In this intriguing episode, we delve into the world of classic radio dramas, exploring the impact of the radio series "The Avengers" in South Africa, a country without national television until 1976. The episode highlights how the series, which captivated audiences in Britain and America, found a unique way to reach South African listeners through film rentals. We also take a nostalgic journey with the Petri family, known for their fine wines, as they invite listeners to enjoy the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, masterfully portrayed by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The episode paints a vivid picture of the era, with a delightful blend of mystery and classic storytelling.
We then transition into a gripping Sherlock Holmes adventure, set in the autumn of 1903, just before Holmes' retirement to Sussex. The story unfolds with the mysterious disappearance of Professor Boulard and his assistants, all linked to the rare and valuable element radium. As Holmes and Watson investigate, they uncover a tale of scientific ambition, murder, and deception. The episode captures the essence of Holmes' deductive prowess as he unravels the mystery, leading to a surprising conclusion. This classic tale is a testament to the enduring appeal of Sherlock Holmes and the timeless allure of radio dramas.
(00:04) The Avengers in South Africa
(00:50) Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
(03:10) Holmes' Last Adventure Before Retirement
(04:36) The Radium Mystery
(09:51) The Disappearance of the Assistants
(13:35) Following the Clues
(17:54) The Murder Scene
(20:27) The Investigation Continues
(23:01) Holmes Solves the Case
(27:04) Holmes' Retirement and Bee Farming
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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.
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Petrie wine brings you Basil Rath Rathbone and
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Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock
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Holmes. The Petri 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'd like to ask you a short simple question. Have you ever tried a glass of sherry before dinner? If you haven't, haven't, you'll never know what you're missing till you do. And make that sherry Petri California sherry because Petri sherry is the best beginning a good meal ever had. Just hold a glass of petri sherry to the light. Look at its wonderful clear amber color.
Now just get a whiff of that aroma, bouquet the experts call it. I'm telling you, you can just smell those big luscious grapes. Now best of all, taste your petri sherry. Sip it. Sip it slowly so you don't miss one single drop of this truly delicious wine. Yes. Without a doubt, Petri sherry is good wine. Oh, and incidentally, Petri makes two kinds of sherry, regular sherry and Petri pale dry. Both are fine. And if you're not sure which you might like best, do what I do. Don't buy one, buy two. Try them both and serve them proudly because the name Petri is the proudest name in the name in the history of American wines.
And now I'm sure our good friend and host, doctor Watson, is waiting, so let's go in and join
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him. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead. Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartow here. Quiet. Down down, Monty. Down down there. Don't seem very chipper tonight. Tonight, yes. But they've been in disgrace most of the day, mister Berto. Oh, what have they been up to after the seals again died? Oh, my boy. This time it was chickens. They got into my neighbor's coop and had a delightful time. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but I'm afraid that my, my good neighbor policy suffered a slight diplomatic strain. But you come here to listen to Sherlock Holmes adventures, not those of my dogs. So, throw off your usual chair and make yourself comfortable and,
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I'll get on with tonight's story. Last week, doctor, you told us it was a case in which Sherlock Holmes found the solution without ever meeting any of the suspects. That's quite correct. Mr. Bartell, as remarkable
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as an exhibition of long distance detection as I ever recall. But, judge the story for yourself, my boy. It's in the autumn of nineteen hundred and three and Sherlock Holmes was about to retire to his bee farm on the Sussex Downs. I must confess, mister Bartow, that my heart was heavy during those last few weeks we spent at Baker Street, I thought of the countless adventures that we'd shared together. I remembered those many evenings of quiet comradeship and companionship, a fire blazing away in the hearth as Holmes lay back in the shadows playing his beloved violin. And then mister Bartell, as so often happened, there'd be a violent jangle on our doorbell and some wretched soul in misery would be standing before us and pouring out his troubles.
Suddenly, the violin would be discarded and Holmes the dreamer would become Holmes, the man of action. Come watch some of the games of footage, sir. And then a few moments later,
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we'd be rattling off in a cab through the foggy, gasket London streets. Yes, doctor. I can imagine it was pretty hard for you to leave Baker Street.
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It was, mister Bartell. However, as it transpired, there was one more adventure awaiting us before we left. A few days before the actual move, I persuaded Holmes to take an afternoon off from his packing and accompany me me on a visit to the laboratory of an old friend of mine, a professor Jean Boulins. He was an eminent French scientist engaged in very important work at the London University. Oh, by the way, this was at a period, Mr. Bartell, when radium was something extremely new and extremely rare. The university had just acquired a minute but invaluable portion of the element and professor Boulins was in charge of the research connected with it. I can remember the picture so well as Holmes stood in the laboratory talking with keen interest with a distinguished scientist.
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Amazing, professor Boulin. Quite amazing. Think that this tiny leaden vessel contains one of the most precious substances in the world. Yes, mister Holmes. They have a great deal to thank madam Curie for.
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This new element may force us entirely to revise our concepts of all physical structure. Your research is a great responsibility, Bullard. It is, Watson. I must confess that I wish the authorities here would give me a freer hand. I foresee such infinite possibilities in the use, particularly the medical use of radium. But my conservative superior seem to regard it only as a toy, a scientific curiosity. Limit your experiments accordingly, I suppose. Exactly. I'm given no opportunity to do anything that's in the least radical. Must be very disheartening. How can research ever get anywhere along those lines? It is a great misfortune, Holmes, that you've determined to attire to your bee farm.
This project, we could use such an analytical mind as yours. You're flattered, professor. How many assistants do you have working with you, Bullard? Three. But none of them are very inspired, I'm afraid. What? My best assistant is a man named Barker. He's a little on the conservative side too, but he is extremely adroit. The other two, a young man called Taylor and the girl Gladys Hughes, they mean well. But gauche, I fear, is the only word to describe them. Why why why do you laugh, Fuller? I was just amused to observe that in describing my assistance, I chance to be literal as well as figurative. It's odd that random symbolism can sometime, but never mind that. You would like to see the rest of the laboratory? Yes. Yes. Indeed. We would. Thank you very much. I have some extraordinarily interesting photographic plates that record the emanations of radium. They're over here. I think you will find them most fascinating.
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Baker Street, particularly when our rooms are full of packing cases, seems rather drab after the scientific stimulations of professor Boulan's laboratory. And doesn't it all, Jack? Yes. It seemed drab even if we hadn't been to see him. I feel frightfully depressed, Holmes. I just don't know what I'm gonna do without you. Oh, you're still a young man, Watson, and a susceptible one.
