In this episode, we delve into the intriguing world of classic radio dramas, exploring the impact of the British series "The Avengers" on international audiences, particularly in South Africa, where television was not yet a household staple. We also revisit the timeless adventures of Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, with a thrilling tale involving a cryptic message in the agony column of the Times newspaper. Holmes and Watson, along with a French detective, Monsieur Le Villard, unravel a mystery that leads them to a sinister plot involving impersonation and attempted murder.
Listeners are treated to a captivating narrative that highlights Holmes' deductive prowess and Watson's loyal companionship. The episode also introduces Gregory Hood, a new character who will take over storytelling duties in future episodes, promising more thrilling adventures and mysteries to solve. With a blend of classic detective work and engaging storytelling, this episode is a must-listen for fans of mystery and intrigue.
(00:34) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:20) Sherlock Holmes and the Petri Family
(03:00) Doctor Watson's Afternoon Stroll
(03:26) The French Detective Francois LaVilla
(04:06) A Visit to Baker Street
(06:01) The Agony Column Mystery
(09:14) Help from the Agony Column
(11:00) The Elms and the Revolver Shots
(14:05) Meeting Mister Quilter
(17:00) The Disappearance of Mister Quilter
(19:45) The Gardener's Clue
(21:47) The Pistol Match Challenge
(24:20) The Real Mister Quilter Revealed
(26:40) Gregory Hood's Introduction
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[00:00:01]
Unknown:
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[00:00:30] Unknown:
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.
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Petrie Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to doctor Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And I want to ask you something. You know, every now and then I've told you about the good old American custom of serving a glass of sherry before dinner. Particularly, the Petri California Sharon. And I wonder if you've tried the Petri Sherry.
Really, a glass of Petri Sherry is the best beginning a good meal ever had. Petri Sherry is clear, fragrant and truly delicious. It's a wonderful wine whose flavor is the essence of luscious sun ripened grapes. And Petri makes two kinds of sherry wine, a regular sherry and Petri Pale Dry. If you don't know which you prefer, try them both. Don't buy one, buy two. But remember, always buy Petri because Petri wine is always good wine. Well, I'm sure doctor Watson's ready for this. Let's go in and join him. Shall we?
[00:02:48] Unknown:
Good evening, mister Bartell. Good evening, doctor. Quiet, Willy. Quiet, Martin. Quiet, Martin. Quiet, Martin. The dogs seem very pleased with themselves tonight. Did they have a good day? Yes. The three of us did my boy. Go on. Run off. Run off out in the patio. I took a seven iron and some old golf balls on the beach this afternoon. I improved my game, I think. And the dogs had a great time chasing the golf balls. On the way home, the little rascals had a furious battle with an elderly pelican.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
So their day was complete. I'll have to join you on one of your afternoon strolls, doctor. You and the dog seem to have so much fun. Oh, I'll be glad you're covered, mister Bartell. Well, drop your usual churn. I'll get on with tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure. From the hints you gave us last week, I guess a Frenchman played a prominent part in the story. Yes. Indeed he did, mister Bartel. His name was Francois
[00:03:34] Unknown:
LaVilla, and he was a detective of some note in his own country. The time my story begins, it was in 1889 to be exact. Levere had come over to London to discuss with Holmes the difficulties of translating some of his monographs into the French language. At this particular time, I was in the early days of my marriage, mister Bartell. And this fact, combined with a busy practice meant that I saw very little of my old friend. He must have missed you, doctor. Oh, indeed. Well, of course, you'd admit the fact, but, but, to get on with my story. One cloudless June afternoon, I found myself in the neighborhood of Baker Street, and I couldn't resist paying a visit to Holmes.
Missus Hudson was out, but, having retained my old latch key, I let myself in and mounted the familiar stairs. It gave me a strange feeling as I raised my hand to knock on what once had been my own living room door.
[00:04:33] Unknown:
Come in. Come in. Come in. Oh, hello, Holmes. Oh,
[00:04:36] Unknown:
I I beg your pardon. I didn't know you. What's my dear fellow?
[00:04:39] Unknown:
How very nice to see you. It's great to see you, Holmes. I I'm sorry I interrupted you. I No. I didn't know that you had company. Not at all, my dear fellow. We're delighted, auntie. Yes, sir. What's up? This is, monsieur Le Villain. How you doing, sir? How you doing? Enchante monsieur. I often wished to meet the so charming doctor Watson. Holmes has told me a great deal about you. Oh, it's nice of you, sir. Oh, Larry. It suits you, Watson. You look splendid although. Gained a little weight, haven't you? Yes. A few pounds a bit. Here comes you. Sit down, won't you?
[00:05:08] Unknown:
You sure that I'm not interrupting you in some important discussion? Oh, no. No. No, monsieur. Doctor, we were having a good natured argument on the relative abilities of the French criminal compared to the English. You
[00:05:19] Unknown:
must lend me your support, Watson. Monsieur Lavee, I was convinced that the English criminal is a very dull dog indeed. Well, we've met some
[00:05:27] Unknown:
far from dull ones in our time. I assure you, monsieur Laveau. Ah, the exceptions rather than the who I fear, monsieur doctor. You're stubborn, aren't you, Laveau? Believe me, my dear friend, that I will yield to no one in my admiration of your knowledge and skill. That is why I wish I could persuade you to practice in Paris. There you would find opponents really words of your skill. What can happen to interest you in this land of great frogs, boiled potatoes, and, pots of tea? You're
[00:05:56] Unknown:
not very flattering. I'm not, mister
[00:05:59] Unknown:
Oh, I meant offence, my friend. Will you say that the English criminal is dull? Well, perhaps if you were to read a published story of mine called a a study in scarlet, you'd think differently.
[00:06:09] Unknown:
It tells a very exciting adventure that Holmes and I had. I have read it, my friend. You have. An extremely gripping story, but surely you will admit that the crime was essentially of America.
[00:06:20] Unknown:
He's right, Watson. He's perfectly right, dear me. What can I do to vindicate the dishonor of the London criminal? Let me see. Oh, yes. Yes. Of course. A copy of today's Times. That's fine. I shall introduce you to a section known as the agony column. Where is it now? Oh, yes. Here we are. This should convince you of the color and variety of English life? The agony column? Mhmm. It sounds most painful.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
What is it, Blake? A personal column is liable to contain anything from a lover's frantic appeal to his lady love to a ransom note. In my profession, I've frequently found it an invaluable medium for contacting the underworld.
[00:06:57] Unknown:
Uh-huh. Yes. Now here we are. Here's something. Dear me. Oh, dear. No. Today's column seems rather uninspired, I'm afraid. May I examine it? Of course. Here you are. Merci.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
If the lady who helped my little boy across the road at the corner of Thredwell Street and Highoborne last Wednesday at four, will get in touch with box eight four five, she will learn of something advantage.
