In this captivating episode, we delve into the intriguing world of classic radio dramas, focusing on the unique journey of "The Avengers" series in South Africa, where it gained exposure through film rentals due to the absence of national television until 1976. The episode also features a thrilling rebroadcast of "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, originally intended for the American armed forces and their allies. Listeners are transported to a Turkish bath where Holmes and Watson find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery involving political figures, deceit, and the notorious Professor Moriarty.
As the story unfolds, Holmes and Watson navigate a web of political intrigue and murder, with Holmes employing his legendary deductive skills to unravel the mystery. The tension escalates in the steam room, where a deadly plot by Moriarty threatens their lives. This episode showcases the timeless appeal of Sherlock Holmes, blending suspense, humor, and the classic charm of radio storytelling, leaving listeners on the edge of their seats.
(00:04) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:03) Sherlock Holmes and the Turkish Bath
(03:09) The Battle with Moriarty
(05:07) The Murder of Lord Canterbury
(15:25) The Search for Blood Stains
(19:22) The Explosive Conclusion
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Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
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Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the Avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Razzle Raffel and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
[00:01:03] Unknown:
This rebroadcast is especially for the American armed forces and their allies. Now let's join doctor Campbell as he enters doctor Watson's study.
[00:01:40] Unknown:
Well here we are once again in doctor Watson's study come in mr. Campbell come in
[00:01:45] Unknown:
here sit down and relax you
[00:01:48] Unknown:
you look a bit rooted, Ophala. Oh, yes. It's such a beautiful spring evening. I I thought I'd walk over. In fact, it's so beautiful I dawdled most of the way. Drinking in the warm air and the smell of things growing until suddenly I realized I was blame well gonna be late if I didn't hurry. So I ran the last three blocks. Yes, I know how it is. This lovely spring weather is certainly conducive to indolence.
[00:02:11] Unknown:
My household claim that when I go out to do the spring planting, I spend most of my time leaning on the spade, sniffing, listening to the birds. Not an unpleasant way to pass the time of day, incidentally. Yes. A day like today is almost as relaxing as a cursed bath, which reminds me of a curious and gory experience that Holmes and I had in just such an establishment some years ago.
[00:02:36] Unknown:
It sounds suspiciously like the gentleman who said bang.
[00:02:39] Unknown:
Oh, speaking of explosions. Now, mister mister Campbell, you must ever complain about the way that the storyteller begins is yarn. Anything is better than in a thus beginning. Now, put me all out with where where was I? In a Turkish bath, if I'm not mistaken. Turkish bath, you're not mistaken. Yes. I said, Well, now to to begin at the beginning, it was in the hectic hair raising and I might even say the glorious day of the great battle of wits between Sherlock Holmes
[00:03:07] Unknown:
and the notorious professor Mariotti. What you might call a real battle of the titans, Adachi. Indeed it was, mister Campbell.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
Things had been unusually hectic for Holmes for several months. Mariotti had been particularly active and Holmes had had many sleepless nights. Finally, things have calmed down a bit and I tried to persuade him to take a badly needed holiday. The next result being that he finally did agree to have an afternoon off and accompanied him into a Turkish bath. As a matter of fact, both, Holmes and I had a weakness for the Turkish bath. Over the smoke in the pleasant attitude of the drying room, I've often found him less reticent and more human than at any other
[00:03:51] Unknown:
time. The heat melted his cast iron reserve, doctor Watson? No. Slightly, mister Campbell. Only slightly.
[00:03:57] Unknown:
Well, as I was saying, on the Upper Floor of a certain Fremlin Avenue establishment, there is an isolated corner where two couches lie side by side. And it was on these that we were lying. Holmes had just shot his long sinewy arm out of the towers which enveloped him and was fishing about in the inside pocket of his coat. It was hung beside aside. So I put it where on earth did I put it, oh, confounded thing? Watson. Mhmm. I forgot to bring my tobacco. Oh, relax, Holmes. Just relax. Forget about tobacco. Forget mariachi and relax. That's what we came in here for. Burble, burble, burble, burble.
I am relaxed, my dear fellow. I wanna smoke. What about the burble, burble? Nothing like the peace and seclusion of a of a Turkish bar. Mister Holmes. Mister Sherlock Holmes. Hello? Just the the steam room attendant seems lepaging you. Oh, my goodness. Now what? Face. See you in your face. Here I am, Gus. Here I am. What do you want? Come on. Oh, mister Holmes. It's good I find you. There has been an accident, mister Holmes. A bad accident. It's Lord Canterbury. He's in his dressing room. Covered with blood. Oh, in that case, I can't see one, doctor Watson, don't you? Not me. I'll be with you in a minute, Gus. Oh, no. Not doctor Watson. It's it's too late for you. He's dead. Dead? Stabbed in six places.