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You'll marry again. No. No. I won't. Yes. You will, old chap. And you'll end up by being glad that your old roommate, your difficult rather unsociable old roommate is living in retirement on the Sussex Downs. Rubbish, I shan't feel any of the kind. In any case, I don't think you will be able to stay in retirement for long. Your mind is much too alert to be satisfied by being a sort of midwife to a bunch of beastly bees. Oh dear Watson. I feel that you'll never eat honey again. Yes. You can laugh Holmes, but I could see how excited you were when Boula suggested that you might help him with his radium experiment. Flattering suggestion. I must admit my dear fellow, just the same. Oh, now who the devil's that? From the urgency of the tag on the bell pull, I'd say that it was a client. And don't head him off. Will you all chap? Yes. I'll do my best. Oh, Watson explained that I'm no longer in practice. It's too late Holmes. He's passed past Mrs. Hudson. Here he comes rushing up the stairs. I can't found it. I beg your pardon, sir. You're Mr. Holmes?
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No, I am not, Charlie. Then you must be Mr. Holmes. That is my name, sir. But may I ask what accounts for your rather whirlwind entrance? My housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson I have never time to consider etiquette. My sister, Gladys Hughes, has vanished, vanished into thin air. You've got to find her for me, mister Holmes. I'll pay you any fee you name, but you've got to find her. Mister Hughes, I'm extremely sorry that your sister has vanished, but I'm afraid that I can do nothing to help you. I'm retiring. I'm giving up my practice. If you won't help me, I'll go to someone who will. That's exactly what I mean, sir. I suggest that you go to the police or if you insist on a private investigator, I can strongly recommend mister Martin Hewitt. Yes. His address is, 39 Punt Street, Knightsbridge. Good day to you. Good day, mister Hugh. Thirty six Punt Street, Knight. Mister Martin. Unless I cannot stand his concern, but his manners leave a great deal to be desired. Holmes, Holmes, Gladys Hughes, his missing sister, that was the name of one of professor Boulard's assistants, wasn't it? True, Ovolo, but it's, probably only a coincidence. What? Both Christian and surnames are extremely common ones.
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Well, I I have a feeling that it may not be a coincidence.
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Oh, come now, my dear fellow. Don't you try and embroil me in a fresh adventure. I've retired and I'm leaving for Sussex in a few days. And if any more clients come wrenching at my doorbell, I shall ignore them.
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But mister Holmes, you've got to help me. My son, Geoffrey Barker, has disappeared. I'm sorry, missus Barker, but I'm afraid I'm Holmes. Geoffrey Barker was the name of professor Bullard's chief assistant.
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Watson, please believe me when I say that I am not to be in bageled into any further
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Missus Taylor, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Oh, but mister Holmes, it's my husband. He's disappeared. We we've only been married three months and now oh, it's terrible. I I've been so worried ever since they started to work on that strange new radium with professor Jean Valle. Holmes, you can't pretend it's coincidence any longer. Garrus Hughes, Geoffrey Barker, and now Taylor, the three assistants of professor Bullard. I know it, Watson. Missus Taylor, the moving van will be here tomorrow to take to take my things to Sussex.
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I shall follow them immediately. I have retired, madam. Do you understand that? Retired.
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Yes. Another telegram for you, Holmes. It'll be the fourth today. Why won't Scotland Yard leave me alone? Well, it's a pretty strange business. Three people engaged in research of this new element radium. They've all disappeared within forty eight hours.
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Scotland Yard needs your help. Let them earn their salaries, my dear Watson. I've helped them for the last time. Well, let's see how they've couched their latest diffusion. This isn't from Scotland Yard. It's from my brother, Mycroft. Mycroft? What's he gonna say? Listen to this. This. Now professor Boulard has disappeared. Great Scott. And the radium with him. Surely the pattern is obvious, Sherlock. Radium must be found, could solve the problem for you, but I'm too lazy. Consider what a flashy case for you to retire on. Regards, Mycroft. The old devil. Holmes, this is shocking. My old friend Bullard has disappeared. Yes, Watson. And now my brother asks me to investigate.
The pressure becomes irresistible. Very well. I bow to fate and postpone my retirement for a few hours. Good man, Holmes. You know, you'll you'll never really retire. Obviously, as Mycroft says, there's an obvious pattern in this case. Our first step, of course, will be to interview all the doctors who treat patients without charge. Why?
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Well, surely that's obvious. Well, it isn't at all obvious, Svetloyi. I don't know why you always leave me in the dark.
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Well, what makes you laugh?
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Being left in the dark, it's just like the old times, isn't it, Holmes? Come on, old fellow. Let's go. The game's afoot. Doctor McDonald, this is mister Sherlock Holmes. Mister Sherlock Holmes, I'm very glad to meet you. And are you, doctor McDonald? I swear that I've never been to as many doctor's offices I have today, but mister Holmes is in search of some information. Perhaps doctor, you you can help him. I'll do my best.
[00:12:41] Unknown:
What do you want to know, mister Holmes? Whether you have any charity patients with skin eruptions or growths of any kind. I mean, patients that have not kept their appointments recently, perhaps. Now let me see.
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Why why yes, I do. Old Mrs. Spindle. She has a very bad case of lupus. She was due for a treatment here yesterday and I've seen nothing of her. Splendid. Can you give me her address? Why certainly. It's in my book here. Well, I hope this isn't a false trial, Holmes. You can only explore it and see, dear chap. Here we are. Missus Pendle. Thirty six Elm Gardens,
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Clapham. Missus Pendle. Thirty six six Elm Gardens, Clapham. Thank you, doctor. I'm greatly obliged to you.
[00:13:36] Unknown:
Getting restless, Watson? Yes. I am a little. We've been waiting outside missus Pendle's house for over an hour. Why don't we knock on the door and see if she's at home? Oh, no. No. No, my dear chap. We mustn't frighten her. I hope that she's going to lead us to our quarry. You see? Shh. Shh. Shh. Front door's opening. The woman's coming out.
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Yes. It's missus Pendle, beyond doubt. Look at that bandage around the upper part of her face. Yeah. Hello. She's turning down the street.
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We're going to follow her, I suppose. Naturally, but let's give us a let's give her a start, shall we? We don't want her to spot us. Well, while we're waiting, perhaps you'll clear up one or two points for me. I'm still very much in the dark. With pleasure, old chap. What puzzles you? Well, one of the things that I Pardon? We've given her enough of a start. Let's follow her. Oh, very well. Very well. But look here, Holmes. You asked me what I didn't understand. Two things puzzled me. What did Mycroft mean by the pattern of the case? Why are we following a poor sick old lady through the London streets?