[00:07:24] Unknown:
We can be more colorful than that in Paris, my friends. As I think we can do better than that too. Yeah. Look at this, William. Printer must have been half asleep when he set up the type for this advertisement. Will any gentleman interested in discussing cryptography and cipher writing please communicate with BoxXQL696
[00:07:46] Unknown:
the time. Oh, I I failed to find this message anymore stirring than the preceding one. You notice the execrable printing, don't you? Indeed I do. It is all mixed up. The first word will starts with a capital w and a capital I. The second word any starts with a small a and then has a capital n and y. It is a shocking example of typography. And when it occurs in a paper noted for its excellence in typesetting, one realizes
[00:08:11] Unknown:
that this is no mistake. What do you mean, This is undoubtedly a code message.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
Come now, my friend. I defying you to make estria out of the.
[00:08:20] Unknown:
I accept your challenge, my dear LeBlanc. If you recall, the Baconian bilateral cipher depends upon the use of two sizes of type. If we group the letters in units of five, the arrangements of small and capital letters within the group should give us the message. Now let's see. Two capitals followed by three small gives us the letter h,
[00:08:41] Unknown:
then two capitals, one small, two more that gives us e h I still think you are trying to make a venture out of a mere printing accident.
[00:08:48] Unknown:
No mere printing accident could so readily fall into one of the great traditional ciders. Now let's see. This message reads h e l help, q too small. Q u I, quilter. Help quilter. L l too small and large. Elms. Help quilter. Elms.
[00:09:10] Unknown:
There it is. Yes. Penj. Help Quilter. Elms Penj. Help Quilter. Elms Penj. What what does that mean? Presumably that a man named Quilter who lives at a house called The Elms in the village of Penj needs help. Ah, I see it now.
[00:09:25] Unknown:
A helpless victim held prisoner. He smuggles out this message as a as a harmless personnel, with strict instructions that it be printed on this art form. He knows that the amateurs of cryptography to whom it is addressed will decipher this call for help.
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Monsieur Villas, you seem ready to grant that adventure can exist in London after all.
[00:09:46] Unknown:
The advantage, my dear Watson, of a more mercurial temperament than we Englishmen possess. Well, the viad, what about it? Shall we set off for Penge and rescue the injunious Mr. Quilter from whatever dire fate awaits him in the elms? I'm all in patience. Splendid. Watson, I suppose you're too busy to join us. Too busy? Well, I mean, your practice, I'm sure that you have patience to do. Oh, ingenious is good. As a matter of fact, I have two further visits to make today.
[00:10:10] Unknown:
One to a peppery old miser who has gout and the other to a wealthy society woman who has acute attack of hypochondria. Hypochondria, as they call it. But to places where they're going to hold both for a month. I'm coming with you, Holmes, if you want me. Bravo, Watson. And grab your hat and coat. The game's afoot.
[00:10:42] Unknown:
Here you are, gents. The Helmspin. Nice old film for a drive, wasn't it? Afraid it'll cost you 15 bob, though. Yes. They're sovereign for you. You can keep the chain. No. I mean, thank you, governor. Top of the evening to you, gents.
[00:11:01] Unknown:
So this is The Elms. Quite a bit of land for such a modest neighborhood.
[00:11:06] Unknown:
To call it The Elms seem remarkably apropos. I I cannot see an end in sight.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
So you see, Le Villard, the English have bought imagination, and you give them credit for it. Are you just gonna walk up to the front door and knock home? Why not? The direct approach is often the most satisfactory. Oh, you disappoint me. I I had hoped that perhaps you would adopt one of the disguises in which you are so adept, I am told. Well, since it's unlikely that these people know me by sight, that's hardly necessary, is it? However, I trust that this little problem may reward you with some colorful highlights before we're through.
[00:11:39] Unknown:
No. Good. Scott, revolver shot.
[00:11:41] Unknown:
They came from the house. We are too late. Mister Quilter has been murdered. No. I think not. You will observe that the next door neighbor to the Elm was mowing his front lawn as we drove up. He is still engaged in the same occupation. Obviously, revolver shots attract little attention this, my sympathy. Don't you? You mean that violence and sudden death are so common that they do not attract even passing interest? No. Yeah. Even the British are not as phlegmatic as that. Then what is the answer to those shots? Some member of this household is addicted to pistol practice. And the fact that a shooting target is nailed to the back of that fence over there would further support the theory.
[00:12:16] Unknown:
That's rather ominous in my opinion.
[00:12:19] Unknown:
Well, here we are at the front door. Let's keep our wits about us anyway.
[00:12:23] Unknown:
Are you carrying a revolver, doctor Watson? No. On his stethoscope, I'm afraid. I was prepared for sickness when I left the house today and not for crime.
[00:12:32] Unknown:
I too am unarmed. How about you, miss Ormes? Only a magnifying
[00:12:36] Unknown:
glass, I'm afraid. Hardly a very lethal weapon. Yes? My friends and I were calling on mister Quota. Oh, who are you? My name is Sherlock Holmes, and these are my friends, doctor Watson and Musou La Vieux. How do you do, madam? How do you do? Is it possible to expect? I don't know. We, read his advertisement in the agony column of the times today and came down here at once. Are you, a relation of his? I'm his niece. Oh. My name is doctor Faversham.
[00:13:01] Unknown:
Come in, won't you?
[00:13:02] Unknown:
Miss Faversham, I suppose it is. Yes, doctor. It's miss Faversham. No. We, had three revolver shots as we were walking up the driveway. They they gave us quite a start. Yes, mademoiselle. We were afraid that we might have arrived at the time of tragedy. Yes, indeed. Tragedy?
[00:13:19] Unknown:
Oh, my hobby is revolver shooting. I was doing some target practice in the back garden when you arrived. Revolver shooting, miss Vanveen. Oh, very interesting. I'm proud of myself that I'm something of a marksman myself. Oh, really? Mhmm. Well, perhaps we can have a match. Won't you sit down? Your challenge intrigues me, miss Faversham, but, before I accept it, I should like to see mister Quilter. Well, uncle George is paralyzed Oh, wow. Spent all his time in a wheelchair. I'm not at all sure he'll see you. Well, at least you can ask him, can't you, miss Faversham? It is his custom at this time of the day to take a little nap. Perhaps tomorrow. Darius. Darius. He's still awake. Who's here? Yes, uncle. Some men have come to see you, uncle. Bring him in. Bring him in.
Follow me, gentlemen. Uncle, this is mister Sherlock Holmes, doctor Watson, and mister,
[00:14:11] Unknown:
mister Le Villard. And mister Le Villard. And how's your router? How are you doing? Sherlock Holmes, Took you long enough to decipher my message and get here, didn't it? Your brother's a much faster worker, isn't he? Oh, what makes you say that, mister Quilter? Receive this telegram from you at 11:00 this morning and read it for yourself.