Come and look at him, mister Holmes, please. Dead? Hear me. Alright. I'll come at once. Good gracious me. What's all the commotion? Why can't we have a little piece of art around? What's the meaning of this what's the meaning of this castle? Why are these two persons talking, at the top of their voice? My dear mister, mister, well, whoever you are, I was never under the impression that the Olympia Biles were a church. Furthermore, my dear mister, oh, well. Never mind the name. Tunbridge. Frederick Gilbert Tunbridge. Liberal leader in the present parliament, by which everyone knows or keeps abreast of the time. My dear mister Tunbridge, I do not concern myself with triviality. Furthermore, as I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, you may be interested to know that your hated rival, Lord Canterbury, the conservative leader with whom you are known to have publicly locked horns on several occasions Oh, oh, what have I have? What's he done now, the old fool? If you mean Lord Canterbury, he's done absolutely.
Yes. He hasn't done anything and probably never will again. Oh, what are you blithering about? Well, it seems that Guts has just discovered your, shall we say political biz a vis dead in his dressing room. Oh, you mean he's had a heart attack? No. I don't mean anything of the kind. He's been stabbed. In how many places did you say, Gus? In six places, mister Holmes. Oh, but that's impossible. I, will that is I, talked to him about half an hour ago. We had a little, conference, Dubrow, do you understand? While he was waiting for Gus to come in and give him his better. Well, he was quite alright when I left him. Oh, really? Are you sure? What do you mean? Of course, I'm sure.
Campbell, he was alive and dressing like a trooper when I left him. I passed Gus in the corridor while he came out of Campbell's dressing room. Well, he'll tell you the old boy was alive and kicking. Oh, really? How about it, Gus? It is true. I hear swearing, but from which the dressing room it comes, I could not be sure. The walls are so thin, you understand. Yes. Yes. Indeed. It's quite true the dressing room walls are thin. Gus, who is this person and why is he asking all these, stupid questions? But, Mr. Turnbridge, this gentleman is Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The famous detective. I've never heard of him. It's not even with you there, Holmes. Well, all sent for Scotland Yard. This is a matter of national importance. Right. Yes. I think you're quite right. You may as well temper inspector Lestrade, Gus. Scotland Yard will have to be informed in any case. In the meantime, however, well, I I think I'll take a look. In the meantime, mister, whoever you are, I insist that everything be left strictly alone. Very well then, mister, thingamabob, if you insist, but, you'll be losing valuable time. I most emphatically do insist. Well, I'm getting out of here. Beat you out like I'm a Well, you you can do without me, in order to Hold on, Jasmine. Just a moment if you please. I think it's only fair to point out to you all that suspicion is bound to fall on anyone who leaves before the apologies have had a chance to search and question him. Watch me. Oh. You mean I have to be searched? Hold it right now. Hold it down.
We seem to have stirred up quite a hornet's nest there, Watson. Yes. And I brought you in here for a rest. Hello, mister Dodd. Nasty mess, hey, mister Holmes? Right from the back. Yes. Not once, but six times. Deep, ferocious thrusts. Quite unnecessarily brutal. And, if I may say so, bloody. Yeah. Place looks like a townhouse. Yes. Whoever did the deed must have been grunched in blood. Mhmm. Might tell your men's search for blood stained towels or garments. Will you, Strahd? Yes. Well, I'll pick up anything that's got blood on it. Never you fear, mister Holmes. I've ordered a search of everybody and everything on the premises. Yes. That's, that's not going to be be very popular with, with mister Tonbridge, Holmes? Oh, I wouldn't care if he was the archbishop of Canterbury.
When Scotland Yard says search everybody, we search everybody. Besides, everybody knows he and the corpse here are bitter enemies. They fought like cat and dog. How long would you say you've been dead, mister Elmes? Oh, I don't know. About, let me say, an hour and a half. Took thirty, forty minutes to get you here, Lestrade. Mhmm. And, Canterbury had been dead, let me see, over half an hour when God's found them. Yes. Yes. Did the, doorman notice who left the establishment during the half hour before the body was found? Yes, sir. Only or mister Welford and his true sheebler and they're sighted to do a crime like this. Yeah. Mhmm. Was the, daughter, Lord Canterbury's dressing room locked?
No, sir. Uh-huh. And how does it happen that he lay here for over half an hour before anyone found it? Particularly as he was down on the books for a massage half an hour before he was found. Well, you see, I I I thought he was asleep. Lord Canterbury sometimes seemed like a little nap after he was in the steam room and he didn't want I should disturb him. Oh, well, that's very interesting. Then you did come in this room once before you realized Lord Kemptipede was dead. Yes, Mr. Holmes. But he was lying there so peaceful. So peaceful. Yes. On his back? Yes, sir. Just like we found him. It wasn't till the second time I come in I see he has his eyes open. And the place is, shall we say all scattered with blood? It was so dark. The shade were drawn. It was not easy to see anything if you don't look close. Even then, some people are unable to observe the most obvious facts. I I and what might you mean by that? All just an observation of the strand, just a gratuitous observation. Come in.
Well, with this, what's up? We placed the place from top to bottom just like you said, inspector. And there's no blood stains nowhere except on this. And what's that? A pocket knife, sir. Large size. Oh. The handle's been wiped off, but there's still some blood stains on the fly. We found it in the locker of a bloke, Naima Thunberg. Uh-huh. There's some address, Drog. Don't go off the deep end. Will it? Yes, sir. You say there were no bloodstains anywhere except on this knife? Not a sign of a bloodstain nowhere. You searched the dirty linen hampers, towels and lockers, or the customers of their clothes? Oh, yes, sir. We searched everything. There's not a sign of blood anywhere, but on that bare weapon.