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I'll ask answer the first question, and I think the answer to the second will be self apparent. The pattern of the case is clear. Professor Boulard and his three assistants have vanished together with the radium, but their disappearances were not simultaneous. Had they been so, it would have been a transparent case of theft. But with the disappearances
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gradual rather than simultaneous, the emphasis has been subtly shifted. Yes. I can see that, Holmes. But what do you suppose is at the back of the whole business? Can't be a simple case of theft. Radium is enormously valuable, but it'd be hard stuff to sell again. Not to an unscrupulous criminal with a knowledge of medicine, Watson. My own theory, and I admit at the moment that it's purely a theory,
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is that professor Boulard was worried because he was so hampered in his research. You remember that he stressed his great faith in the medical values of the new element radium. Yes. Yes. Yes. He did. It's more than possible that he places the rights of science above the rights of property that he's determined that he and his group will carry on their invaluable research unhampered by the conservative restraints of the university. I see what you mean, Holmes, but how does missus Kendall, the poor woman that we're following, enter the picture? Because one of the chief lines of radium research on the continent so far has been with her sort of trouble. Professor Boulard's obvious move, if my theory is correct, would be to contact poverty stricken patients, promise them relief, induce them to abandon their regular treatments, and submit to him. By Julius Holmes, that seems perfectly logical, And yet, I can't believe that Bullard would Mrs. Penghoulton has, reached her destination.
She's turned down the driveway. Yes. She's walking up to what looks like a a deserted well. Hello, chap. Don't let her out of our sight.
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She's opened the door without
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knocking. She's gone in. We'll wait here for a moment or two, then we'll follow her.
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I have a feeling that your old friend, Professor Poulard, is not far away, Watson. You're probably right. And I hope we can do something to protect him from the consequences of what he's done. It might easily mean the finish of a brilliant career. I do everything in my power, but you know as well as I do Look, look, look, look. Missus Pindell's coming out again. Yes, and she's in trouble. Come on.
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Missus Pindell, what's wrong? I don't know how you know my name or who you be, but you ask me what's wrong. They tell me to come here to this address and I find a doctor who dealt my face. I comes here and what do I find? What did you find madam? A corpse, sir. That's what I find. A dead man lying there in a great pool of his own blood.
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You'll hear the rest of doctor Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to remind you that there's one wine which everyone likes and which is good on any occasion, Petri California sherry. You want a swell wine to serve before dinner? The perfect answer is petri sherry. If you want a wine that's delicious after dinner or later in the evening when you're just talking things over with your friends, again, you want petri sherry. And if you want a wonderful wine to serve at cocktail time, naturally you want petri sherry. Sherry is a wine that's good at any time. And petri, well, petri is the wine that's good all the time.
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Well, doctor Watson, so following the tracks of old missus Pindell led you to a corpse, Yes, mister Bartell. Of course. Sherlock Holmes and I went at once into the broken down warehouse to examine the scene of the tragedy. Slumped over a desk in a dark and shabby room, a flickering candle giving a macabre lighting to the sea. It was the body of a man. I think I knew its identity even before Holmes turned to me.
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Professor Boulard. Alright, Watson. Good devil. Murder the cart. Yes. But examine him for yourself, will you? Yes.
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There's no doubt about it. This wound couldn't have been self inflicted. The right oracle of the heart has has been pierced. How long ago would you estimate death took place? Not more than a couple of hours ago, I should say.
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On how to reconstruct the killing. The murderer came up from behind Boulard as he sat here, crooked an arm around his throat. Yes. See the finger marks on the right hand side of the neck. Here. Then stabbed him in the chest. And then withdrew the weapon and disappeared. Leaving no traces, confounded. A dusty room is an ideal place for recording footprints but, half a dozen different prints here including Mrs. Pindell's. Hello. Here's the print of a smaller woman's shoe. Well, must be that of Gannett Hughes, his assistant. Undoubtedly. That really proves nothing except that she was here with him. The fact that we were convinced of anyway. Question is go on. Let's go outside and talk to missus Pindell again.
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Poor old Bullard. What a shocking way to die. What a great loss to science. I suppose the murderer must have stolen the radium. We found no trace of it in there. Undoubtedly, the possession of the radium was the motive for the murder.
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Missus Pendle.
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The poor man is dead, ain't you, sir? I'm afraid so, madam. I knew it. I never should have come here. I never should have left doctor McDonald's. Missus Pindell, let me ask you a question. I can't be answering no question, sir. I don't know nothing about how the poor soul got his self murdered.
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What would a poor woman like me know about such things? No. No. No. No. My good woman. My friend isn't suggesting at all that you know anything about the murder. Then what do you want to know, sir?
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Who told you to come to this address today, missus Pindell?
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A young lady. Nice young lady. She was too. She met me coming out of doctor McDonald's yesterday and told me that if I come here today, I'd find a doctor who could cure me. Yeah. That was obviously miss Hughes. Holmes,
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I believe that your theory was right. Come on, missus Pindell. We'll escort you to the nearest police station where you can report the murder. Yes, sir. And then, Watson, we must keep on the track of the radium. That perhaps is more important than any life. Well, how are we gonna do that? We haven't a clue to go on. Remember that professor Boulard's three three assistants are still missing. We must go to the homes of each of them and see what can be found out.
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Mister Hughes, you must realize by now that your sister's disappearance is part of something vastly more significant than you think. I must ask you in the My sister didn't disappear, mister What do you mean, sir? You came to us and said that she had. Oh, it was all a mistake, gentlemen. She came back today. She'd just been down to the seaside for a short rest and she'd forgotten to let me know. I'm sorry to have bothered you. May I see your sister at once, please? I'm sorry, Mr. Holmes, but she's out just now. I don't know where she's gone or what time she'll be back.
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Missus Barker, I've come to you about your son's disappearance. I'm afraid that How could my son didn't disappear, mister Holmes. It was all a misunderstanding.
[00:21:24] Unknown:
He came home today. Then may we speak to him, please, missus Parker? Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible. You see, he
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did. Missus Taylor, I want to talk to you about your husband's disappearance. Oh, that. He came home this afternoon, mister Holmes. At first, I was so suspicious, but but when he explained, well, I'm sure you know how it is in the first few months of marriage. Those those little
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tears. Confound it, Watson.
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We are no nearer the solution. And meanwhile, here we are back in Baker Street to find that the moving van has taken all your things off to Sussex.
