that little tunnel. Mhmm. She said the queen bee is the one furthest in, and that's the furthest in. Alright. I'll put my hand down and see if I can feel it. I just hope all the guards are kaput. Hey, Jill. There's there's something in here. What? I don't know. I'm gonna pull it out so we can have a look at it.
It's a skull. A human skull. Is it is it old? No. No. It's not old. Look at the cranium. It's been crushed in by a blow. See all this guy, whoever he was, was murdered.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Inspector Percy Margo was a kindly looking man. He asked his questions with an apologetic air and seemed almost embarrassed that murder should be committed in the metropolitan area. But, well, this was merely a pose. Margo of the murder squad was a ruthless and painstaking investigator with a hide of leather and a wool of steel. He used the cottage with its grim relic as his base for operations, smiling benignly on Mrs Cratchley who, bubbling over with excitement, relished the discovery of the cottage's ghastly secret. She plowed stoically to and from her kitchen, plying the inspector with an endless river of piping hot tea. He'd been there for two days before he sent for me. Sit down, mister Mason.
[00:13:46] Unknown:
Don't be apprehensive. The murder wasn't committed in this cottage. Do you know where it was committed? Well, nothing is certain in this world. Well, almost nothing. One thing I can guarantee is a good cup of tea. What about it, missus Gladstone?
[00:14:00] Unknown:
In a minute, inspector.
[00:14:02] Unknown:
She means it. Can't bear to be away from the investigation for a minute. I could use her if she were 50 years younger.
[00:14:11] Unknown:
You know Bottomley, I believe. Yes. He's a very close friend of mine as a matter of fact. He's on another case.
[00:14:17] Unknown:
Now let's get down to business. An unknown person telephoned you on the night of the twenty fourth and said he wanted you to remove a bee's nest from this cottage. Well, that's not entirely correct. He said he was professor Bauer.
[00:14:30] Unknown:
Would you describe his voice? For instance, did he sound like a professor? Well, I'm not sure what a professor is supposed to sound like. Well, his voice was young and for an entomologist, he displayed a singular disattachment for the insect world. In fact, he told you to kill the bees.
[00:14:46] Unknown:
Well, alive or dead? It was all the same to him. You see, professor Bauer is an old man with an harmonious attachment to all insects. If he thought you were going to kill his bees, he might easily contemplate killing you. But it wasn't professor Bauer who fooled you. I've been in contact with him. I've told him to stay on holiday. But if not him, then whom? The person who wanted you to find the skull. But why us? How long had the skull been there? Just over a year. And to answer your other question, I think I know why the person rang you. Professor Bower is a well known entomologist.
Now if this person had telephoned an apiarist, he might have accidentally hit upon a friend of the professor, and that might have started inquiries and scotched the whole deal.
[00:15:32] Unknown:
You mean an apiarist might know the professor's voice on the phone? That or he might wish to see the professor personally.
[00:15:38] Unknown:
Didn't it strike you as odd the man of Bauer's experience and reputation should ask anyone to remove a swarm of bees for him? A task he must have performed himself a thousand or more times. As a matter of fact, it did. The man himself explained that away without my asking him. He said he couldn't stand the things but, well, was forced to tolerate them because of his wife. An insect expert who didn't like bees?
[00:16:03] Unknown:
When I met point duty policemen who can't stand pedestrians, I've yet to find a physician who's friendly with the microbes he fights. Touche.
[00:16:11] Unknown:
But you have your answer as to why you were put on the job. Well, not entirely, Inspector.
[00:16:16] Unknown:
You said the man who phoned was the person who wanted us to find the skull. If this person knew of the existence of a murdered man's skull in the wall of the cottage, why didn't he simply ring the police? He wanted the discovery to look like an accident. I'm still in the dark. Obviously, he couldn't be the murderer who telephoned but he could have been an accomplice who, for some reason, wished to double cross his erstwhile colleague.
[00:16:39] Unknown:
Oh, the murderer's wife, mister Mason.
[00:16:41] Unknown:
Yes. Yes. The wife. Well, that would add up. She was to see justice done but couldn't bring herself to inform the police. Yeah. But wait a minute. It was a man who rang. Yes. He was so emphatic about that queen bee. Must have known the skull was there. He must have known all about it, everything. So that discounts the wife's theory. No. No?
[00:17:03] Unknown:
It's unfair getting you to theorize. I have the advantage of you. I know the identity of the murdered man. Already. Oh, I knew who he was two days ago. Now if you go over there in the corner and sit very quietly with missus Cratchley's cup of tea, You can listen to a conversation I'm about to have with a certain young lady, and then you can tell me what you make of it. Alright? That's jolly nice of you, inspector. Bottomley is my senior at the yard. Inspector Margo, if I'd committed a murder, I'd hate to have you on my track. Well, apart from gang murders that I don't give a fig for anyway, I always get my man or woman.
Oh, come in, missus Lager. Oh, thank you, inspector. This way, missus Lager. I do have a chair. Oh, thank you.
[00:17:53] Unknown:
Do you mind awfully if I smoke? This is being a bit of a shock. Please do.
[00:17:59] Unknown:
I take it then that sergeant Wells filled you in on the details of the case on the way down here. Yeah. Yes. He did.
[00:18:07] Unknown:
There's no doubt about it. I mean, it really is uncle Benjamin.
[00:18:12] Unknown:
I'm afraid so. Oh, gasket. You have my deepest sympathy, missus Laker. You're very kind, inspector. Now I'd like you to fill in a few details for me, if you will. Anything I can do, inspector. Anything. Can you recall the circumstances of your uncle's death?