Amazing. That's enough for me. This here is the murder weapon, and it was found in Tumbridge's locker. Bring him in here, Willis, and we'll have him on the coffin. Yes, sir. Right away. Away. I knew he was a murderer from the beginning. Who has the motive for killing Canterbury? This chap Tunbridge. Who has the opportunity? This chap Tunbridge. He admits himself he had a talk with the deceased and and they had words. Where is this here a blood stained knife found? Nowhere but in the, this mister Tunbridge's locker. Mhmm. Stupid place for a murderer to hide the fatal weapon in his own locker. Tunbridge isn't as stupid as that, Westroyd. No. No.
And why was it there? Look here. This this is an outrage keeping the hair like this. Don't you realize I have influence? Well, you might at least let me put on my clothes instead of hauling them about. I'll complain to the authorities. I'll have you dismissed, all of you. Oh, maybe you will, sir. And then again, maybe you won't. But first of all, you'll answer some questions. Have you, ever seen this knife before? Knife? A knife? Yes. Of course. It's mine. I've had it all my life. I used to take it fishing when I was a boy. Oh, indeed. I have to explain its size then. Well, now I use it to open my letters. Oh, you too. Are you sure that's all you use it for? Yes. Of course. Then why are the easier blood stains on it? Blood stains? Yeah. Well Yeah. Near. Near. No. Don't you touch it. We don't want to destroy any possible fingerprints. But if it's mine, my fingerprints are already on it. Yes. He's right there, mister John. Furthermore, that stain doesn't, doesn't look like blood to me. It's it's not, red enough. It it looks like rust. As a matter of fact, if the stain is a nice blood red, it's fairly certain it's not blood. Now this particular stain, you have particular stain just got in the yard, mister Ray. Yes. Don't forget, my dear Lestrade, I invented the first infallible test for blood stains. That's quite true, Lestrade. You did. Yes. Indeed. My test and my test is infallible.
It works on blood that is new or on blood that is old. I discovered the first reagent, which is precipitated by hemoglobin. I'm sorry, mister. I'm sorry. But Scotland Yard isn't any time for lectures. We believe in action. Now, mister Tunbridge, it's my, duty to take you into custody. And it's also my duty to warn you that anything that you may say may be used in evidence against you. Anything I say that you realize whom you're arrested? I'm a leading figure in British politics. So would this fellow Liza stand with your knife, which has still got blood stains on it. Lestrade, if you'll pardon me of saying so, in this case, it's not the blood stains that are in evidence, but the blood stains that are not in evidence, which is the significant factor.
What do you mean by that? Simply that it would, have been rather difficult for mister Tumbish to have committed a murder as gory as this one without having blood stains on the towel he's wearing or on the, clothes which are still in his locker? What was to prevent him from dropping his towel outside Lord Canterbury's blessing room? Going in and knifing him in the back, then sneaking down to the shower rooms not more than 20 feet down the corridor and washing away the evidence. Me going round about in the in the nude? Certainly not. Most certainly not, sir. Remember my dear Lestrade as you drag one of Britain's Leaders away to jail, that it might have been possible for him to stab his enemy in a fit of temper, but he would never have dreamed of running up and down the corridors in his birthday suit.
Let me see. I'm afraid I just had to look for another explanation of the missing blood stains. Holmes, it's really late. Everyone else has left the Turkish power. Everyone but the faithful guts. Oh, I don't mind. Tonight, we have by my house sauerkraut. Don't like sauerkraut. Besides, I've got to stay and lock up. Then you'll have to wait till we find the blood stains. Here somewhere. That's why I sent home for my famous benzidine peroxide mixture. Somewhere on the premises, there is a towel or linen or something that has blood stained. Oh, but we've been through the towels and the linen a dozen times, Holmes? No sign of blood. Furthermore, according to your service list, there are no towels or any linen, missy.
Even Gus, which he his his linen, which he washes himself is is hung here on the on the line? You don't wash any any but your own, do you guys? No, mister Holmes. Everything go out to the laundry. I I wash my own because I'd like to be fresh and clean. Twice a day, I wash noon and evening. Yes. The evening's job hasn't been done yet, no. This one, I I washed this noon. It's my towel from this morning. Oh, yes. Yes. This morning's towel washed this noon. Yep. But was it? Cattellbury was murdered in the middle of the afternoon about 03:30. Now it's now after 07:00.
Don't you see, Watson? This towel. Don't you see? No, hon. I don't. That's the blasted thing. The towel's as clean as a whistle. But not dry. If it had been washed at noon, washed at noon, it would be dry now, but it's still damp. Yes. It was washed after Canterbury's death. Of course. Remove the blood stains. Dust? Mister Holmes. That's why you didn't report the death until half an hour after Canterbury had died. Oh, no. You might have time to remove the blood stains. But that's not true. Besides, you can't prove anything. This this towel is clean now. There are no marks, no stains. But the fact that there were no stains on it, Gus, first made me suspect you. Lord Canterbury was found lying on his back. And yet when you, informed us that he had been stabbed, you were quite definite about the number of times that he'd been stabbed. But in the back? Yes. Yes. How did you know that, Gus? Well, I I lift him up. I I I look. Of course, I think you're getting at home. You couldn't have done that. No one could examine the corpse without giving blood all over himself. I get when Gus appeared to tell us of Canterbury's death. There wasn't a pot of blood on him.