[00:22:04] Unknown:
Perhaps you should give up the case, Holmes, and follow them. Close my career on another failure. No. No. No. No, my dear fellow. I shall not leave London until this problem is solved.
[00:22:14] Unknown:
That case, I'll I'll sit down.
[00:22:17] Unknown:
Looks to me as if it may prove a lengthy wait. I've rarely felt more frustrated, Watson. All three vanished technicians home safely with plausible stories or at least plausible alibis. And poor Bullard murdered,
[00:22:31] Unknown:
the radium stolen. Oh, I must say it makes no sense to me. Well, it must make sense.
[00:22:36] Unknown:
The pattern was well enough to find in the beginning. It's just a question of finding the right key. In a way, it's clear enough what's happened. One of the three assistants, placing the financial value of radium above its value to science, murdered Boulard to obtain the prize. The other two, fearing that their complicity in the original plot would
[00:22:57] Unknown:
involve them as accomplices in murder, ran home and established an alley body. And the murderer did the same thing, for it's obvious one of the three must be the killer and the thief. Yes. The question is, which one of the three is the culprit? If only poor Boulard were alive, he could help us. My dear chap.
[00:23:14] Unknown:
If Boulard were alive, there would be no murderer. Of course, it would because he would Now let's see. Let's see. Let's see. Boulard gave us a few bare facts about his three assistants. I I wonder but of course, Watson.
[00:23:27] Unknown:
I have the answer. The case is solved. What do you mean, Holmes? That cannot be solved. You haven't done enough investigation. If it comes to that, you haven't even seen any of your three suspects. That isn't necessary. Well, you know, did it? Yes, Watson. And so should you. But we know nothing to set them apart from each other except that one of them is a girl. We know more than that, my dear fellow. Think hard. Well, Boulard told us that Jeffrey Barker was an excellent technician while the other two were somewhat too clumsy. We know even more than that. Well, I'm just if I know what, home. I shan't even need to stay in London and follow the case through to its logical conclusion.
[00:24:00] Unknown:
A telegraph, to, Mycroft and another to, Scotland Yard to take care of it. Yes. And I can be in Sussex Sussex before the moving van after all. Oh, you mean you're going now before the case is solved? Well, it is solved, my dear fellow. All that remains to be done is some purely routine work. What's the time?
[00:24:16] Unknown:
Look, it's
[00:24:18] Unknown:
just just to be caught. Splendid. If we hurry, we can catch the three forty five express from Waterloo. We? Yes. I, I was counting on you spending a few days down there with me, old chap. I I hope you can spare the time. I should hate to make so drastic a change without, my good old friend Watson at my side. Oh, of course. I'll be delighted, but, but But what, my dear boy? The case of the disappearing
[00:24:38] Unknown:
scientists.
[00:24:39] Unknown:
Wait until we get to Sussex, shall we? As soon as I get an answer to my telegrams, I'll explain the whole thing to you. And now let's hurry, shall we? Our train leaves in forty minutes.
[00:24:59] Unknown:
More tea, Watson. Thanks, my boy.
[00:25:02] Unknown:
Peaceful down here, isn't it? Extremely,
[00:25:05] Unknown:
the moment I must confess, I find it rather nerve wracking. Oh, why? You know why, Holmes. I want you to open that telegram and tell me if your solution to the the case was the correct one. Very well, my dear chap.
[00:25:19] Unknown:
Let's see. Mhmm. It's from Mycroft. Listen. Murderer arrested and radium recovered. Well done, Sherlock. Though you took longer than I expected. Regards, Mycroft.
[00:25:31] Unknown:
Congratulations, Holmes. And now perhaps you'll cons condescend to to tell me how you solved it. Don't be angry with me, old chap. I only wanted to make sure that my solution,
[00:25:39] Unknown:
was correct. You remember the, the nature of the fatal wound on Boulard's body? Of course. He'd been stabbed to the right oracle of the heart. From behind, proving that the murderer was clearly right handed. Oh, what does that signify? Almost everybody's right handed. Oh, no. Not in this case. If you recall, professor Boulard said that, Jeffrey Barker was adroit, while his other two assistants were gauche. Then he laughed because he said his mark was true both literally and figuratively. I still don't see what are you talking about. Oh, come now. We can't move now. Think of the origin of the word adroit.
Ardois. Dois is the French word for right. And gauche is is the word for left. Meaning the two gauche assistants were left handed and therefore only the adright, the right handed barker could have inflicted the fatal wound. I see it now, Holmes.
[00:26:30] Unknown:
You know, if you'd remember that mark of Bullard's at the time we found his body, you could have solved the case much sooner. That's true, awful. Very
[00:26:38] Unknown:
true. And when my old friend Watson points out that my memory is failing and my mind sluggish, then I know that my retirement has been postponed for far too long.
[00:27:04] Unknown:
Well, so so Holmes really went through with this idea of becoming a bee farmer? Yes. Of course. Of course. It became one of his favorite hobbies. Do you know anything about the the raising of bees? Oh, nothing at all. The only connection I've ever had with bees was very remote. Once I had the hives. Once you had
[00:27:22] Unknown:
Oh, no. Oh, no. No, mister Biden. Oh, yes, doctor Watson.
[00:27:26] Unknown:
But seriously, I do know one thing about bees. Even when you know all about them, you're apt to get stunned. That's true enough. So I'll make my hobby Petri wine. You know, you can't miss when you buy Petri wine because Petri wine is always good wine. The Petri family has been making fine wine for generations. In fact, they started way back in the eighteen hundreds, and they've handed on down from father to son, from father to son, the knowledge and experience absolutely essential to the making of truly fine wine. And since the making of Petri wine is a family affair, you can be sure that the name Petri means something on a bottle of wine.
Those letters p e t r I are more than a trademark. They're the personal assurance of the Petri family that every drop of Petri wine is good wine. So when you buy wine of any type, you can put your faith in the Petri label because Petri took time to bring you good wine. Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next week?
[00:28:32] Unknown:
Next week, mister Bartrell, I'm going to tell you about one of the weirdest adventures that Holmes and I ever had. It concerns a haunted chapel in the wilds of Cornwall, strange organ music that played at midnight and the headless ghost of a murdered monk.
[00:29:03] Unknown:
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 Reigate Puzzle. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and 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 studios. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family.
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.