[00:14:29] Unknown:
Oh, well. What to say, hon? Suggest you consult my brother, Sherlock, and it's it's signed, Microp Holmes. Yes, mister Quota. My my brother is a much faster worker, or shall we say that he suffers from the unfortunate habit of early rising?
[00:14:43] Unknown:
He undoubtedly read the agony cop three hours before I did today. Don't know about that, but I've been expecting you all day. I imagine you know why I inserted that advertisement. Well, I had the impression that, you were under some form of restraint, that, you were in need of a rescue party as it were. Rubbish. My advertisement was a piece of subtle bait. The only person that could decipher the message would obviously be someone who knew the Baconian cipher. A very logical deduction, mister Poulton. You see, I'm convinced as any sensible man should be that the so called Shakespearean plays were written by sir Francis Bacon. Oh, I see. But I felt that it needed a clever man to approve the fact. Mhmm. I'm assured that anyone who was able to decipher my message was the man I needed. And what did it take, mister Holmes, to do the job? I've reached man. Name your fee. Do you mean to say that you inveigled, mister Holmes, down here just to do some research
[00:15:30] Unknown:
on the origin of Shakespeare's work? You needn't look so shocked, doctor Watson. My uncle is off with Aimee Hanssen Fein. Well, what do you say, mister Sherlock Holmes? An interesting subject, research. I'll concede that Ignatius, Donnelli, and others have proved almost beyond doubt that William Shakespeare Strathor and Avon did not write the plays, but I greatly doubt that lord Bacon did. I may devote my leisure in later years to some investigation on the subject. But in the meanwhile, mister Groton, I'm afraid I'm much too busy to want to take such an assignment. Please yourself. Show the income now, Doris. Goodbye, sir.
[00:16:02] Unknown:
Goodbye,
[00:16:05] Unknown:
sir. Too bad. You had this long drive down here for nothing, Gerald. You know, who do I quite agree on it? It would seem to me that your uncle has a distinct talent for practical joking, madame. Uncle?
[00:16:16] Unknown:
Oh, uncle never made a joke in his life.
[00:16:19] Unknown:
Mister Holmes, now that you're here, perhaps you'd like to indulge a little shooting match. Thank you, miss Fadisham. But, as I told your uncle, I'm a busy man. Good evening to you.
[00:16:29] Unknown:
Goodbye, gentlemen. Goodbye.
[00:16:34] Unknown:
Holmes, old fellow, you're you're losing your touch. You'd never made a blunder like this if I'd still been with you.
[00:16:41] Unknown:
It is comforting for an aspiring detective like myself to know that Sherlock Holmes is fallible.
[00:16:49] Unknown:
Then am I to assume that I must continue the case alone? What do you mean continue the case? There isn't there isn't one. Filters is in no danger. He's in desperate danger. What? I'll be afraid I may be too late to save him. What? We have just spoken to the man. Oh, no. Did neither of you notice the traces of fresh loam on the boots of that supposedly paralyzed man? Gentlemen, I fear the agony column has led us to murder.
[00:17:20] Unknown:
You'll leave the rest of Doctor. Watson's story in just a second. Time enough for me to mention that any meal is a better meal when it's served with a Petri dinner wine. If you're having chicken or fish, use Petri California Sauternes. Petri Sauternes is a subtle delicately flavored white wine that looks and tastes like captured sunshine. If you're having a roast or chops or any kind of meat or meat dish, then by all means, serve Petri California Burgundy. Petri Burgundy is a hearty full flavored red wine. One of the most delicious red wines you ever poured from a bottle. Why not get a bottle of each? Petri Burgundy and Petri Sauternes.
Then no matter what you have for dinner, you'll surely have the right wine, a Petrid wine.
[00:18:08] Unknown:
Well, doctor, why did you have to break off your story there? Well, I had to break it off somewhere, Mr. Bartel, and that seemed to be the most exciting spot. It certainly was. I was convinced that the great Sherlock Holmes had been fooled for once. What happened next? Well, I need this to remark. We did not get into a cab and go back to London, but let me pick up the story at the same place that I broke it off. As Holmes said
[00:18:32] Unknown:
Gentlemen, I fear the agony, Colin, has led us to murder. Murder? There was fresh earth on the soles of his boots, you say? Distinct traces. Proving that the man in the wheelchair was not paralyzed. And that man whoever he is was a fascinating quilter to pull us off the track. And the real quilter may have been killed. I'm afraid so. Let's stop here for a moment, shall we, while we make our plans. This hedge will hide us from the house in case they're watching from the windows. Now this isn't a hard picture to reconstruct. There undoubtedly is or was a paralyzed Baconian scholar and quilter. He managed to smuggle out that ingenious plea for help, but Mycroft's unfortunate telegram gave the game away. Mhmm. I see it now. The people in there holding him prisoner forced him to reveal what he has done. What they may have done to him, heaven alone knows. One of the criminals guessing from the telegram that I might appear on the case posed as the crippled quilter. What's our next move, ho? Remember that singularly unattractive young lady skilled by the revolver? We must search the grounds as unobtrusively
[00:19:26] Unknown:
as we can. Search the grounds? For what? I can answer that question, Monsieur Doctor. We search for signs of the freshly turned earth of a grave.
[00:19:46] Unknown:
Well, we didn't find any traces of the poor devil's corpse. Thank heaven. No. A great disappointment. Jeremy, you're very bloodthirsted to be young. Hello. Look at the old fellow trimming their hedge over there. Must be the gardener. Let's have a chat for him, shall we? May be able to give us some
[00:20:02] Unknown:
information. Good evening to you. Evening to you, gentlemen. Really? You work for mister Quilter? That I do, sir. That I do. Very fine work too. I've seldom seen a leather kept garden. I thank you, sir. I do pride myself in my work. I wonder if you can help me. Be glad to if I can, sir. Did you see a telegraph boy deliver a message here this morning? That I did. The boy came here about 10:00 this morning. I always had clip in the front edge at the time. And, you've been working here ever since? Yes, sir. Brought my lunch with me today and ate it in the cup. Has anyone entered or left the house since that telegram was delivered? No, sir. No one except your house. I see. I see. I suppose you occasionally run errands, mister Quilter? Not much these days, sir. The poor old gentleman keeps his chair in the house pretty much all the time, sir. I did run a message for him yesterday. Oh, you did? Wait. Sir, I was pruning the rose bushes under his study windows. When the window opens and his hand comes out with a message, he told me to take it to the village office of the times and to tell him to print it just the way it was. He looked kind of worried when he gave me the message. And he, he whispered to me just as if he was afraid in his own house. I'm much obliged to you. Here's 5 shillings for your trouble. Oh, thank you, sir. Much obliged to you. I'm sure. Good evening. Good evening to you, gentlemen.
[00:21:14] Unknown:
So that's how the message was smuggled out. And no one has come to the house or left it since that telecom was delivered. If Alcoutor, his body must still be inside that house. We are going to search the house? Yes. We are. But we're we're not armed. They certainly are. They probably won't even let us in. Yes. They will. We have a an infallible key to entry, a woman's vanity. Come on.