[00:18:28] Unknown:
It was over a year ago. Probably just a general outline. Oh, well, uncle Benjamin was the adventurous one in the family. He was addicted to skin diving, often swam in heavy seas. Yes. Yes. Well, he he just disappeared one day without trace. Two months later, his his remains were washed up on the beach near Torquay. That's that's about it, inspector.
[00:18:52] Unknown:
His remains were easily identified, missus Laker, despite the fact that the head was missing? Yes. At the inquest, a verdict was brought in of death by misadventure, but now we know otherwise. The head was removed because had it still been attached to the body, it would have been obvious to anybody that your uncle Benjamin was bludgeoned to death with a blunt instrument. In short, he was brutally murdered, decapitated, and then thrown into the sea. Please, inspector. Yes. I I do go on a bit, don't I? I'm sorry. Anyway, we have the head now. It was found in this cottage.
Who was the owner of this cottage, by the way, at the time of your uncle's death? We were. I mean, my husband was the owner. Oh, yes. Of course, your husband is in South America at the moment. On business.
[00:19:38] Unknown:
I'm sure that if he comes back, he can explain.
[00:19:40] Unknown:
If he comes back? And, missus Laker, we have extradition facilities for the Brazilian government. He'll be back if we want him. Jacob Benjamin was a pretty rich man. Yes.
[00:19:52] Unknown:
Peter, my husband, inherited everything.
[00:19:54] Unknown:
Is that when you sold this cottage? Yes. We could afford something,
[00:19:58] Unknown:
well, bigger. Peter likes Kent much more than Hertfordshire anyway.
[00:20:03] Unknown:
Do you have any children, Mrs Laker? No. Why do you ask? No particular reason. You realize that things look pretty bad for your husband.
[00:20:12] Unknown:
Yes. I suppose they do. Does he well, does Peter know what you found out about uncle Benjamin?
[00:20:21] Unknown:
Only if he's read the English newspapers in Brazil. I haven't been in touch with him, if that's what you mean. How well do you know of mister Dennis Mosley?
[00:20:32] Unknown:
Quite well.
[00:20:33] Unknown:
How long have you known him? Oh, for about
[00:20:36] Unknown:
two years.
[00:20:38] Unknown:
July the eighteenth last year. That would make it seventeen months. You met on that date at the Kit Kat Club.
[00:20:45] Unknown:
If you're new, then why did you ask them? Talking
[00:20:49] Unknown:
bends my memory. Oh, that's all, missus Laker. Thank you so much for coming. Hope you had a pleasant trip back to, Kent, wasn't it? Yes. You won't want me again for anything, inspector? No, missus Laker. I shan't want you for anything more. Good day.
[00:21:07] Unknown:
Goodbye, inspector.
[00:21:14] Unknown:
For the life of me, I can't see why you asked half of those questions. You obviously knew where you're going. Oh, yes.
[00:21:21] Unknown:
Interesting woman, isn't she? Beautiful.
[00:21:24] Unknown:
Too beautiful for her own good. Do you think she knew all the time? I mean, she helped her husband to murder their uncle.
[00:21:31] Unknown:
Peter Laker's a quiet studio sort of fellow. Museums and things. That's what he's doing in South America, studying the dietetic habits of the upper Amazonian hivaros. But there remains one pebble on the beach we haven't kicked yet. It happens to be the most important one, at least the one who's the reason for you being here. Me? You're not here entirely because Bottomley is my senior. Now grab that telephone. I've had these installed especially in a link up to the college next door. Missus Cratchley is my assistant. I'm going to talk to someone.
Now you listen on the other phone and wrap your hand with your round the mouthpiece. I don't want him to hear that you are listening.
[00:22:16] Unknown:
Yes, inspector.
[00:22:18] Unknown:
And put mister Dennis Mosley on the line, will you, missus Cratchley? Yes. Here he is, inspector. Hello? Inspector Margo here, mister Moseley. How does one get to your cottage in Kent?
[00:22:32] Unknown:
But you must be mistaken, inspector. I have no cottage in Kent. In fact, I haven't got a cottage anywhere. What?
[00:22:39] Unknown:
I must be barking up the wrong tree. I'm so sorry. Well, mister Mason?
[00:22:46] Unknown:
Oh, well, it's it's him. Of course. The same voice. I swear in court that it's the same man who spoke to me at 33 Half On The Street. It wouldn't stand up as evidence in court, you know.
[00:22:56] Unknown:
But we don't need the evidence now, do we?
[00:23:00] Unknown:
You knew the identity of the murder all along, didn't you? Within two hours. But you know now, don't you? Yes. Oh, yes. I know now. Peter Laker was quite innocent of the killing. His wife and her lover, Dennis Mosley, planned it and executed it and very nearly got away with it. They knew that Peter Laker was the sole beneficiary to Uncle Benjamin's will, just as his wife Patricia was the sole beneficiary under the terms of Peter's own will. They murdered Uncle Benjamin, decapitated him and hid the head in the wall of the cottage. Denis planted a a bee swarm in the hole for two reasons.
The first was that the angry little insects would act as guardians of the skull. And secondly, once Peter had inherited the money from Uncle Benjamin's will, he was certain to sell the cottage and move to Kent. The purchaser of the cottage would be certain to have the bees removed and in so doing would discover the skull. Peter Laker would be duly tried and convicted of first degree murder. Patricia Laker would inherit the money and she and her boyfriend could live happily ever after. But, unfortunately, the cottage was purchased by a professor of entomology who loved the bees and had no intention of disturbing them in any way.
Sir Moseley and Patricia Laker had to wait until the professor vacated the cottage and then get someone to clear away the bees and, well, accidentally discover the skull. But it didn't work out quite so well as that, did it?