[00:00:50] Unknown:
Petrie wine brings you Basil Rath Rathbone and
[00:00:57] Unknown:
Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock
[00:01:03] Unknown:
Holmes. The Petri 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'd like to ask you a short simple question. Have you ever tried a glass of sherry before dinner? If you haven't, haven't, you'll never know what you're missing till you do. And make that sherry Petri California sherry because Petri sherry is the best beginning a good meal ever had. Just hold a glass of petri sherry to the light. Look at its wonderful clear amber color.
Now just get a whiff of that aroma, bouquet the experts call it. I'm telling you, you can just smell those big luscious grapes. Now best of all, taste your petri sherry. Sip it. Sip it slowly so you don't miss one single drop of this truly delicious wine. Yes. Without a doubt, Petri sherry is good wine. Oh, and incidentally, Petri makes two kinds of sherry, regular sherry and Petri pale dry. Both are fine. And if you're not sure which you might like best, do what I do. Don't buy one, buy two. Try them both and serve them proudly because the name Petri is the proudest name in the name in the history of American wines.
And now I'm sure our good friend and host, doctor Watson, is waiting, so let's go in and join
[00:02:37] Unknown:
him. Yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead. Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartow here. Quiet. Down down, Monty. Down down there. Don't seem very chipper tonight. Tonight, yes. But they've been in disgrace most of the day, mister Berto. Oh, what have they been up to after the seals again died? Oh, my boy. This time it was chickens. They got into my neighbor's coop and had a delightful time. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but I'm afraid that my, my good neighbor policy suffered a slight diplomatic strain. But you come here to listen to Sherlock Holmes adventures, not those of my dogs. So, throw off your usual chair and make yourself comfortable and,
[00:03:15] Unknown:
I'll get on with tonight's story. Last week, doctor, you told us it was a case in which Sherlock Holmes found the solution without ever meeting any of the suspects. That's quite correct. Mr. Bartell, as remarkable
[00:03:25] Unknown:
as an exhibition of long distance detection as I ever recall. But, judge the story for yourself, my boy. It's in the autumn of nineteen hundred and three and Sherlock Holmes was about to retire to his bee farm on the Sussex Downs. I must confess, mister Bartow, that my heart was heavy during those last few weeks we spent at Baker Street, I thought of the countless adventures that we'd shared together. I remembered those many evenings of quiet comradeship and companionship, a fire blazing away in the hearth as Holmes lay back in the shadows playing his beloved violin. And then mister Bartell, as so often happened, there'd be a violent jangle on our doorbell and some wretched soul in misery would be standing before us and pouring out his troubles.
Suddenly, the violin would be discarded and Holmes the dreamer would become Holmes, the man of action. Come watch some of the games of footage, sir. And then a few moments later,
[00:04:20] Unknown:
we'd be rattling off in a cab through the foggy, gasket London streets. Yes, doctor. I can imagine it was pretty hard for you to leave Baker Street.
[00:04:29] Unknown:
It was, mister Bartell. However, as it transpired, there was one more adventure awaiting us before we left. A few days before the actual move, I persuaded Holmes to take an afternoon off from his packing and accompany me me on a visit to the laboratory of an old friend of mine, a professor Jean Boulins. He was an eminent French scientist engaged in very important work at the London University. Oh, by the way, this was at a period, Mr. Bartell, when radium was something extremely new and extremely rare. The university had just acquired a minute but invaluable portion of the element and professor Boulins was in charge of the research connected with it. I can remember the picture so well as Holmes stood in the laboratory talking with keen interest with a distinguished scientist.
[00:05:20] Unknown:
Amazing, professor Boulin. Quite amazing. Think that this tiny leaden vessel contains one of the most precious substances in the world. Yes, mister Holmes. They have a great deal to thank madam Curie for.
[00:05:30] Unknown:
This new element may force us entirely to revise our concepts of all physical structure. Your research is a great responsibility, Bullard. It is, Watson. I must confess that I wish the authorities here would give me a freer hand. I foresee such infinite possibilities in the use, particularly the medical use of radium. But my conservative superior seem to regard it only as a toy, a scientific curiosity. Limit your experiments accordingly, I suppose. Exactly. I'm given no opportunity to do anything that's in the least radical. Must be very disheartening. How can research ever get anywhere along those lines? It is a great misfortune, Holmes, that you've determined to attire to your bee farm.
This project, we could use such an analytical mind as yours. You're flattered, professor. How many assistants do you have working with you, Bullard? Three. But none of them are very inspired, I'm afraid. What? My best assistant is a man named Barker. He's a little on the conservative side too, but he is extremely adroit. The other two, a young man called Taylor and the girl Gladys Hughes, they mean well. But gauche, I fear, is the only word to describe them. Why why why do you laugh, Fuller? I was just amused to observe that in describing my assistance, I chance to be literal as well as figurative. It's odd that random symbolism can sometime, but never mind that. You would like to see the rest of the laboratory? Yes. Yes. Indeed. We would. Thank you very much. I have some extraordinarily interesting photographic plates that record the emanations of radium. They're over here. I think you will find them most fascinating.
[00:07:20] Unknown:
Baker Street, particularly when our rooms are full of packing cases, seems rather drab after the scientific stimulations of professor Boulan's laboratory. And doesn't it all, Jack? Yes. It seemed drab even if we hadn't been to see him. I feel frightfully depressed, Holmes. I just don't know what I'm gonna do without you. Oh, you're still a young man, Watson, and a susceptible one.
[00:07:39] Unknown:
You'll marry again. No. No. I won't. Yes. You will, old chap. And you'll end up by being glad that your old roommate, your difficult rather unsociable old roommate is living in retirement on the Sussex Downs. Rubbish, I shan't feel any of the kind. In any case, I don't think you will be able to stay in retirement for long. Your mind is much too alert to be satisfied by being a sort of midwife to a bunch of beastly bees. Oh dear Watson. I feel that you'll never eat honey again. Yes. You can laugh Holmes, but I could see how excited you were when Boula suggested that you might help him with his radium experiment. Flattering suggestion. I must admit my dear fellow, just the same. Oh, now who the devil's that? From the urgency of the tag on the bell pull, I'd say that it was a client. And don't head him off. Will you all chap? Yes. I'll do my best. Oh, Watson explained that I'm no longer in practice. It's too late Holmes. He's passed past Mrs. Hudson. Here he comes rushing up the stairs. I can't found it. I beg your pardon, sir. You're Mr. Holmes?
