In this captivating episode, we delve into the intriguing world of Sherlock Holmes as he navigates a complex case involving espionage, love, and deception. Set in the charming city of Kazanlak, Holmes and Watson find themselves embroiled in a mystery surrounding the arrest and supposed execution of a young opera singer, Lily Reyna, accused of being a spy. As the story unfolds, Holmes must unravel the truth behind her arrest, the mysterious letters sewn into her gown, and the haunting appearance of her ghost, all while contending with the political intricacies of the Balkan kingdom of Groznya.
Through clever deduction and a keen understanding of human nature, Holmes uncovers a web of intrigue that includes a false execution, a secret staircase, and a plot involving the revolutionary leader Josip. With the help of Watson, Holmes exposes the true mastermind behind the conspiracy, revealing a tale of betrayal and love that transcends the grave. Join us as we explore this thrilling adventure, where the lines between life and death blur, and justice is served in the most unexpected ways.
(00:04) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:20) Sherlock Holmes and the Case of Exhaustion
(03:17) A Night at the Opera
(05:03) The Arrest of Lily Reyna
(09:00) A Ghostly Encounter
(15:00) The Secret Staircase
(19:00) Unraveling the Mystery
(23:12) The Truth Revealed
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
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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.
[00:00:51] Unknown:
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[00:01:20] Unknown:
Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to doctor Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And say, if you'd like to try a new adventure in good eating, will you just make sure that your dinner tomorrow night includes a bottle of Petri California Burgundy. Petri Burgundy is the ideal wine with any kind of meat or meat dish. A petri burgundy is a hearty red wine just as rich in flavour as it is in colour.
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[00:02:47] Unknown:
I'm out here on the patio, Mr. Bartell.
[00:02:49] Unknown:
Well, I see you're making the most of a wonderful evening, doctor. Oh, oh, yes, my boy.
[00:02:55] Unknown:
It's pleasant to sit out here on a summer's night with a good friend and a pipe, a bottle of wine. Open yourself a glass and sit down. Thank you, sir.
[00:03:03] Unknown:
Already with tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure, doctor? Yes. And a strange story it is.
[00:03:08] Unknown:
It was in the autumn of eighteen hundred and ninety nine, mister Bartell, that I decided both as doctor and friend that Sherlock Holmes was in desperate need of a holiday. He'd really been overdoing it, So has my boy. It had been an unusually busy year. And at the time my story begins, Holmes was suffering from complete exhaustion. So my boy, towards the October in that year, we found ourselves in the charming city of Kazanlak, capital of the small Balkan kingdom of Groznya. Few nights after our arrival, I remember Pavlo Krasnodar, Grozian minister of police, took us to hear the singing of a certain young Hungarian opera star, miss Lili Reina, who was then touring Europe.
At our table was her fiance, the charming young aristocrat prince Stefano. And it was very easy to see as he sat there listening to the song that the boy was head over heels in love. It is a haunting melody that she sang, mister Bartel. I can almost hear it.
[00:04:21] Unknown:
You're a very lucky man, Prince Stefano. Your fiance's voice matches her beauty. Oh yes, doctor Watson. I consider myself the most fortunate man in Watseny. She has a magnificent voice, the finest singing I can recall since since where, mister Watseny? I was thinking of a prima donna of the Warsaw opera who attained considerable success in London, miss Irene Adler. Oh, my George. Yes.
[00:04:40] Unknown:
She was a criminal, one of the few that outwitted you, Holmes. Oh, that was a case that would have interested you, mister Krasnodar. I am familiar with it, my dear darling. You are unusually solemn tonight, Krasnodar. Have a glass of wine and I will bring Lily to our table and we will toast our happiness. I'm afraid I cannot drink to that toast, prince Stefano. Why not?
[00:04:58] Unknown:
I know why. You, the notorious lady killer who floats near, are jealous. You're in love with Lily yourself. Oh. Prince Stefano,
[00:05:04] Unknown:
I have sad news for you. I have come here tonight, but for one purpose, to arrest your fiancee. You're joking. It is far from a joke. At my ministry, we have evidence, conclusive evidence, that miss Lily Reyna is a spy. A spy. Good lord. And the penalty for spying in Groznya? That my friend is why I would drink no toast. In Groznya, the penalty for espionage is death.
