In this episode, we delve into the fascinating history of the radio series "The Avengers" and its impact on South African audiences, who were largely unfamiliar with the show due to the absence of national television until 1976. Despite this, the series managed to gain some exposure through film rentals. We then transition to an exciting episode of "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The story unfolds with Dr. Watson recounting a thrilling case involving Sherlock Holmes, set in the autumn of 1903, just before Holmes' retirement to his bee farm in Sussex. The case revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Professor Boulard and his assistants, along with a valuable element, radium, leading Holmes and Watson on a gripping investigation.
As the narrative progresses, Holmes and Watson follow a trail of clues that lead them to a shocking discovery—a murder intertwined with the theft of radium. The episode captures the essence of Holmes' deductive prowess as he unravels the mystery, identifying the murderer through a clever understanding of linguistic nuances. The episode concludes with Holmes contemplating his retirement, only to be drawn back into the world of mystery and intrigue, much to the delight of listeners who revel in the timeless adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
(00:04) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:05) Petri Wine and Sherlock Holmes
(03:08) Sherlock Holmes' Last Adventure
(04:38) The Radium Mystery
(09:56) The Disappearing Scientists
(17:14) The Warehouse Corpse
(22:05) The Case Solved
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Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
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Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock 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 you 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 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 him.
[00:02:40] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartow here. What? 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 has suffered a slight diplomatic strain. But you've come here to listen to Sherlock Holmes' adventures, not those of my dogs. So, draw up your usual chair and make yourself comfortable, and, 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, mister Bartell. As remarkable 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 Barto, 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 jungle 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 in the games of footy, sir.
And then a few moments later,
[00:04:22] 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.
[00:04:31] 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 accompanied 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, mister Barthel, 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 at the laboratory talking with keen interest of the distinguished staff.
[00:05:22] Unknown:
Amazing, professor. 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.
[00:05:33] 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 beef arm. This project, we could use such an analytical mind as yours. You're flattered me, professor. How many assistants do you have working with you, Buller? 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. Where where where do you laugh, Paula? 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.
[00:07:23] 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, old chap? 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. You'll marry again. No. No. I won't. Yes. You will, old chap. And you'll end up by by being glad that your old roommate, your
[00:07:51] Unknown:
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.
[00:08:06] Unknown:
Oh, dear Watson.
[00:08:08] Unknown:
I feel that you'll never eat honey again. Yes. You can laugh, Holmes, but I could see how excited you were when Bullard suggested that you might help him with his radium experiment. Flattering suggestion, I must admit, my dear fellow, just to say, my oh, now who the devil's that? From the urgency of the tug on the bell pull, I'd say that it was a client. And don't head him off, will you, Walter? Yes. I'll do my best.
[00:08:28] Unknown:
Oh, Watson explained that I'm no longer in practice.
[00:08:31] Unknown:
Too late, Holmes. He's just passed Mrs. Hudson.
[00:08:34] Unknown:
Mrs. Hudson. Here he comes rushing up the stairs. Oh, confound it. I beg your pardon, sir. You're Mr. Holmes? 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, missus Hudson I haven't had 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. And good day, mister Hewitt. 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.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Well, I I have a feeling that it may not be a coincidence.
[00:09:40] 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 plants come wrenching at my doorbell, I shall ignore them.
[00:09:56] Unknown:
But, mister Holmes, you've got to help me. My son, Jeffrey Barker, has disappeared. I'm sorry, missus Barker, but I'm afraid I'm Holmes. Jeffrey Barker was the name of professor Bullard's chief
[00:10:06] Unknown:
assistant. Watson, please believe me when I say that I am not to be in bageled into any further
[00:10:16] 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 he started to work on that strange new radium with professor Jean Vallejo. Holmes, you can't pretend it's coincidence any longer. Darris Hughes, Jeffrey Barker, and now Taylor. The three assistants of professor Bullard. I know it, Watson. Missus Taylor, the moving van will be here tomorrow take to take my things to Sussex.
[00:10:42] Unknown:
I shall follow them immediately. I have retired, madam. Do you understand that? Retired.
[00:10:54] Unknown:
Yes. Another telegram for you, Holmes. It'll be the fourth today. Why won't Scotland guard leave me alone? Well, it's a pretty strange business. Three people engaged in research of this new element radium have all disappeared within forty eight hours.
[00:11:07] Unknown:
Scotland Yard needs your help. Let them earn their salaries, my dear Watson. I 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. 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 Boulins 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?
[00:12:04] Unknown:
Well, surely that's obvious. Well, it isn't at all obvious, mister Tuohy. I don't know why you always leave me in the dark.