[00:08:34] Unknown:
No, I am not, Charlie. Then you must be Mr. Holmes. That is my name, sir. But may I ask what accounts for your rather whirlwind entrance? My housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson I have never time to consider etiquette. My sister, Gladys Hughes, has vanished, vanished into thin air. You've got to find her for me, mister Holmes. I'll pay you any fee you name, but you've got to find her. Mister Hughes, I'm extremely sorry that your sister has vanished, but I'm afraid that I can do nothing to help you. I'm retiring. I'm giving up my practice. If you won't help me, I'll go to someone who will. That's exactly what I mean, sir. I suggest that you go to the police or if you insist on a private investigator, I can strongly recommend mister Martin Hewitt. Yes. His address is, 39 Punt Street, Knightsbridge. Good day to you. Good day, mister Hugh. Thirty six Punt Street, Knight. Mister Martin. Unless I cannot stand his concern, but his manners leave a great deal to be desired. Holmes, Holmes, Gladys Hughes, his missing sister, that was the name of one of professor Boulard's assistants, wasn't it? True, Ovolo, but it's, probably only a coincidence. What? Both Christian and surnames are extremely common ones.
[00:09:31] Unknown:
Well, I I have a feeling that it may not be a coincidence.
[00:09:35] Unknown:
Oh, come now, my dear fellow. Don't you try and embroil me in a fresh adventure. I've retired and I'm leaving for Sussex in a few days. And if any more clients come wrenching at my doorbell, I shall ignore them.
[00:09:52] Unknown:
But mister Holmes, you've got to help me. My son, Geoffrey Barker, has disappeared. I'm sorry, missus Barker, but I'm afraid I'm Holmes. Geoffrey Barker was the name of professor Bullard's chief assistant.
[00:10:02] Unknown:
Watson, please believe me when I say that I am not to be in bageled into any further
[00:10:12] Unknown:
Missus Taylor, I'm sorry, but I can't help you. Oh, but mister Holmes, it's my husband. He's disappeared. We we've only been married three months and now oh, it's terrible. I I've been so worried ever since they started to work on that strange new radium with professor Jean Valle. Holmes, you can't pretend it's coincidence any longer. Garrus Hughes, Geoffrey Barker, and now Taylor, the three assistants of professor Bullard. I know it, Watson. Missus Taylor, the moving van will be here tomorrow to take to take my things to Sussex.
[00:10:37] Unknown:
I shall follow them immediately. I have retired, madam. Do you understand that? Retired.
[00:10:50] Unknown:
Yes. Another telegram for you, Holmes. It'll be the fourth today. Why won't Scotland Yard leave me alone? Well, it's a pretty strange business. Three people engaged in research of this new element radium. They've all disappeared within forty eight hours.
[00:11:02] Unknown:
Scotland Yard needs your help. Let them earn their salaries, my dear Watson. I've helped them for the last time. Well, let's see how they've couched their latest diffusion. This isn't from Scotland Yard. It's from my brother, Mycroft. Mycroft? What's he gonna say? Listen to this. This. Now professor Boulard has disappeared. Great Scott. And the radium with him. Surely the pattern is obvious, Sherlock. Radium must be found, could solve the problem for you, but I'm too lazy. Consider what a flashy case for you to retire on. Regards, Mycroft. The old devil. Holmes, this is shocking. My old friend Bullard has disappeared. Yes, Watson. And now my brother asks me to investigate.
The pressure becomes irresistible. Very well. I bow to fate and postpone my retirement for a few hours. Good man, Holmes. You know, you'll you'll never really retire. Obviously, as Mycroft says, there's an obvious pattern in this case. Our first step, of course, will be to interview all the doctors who treat patients without charge. Why?
[00:11:58] Unknown:
Well, surely that's obvious. Well, it isn't at all obvious, Svetloyi. I don't know why you always leave me in the dark.
[00:12:05] Unknown:
Well, what makes you laugh?
[00:12:06] Unknown:
Being left in the dark, it's just like the old times, isn't it, Holmes? Come on, old fellow. Let's go. The game's afoot. Doctor McDonald, this is mister Sherlock Holmes. Mister Sherlock Holmes, I'm very glad to meet you. And are you, doctor McDonald? I swear that I've never been to as many doctor's offices I have today, but mister Holmes is in search of some information. Perhaps doctor, you you can help him. I'll do my best.
[00:12:41] Unknown:
What do you want to know, mister Holmes? Whether you have any charity patients with skin eruptions or growths of any kind. I mean, patients that have not kept their appointments recently, perhaps. Now let me see.
[00:12:54] Unknown:
Why why yes, I do. Old Mrs. Spindle. She has a very bad case of lupus. She was due for a treatment here yesterday and I've seen nothing of her. Splendid. Can you give me her address? Why certainly. It's in my book here. Well, I hope this isn't a false trial, Holmes. You can only explore it and see, dear chap. Here we are. Missus Pendle. Thirty six Elm Gardens,
[00:13:17] Unknown:
Clapham. Missus Pendle. Thirty six six Elm Gardens, Clapham. Thank you, doctor. I'm greatly obliged to you.
[00:13:36] Unknown:
Getting restless, Watson? Yes. I am a little. We've been waiting outside missus Pendle's house for over an hour. Why don't we knock on the door and see if she's at home? Oh, no. No. No, my dear chap. We mustn't frighten her. I hope that she's going to lead us to our quarry. You see? Shh. Shh. Shh. Front door's opening. The woman's coming out.
[00:13:54] Unknown:
Yes. It's missus Pendle, beyond doubt. Look at that bandage around the upper part of her face. Yeah. Hello. She's turning down the street.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
We're going to follow her, I suppose. Naturally, but let's give us a let's give her a start, shall we? We don't want her to spot us. Well, while we're waiting, perhaps you'll clear up one or two points for me. I'm still very much in the dark. With pleasure, old chap. What puzzles you? Well, one of the things that I Pardon? We've given her enough of a start. Let's follow her. Oh, very well. Very well. But look here, Holmes. You asked me what I didn't understand. Two things puzzled me. What did Mycroft mean by the pattern of the case? Why are we following a poor sick old lady through the London streets?