[00:21:47] Unknown:
Oh, so you came back.
[00:21:50] Unknown:
I thought you wouldn't be able to resist my challenge to a pistol match, mister Holmes. Exactly, miss Vasham. We had difficulty in finding a cab and decided to take a train to London. There was an hour's wait, so I I thought I'd accept your challenge. Good. Come in.
[00:22:04] Unknown:
We'll go into the back garden. Thank you. Don't talk loudly. I think uncle's asleep in the next room. Don't bring anybody in here, Doris. I want a sleep. Alright, uncle. This way, gentlemen. If your uncle wants a sleep, seems a funny sort of al alibi. Oh, well, he's used to that doctor. Here we are. This is the 50 yard range, mister Holmes. Three shots, best aggregates for wind. I'm still gonna bet.
[00:22:36] Unknown:
You made mistake. Made mistakes, miss Faversham. The sovereign? Certainly. You, take the first three shots? Very well.
[00:22:44] Unknown:
And it just checked that it's loaded. Yes? Six bullets. Alright. Here I go.
[00:22:58] Unknown:
Bravo, miss Faversham. Spin him.
[00:23:00] Unknown:
And two winners. I can do better. Your turn, mister Holmes.
[00:23:06] Unknown:
Doris,
[00:23:07] Unknown:
who are these men? Friends of mine. I'll introduce you in a minute, Jeffrey. In the middle of a match at the moment. Your turn, mister Holmes. The revolver, please. Here you are. Thank you. You, you're sure know how to handle a revolver.
[00:23:21] Unknown:
Quite sure. Thanks. And why are you pointing it at me? Because I want you to raise your hands above your head. You too, whatever your name is. Doris, who are these men? Put up your hands. I shan't hesitate to shoot. I assure you. Come on. That's it. What instead of the name do you think you're up to? Finding out what became of the real Mr. Quilter. Search the man, Watson. Right you are, Holmes. Yeah. Go into the house. Will you and search it? Oh, yes. But of course. Hello? This man had a revolver on his hip. Keep him covered with it. He'll stand still you. Now, sir, who are you? From your resemblance to the man in the wheelchair that we saw earlier, I should say that you're a member of the same family. We are both relatives, and it's a quilter. That's right. My name's Davies. I'm from the Australian branch of the family. Relatives.
Yes. And doubtless, you stood to inherit his estate in the event of Quilter's death. You moved in on this defenseless old man, terrorized him, lived off him, and finally found it necessary to destroy him.
[00:24:11] Unknown:
You're talking absolute rubbish. He's telling the truth and you know it. I can tell by your expressions. No begging of the house, both of you. Come on. And keep your hands
[00:24:19] Unknown:
raised. Alright. That's it. Come on. Lead the way into the study. The man posing as mister Colter is still there. We heard him call out as we came in. Yes. We might as well confront the three of them together.
[00:24:33] Unknown:
Yes. He's still seated in the chair. He seems to be asleep. Here. Did you find anything?
[00:24:41] Unknown:
Another trace of the missing men, missus Holmes.
[00:24:45] Unknown:
Davis, what did you do with mister Coulter? I didn't do anything with him. Of course not. He's sitting there in that chair. No. Who's lying to us? We know that that man's an impostor. This is a fantastic situation. Nobody's left this house since the telegram arrived, and nobody has come to it yet. Mister Quilter has vanished. Good lord. How can he sleep through all this talk? You'd think he'd been drugged. Pia. We are idiots. You are unquestionably the most promising detective in France, and some people have been kind enough to grant me a similar status in England. And yet my old friend Watson has just solved the case. Oh, well, nothing is
[00:25:19] Unknown:
too happy to what? Stop it. Well, how?
[00:25:22] Unknown:
Listen to the breathing of that man in the chair. He's been drugged. There sits the real mister Quilter, the persecuted victim who sent a cipher message for help. The man we spoke to earlier.
[00:25:35] Unknown:
Was you, mister Davies,
[00:25:37] Unknown:
impersonating Quilter? After you'd received us, you took off your disguise, adopted an Australian accent, and then hid your drug victim by placing him in his own wheelchair, knowing that would be the last place we'd look for him. And they would have kept him here until we had gone and then murdered him. What a devilish plot. Well, what have you gotta save yourselves? It was Jeffrey's idea, not mine. I didn't have anything to do with it. That's a dirty lie. You were in this as much as I am. Oh, this is splendid. It's splendid. Please continue the argument. It'll make interesting evidence in court. You can't take us into court? Of course, can't. What's the charge? Quilter's still alive as me. When mister Quilter revives under doctor Watts' administration, you will be charged, I have no doubt, with attempted murder, abduction, sequestration, duress, and probably several other counts. Mister Villard, if you will find us a cab, take these miscreants to Scotland Yard.
Our work is done.
[00:26:40] Unknown:
Well, doctor, that was a fine story. I
[00:26:43] Unknown:
what are you fidgeting for? Fidgeting? We well, I'm expecting a guest. I thought I heard him just out out the the the front door. A guest?
[00:26:51] Unknown:
Now you're being as mysterious as mister Holmes. Oh, not quite. You see,
[00:26:56] Unknown:
I Come in. Doctor Watson, how are you, you all dressed? Gregory, my boy. It's great to see you again. Mister Bartel,
[00:27:03] Unknown:
meet my friend, mister Gregory Hood. Not the Gregory Hood. Mister Bartell, I like the way you say that. Yes, mister Bartell. This is the Gregory Hood. Mister Bartell, if you listen to doctor Watson, he'll lead you to believe I'm much more important than I am. I'm quite a simple person, really. I'm kind to dogs, just love little children and always help old ladies cross the street. I also know how to make a fire by rubbing two sticks together. Yes. And unlike my old friend, Holmes, you pretend to know very little about criminals and crime. And yet you're one of America's outstanding criminologists. So I've heard. A hobby, mister Bartel, a hobby. My real business is importing headquarters, San Francisco. Need any old masters? Perhaps I can sell you a nice piece of jade or, would you rather have a bit of old Balinese Oh, wait a minute. This is all a little too fast for me. You learn that Gregory is a little too fast for everybody.
[00:27:52] Unknown:
But mister Bartell, I'm sure you'll get to know mister Hode a good deal better. You see, as I've told you, I've always wanted to take a trip back to England and now I have a chance to do so. But doctor, won't I see you again? What about our story? Oh, I shall be back in the fall, but meanwhile, I've asked mister Gregory Hood to get together with you at this time every week and tell you some of his experiences. Which, of course, makes me feel very important. Mister Hood, as you know, has been involved in many famous cases dealing in crime. His importing business and his hobby criminology are a strange combination.