[00:05:42] Unknown:
As I know but Holmes you must do something to save that girl. You can't just turn in for the night without trying to help her in some way. They might shoot her in the morning. Krasnodar's no fool. Since he's made the arrest, obviously, he has a war tonight case against the girl. I suppose so. One last pipe. You know, I couldn't understand her fiance's behavior. He didn't do a thing. Just stood there and let Krasnodar arrest the girl. What could he have done?
[00:06:07] Unknown:
Krasnodar is commissioner of police. There was no point in arguing with him until the evidence had been examined.
[00:06:13] Unknown:
I imagine the prince will try and pull some political strings. After all, Grozny Come in. Come in. Who's this now?
[00:06:20] Unknown:
Oh, you wish to speak to me?
[00:06:23] Unknown:
Mister Sherlock Holmes, I've come to talk to you about my baby. My name is Martha Gregoire. Gregoire. Your baby? Oh, mister Holmes done. Oh, my baby. She is 20 years old, and she is flaxen hairdone beautiful.
[00:06:36] Unknown:
Oh, that's entirely different matter. We'll be delighted to help you. Delighted. Sit down, won't you? On whose behalf if you come to me? Poor Lily Reyna. Lily Reyna? Well, that's the girl who's arrested tonight. I am only her dresser,
[00:06:49] Unknown:
and yet I'm Martha Gregory. I'm her mother and father. I have toured Europe with her ever since she left Vienna. She sent you to me tonight, I suppose. Yes, mister Holmes. She said you would understand. What did she mean by that, I wonder? She said that mister Holmes would take care that a talent like hers should not perish just because
[00:07:10] Unknown:
a few laws. In other words, she wishes me to establish her innocence in the same breath as she confesses her guilt. And I'm afraid I don't take that sort of plan. Good night to you.
[00:07:29] Unknown:
Mister Holmes, doctor Watson I am glad that you came to my office this morning. I can show you the proof of miss Lily Reyna's guilt. As distinguished foreigners, I should like you to know that though the penalty for political crimes is swift and severe, we are most careful that the incriminating evidence is beyond question. You see these letters? Yeah. We found them sewed into the bodies of her gown. Oh, good gracious, man. There were series of highly dangerous letters from Josip, the leader of the revolutionary party with whom she is, obviously handing love. Here, you may examine them if you wish.
[00:08:07] Unknown:
They looks like Greek to me.
[00:08:10] Unknown:
My knowledge of the Groznan language is far from perfect, but these letters certainly seem to incriminate their owner beyond doubt.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
You will observe that the the letters have followed her to each each of the cities in which she has been changing. All of them ask questions as to the military garrisons and the chances of a successful revolution.
[00:08:28] Unknown:
She has been a dangerous spy. Yes. I can see that, sir. But even so, isn't the death penalty excessively severe, particularly for a woman? Doctor
[00:08:37] Unknown:
Watson, the Balkan states are a hotbed of European intrigue. Our penalties must be severe,
[00:08:43] Unknown:
and we cannot make concessions to the sex of a culprit. The man just hit the right of these letters. Have you been able to find any trace of him? None.
[00:08:51] Unknown:
If only we could, but we had never even seen the man. However, we are fortunate to trap his assistant and
[00:08:59] Unknown:
apparently the lady of his choice. Lady of his choice, but she was engaged to Prince Stefano.
[00:09:04] Unknown:
Undoubtedly a blind. In her home, we found an unsigned love letter in English. It wasn't the same handwriting as these letters from Joseph. Are you satisfied, Watson? Well, I suppose Obviously, she's guilty.
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Oh, there's no place for me in this affair, particularly when you consider that she made a virtual concession in sending her dresser to me last night. I suppose you're right. But just the same, if you want to trap this man, Josip, I should think you'd be wiser to hold the girl as a hostage. It might bring him on the scene of he's afraid she'll talk. If you hang her, you you'll never find him. Doctor Watson,
[00:09:37] Unknown:
in my country, we found that prompt justice gets the best results. And for your edification, we do not hang in, Groznya. The death penalty is exacted at the hands of a firing squad. And when does the execution to take place? You have timed your visit well, my friends. Please do step onto the balcony. Oh, dear. I, think that answers your question, mister Holmes. Grinchot.
[00:10:04] Unknown:
Against the wall, blindfolded with the firing squad before her. It's Lily Reyna.
[00:10:09] Unknown:
Krasnaya justice indeed moves swiftly, mister Krasnodar. It has to, my friend.