But if I can prove that this towel which you so carefully washed once had blood stains and that you were very careful to remove those stains That you will never prove. I have scrubbed. I have I have used soap. I have even boiled that towel. There is not even a suspicion of a blood stain. That is why you're wrong, my friend. And what's in run the water into this tub, will you? No matter how thoroughly you try to remove a blood stain, it will never out damn it. But yes. We only need enough to moisten the cloth. Now I'll drop a few drops of my famous pollution onto the cloth.
There we are. Well, all I can see is about a fair blue streak. Yes. Yes. It's undoubtedly blood Cut. Yes. The curious blue speaks proves infallibly that there was blood on this towel. And how does are you going to explain why you were so anxious to remove these blood stains? No. No. No. I I I did not do it. It it was mister Tunbridge. He did it. The knife watch his knife. There was blood on it. Look. Let me out of here. It's not my fault. I don't want to hurt. Holmes hopes he's running away. Hey, Watson. We can't get him escape. Well, there he goes down the corridor. He got into the steamboat. Don't worry. I'll get him. The steam's thick in here.
I can hardly see my hand before my fist. Must be in here. Look under the benches, Watson. Watson, leave the door open. Let some of this nasty team out of here, will you? I didn't shut the door. Holmes, you hear that? The door. Someone's locked the door. Hey, come here. Let her go. Let her go out here. They're locked in. We've been locked in by mistake. No. You're wrong.
[00:19:20] Unknown:
It was no mistake, my friend.
[00:19:23] Unknown:
I know. Why are you kidding? We share a mischiever with us. Know that simple voice through the ventilator. So you were behind this murder too, professor? Of course.
[00:19:33] Unknown:
Perhaps you would like to know why I had to kill Lord Canterbury. Yes. Indeed. That would be very interesting. Good. I found it necessary to start a feud between the two great political parties because they're in danger of forming a coalition, to pass certain housing reforms that would have proved very expensive to me. Well, what better way to break up an incipient collaboration than by killing one leader,
[00:19:55] Unknown:
having the other hang for his murder? A very ingenious body of your pity you should have chosen for the clumsy tool of trust. Pumps? That happens. But he fools cut and yarn, mister Holmes. It was just my ill luck that you should be on the premises when the accident occurred. Thank you for the compliment. Not at all.
[00:20:12] Unknown:
However, it's a mistake which I'm sure Gus will be able to rectify. Gus? Oh. Very simple. I have sent him to put more coals on the fire. Any moment now, there should be more steam. Yes, gentlemen. Much more steam. I'm afraid that when you finish with a steam bath, you will never need enough. No. You will be foiled alive.
[00:20:37] Unknown:
Be right there. There comes the steam pouring out of the opening over our head. Only if we could reach that opening, we could stuff some of these towels into the pipeline and fell off the floor. There's no chance of getting very hot in here. Wait. I have it. One of the long benches. I'll stand on the end. We have to balance it while I climb on the top. Talk about to make a noise. Anything to cover up the moving of the bench. Really well. Oh, Teddy, Hobbs, Mayank. This has gone far enough. We we can't stand much more of this. Pretty, Holmes. I'll hand the other towel quick. Mariachi, turn the steam off. You hear, Mariachi? Can't you hear? The heat is it's becoming unbearable. Just more towels, Holmes. Is it getting hot enough in there, gentleman Boyle?
[00:21:18] Unknown:
I'm sure it is. Boiled nice and pink. Boiled in steam, live steam. Goodbye, mister Sherlock Holmes.
[00:21:33] Unknown:
Now now what happened? You can't stand up there all night, Holmes. Someone has to. That's just terrific. Then if not, it will soon become so great that it may burst the boil off. That's dangerous. Buildings will be known to collapse because of bursting boilers. Nevertheless, it's now one chance. Going to confounded boil at first before my arm is snapped in the Jones, your arm isn't as strong as the boiler plate. Versha. Versha, my dear Watson, measured per square foot of air surface. Quite a bit of service for a boiler. The opening of this pipe is very small.
All the same, I'm afraid. I I can't hold out much longer, Watson. Hold on, hon. Hold on. It must work soon. It must. The pressure. My hands. My hands. Go. Go. Go. Go. And you came through the explosion alright, doctor Wasser? Well, I had a nasty crack where Holmes and the bench fell on me and Holmes had the wind knocked out of him, but we were even fairly good shape by the time the power brigade pulled us out from the wreckage. Moriarty wasn't by any chance trapped or killed or something. Unfortunately, no. But they found Gus, however, quite dead. I suppose the exploding boiler did for him. No. There was a bullet wound in the back of his head. I rather imagine that Moriarty wanted to make sure that he would never appear in court.
[00:23:01] Unknown:
Doctor, if I had to go through what you went through in that Turkish bath episode, I think I'd never wanna work on another case with Holmes again.