I learned that he keeps a diary of these cases, and it's a fascinating book. The case book of Gregory Hood. The case book of Gregory Hood. Sounds intriguing. Intriguing?
[00:28:40] Unknown:
It certainly is. Thank you. Well, then I can tell all our friends, be sure to listen next week at the same time and every Monday night through summer to the Casebook of Gregory Hood. Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher, and was suggested by an incident in sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story, the sign of four. Music is by Dean Foster. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.
Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio. This is Harry Bartel saying night for the Petrie family. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
[00:29:50] Unknown:
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[00:00:30] Unknown:
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.
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Petrie Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to doctor Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And I want to ask you something. You know, every now and then I've told you about the good old American custom of serving a glass of sherry before dinner. Particularly, the Petri California Sharon. And I wonder if you've tried the Petri Sherry.
Really, a glass of Petri Sherry is the best beginning a good meal ever had. Petri Sherry is clear, fragrant and truly delicious. It's a wonderful wine whose flavor is the essence of luscious sun ripened grapes. And Petri makes two kinds of sherry wine, a regular sherry and Petri Pale Dry. If you don't know which you prefer, try them both. Don't buy one, buy two. But remember, always buy Petri because Petri wine is always good wine. Well, I'm sure doctor Watson's ready for this. Let's go in and join him. Shall we?
[00:02:48] Unknown:
Good evening, mister Bartell. Good evening, doctor. Quiet, Willy. Quiet, Martin. Quiet, Martin. Quiet, Martin. The dogs seem very pleased with themselves tonight. Did they have a good day? Yes. The three of us did my boy. Go on. Run off. Run off out in the patio. I took a seven iron and some old golf balls on the beach this afternoon. I improved my game, I think. And the dogs had a great time chasing the golf balls. On the way home, the little rascals had a furious battle with an elderly pelican.
[00:03:14] Unknown:
So their day was complete. I'll have to join you on one of your afternoon strolls, doctor. You and the dog seem to have so much fun. Oh, I'll be glad you're covered, mister Bartell. Well, drop your usual churn. I'll get on with tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure. From the hints you gave us last week, I guess a Frenchman played a prominent part in the story. Yes. Indeed he did, mister Bartel. His name was Francois
[00:03:34] Unknown:
LaVilla, and he was a detective of some note in his own country. The time my story begins, it was in 1889 to be exact. Levere had come over to London to discuss with Holmes the difficulties of translating some of his monographs into the French language. At this particular time, I was in the early days of my marriage, mister Bartell. And this fact, combined with a busy practice meant that I saw very little of my old friend. He must have missed you, doctor. Oh, indeed. Well, of course, you'd admit the fact, but, but, to get on with my story. One cloudless June afternoon, I found myself in the neighborhood of Baker Street, and I couldn't resist paying a visit to Holmes.
Missus Hudson was out, but, having retained my old latch key, I let myself in and mounted the familiar stairs. It gave me a strange feeling as I raised my hand to knock on what once had been my own living room door.
[00:04:33] Unknown:
Come in. Come in. Come in. Oh, hello, Holmes. Oh,
[00:04:36] Unknown:
I I beg your pardon. I didn't know you. What's my dear fellow?
[00:04:39] Unknown:
How very nice to see you. It's great to see you, Holmes. I I'm sorry I interrupted you. I No. I didn't know that you had company. Not at all, my dear fellow. We're delighted, auntie. Yes, sir. What's up? This is, monsieur Le Villain. How you doing, sir? How you doing? Enchante monsieur. I often wished to meet the so charming doctor Watson. Holmes has told me a great deal about you. Oh, it's nice of you, sir. Oh, Larry. It suits you, Watson. You look splendid although. Gained a little weight, haven't you? Yes. A few pounds a bit. Here comes you. Sit down, won't you?
[00:05:08] Unknown:
You sure that I'm not interrupting you in some important discussion? Oh, no. No. No, monsieur. Doctor, we were having a good natured argument on the relative abilities of the French criminal compared to the English. You
[00:05:19] Unknown:
must lend me your support, Watson. Monsieur Lavee, I was convinced that the English criminal is a very dull dog indeed. Well, we've met some
[00:05:27] Unknown:
far from dull ones in our time. I assure you, monsieur Laveau. Ah, the exceptions rather than the who I fear, monsieur doctor. You're stubborn, aren't you, Laveau? Believe me, my dear friend, that I will yield to no one in my admiration of your knowledge and skill. That is why I wish I could persuade you to practice in Paris. There you would find opponents really words of your skill. What can happen to interest you in this land of great frogs, boiled potatoes, and, pots of tea? You're
[00:05:56] Unknown:
not very flattering. I'm not, mister
[00:05:59] Unknown:
Oh, I meant offence, my friend. Will you say that the English criminal is dull? Well, perhaps if you were to read a published story of mine called a a study in scarlet, you'd think differently.
[00:06:09] Unknown:
It tells a very exciting adventure that Holmes and I had. I have read it, my friend. You have. An extremely gripping story, but surely you will admit that the crime was essentially of America.
[00:06:20] Unknown:
He's right, Watson. He's perfectly right, dear me. What can I do to vindicate the dishonor of the London criminal? Let me see. Oh, yes. Yes. Of course. A copy of today's Times. That's fine. I shall introduce you to a section known as the agony column. Where is it now? Oh, yes. Here we are. This should convince you of the color and variety of English life? The agony column? Mhmm. It sounds most painful.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
What is it, Blake? A personal column is liable to contain anything from a lover's frantic appeal to his lady love to a ransom note. In my profession, I've frequently found it an invaluable medium for contacting the underworld.
[00:06:57] Unknown:
Uh-huh. Yes. Now here we are. Here's something. Dear me. Oh, dear. No. Today's column seems rather uninspired, I'm afraid. May I examine it? Of course. Here you are. Merci.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
If the lady who helped my little boy across the road at the corner of Thredwell Street and Highoborne last Wednesday at four, will get in touch with box eight four five, she will learn of something advantage.
[00:07:24] Unknown:
We can be more colorful than that in Paris, my friends. As I think we can do better than that too. Yeah. Look at this, William. Printer must have been half asleep when he set up the type for this advertisement. Will any gentleman interested in discussing cryptography and cipher writing please communicate with BoxXQL696
[00:07:46] Unknown:
the time. Oh, I I failed to find this message anymore stirring than the preceding one. You notice the execrable printing, don't you? Indeed I do. It is all mixed up. The first word will starts with a capital w and a capital I. The second word any starts with a small a and then has a capital n and y. It is a shocking example of typography. And when it occurs in a paper noted for its excellence in typesetting, one realizes
[00:08:11] Unknown:
that this is no mistake. What do you mean, This is undoubtedly a code message.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
Come now, my friend. I defying you to make estria out of the.