[00:12:10] Unknown:
Well, what makes you laugh?
[00:12:12] 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,
[00:12:34] Unknown:
I'm very glad to meet you. And are you, doctor McDonald? I swear that I've never been as many doctor's offices as I have today, but mister Holmes is in search of some information. Perhaps, doctor, you you can help him. I'll do my best. 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. Why why, yes. I do. Old missus 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? Oh, certainly. It's in my book here. Well, I hope this isn't a false trail, Holmes. We can only explore it and see it, dear chap.
Here we are. Missus Pendle, thirty six Elm Gardens, Clapham. Missus Pendle, thirty six Elm Gardens, Clapham. Thank you, doctor. I'm greatly obliged to you.
[00:13:42] Unknown:
Getting rest, miss 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? Front door's opening. A woman's coming out.
[00:14:00] Unknown:
Yes. It's missus Pendle beyond doubt. Look at that bandage around the upper part of her face. Well, hello. She's turning down the street.
[00:14:07] 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. No pleasure, old chap. What puzzles you? Well, one of the things that I want to 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? And why are we following a poor sick old lady through the London streets?
[00:14:38] Unknown:
I'll ask answer the first question, and I think the answer to the second will be sort of 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 gradual rather than simultaneous,
[00:14:57] Unknown:
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,
[00:15:16] 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 miss missus Tandell, 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 Jovius Holmes, that seems perfectly logical, and yet I can't believe that Bullard would be Missus Ben Bolton has, reached her destination.
She's turned down the driveway. Yes. She's walking up to what looks like a a deserted well Hurry, old chap. Don't get her out of our sight.
[00:16:15] Unknown:
She's opened the door without knocking.
[00:16:17] Unknown:
She's gone in. We'll wait here for a moment or two, then we'll follow her.
[00:16:21] Unknown:
I have a feeling that your old friend, professor Boula, is not far away, Watson. You're probably right. But 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.
[00:16:38] Unknown:
Yes. And she's in trouble. Come on.
[00:16:42] 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 come 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.
[00:17:14] 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. Do 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.
[00:17:57] Unknown:
Well, Doctor Watson, so following the tracks of old missus Pentel 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, was the body of a man. I think I knew its identity even before Holmes turned to me and said
[00:18:23] Unknown:
It's professor Boulard. Alright, Watson. Good devil. You murdered the cause? Yes. But examine him for yourself, will you? Yes. There's
[00:18:34] Unknown:
there's no doubt about it. This wound couldn't have been self inflicted. The right oracle of the heart has
[00:18:41] Unknown:
has been pierced. How long ago would you estimate death took place?
[00:18:46] Unknown:
Not more than a couple of hours ago, I should say.
[00:18:50] Unknown:
Not hard 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. Confound it. A dusty room is my ideal place for recording footprints, but, there are half a dozen different prints here, including missus Pindell's. Hello. Here's the print of a smaller woman shoe. Well, it must be that of Garrett Hughes, his assistant. Undoubtedly. But that really proves nothing 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.
[00:19:31] Unknown:
Poor old Bullard.
[00:19:33] Unknown:
What a shocking way to die. What a great loss to science.
[00:19:36] Unknown:
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.
[00:19:46] Unknown:
Missus Pindell.
[00:19:48] Unknown:
The poor man is dead. Ain't he, sir? I'm afraid so, madam. I knew it. I never should have come here. I never should have left doctor McDonald. 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. 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?
[00:20:13] Unknown:
Who told you to come to this address today, missus Pendle?
[00:20:16] 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.
[00:20:30] 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 assistants are still missing. We must go to the homes of each of them and see what can be found out.
[00:20:57] 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 you 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, mister Holmes, but she's out just now. I don't know where she's gone or what time she'll be back.
[00:21:26] Unknown:
Missus Barker, I've come to you about your son's disappearance. I'm afraid that Oh, good. My son didn't disappear, mister Holmes. It was all a misunderstanding.
[00:21:34] Unknown:
He came home today. Then may we speak to him, please, missus Barker? Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible. You see, he Mrs. Taylor, I want to talk to you about your husband's disappearance. Oh, that. He came home this afternoon, Mr. 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 tears.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
Confound it, Watson.
[00:22:07] 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.
[00:22:14] Unknown:
Perhaps you should give up the case, Holmes, and follow them. So is my career on another failure? No. No. No. No, my dear fellow. I shall not leave London until this problem is solved. That case, I'll I'll sit down. Looks to me as if it may prove a lengthy wait. I rarely felt more frustrated, Watson. All three vanished technicians home safely with plausible stories or at least plausible alibis. And poor Boulard murdered
[00:22:41] Unknown:
and the radium stolen. I must say it makes no sense to me. Well, it must make sense.