[00:23:08] Unknown:
Oh, come now, mister Campbell. I, I certainly didn't feel like that for a couple of hours. But by the time we got back to Baker Street and sat down to one of missus Hudson's good meals, well, I was ready for anything that Holmes had in mind. You know, there's nothing like a good dinner to make you feel the new man. You have been listening to An Adventure in Crime with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as doctor Watson.
[00:24:00] Unknown:
DoorDash helps you make cash fast. All you need is your bike and a smartphone. The sign up process is super quick and easy. Now, you get to choose your own hours and be your own boss. And best of all, you get to keep a % of your tips. Download the DoorDash driver app today to get started.
Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the Avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Razzle Raffel and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
[00:01:03] Unknown:
This rebroadcast is especially for the American armed forces and their allies. Now let's join doctor Campbell as he enters doctor Watson's study.
[00:01:40] Unknown:
Well here we are once again in doctor Watson's study come in mr. Campbell come in
[00:01:45] Unknown:
here sit down and relax you
[00:01:48] Unknown:
you look a bit rooted, Ophala. Oh, yes. It's such a beautiful spring evening. I I thought I'd walk over. In fact, it's so beautiful I dawdled most of the way. Drinking in the warm air and the smell of things growing until suddenly I realized I was blame well gonna be late if I didn't hurry. So I ran the last three blocks. Yes, I know how it is. This lovely spring weather is certainly conducive to indolence.
[00:02:11] Unknown:
My household claim that when I go out to do the spring planting, I spend most of my time leaning on the spade, sniffing, listening to the birds. Not an unpleasant way to pass the time of day, incidentally. Yes. A day like today is almost as relaxing as a cursed bath, which reminds me of a curious and gory experience that Holmes and I had in just such an establishment some years ago.
[00:02:36] Unknown:
It sounds suspiciously like the gentleman who said bang.
[00:02:39] Unknown:
Oh, speaking of explosions. Now, mister mister Campbell, you must ever complain about the way that the storyteller begins is yarn. Anything is better than in a thus beginning. Now, put me all out with where where was I? In a Turkish bath, if I'm not mistaken. Turkish bath, you're not mistaken. Yes. I said, Well, now to to begin at the beginning, it was in the hectic hair raising and I might even say the glorious day of the great battle of wits between Sherlock Holmes
[00:03:07] Unknown:
and the notorious professor Mariotti. What you might call a real battle of the titans, Adachi. Indeed it was, mister Campbell.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
Things had been unusually hectic for Holmes for several months. Mariotti had been particularly active and Holmes had had many sleepless nights. Finally, things have calmed down a bit and I tried to persuade him to take a badly needed holiday. The next result being that he finally did agree to have an afternoon off and accompanied him into a Turkish bath. As a matter of fact, both, Holmes and I had a weakness for the Turkish bath. Over the smoke in the pleasant attitude of the drying room, I've often found him less reticent and more human than at any other
[00:03:51] Unknown:
time. The heat melted his cast iron reserve, doctor Watson? No. Slightly, mister Campbell. Only slightly.
[00:03:57] Unknown:
Well, as I was saying, on the Upper Floor of a certain Fremlin Avenue establishment, there is an isolated corner where two couches lie side by side. And it was on these that we were lying. Holmes had just shot his long sinewy arm out of the towers which enveloped him and was fishing about in the inside pocket of his coat. It was hung beside aside. So I put it where on earth did I put it, oh, confounded thing? Watson. Mhmm. I forgot to bring my tobacco. Oh, relax, Holmes. Just relax. Forget about tobacco. Forget mariachi and relax. That's what we came in here for. Burble, burble, burble, burble.
I am relaxed, my dear fellow. I wanna smoke. What about the burble, burble? Nothing like the peace and seclusion of a of a Turkish bar. Mister Holmes. Mister Sherlock Holmes. Hello? Just the the steam room attendant seems lepaging you. Oh, my goodness. Now what? Face. See you in your face. Here I am, Gus. Here I am. What do you want? Come on. Oh, mister Holmes. It's good I find you. There has been an accident, mister Holmes. A bad accident. It's Lord Canterbury. He's in his dressing room. Covered with blood. Oh, in that case, I can't see one, doctor Watson, don't you? Not me. I'll be with you in a minute, Gus. Oh, no. Not doctor Watson. It's it's too late for you. He's dead. Dead? Stabbed in six places.
Come and look at him, mister Holmes, please. Dead? Hear me. Alright. I'll come at once. Good gracious me. What's all the commotion? Why can't we have a little piece of art around? What's the meaning of this what's the meaning of this castle? Why are these two persons talking, at the top of their voice? My dear mister, mister, well, whoever you are, I was never under the impression that the Olympia Biles were a church. Furthermore, my dear mister, oh, well. Never mind the name. Tunbridge. Frederick Gilbert Tunbridge. Liberal leader in the present parliament, by which everyone knows or keeps abreast of the time. My dear mister Tunbridge, I do not concern myself with triviality. Furthermore, as I was saying before being so rudely interrupted, you may be interested to know that your hated rival, Lord Canterbury, the conservative leader with whom you are known to have publicly locked horns on several occasions Oh, oh, what have I have? What's he done now, the old fool? If you mean Lord Canterbury, he's done absolutely.