[00:08:20] Unknown:
I accept your challenge, my dear LeBlanc. If you recall, the Baconian bilateral cipher depends upon the use of two sizes of type. If we group the letters in units of five, the arrangements of small and capital letters within the group should give us the message. Now let's see. Two capitals followed by three small gives us the letter h,
[00:08:41] Unknown:
then two capitals, one small, two more that gives us e h I still think you are trying to make a venture out of a mere printing accident.
[00:08:48] Unknown:
No mere printing accident could so readily fall into one of the great traditional ciders. Now let's see. This message reads h e l help, q too small. Q u I, quilter. Help quilter. L l too small and large. Elms. Help quilter. Elms.
[00:09:10] Unknown:
There it is. Yes. Penj. Help Quilter. Elms Penj. Help Quilter. Elms Penj. What what does that mean? Presumably that a man named Quilter who lives at a house called The Elms in the village of Penj needs help. Ah, I see it now.
[00:09:25] Unknown:
A helpless victim held prisoner. He smuggles out this message as a as a harmless personnel, with strict instructions that it be printed on this art form. He knows that the amateurs of cryptography to whom it is addressed will decipher this call for help.
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Monsieur Villas, you seem ready to grant that adventure can exist in London after all.
[00:09:46] Unknown:
The advantage, my dear Watson, of a more mercurial temperament than we Englishmen possess. Well, the viad, what about it? Shall we set off for Penge and rescue the injunious Mr. Quilter from whatever dire fate awaits him in the elms? I'm all in patience. Splendid. Watson, I suppose you're too busy to join us. Too busy? Well, I mean, your practice, I'm sure that you have patience to do. Oh, ingenious is good. As a matter of fact, I have two further visits to make today.
[00:10:10] Unknown:
One to a peppery old miser who has gout and the other to a wealthy society woman who has acute attack of hypochondria. Hypochondria, as they call it. But to places where they're going to hold both for a month. I'm coming with you, Holmes, if you want me. Bravo, Watson. And grab your hat and coat. The game's afoot.
[00:10:42] Unknown:
Here you are, gents. The Helmspin. Nice old film for a drive, wasn't it? Afraid it'll cost you 15 bob, though. Yes. They're sovereign for you. You can keep the chain. No. I mean, thank you, governor. Top of the evening to you, gents.
[00:11:01] Unknown:
So this is The Elms. Quite a bit of land for such a modest neighborhood.
[00:11:06] Unknown:
To call it The Elms seem remarkably apropos. I I cannot see an end in sight.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
So you see, Le Villard, the English have bought imagination, and you give them credit for it. Are you just gonna walk up to the front door and knock home? Why not? The direct approach is often the most satisfactory. Oh, you disappoint me. I I had hoped that perhaps you would adopt one of the disguises in which you are so adept, I am told. Well, since it's unlikely that these people know me by sight, that's hardly necessary, is it? However, I trust that this little problem may reward you with some colorful highlights before we're through.
[00:11:39] Unknown:
No. Good. Scott, revolver shot.
[00:11:41] Unknown:
They came from the house. We are too late. Mister Quilter has been murdered. No. I think not. You will observe that the next door neighbor to the Elm was mowing his front lawn as we drove up. He is still engaged in the same occupation. Obviously, revolver shots attract little attention this, my sympathy. Don't you? You mean that violence and sudden death are so common that they do not attract even passing interest? No. Yeah. Even the British are not as phlegmatic as that. Then what is the answer to those shots? Some member of this household is addicted to pistol practice. And the fact that a shooting target is nailed to the back of that fence over there would further support the theory.
[00:12:16] Unknown:
That's rather ominous in my opinion.
[00:12:19] Unknown:
Well, here we are at the front door. Let's keep our wits about us anyway.
[00:12:23] Unknown:
Are you carrying a revolver, doctor Watson? No. On his stethoscope, I'm afraid. I was prepared for sickness when I left the house today and not for crime.
[00:12:32] Unknown:
I too am unarmed. How about you, miss Ormes? Only a magnifying
[00:12:36] Unknown:
glass, I'm afraid. Hardly a very lethal weapon. Yes? My friends and I were calling on mister Quota. Oh, who are you? My name is Sherlock Holmes, and these are my friends, doctor Watson and Musou La Vieux. How do you do, madam? How do you do? Is it possible to expect? I don't know. We, read his advertisement in the agony column of the times today and came down here at once. Are you, a relation of his? I'm his niece. Oh. My name is doctor Faversham.
[00:13:01] Unknown:
Come in, won't you?
[00:13:02] Unknown:
Miss Faversham, I suppose it is. Yes, doctor. It's miss Faversham. No. We, had three revolver shots as we were walking up the driveway. They they gave us quite a start. Yes, mademoiselle. We were afraid that we might have arrived at the time of tragedy. Yes, indeed. Tragedy?
[00:13:19] Unknown:
Oh, my hobby is revolver shooting. I was doing some target practice in the back garden when you arrived. Revolver shooting, miss Vanveen. Oh, very interesting. I'm proud of myself that I'm something of a marksman myself. Oh, really? Mhmm. Well, perhaps we can have a match. Won't you sit down? Your challenge intrigues me, miss Faversham, but, before I accept it, I should like to see mister Quilter. Well, uncle George is paralyzed Oh, wow. Spent all his time in a wheelchair. I'm not at all sure he'll see you. Well, at least you can ask him, can't you, miss Faversham? It is his custom at this time of the day to take a little nap. Perhaps tomorrow. Darius. Darius. He's still awake. Who's here? Yes, uncle. Some men have come to see you, uncle. Bring him in. Bring him in.
Follow me, gentlemen. Uncle, this is mister Sherlock Holmes, doctor Watson, and mister,
[00:14:11] Unknown:
mister Le Villard. And mister Le Villard. And how's your router? How are you doing? Sherlock Holmes, Took you long enough to decipher my message and get here, didn't it? Your brother's a much faster worker, isn't he? Oh, what makes you say that, mister Quilter? Receive this telegram from you at 11:00 this morning and read it for yourself.
[00:14:29] Unknown:
Oh, well. What to say, hon? Suggest you consult my brother, Sherlock, and it's it's signed, Microp Holmes. Yes, mister Quota. My my brother is a much faster worker, or shall we say that he suffers from the unfortunate habit of early rising?
[00:14:43] Unknown:
He undoubtedly read the agony cop three hours before I did today. Don't know about that, but I've been expecting you all day. I imagine you know why I inserted that advertisement. Well, I had the impression that, you were under some form of restraint, that, you were in need of a rescue party as it were. Rubbish. My advertisement was a piece of subtle bait. The only person that could decipher the message would obviously be someone who knew the Baconian cipher. A very logical deduction, mister Poulton. You see, I'm convinced as any sensible man should be that the so called Shakespearean plays were written by sir Francis Bacon. Oh, I see. But I felt that it needed a clever man to approve the fact. Mhmm. I'm assured that anyone who was able to decipher my message was the man I needed. And what did it take, mister Holmes, to do the job? I've reached man. Name your fee. Do you mean to say that you inveigled, mister Holmes, down here just to do some research
[00:15:30] Unknown:
on the origin of Shakespeare's work? You needn't look so shocked, doctor Watson. My uncle is off with Aimee Hanssen Fein. Well, what do you say, mister Sherlock Holmes? An interesting subject, research. I'll concede that Ignatius, Donnelli, and others have proved almost beyond doubt that William Shakespeare Strathor and Avon did not write the plays, but I greatly doubt that lord Bacon did. I may devote my leisure in later years to some investigation on the subject. But in the meanwhile, mister Groton, I'm afraid I'm much too busy to want to take such an assignment. Please yourself. Show the income now, Doris. Goodbye, sir.