[00:22:47] Unknown:
The Patton 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
[00:23:08] Unknown:
involve them as accomplices in murder, ran home and established an alley barrel. 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,
[00:23:25] Unknown:
if Boulard were alive, there would be no murderer. Of course, it would. Of course, 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.
[00:23:38] Unknown:
I have the answer. The case is solved. What do you mean, Holmes? That cannot be solved if 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. Oh, you know who did it? Yes, Watson. And so should you. But we know nothing to set them apart from each other except that one of them's a girl. We know more than that, my dear fellow. Think hard. Well, Boulard told us that Geoffrey 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, Holmes. I shan't even need to stay in London and follow the case through to its logical conclusion. A telegraph,
[00:24:12] Unknown:
to, Mycroft and another to, Scotland Yard to take care of it. Yes. And I can be in 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? Call. Splendid. If we hurry, we can catch the three forty five express from Waterloo. Oui? 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, good. Good. I will be delighted. But, but But what, my dear boy? The case of the disappearing
[00:24:50] Unknown:
scientists.
[00:24:51] 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. Now let's hurry, shall we? Our train leaves in forty minutes.
[00:25:11] Unknown:
Morty, Watson. Thanks, old boy. Peaceful down here, isn't it? Extremely. At 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 Wolland case was the correct one. Very well, my dear chap.
[00:25:31] Unknown:
Let's see. One of the mhmm. It's from Mycroft. Listen. Murderer arrested and radium recovered. Well done, Sherlock. Though you took longer than I expected. Regards, Mycroft. Congratulations, Holmes. And now perhaps you'll con 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, was correct. You remember the,
[00:25:53] Unknown:
the nature of the fatal wound on Boulard's body? Of course. You've been stabbed through the right oracle of the heart. From behind,
[00:26:00] Unknown:
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
[00:26:19] Unknown:
are you talking about? Oh, come now, boss. Come now.
[00:26:23] Unknown:
Think of the origin of the word adroit, 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 adroit, the right handed barker, could have inflicted the fatal wound. I see it now, Holmes.
[00:26:43] Unknown:
You know, if you'd remember that mark of Boulanger's at the time we found his body, you could have solved the case much sooner. Mister Wolfila, very true.
[00:26:52] Unknown:
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 for far too long.
[00:27:17] Unknown:
Well, so so Holmes really went through with this idea of becoming a beaver. Of course. Of course. It became one of his favorite hobbies. Do you know anything about 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 the
[00:27:35] Unknown:
Oh no. Oh no. No, Mr. Barnes. Oh yes, Doctor. Watson.
[00:27:39] 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. 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.
[00:28:42] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next? Well, let me see. 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.
[00:29:17] 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 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.
[00:00:52] Unknown:
Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock 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 you 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 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 him.
[00:02:40] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartow here. What? 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 has suffered a slight diplomatic strain. But you've come here to listen to Sherlock Holmes' adventures, not those of my dogs. So, draw up your usual chair and make yourself comfortable, and, 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, mister Bartell. As remarkable 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 Barto, 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 jungle 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 in the games of footy, sir.
And then a few moments later,
[00:04:22] 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.
[00:04:31] 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 accompanied 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, mister Barthel, 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 at the laboratory talking with keen interest of the distinguished staff.
[00:05:22] Unknown:
Amazing, professor. 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.
[00:05:33] 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 beef arm. This project, we could use such an analytical mind as yours. You're flattered me, professor. How many assistants do you have working with you, Buller? 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. Where where where do you laugh, Paula? 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.
[00:07:23] 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, old chap? 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. You'll marry again. No. No. I won't. Yes. You will, old chap. And you'll end up by by being glad that your old roommate, your
[00:07:51] Unknown:
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.
[00:08:06] Unknown:
Oh, dear Watson.
[00:08:08] Unknown:
I feel that you'll never eat honey again. Yes. You can laugh, Holmes, but I could see how excited you were when Bullard suggested that you might help him with his radium experiment. Flattering suggestion, I must admit, my dear fellow, just to say, my oh, now who the devil's that? From the urgency of the tug on the bell pull, I'd say that it was a client. And don't head him off, will you, Walter? Yes. I'll do my best.
[00:08:28] Unknown:
Oh, Watson explained that I'm no longer in practice.
[00:08:31] Unknown:
Too late, Holmes. He's just passed Mrs. Hudson.