[00:14:31] Unknown:
I'll ask answer the first question, and I think the answer to the second will be self apparent. The pattern of the case is clear. Professor Boulard and his three assistants have vanished together with the radium, but their disappearances were not simultaneous. Had they been so, it would have been a transparent case of theft. But with the disappearances
[00:14:49] Unknown:
gradual rather than simultaneous, the emphasis has been subtly shifted. Yes. I can see that, Holmes. But what do you suppose is at the back of the whole business? Can't be a simple case of theft. Radium is enormously valuable, but it'd be hard stuff to sell again. Not to an unscrupulous criminal with a knowledge of medicine, Watson. My own theory, and I admit at the moment that it's purely a theory,
[00:15:09] Unknown:
is that professor Boulard was worried because he was so hampered in his research. You remember that he stressed his great faith in the medical values of the new element radium. Yes. Yes. Yes. He did. It's more than possible that he places the rights of science above the rights of property that he's determined that he and his group will carry on their invaluable research unhampered by the conservative restraints of the university. I see what you mean, Holmes, but how does missus Kendall, the poor woman that we're following, enter the picture? Because one of the chief lines of radium research on the continent so far has been with her sort of trouble. Professor Boulard's obvious move, if my theory is correct, would be to contact poverty stricken patients, promise them relief, induce them to abandon their regular treatments, and submit to him. By Julius Holmes, that seems perfectly logical, And yet, I can't believe that Bullard would Mrs. Penghoulton has, reached her destination.
She's turned down the driveway. Yes. She's walking up to what looks like a a deserted well. Hello, chap. Don't let her out of our sight.
[00:16:08] Unknown:
She's opened the door without
[00:16:10] Unknown:
knocking. She's gone in. We'll wait here for a moment or two, then we'll follow her.
[00:16:14] Unknown:
I have a feeling that your old friend, Professor Poulard, is not far away, Watson. You're probably right. And I hope we can do something to protect him from the consequences of what he's done. It might easily mean the finish of a brilliant career. I do everything in my power, but you know as well as I do Look, look, look, look. Missus Pindell's coming out again. Yes, and she's in trouble. Come on.
[00:16:35] Unknown:
Missus Pindell, what's wrong? I don't know how you know my name or who you be, but you ask me what's wrong. They tell me to come here to this address and I find a doctor who dealt my face. I comes here and what do I find? What did you find madam? A corpse, sir. That's what I find. A dead man lying there in a great pool of his own blood.
[00:17:07] Unknown:
You'll hear the rest of doctor Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to remind you that there's one wine which everyone likes and which is good on any occasion, Petri California sherry. You want a swell wine to serve before dinner? The perfect answer is petri sherry. If you want a wine that's delicious after dinner or later in the evening when you're just talking things over with your friends, again, you want petri sherry. And if you want a wonderful wine to serve at cocktail time, naturally you want petri sherry. Sherry is a wine that's good at any time. And petri, well, petri is the wine that's good all the time.
[00:17:49] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, so following the tracks of old missus Pindell led you to a corpse, Yes, mister Bartell. Of course. Sherlock Holmes and I went at once into the broken down warehouse to examine the scene of the tragedy. Slumped over a desk in a dark and shabby room, a flickering candle giving a macabre lighting to the sea. It was the body of a man. I think I knew its identity even before Holmes turned to me.
[00:18:15] Unknown:
Professor Boulard. Alright, Watson. Good devil. Murder the cart. Yes. But examine him for yourself, will you? Yes.
[00:18:26] Unknown:
There's no doubt about it. This wound couldn't have been self inflicted. The right oracle of the heart has has been pierced. How long ago would you estimate death took place? Not more than a couple of hours ago, I should say.
[00:18:41] Unknown:
On how to reconstruct the killing. The murderer came up from behind Boulard as he sat here, crooked an arm around his throat. Yes. See the finger marks on the right hand side of the neck. Here. Then stabbed him in the chest. And then withdrew the weapon and disappeared. Leaving no traces, confounded. A dusty room is an ideal place for recording footprints but, half a dozen different prints here including Mrs. Pindell's. Hello. Here's the print of a smaller woman's shoe. Well, must be that of Gannett Hughes, his assistant. Undoubtedly. That really proves nothing except that she was here with him. The fact that we were convinced of anyway. Question is go on. Let's go outside and talk to missus Pindell again.
[00:19:22] Unknown:
Poor old Bullard. What a shocking way to die. What a great loss to science. I suppose the murderer must have stolen the radium. We found no trace of it in there. Undoubtedly, the possession of the radium was the motive for the murder.
[00:19:37] Unknown:
Missus Pendle.
[00:19:39] Unknown:
The poor man is dead, ain't you, sir? I'm afraid so, madam. I knew it. I never should have come here. I never should have left doctor McDonald's. Missus Pindell, let me ask you a question. I can't be answering no question, sir. I don't know nothing about how the poor soul got his self murdered.
[00:19:54] Unknown:
What would a poor woman like me know about such things? No. No. No. No. My good woman. My friend isn't suggesting at all that you know anything about the murder. Then what do you want to know, sir?
[00:20:04] Unknown:
Who told you to come to this address today, missus Pindell?
[00:20:07] Unknown:
A young lady. Nice young lady. She was too. She met me coming out of doctor McDonald's yesterday and told me that if I come here today, I'd find a doctor who could cure me. Yeah. That was obviously miss Hughes. Holmes,
[00:20:20] Unknown:
I believe that your theory was right. Come on, missus Pindell. We'll escort you to the nearest police station where you can report the murder. Yes, sir. And then, Watson, we must keep on the track of the radium. That perhaps is more important than any life. Well, how are we gonna do that? We haven't a clue to go on. Remember that professor Boulard's three three assistants are still missing. We must go to the homes of each of them and see what can be found out.
[00:20:47] Unknown:
Mister Hughes, you must realize by now that your sister's disappearance is part of something vastly more significant than you think. I must ask you in the My sister didn't disappear, mister What do you mean, sir? You came to us and said that she had. Oh, it was all a mistake, gentlemen. She came back today. She'd just been down to the seaside for a short rest and she'd forgotten to let me know. I'm sorry to have bothered you. May I see your sister at once, please? I'm sorry, Mr. Holmes, but she's out just now. I don't know where she's gone or what time she'll be back.
[00:21:16] Unknown:
Missus Barker, I've come to you about your son's disappearance. I'm afraid that How could my son didn't disappear, mister Holmes. It was all a misunderstanding.
[00:21:24] Unknown:
He came home today. Then may we speak to him, please, missus Parker? Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible. You see, he
[00:21:33] Unknown:
did. Missus Taylor, I want to talk to you about your husband's disappearance. Oh, that. He came home this afternoon, mister Holmes. At first, I was so suspicious, but but when he explained, well, I'm sure you know how it is in the first few months of marriage. Those those little
[00:21:55] Unknown:
tears. Confound it, Watson.
[00:21:57] Unknown:
We are no nearer the solution. And meanwhile, here we are back in Baker Street to find that the moving van has taken all your things off to Sussex.