[00:16:02] Unknown:
Goodbye,
[00:16:05] Unknown:
sir. Too bad. You had this long drive down here for nothing, Gerald. You know, who do I quite agree on it? It would seem to me that your uncle has a distinct talent for practical joking, madame. Uncle?
[00:16:16] Unknown:
Oh, uncle never made a joke in his life.
[00:16:19] Unknown:
Mister Holmes, now that you're here, perhaps you'd like to indulge a little shooting match. Thank you, miss Fadisham. But, as I told your uncle, I'm a busy man. Good evening to you.
[00:16:29] Unknown:
Goodbye, gentlemen. Goodbye.
[00:16:34] Unknown:
Holmes, old fellow, you're you're losing your touch. You'd never made a blunder like this if I'd still been with you.
[00:16:41] Unknown:
It is comforting for an aspiring detective like myself to know that Sherlock Holmes is fallible.
[00:16:49] Unknown:
Then am I to assume that I must continue the case alone? What do you mean continue the case? There isn't there isn't one. Filters is in no danger. He's in desperate danger. What? I'll be afraid I may be too late to save him. What? We have just spoken to the man. Oh, no. Did neither of you notice the traces of fresh loam on the boots of that supposedly paralyzed man? Gentlemen, I fear the agony column has led us to murder.
[00:17:20] Unknown:
You'll leave the rest of Doctor. Watson's story in just a second. Time enough for me to mention that any meal is a better meal when it's served with a Petri dinner wine. If you're having chicken or fish, use Petri California Sauternes. Petri Sauternes is a subtle delicately flavored white wine that looks and tastes like captured sunshine. If you're having a roast or chops or any kind of meat or meat dish, then by all means, serve Petri California Burgundy. Petri Burgundy is a hearty full flavored red wine. One of the most delicious red wines you ever poured from a bottle. Why not get a bottle of each? Petri Burgundy and Petri Sauternes.
Then no matter what you have for dinner, you'll surely have the right wine, a Petrid wine.
[00:18:08] Unknown:
Well, doctor, why did you have to break off your story there? Well, I had to break it off somewhere, Mr. Bartel, and that seemed to be the most exciting spot. It certainly was. I was convinced that the great Sherlock Holmes had been fooled for once. What happened next? Well, I need this to remark. We did not get into a cab and go back to London, but let me pick up the story at the same place that I broke it off. As Holmes said
[00:18:32] Unknown:
Gentlemen, I fear the agony, Colin, has led us to murder. Murder? There was fresh earth on the soles of his boots, you say? Distinct traces. Proving that the man in the wheelchair was not paralyzed. And that man whoever he is was a fascinating quilter to pull us off the track. And the real quilter may have been killed. I'm afraid so. Let's stop here for a moment, shall we, while we make our plans. This hedge will hide us from the house in case they're watching from the windows. Now this isn't a hard picture to reconstruct. There undoubtedly is or was a paralyzed Baconian scholar and quilter. He managed to smuggle out that ingenious plea for help, but Mycroft's unfortunate telegram gave the game away. Mhmm. I see it now. The people in there holding him prisoner forced him to reveal what he has done. What they may have done to him, heaven alone knows. One of the criminals guessing from the telegram that I might appear on the case posed as the crippled quilter. What's our next move, ho? Remember that singularly unattractive young lady skilled by the revolver? We must search the grounds as unobtrusively
[00:19:26] Unknown:
as we can. Search the grounds? For what? I can answer that question, Monsieur Doctor. We search for signs of the freshly turned earth of a grave.
[00:19:46] Unknown:
Well, we didn't find any traces of the poor devil's corpse. Thank heaven. No. A great disappointment. Jeremy, you're very bloodthirsted to be young. Hello. Look at the old fellow trimming their hedge over there. Must be the gardener. Let's have a chat for him, shall we? May be able to give us some
[00:20:02] Unknown:
information. Good evening to you. Evening to you, gentlemen. Really? You work for mister Quilter? That I do, sir. That I do. Very fine work too. I've seldom seen a leather kept garden. I thank you, sir. I do pride myself in my work. I wonder if you can help me. Be glad to if I can, sir. Did you see a telegraph boy deliver a message here this morning? That I did. The boy came here about 10:00 this morning. I always had clip in the front edge at the time. And, you've been working here ever since? Yes, sir. Brought my lunch with me today and ate it in the cup. Has anyone entered or left the house since that telegram was delivered? No, sir. No one except your house. I see. I see. I suppose you occasionally run errands, mister Quilter? Not much these days, sir. The poor old gentleman keeps his chair in the house pretty much all the time, sir. I did run a message for him yesterday. Oh, you did? Wait. Sir, I was pruning the rose bushes under his study windows. When the window opens and his hand comes out with a message, he told me to take it to the village office of the times and to tell him to print it just the way it was. He looked kind of worried when he gave me the message. And he, he whispered to me just as if he was afraid in his own house. I'm much obliged to you. Here's 5 shillings for your trouble. Oh, thank you, sir. Much obliged to you. I'm sure. Good evening. Good evening to you, gentlemen.
[00:21:14] Unknown:
So that's how the message was smuggled out. And no one has come to the house or left it since that telecom was delivered. If Alcoutor, his body must still be inside that house. We are going to search the house? Yes. We are. But we're we're not armed. They certainly are. They probably won't even let us in. Yes. They will. We have a an infallible key to entry, a woman's vanity. Come on.
[00:21:47] Unknown:
Oh, so you came back.
[00:21:50] Unknown:
I thought you wouldn't be able to resist my challenge to a pistol match, mister Holmes. Exactly, miss Vasham. We had difficulty in finding a cab and decided to take a train to London. There was an hour's wait, so I I thought I'd accept your challenge. Good. Come in.
[00:22:04] Unknown:
We'll go into the back garden. Thank you. Don't talk loudly. I think uncle's asleep in the next room. Don't bring anybody in here, Doris. I want a sleep. Alright, uncle. This way, gentlemen. If your uncle wants a sleep, seems a funny sort of al alibi. Oh, well, he's used to that doctor. Here we are. This is the 50 yard range, mister Holmes. Three shots, best aggregates for wind. I'm still gonna bet.