[00:08:34] Unknown:
Mrs. Hudson. Here he comes rushing up the stairs. Oh, confound it. I beg your pardon, sir. You're Mr. Holmes? 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, missus Hudson I haven't had 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. And good day, mister Hewitt. 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.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Well, I I have a feeling that it may not be a coincidence.
[00:09:40] 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 plants come wrenching at my doorbell, I shall ignore them.
[00:09:56] Unknown:
But, mister Holmes, you've got to help me. My son, Jeffrey Barker, has disappeared. I'm sorry, missus Barker, but I'm afraid I'm Holmes. Jeffrey Barker was the name of professor Bullard's chief
[00:10:06] Unknown:
assistant. Watson, please believe me when I say that I am not to be in bageled into any further
[00:10:16] 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 he started to work on that strange new radium with professor Jean Vallejo. Holmes, you can't pretend it's coincidence any longer. Darris Hughes, Jeffrey Barker, and now Taylor. The three assistants of professor Bullard. I know it, Watson. Missus Taylor, the moving van will be here tomorrow take to take my things to Sussex.
[00:10:42] Unknown:
I shall follow them immediately. I have retired, madam. Do you understand that? Retired.
[00:10:54] Unknown:
Yes. Another telegram for you, Holmes. It'll be the fourth today. Why won't Scotland guard leave me alone? Well, it's a pretty strange business. Three people engaged in research of this new element radium have all disappeared within forty eight hours.
[00:11:07] Unknown:
Scotland Yard needs your help. Let them earn their salaries, my dear Watson. I 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. 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 Boulins 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?
[00:12:04] Unknown:
Well, surely that's obvious. Well, it isn't at all obvious, mister Tuohy. I don't know why you always leave me in the dark.
[00:12:10] Unknown:
Well, what makes you laugh?
[00:12:12] 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,
[00:12:34] Unknown:
I'm very glad to meet you. And are you, doctor McDonald? I swear that I've never been as many doctor's offices as I have today, but mister Holmes is in search of some information. Perhaps, doctor, you you can help him. I'll do my best. 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. Why why, yes. I do. Old missus 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? Oh, certainly. It's in my book here. Well, I hope this isn't a false trail, Holmes. We can only explore it and see it, dear chap.
Here we are. Missus Pendle, thirty six Elm Gardens, Clapham. Missus Pendle, thirty six Elm Gardens, Clapham. Thank you, doctor. I'm greatly obliged to you.
[00:13:42] Unknown:
Getting rest, miss 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? Front door's opening. A woman's coming out.
[00:14:00] Unknown:
Yes. It's missus Pendle beyond doubt. Look at that bandage around the upper part of her face. Well, hello. She's turning down the street.
[00:14:07] 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. No pleasure, old chap. What puzzles you? Well, one of the things that I want to 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? And why are we following a poor sick old lady through the London streets?
[00:14:38] Unknown:
I'll ask answer the first question, and I think the answer to the second will be sort of 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 gradual rather than simultaneous,
[00:14:57] Unknown:
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,
[00:15:16] 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 miss missus Tandell, 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 Jovius Holmes, that seems perfectly logical, and yet I can't believe that Bullard would be Missus Ben Bolton has, reached her destination.
She's turned down the driveway. Yes. She's walking up to what looks like a a deserted well Hurry, old chap. Don't get her out of our sight.
[00:16:15] Unknown:
She's opened the door without knocking.
[00:16:17] Unknown:
She's gone in. We'll wait here for a moment or two, then we'll follow her.
[00:16:21] Unknown:
I have a feeling that your old friend, professor Boula, is not far away, Watson. You're probably right. But 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.
[00:16:38] Unknown:
Yes. And she's in trouble. Come on.
[00:16:42] 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 come 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.
[00:17:14] 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. Do 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.
[00:17:57] Unknown:
Well, Doctor Watson, so following the tracks of old missus Pentel 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, was the body of a man. I think I knew its identity even before Holmes turned to me and said
[00:18:23] Unknown:
It's professor Boulard. Alright, Watson. Good devil. You murdered the cause? Yes. But examine him for yourself, will you? Yes. There's
[00:18:34] Unknown:
there's no doubt about it. This wound couldn't have been self inflicted. The right oracle of the heart has
[00:18:41] Unknown:
has been pierced. How long ago would you estimate death took place?
[00:18:46] Unknown:
Not more than a couple of hours ago, I should say.
[00:18:50] Unknown:
Not hard 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. Confound it. A dusty room is my ideal place for recording footprints, but, there are half a dozen different prints here, including missus Pindell's. Hello. Here's the print of a smaller woman shoe. Well, it must be that of Garrett Hughes, his assistant. Undoubtedly. But that really proves nothing 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.