Yes. He hasn't done anything and probably never will again. Oh, what are you blithering about? Well, it seems that Guts has just discovered your, shall we say political biz a vis dead in his dressing room. Oh, you mean he's had a heart attack? No. I don't mean anything of the kind. He's been stabbed. In how many places did you say, Gus? In six places, mister Holmes. Oh, but that's impossible. I, will that is I, talked to him about half an hour ago. We had a little, conference, Dubrow, do you understand? While he was waiting for Gus to come in and give him his better. Well, he was quite alright when I left him. Oh, really? Are you sure? What do you mean? Of course, I'm sure.
Campbell, he was alive and dressing like a trooper when I left him. I passed Gus in the corridor while he came out of Campbell's dressing room. Well, he'll tell you the old boy was alive and kicking. Oh, really? How about it, Gus? It is true. I hear swearing, but from which the dressing room it comes, I could not be sure. The walls are so thin, you understand. Yes. Yes. Indeed. It's quite true the dressing room walls are thin. Gus, who is this person and why is he asking all these, stupid questions? But, Mr. Turnbridge, this gentleman is Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The famous detective. I've never heard of him. It's not even with you there, Holmes. Well, all sent for Scotland Yard. This is a matter of national importance. Right. Yes. I think you're quite right. You may as well temper inspector Lestrade, Gus. Scotland Yard will have to be informed in any case. In the meantime, however, well, I I think I'll take a look. In the meantime, mister, whoever you are, I insist that everything be left strictly alone. Very well then, mister, thingamabob, if you insist, but, you'll be losing valuable time. I most emphatically do insist. Well, I'm getting out of here. Beat you out like I'm a Well, you you can do without me, in order to Hold on, Jasmine. Just a moment if you please. I think it's only fair to point out to you all that suspicion is bound to fall on anyone who leaves before the apologies have had a chance to search and question him. Watch me. Oh. You mean I have to be searched? Hold it right now. Hold it down.
We seem to have stirred up quite a hornet's nest there, Watson. Yes. And I brought you in here for a rest. Hello, mister Dodd. Nasty mess, hey, mister Holmes? Right from the back. Yes. Not once, but six times. Deep, ferocious thrusts. Quite unnecessarily brutal. And, if I may say so, bloody. Yeah. Place looks like a townhouse. Yes. Whoever did the deed must have been grunched in blood. Mhmm. Might tell your men's search for blood stained towels or garments. Will you, Strahd? Yes. Well, I'll pick up anything that's got blood on it. Never you fear, mister Holmes. I've ordered a search of everybody and everything on the premises. Yes. That's, that's not going to be be very popular with, with mister Tonbridge, Holmes? Oh, I wouldn't care if he was the archbishop of Canterbury.
When Scotland Yard says search everybody, we search everybody. Besides, everybody knows he and the corpse here are bitter enemies. They fought like cat and dog. How long would you say you've been dead, mister Elmes? Oh, I don't know. About, let me say, an hour and a half. Took thirty, forty minutes to get you here, Lestrade. Mhmm. And, Canterbury had been dead, let me see, over half an hour when God's found them. Yes. Yes. Did the, doorman notice who left the establishment during the half hour before the body was found? Yes, sir. Only or mister Welford and his true sheebler and they're sighted to do a crime like this. Yeah. Mhmm. Was the, daughter, Lord Canterbury's dressing room locked?
No, sir. Uh-huh. And how does it happen that he lay here for over half an hour before anyone found it? Particularly as he was down on the books for a massage half an hour before he was found. Well, you see, I I I thought he was asleep. Lord Canterbury sometimes seemed like a little nap after he was in the steam room and he didn't want I should disturb him. Oh, well, that's very interesting. Then you did come in this room once before you realized Lord Kemptipede was dead. Yes, Mr. Holmes. But he was lying there so peaceful. So peaceful. Yes. On his back? Yes, sir. Just like we found him. It wasn't till the second time I come in I see he has his eyes open. And the place is, shall we say all scattered with blood? It was so dark. The shade were drawn. It was not easy to see anything if you don't look close. Even then, some people are unable to observe the most obvious facts. I I and what might you mean by that? All just an observation of the strand, just a gratuitous observation. Come in.
Well, with this, what's up? We placed the place from top to bottom just like you said, inspector. And there's no blood stains nowhere except on this. And what's that? A pocket knife, sir. Large size. Oh. The handle's been wiped off, but there's still some blood stains on the fly. We found it in the locker of a bloke, Naima Thunberg. Uh-huh. There's some address, Drog. Don't go off the deep end. Will it? Yes, sir. You say there were no bloodstains anywhere except on this knife? Not a sign of a bloodstain nowhere. You searched the dirty linen hampers, towels and lockers, or the customers of their clothes? Oh, yes, sir. We searched everything. There's not a sign of blood anywhere, but on that bare weapon.