[00:22:04] Unknown:
Perhaps you should give up the case, Holmes, and follow them. Close my career on another failure. No. No. No. No, my dear fellow. I shall not leave London until this problem is solved.
[00:22:14] Unknown:
That case, I'll I'll sit down.
[00:22:17] Unknown:
Looks to me as if it may prove a lengthy wait. I've rarely felt more frustrated, Watson. All three vanished technicians home safely with plausible stories or at least plausible alibis. And poor Bullard murdered,
[00:22:31] Unknown:
the radium stolen. Oh, I must say it makes no sense to me. Well, it must make sense.
[00:22:36] Unknown:
The pattern was well enough to find in the beginning. It's just a question of finding the right key. In a way, it's clear enough what's happened. One of the three assistants, placing the financial value of radium above its value to science, murdered Boulard to obtain the prize. The other two, fearing that their complicity in the original plot would
[00:22:57] Unknown:
involve them as accomplices in murder, ran home and established an alley body. And the murderer did the same thing, for it's obvious one of the three must be the killer and the thief. Yes. The question is, which one of the three is the culprit? If only poor Boulard were alive, he could help us. My dear chap.
[00:23:14] Unknown:
If Boulard were alive, there would be no murderer. Of course, it would because he would Now let's see. Let's see. Let's see. Boulard gave us a few bare facts about his three assistants. I I wonder but of course, Watson.
[00:23:27] Unknown:
I have the answer. The case is solved. What do you mean, Holmes? That cannot be solved. You haven't done enough investigation. If it comes to that, you haven't even seen any of your three suspects. That isn't necessary. Well, you know, did it? Yes, Watson. And so should you. But we know nothing to set them apart from each other except that one of them is a girl. We know more than that, my dear fellow. Think hard. Well, Boulard told us that Jeffrey Barker was an excellent technician while the other two were somewhat too clumsy. We know even more than that. Well, I'm just if I know what, home. I shan't even need to stay in London and follow the case through to its logical conclusion.
[00:24:00] Unknown:
A telegraph, to, Mycroft and another to, Scotland Yard to take care of it. Yes. And I can be in Sussex Sussex before the moving van after all. Oh, you mean you're going now before the case is solved? Well, it is solved, my dear fellow. All that remains to be done is some purely routine work. What's the time?
[00:24:16] Unknown:
Look, it's
[00:24:18] Unknown:
just just to be caught. Splendid. If we hurry, we can catch the three forty five express from Waterloo. We? Yes. I, I was counting on you spending a few days down there with me, old chap. I I hope you can spare the time. I should hate to make so drastic a change without, my good old friend Watson at my side. Oh, of course. I'll be delighted, but, but But what, my dear boy? The case of the disappearing
[00:24:38] Unknown:
scientists.
[00:24:39] Unknown:
Wait until we get to Sussex, shall we? As soon as I get an answer to my telegrams, I'll explain the whole thing to you. And now let's hurry, shall we? Our train leaves in forty minutes.
[00:24:59] Unknown:
More tea, Watson. Thanks, my boy.
[00:25:02] Unknown:
Peaceful down here, isn't it? Extremely,
[00:25:05] Unknown:
the moment I must confess, I find it rather nerve wracking. Oh, why? You know why, Holmes. I want you to open that telegram and tell me if your solution to the the case was the correct one. Very well, my dear chap.
[00:25:19] Unknown:
Let's see. Mhmm. It's from Mycroft. Listen. Murderer arrested and radium recovered. Well done, Sherlock. Though you took longer than I expected. Regards, Mycroft.
[00:25:31] Unknown:
Congratulations, Holmes. And now perhaps you'll cons condescend to to tell me how you solved it. Don't be angry with me, old chap. I only wanted to make sure that my solution,
[00:25:39] Unknown:
was correct. You remember the, the nature of the fatal wound on Boulard's body? Of course. He'd been stabbed to the right oracle of the heart. From behind, proving that the murderer was clearly right handed. Oh, what does that signify? Almost everybody's right handed. Oh, no. Not in this case. If you recall, professor Boulard said that, Jeffrey Barker was adroit, while his other two assistants were gauche. Then he laughed because he said his mark was true both literally and figuratively. I still don't see what are you talking about. Oh, come now. We can't move now. Think of the origin of the word adroit.
Ardois. Dois is the French word for right. And gauche is is the word for left. Meaning the two gauche assistants were left handed and therefore only the adright, the right handed barker could have inflicted the fatal wound. I see it now, Holmes.
[00:26:30] Unknown:
You know, if you'd remember that mark of Bullard's at the time we found his body, you could have solved the case much sooner. That's true, awful. Very
[00:26:38] Unknown:
true. And when my old friend Watson points out that my memory is failing and my mind sluggish, then I know that my retirement has been postponed for far too long.
[00:27:04] Unknown:
Well, so so Holmes really went through with this idea of becoming a bee farmer? Yes. Of course. Of course. It became one of his favorite hobbies. Do you know anything about the the raising of bees? Oh, nothing at all. The only connection I've ever had with bees was very remote. Once I had the hives. Once you had
[00:27:22] Unknown:
Oh, no. Oh, no. No, mister Biden. Oh, yes, doctor Watson.
[00:27:26] Unknown:
But seriously, I do know one thing about bees. Even when you know all about them, you're apt to get stunned. That's true enough. So I'll make my hobby Petri wine. You know, you can't miss when you buy Petri wine because Petri wine is always good wine. The Petri family has been making fine wine for generations. In fact, they started way back in the eighteen hundreds, and they've handed on down from father to son, from father to son, the knowledge and experience absolutely essential to the making of truly fine wine. And since the making of Petri wine is a family affair, you can be sure that the name Petri means something on a bottle of wine.
Those letters p e t r I are more than a trademark. They're the personal assurance of the Petri family that every drop of Petri wine is good wine. So when you buy wine of any type, you can put your faith in the Petri label because Petri took time to bring you good wine. Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next week?
[00:28:32] Unknown:
Next week, mister Bartrell, I'm going to tell you about one of the weirdest adventures that Holmes and I ever had. It concerns a haunted chapel in the wilds of Cornwall, strange organ music that played at midnight and the headless ghost of a murdered monk.
[00:29:03] Unknown:
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 Reigate Puzzle. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and 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 studios. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family.
The Avengers in South Africa
Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
Holmes' Last Adventure Before Retirement
The Radium Mystery
The Disappearance of the Assistants
Following the Clues
The Murder Scene
The Investigation Continues
Holmes Solves the Case
Holmes' Retirement and Bee Farming