[00:22:36] Unknown:
You made mistake. Made mistakes, miss Faversham. The sovereign? Certainly. You, take the first three shots? Very well.
[00:22:44] Unknown:
And it just checked that it's loaded. Yes? Six bullets. Alright. Here I go.
[00:22:58] Unknown:
Bravo, miss Faversham. Spin him.
[00:23:00] Unknown:
And two winners. I can do better. Your turn, mister Holmes.
[00:23:06] Unknown:
Doris,
[00:23:07] Unknown:
who are these men? Friends of mine. I'll introduce you in a minute, Jeffrey. In the middle of a match at the moment. Your turn, mister Holmes. The revolver, please. Here you are. Thank you. You, you're sure know how to handle a revolver.
[00:23:21] Unknown:
Quite sure. Thanks. And why are you pointing it at me? Because I want you to raise your hands above your head. You too, whatever your name is. Doris, who are these men? Put up your hands. I shan't hesitate to shoot. I assure you. Come on. That's it. What instead of the name do you think you're up to? Finding out what became of the real Mr. Quilter. Search the man, Watson. Right you are, Holmes. Yeah. Go into the house. Will you and search it? Oh, yes. But of course. Hello? This man had a revolver on his hip. Keep him covered with it. He'll stand still you. Now, sir, who are you? From your resemblance to the man in the wheelchair that we saw earlier, I should say that you're a member of the same family. We are both relatives, and it's a quilter. That's right. My name's Davies. I'm from the Australian branch of the family. Relatives.
Yes. And doubtless, you stood to inherit his estate in the event of Quilter's death. You moved in on this defenseless old man, terrorized him, lived off him, and finally found it necessary to destroy him.
[00:24:11] Unknown:
You're talking absolute rubbish. He's telling the truth and you know it. I can tell by your expressions. No begging of the house, both of you. Come on. And keep your hands
[00:24:19] Unknown:
raised. Alright. That's it. Come on. Lead the way into the study. The man posing as mister Colter is still there. We heard him call out as we came in. Yes. We might as well confront the three of them together.
[00:24:33] Unknown:
Yes. He's still seated in the chair. He seems to be asleep. Here. Did you find anything?
[00:24:41] Unknown:
Another trace of the missing men, missus Holmes.
[00:24:45] Unknown:
Davis, what did you do with mister Coulter? I didn't do anything with him. Of course not. He's sitting there in that chair. No. Who's lying to us? We know that that man's an impostor. This is a fantastic situation. Nobody's left this house since the telegram arrived, and nobody has come to it yet. Mister Quilter has vanished. Good lord. How can he sleep through all this talk? You'd think he'd been drugged. Pia. We are idiots. You are unquestionably the most promising detective in France, and some people have been kind enough to grant me a similar status in England. And yet my old friend Watson has just solved the case. Oh, well, nothing is
[00:25:19] Unknown:
too happy to what? Stop it. Well, how?
[00:25:22] Unknown:
Listen to the breathing of that man in the chair. He's been drugged. There sits the real mister Quilter, the persecuted victim who sent a cipher message for help. The man we spoke to earlier.
[00:25:35] Unknown:
Was you, mister Davies,
[00:25:37] Unknown:
impersonating Quilter? After you'd received us, you took off your disguise, adopted an Australian accent, and then hid your drug victim by placing him in his own wheelchair, knowing that would be the last place we'd look for him. And they would have kept him here until we had gone and then murdered him. What a devilish plot. Well, what have you gotta save yourselves? It was Jeffrey's idea, not mine. I didn't have anything to do with it. That's a dirty lie. You were in this as much as I am. Oh, this is splendid. It's splendid. Please continue the argument. It'll make interesting evidence in court. You can't take us into court? Of course, can't. What's the charge? Quilter's still alive as me. When mister Quilter revives under doctor Watts' administration, you will be charged, I have no doubt, with attempted murder, abduction, sequestration, duress, and probably several other counts. Mister Villard, if you will find us a cab, take these miscreants to Scotland Yard.
Our work is done.
[00:26:40] Unknown:
Well, doctor, that was a fine story. I
[00:26:43] Unknown:
what are you fidgeting for? Fidgeting? We well, I'm expecting a guest. I thought I heard him just out out the the the front door. A guest?
[00:26:51] Unknown:
Now you're being as mysterious as mister Holmes. Oh, not quite. You see,
[00:26:56] Unknown:
I Come in. Doctor Watson, how are you, you all dressed? Gregory, my boy. It's great to see you again. Mister Bartel,
[00:27:03] Unknown:
meet my friend, mister Gregory Hood. Not the Gregory Hood. Mister Bartell, I like the way you say that. Yes, mister Bartell. This is the Gregory Hood. Mister Bartell, if you listen to doctor Watson, he'll lead you to believe I'm much more important than I am. I'm quite a simple person, really. I'm kind to dogs, just love little children and always help old ladies cross the street. I also know how to make a fire by rubbing two sticks together. Yes. And unlike my old friend, Holmes, you pretend to know very little about criminals and crime. And yet you're one of America's outstanding criminologists. So I've heard. A hobby, mister Bartel, a hobby. My real business is importing headquarters, San Francisco. Need any old masters? Perhaps I can sell you a nice piece of jade or, would you rather have a bit of old Balinese Oh, wait a minute. This is all a little too fast for me. You learn that Gregory is a little too fast for everybody.
[00:27:52] Unknown:
But mister Bartell, I'm sure you'll get to know mister Hode a good deal better. You see, as I've told you, I've always wanted to take a trip back to England and now I have a chance to do so. But doctor, won't I see you again? What about our story? Oh, I shall be back in the fall, but meanwhile, I've asked mister Gregory Hood to get together with you at this time every week and tell you some of his experiences. Which, of course, makes me feel very important. Mister Hood, as you know, has been involved in many famous cases dealing in crime. His importing business and his hobby criminology are a strange combination.
I learned that he keeps a diary of these cases, and it's a fascinating book. The case book of Gregory Hood. The case book of Gregory Hood. Sounds intriguing. Intriguing?
[00:28:40] Unknown:
It certainly is. Thank you. Well, then I can tell all our friends, be sure to listen next week at the same time and every Monday night through summer to the Casebook of Gregory Hood. Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher, and was suggested by an incident in sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story, the sign of four. Music is by Dean Foster. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.
Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio. This is Harry Bartel saying night for the Petrie family. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
[00:29:50] Unknown:
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The Avengers in South Africa
Sherlock Holmes and the Petri Family
Doctor Watson's Afternoon Stroll
The French Detective Francois LaVilla
A Visit to Baker Street
The Agony Column Mystery
Help from the Agony Column
The Elms and the Revolver Shots
Meeting Mister Quilter
The Disappearance of Mister Quilter
The Gardener's Clue
The Pistol Match Challenge
The Real Mister Quilter Revealed
Gregory Hood's Introduction