Amazing. That's enough for me. This here is the murder weapon, and it was found in Tumbridge's locker. Bring him in here, Willis, and we'll have him on the coffin. Yes, sir. Right away. Away. I knew he was a murderer from the beginning. Who has the motive for killing Canterbury? This chap Tunbridge. Who has the opportunity? This chap Tunbridge. He admits himself he had a talk with the deceased and and they had words. Where is this here a blood stained knife found? Nowhere but in the, this mister Tunbridge's locker. Mhmm. Stupid place for a murderer to hide the fatal weapon in his own locker. Tunbridge isn't as stupid as that, Westroyd. No. No.
And why was it there? Look here. This this is an outrage keeping the hair like this. Don't you realize I have influence? Well, you might at least let me put on my clothes instead of hauling them about. I'll complain to the authorities. I'll have you dismissed, all of you. Oh, maybe you will, sir. And then again, maybe you won't. But first of all, you'll answer some questions. Have you, ever seen this knife before? Knife? A knife? Yes. Of course. It's mine. I've had it all my life. I used to take it fishing when I was a boy. Oh, indeed. I have to explain its size then. Well, now I use it to open my letters. Oh, you too. Are you sure that's all you use it for? Yes. Of course. Then why are the easier blood stains on it? Blood stains? Yeah. Well Yeah. Near. Near. No. Don't you touch it. We don't want to destroy any possible fingerprints. But if it's mine, my fingerprints are already on it. Yes. He's right there, mister John. Furthermore, that stain doesn't, doesn't look like blood to me. It's it's not, red enough. It it looks like rust. As a matter of fact, if the stain is a nice blood red, it's fairly certain it's not blood. Now this particular stain, you have particular stain just got in the yard, mister Ray. Yes. Don't forget, my dear Lestrade, I invented the first infallible test for blood stains. That's quite true, Lestrade. You did. Yes. Indeed. My test and my test is infallible.
It works on blood that is new or on blood that is old. I discovered the first reagent, which is precipitated by hemoglobin. I'm sorry, mister. I'm sorry. But Scotland Yard isn't any time for lectures. We believe in action. Now, mister Tunbridge, it's my, duty to take you into custody. And it's also my duty to warn you that anything that you may say may be used in evidence against you. Anything I say that you realize whom you're arrested? I'm a leading figure in British politics. So would this fellow Liza stand with your knife, which has still got blood stains on it. Lestrade, if you'll pardon me of saying so, in this case, it's not the blood stains that are in evidence, but the blood stains that are not in evidence, which is the significant factor.
What do you mean by that? Simply that it would, have been rather difficult for mister Tumbish to have committed a murder as gory as this one without having blood stains on the towel he's wearing or on the, clothes which are still in his locker? What was to prevent him from dropping his towel outside Lord Canterbury's blessing room? Going in and knifing him in the back, then sneaking down to the shower rooms not more than 20 feet down the corridor and washing away the evidence. Me going round about in the in the nude? Certainly not. Most certainly not, sir. Remember my dear Lestrade as you drag one of Britain's Leaders away to jail, that it might have been possible for him to stab his enemy in a fit of temper, but he would never have dreamed of running up and down the corridors in his birthday suit.
Let me see. I'm afraid I just had to look for another explanation of the missing blood stains. Holmes, it's really late. Everyone else has left the Turkish power. Everyone but the faithful guts. Oh, I don't mind. Tonight, we have by my house sauerkraut. Don't like sauerkraut. Besides, I've got to stay and lock up. Then you'll have to wait till we find the blood stains. Here somewhere. That's why I sent home for my famous benzidine peroxide mixture. Somewhere on the premises, there is a towel or linen or something that has blood stained. Oh, but we've been through the towels and the linen a dozen times, Holmes? No sign of blood. Furthermore, according to your service list, there are no towels or any linen, missy.
Even Gus, which he his his linen, which he washes himself is is hung here on the on the line? You don't wash any any but your own, do you guys? No, mister Holmes. Everything go out to the laundry. I I wash my own because I'd like to be fresh and clean. Twice a day, I wash noon and evening. Yes. The evening's job hasn't been done yet, no. This one, I I washed this noon. It's my towel from this morning. Oh, yes. Yes. This morning's towel washed this noon. Yep. But was it? Cattellbury was murdered in the middle of the afternoon about 03:30. Now it's now after 07:00.
Don't you see, Watson? This towel. Don't you see? No, hon. I don't. That's the blasted thing. The towel's as clean as a whistle. But not dry. If it had been washed at noon, washed at noon, it would be dry now, but it's still damp. Yes. It was washed after Canterbury's death. Of course. Remove the blood stains. Dust? Mister Holmes. That's why you didn't report the death until half an hour after Canterbury had died. Oh, no. You might have time to remove the blood stains. But that's not true. Besides, you can't prove anything. This this towel is clean now. There are no marks, no stains. But the fact that there were no stains on it, Gus, first made me suspect you. Lord Canterbury was found lying on his back. And yet when you, informed us that he had been stabbed, you were quite definite about the number of times that he'd been stabbed. But in the back? Yes. Yes. How did you know that, Gus? Well, I I lift him up. I I I look. Of course, I think you're getting at home. You couldn't have done that. No one could examine the corpse without giving blood all over himself. I get when Gus appeared to tell us of Canterbury's death. There wasn't a pot of blood on him.