[00:19:31] Unknown:
Poor old Bullard.
[00:19:33] Unknown:
What a shocking way to die. What a great loss to science.
[00:19:36] Unknown:
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.
[00:19:46] Unknown:
Missus Pindell.
[00:19:48] Unknown:
The poor man is dead. Ain't he, sir? I'm afraid so, madam. I knew it. I never should have come here. I never should have left doctor McDonald. 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. 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?
[00:20:13] Unknown:
Who told you to come to this address today, missus Pendle?
[00:20:16] 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.
[00:20:30] 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 assistants are still missing. We must go to the homes of each of them and see what can be found out.
[00:20:57] 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 you 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, mister Holmes, but she's out just now. I don't know where she's gone or what time she'll be back.
[00:21:26] Unknown:
Missus Barker, I've come to you about your son's disappearance. I'm afraid that Oh, good. My son didn't disappear, mister Holmes. It was all a misunderstanding.
[00:21:34] Unknown:
He came home today. Then may we speak to him, please, missus Barker? Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible. You see, he Mrs. Taylor, I want to talk to you about your husband's disappearance. Oh, that. He came home this afternoon, Mr. 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 tears.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
Confound it, Watson.
[00:22:07] 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.
[00:22:14] Unknown:
Perhaps you should give up the case, Holmes, and follow them. So is my career on another failure? No. No. No. No, my dear fellow. I shall not leave London until this problem is solved. That case, I'll I'll sit down. Looks to me as if it may prove a lengthy wait. I rarely felt more frustrated, Watson. All three vanished technicians home safely with plausible stories or at least plausible alibis. And poor Boulard murdered
[00:22:41] Unknown:
and the radium stolen. I must say it makes no sense to me. Well, it must make sense.
[00:22:47] Unknown:
The Patton 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
[00:23:08] Unknown:
involve them as accomplices in murder, ran home and established an alley barrel. 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,
[00:23:25] Unknown:
if Boulard were alive, there would be no murderer. Of course, it would. Of course, 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.
[00:23:38] Unknown:
I have the answer. The case is solved. What do you mean, Holmes? That cannot be solved if 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. Oh, you know who did it? Yes, Watson. And so should you. But we know nothing to set them apart from each other except that one of them's a girl. We know more than that, my dear fellow. Think hard. Well, Boulard told us that Geoffrey 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, Holmes. I shan't even need to stay in London and follow the case through to its logical conclusion. A telegraph,
[00:24:12] Unknown:
to, Mycroft and another to, Scotland Yard to take care of it. Yes. And I can be in 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? Call. Splendid. If we hurry, we can catch the three forty five express from Waterloo. Oui? 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, good. Good. I will be delighted. But, but But what, my dear boy? The case of the disappearing
[00:24:50] Unknown:
scientists.
[00:24:51] 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. Now let's hurry, shall we? Our train leaves in forty minutes.
[00:25:11] Unknown:
Morty, Watson. Thanks, old boy. Peaceful down here, isn't it? Extremely. At 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 Wolland case was the correct one. Very well, my dear chap.
[00:25:31] Unknown:
Let's see. One of the mhmm. It's from Mycroft. Listen. Murderer arrested and radium recovered. Well done, Sherlock. Though you took longer than I expected. Regards, Mycroft. Congratulations, Holmes. And now perhaps you'll con 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, was correct. You remember the,
[00:25:53] Unknown:
the nature of the fatal wound on Boulard's body? Of course. You've been stabbed through the right oracle of the heart. From behind,
[00:26:00] Unknown:
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
[00:26:19] Unknown:
are you talking about? Oh, come now, boss. Come now.
[00:26:23] Unknown:
Think of the origin of the word adroit, 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 adroit, the right handed barker, could have inflicted the fatal wound. I see it now, Holmes.
[00:26:43] Unknown:
You know, if you'd remember that mark of Boulanger's at the time we found his body, you could have solved the case much sooner. Mister Wolfila, very true.
[00:26:52] Unknown:
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 for far too long.
[00:27:17] Unknown:
Well, so so Holmes really went through with this idea of becoming a beaver. Of course. Of course. It became one of his favorite hobbies. Do you know anything about 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 the
[00:27:35] Unknown:
Oh no. Oh no. No, Mr. Barnes. Oh yes, Doctor. Watson.
[00:27:39] 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. 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.
[00:28:42] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next? Well, let me see. 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.
[00:29:17] 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 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.