But if I can prove that this towel which you so carefully washed once had blood stains and that you were very careful to remove those stains That you will never prove. I have scrubbed. I have I have used soap. I have even boiled that towel. There is not even a suspicion of a blood stain. That is why you're wrong, my friend. And what's in run the water into this tub, will you? No matter how thoroughly you try to remove a blood stain, it will never out damn it. But yes. We only need enough to moisten the cloth. Now I'll drop a few drops of my famous pollution onto the cloth.
There we are. Well, all I can see is about a fair blue streak. Yes. Yes. It's undoubtedly blood Cut. Yes. The curious blue speaks proves infallibly that there was blood on this towel. And how does are you going to explain why you were so anxious to remove these blood stains? No. No. No. I I I did not do it. It it was mister Tunbridge. He did it. The knife watch his knife. There was blood on it. Look. Let me out of here. It's not my fault. I don't want to hurt. Holmes hopes he's running away. Hey, Watson. We can't get him escape. Well, there he goes down the corridor. He got into the steamboat. Don't worry. I'll get him. The steam's thick in here.
I can hardly see my hand before my fist. Must be in here. Look under the benches, Watson. Watson, leave the door open. Let some of this nasty team out of here, will you? I didn't shut the door. Holmes, you hear that? The door. Someone's locked the door. Hey, come here. Let her go. Let her go out here. They're locked in. We've been locked in by mistake. No. You're wrong.
[00:19:20] Unknown:
It was no mistake, my friend.
[00:19:23] Unknown:
I know. Why are you kidding? We share a mischiever with us. Know that simple voice through the ventilator. So you were behind this murder too, professor? Of course.
[00:19:33] Unknown:
Perhaps you would like to know why I had to kill Lord Canterbury. Yes. Indeed. That would be very interesting. Good. I found it necessary to start a feud between the two great political parties because they're in danger of forming a coalition, to pass certain housing reforms that would have proved very expensive to me. Well, what better way to break up an incipient collaboration than by killing one leader,
[00:19:55] Unknown:
having the other hang for his murder? A very ingenious body of your pity you should have chosen for the clumsy tool of trust. Pumps? That happens. But he fools cut and yarn, mister Holmes. It was just my ill luck that you should be on the premises when the accident occurred. Thank you for the compliment. Not at all.
[00:20:12] Unknown:
However, it's a mistake which I'm sure Gus will be able to rectify. Gus? Oh. Very simple. I have sent him to put more coals on the fire. Any moment now, there should be more steam. Yes, gentlemen. Much more steam. I'm afraid that when you finish with a steam bath, you will never need enough. No. You will be foiled alive.
[00:20:37] Unknown:
Be right there. There comes the steam pouring out of the opening over our head. Only if we could reach that opening, we could stuff some of these towels into the pipeline and fell off the floor. There's no chance of getting very hot in here. Wait. I have it. One of the long benches. I'll stand on the end. We have to balance it while I climb on the top. Talk about to make a noise. Anything to cover up the moving of the bench. Really well. Oh, Teddy, Hobbs, Mayank. This has gone far enough. We we can't stand much more of this. Pretty, Holmes. I'll hand the other towel quick. Mariachi, turn the steam off. You hear, Mariachi? Can't you hear? The heat is it's becoming unbearable. Just more towels, Holmes. Is it getting hot enough in there, gentleman Boyle?
[00:21:18] Unknown:
I'm sure it is. Boiled nice and pink. Boiled in steam, live steam. Goodbye, mister Sherlock Holmes.
[00:21:33] Unknown:
Now now what happened? You can't stand up there all night, Holmes. Someone has to. That's just terrific. Then if not, it will soon become so great that it may burst the boil off. That's dangerous. Buildings will be known to collapse because of bursting boilers. Nevertheless, it's now one chance. Going to confounded boil at first before my arm is snapped in the Jones, your arm isn't as strong as the boiler plate. Versha. Versha, my dear Watson, measured per square foot of air surface. Quite a bit of service for a boiler. The opening of this pipe is very small.
All the same, I'm afraid. I I can't hold out much longer, Watson. Hold on, hon. Hold on. It must work soon. It must. The pressure. My hands. My hands. Go. Go. Go. Go. And you came through the explosion alright, doctor Wasser? Well, I had a nasty crack where Holmes and the bench fell on me and Holmes had the wind knocked out of him, but we were even fairly good shape by the time the power brigade pulled us out from the wreckage. Moriarty wasn't by any chance trapped or killed or something. Unfortunately, no. But they found Gus, however, quite dead. I suppose the exploding boiler did for him. No. There was a bullet wound in the back of his head. I rather imagine that Moriarty wanted to make sure that he would never appear in court.
[00:23:01] Unknown:
Doctor, if I had to go through what you went through in that Turkish bath episode, I think I'd never wanna work on another case with Holmes again.
[00:23:08] Unknown:
Oh, come now, mister Campbell. I, I certainly didn't feel like that for a couple of hours. But by the time we got back to Baker Street and sat down to one of missus Hudson's good meals, well, I was ready for anything that Holmes had in mind. You know, there's nothing like a good dinner to make you feel the new man. You have been listening to An Adventure in Crime with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as doctor Watson.
[00:24:00] Unknown:
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