[00:10:18] Unknown:
Great heavens. I can't watch this. I don't care what she's done. I don't wanna see it. Don't. Don't. Don't. Don't. Don't. Oh, no. She's coming to the ground, poor little thing. What an artist.
[00:10:34] Unknown:
Hard to see a woman executed even if she is a spy. May all traitors to Groznya die swiftly. Oh, but what a loss. Her beautiful voice. Yes. Her beautiful voice.
[00:10:46] Unknown:
Shall we go in, gentlemen?
[00:11:06] Unknown:
You know, Holmes, I can still see that poor girl as she'd crumble before the firing squad.
[00:11:11] Unknown:
So can I, old chap?
[00:11:16] Unknown:
That's her song you're playing, isn't it? Yes. The melody still haunts me. You blame me, don't you? Who who blame you for what? For not preventing her death. Oh, of course. I don't blame you, Holmes. The girl's guilty. Grozny in law prescribes the death penalty for her crime. After all, what could you have done about it?
[00:11:42] Unknown:
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
[00:11:45] Unknown:
And yet And yet what?
[00:11:50] Unknown:
I wonder if she was right. I wonder if art history such as hers isn't of greater value to humanity than spying in any cause. It's not much good worrying about that now, is it?
[00:12:02] Unknown:
The girl's dead and buried.
[00:12:15] Unknown:
Watson.
[00:12:16] Unknown:
What's the matter, Holmes?
[00:12:18] Unknown:
Did you hear that? I hear what? I could swear that I heard the dead girl's voice. She was singing her song to my accompaniment.
[00:12:27] Unknown:
Oh, oh, really? Your nurse must be in a very bad state, Holmes. Hearing voices indeed. You better turn in for the night. Perhaps. It's,
[00:12:35] Unknown:
well, it may be more my conscience than my nerves. Well, I'll give you a sleeping draft if you like. No, no, no, my dear Shepita. I'm alright. It's it's funny though. I I could have sworn that oh, well.
[00:12:47] Unknown:
Play some more of that tune, will you, Holmes? The heavens.
[00:13:10] Unknown:
Uh-huh.
[00:13:12] Unknown:
You heard it this time, Watson? Of course, I did. It was her voice. There's no mistaking it. Holmes, I don't believe in ghosts, and yet I could swear. Listen. Good lord. It is her.
[00:13:25] Unknown:
Shh.
[00:13:37] Unknown:
Strike a match, Watson. Home. Strike a match. Light the gas. Look. Look. Look. Look. Look. There in the moonlight, moving past the window. It's the figure of that girl that was shot today. A match, Watson. I'll guard the door. There. Gas is lighted.
[00:13:51] Unknown:
She's vanished, Holmes. And not by means of this door. We're standing in front of it, and there's no other exit from the room.
[00:13:57] Unknown:
Holmes, I don't like this. We're dabbling in the supernatural.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
Stop trembling, Watson. Whatever the explanation for this may be, one thing at least I find quite fascinating. And what's that? It's the first time in my career that I've ever had a ghost for a client.
[00:14:22] Unknown:
Doctor Watson will tell us the rest of his story in just a second. So I'm just going to tell you about a wine that adds the perfect finishing touch to a good meal. Petri California Muscatel. With its sunshiny golden color and its full aroma, you just know Petri Muscatel is going to taste good and it really does. Ah, the flavor of big plump Muscat grapes picked when they're full to bursting with luscious juice. For the wine that everybody likes, serve Petri Muscatell. You know it's good if it's petri.
[00:14:56] Unknown:
Well doctor Watson, so you had a ghostly visitor calling on you at the hotel that night, Yes my boy, and I confess I was so badly shaken by the experience that I, I hardly slept a wink all night. Well, the next morning after an early breakfast, Holmes and I located the proprietor of our hotel and began to question him as to the history of the building.
[00:15:17] Unknown:
I admire the architecture of this building ever since you, ever since we came here. A house of this period would, undoubtedly have been built with secret passages and staircases. I confess that I know of one secret staircase. There there may well be others. Indeed. And, who is the one you know of? You wish to explore it, gentlemen? Oh, very much. My friend and I are most interested in such things. Follow me, please. These stairs lead to our wine cellars.
[00:15:43] Unknown:
Thousands of feet have clamped up and down these steps. Only a select few know that behind this tapestry here, behind this tapestry, gentlemen, is apparently a solid wall, but the wall is not solid. You have a match, perhaps. Oh, yes. Of course. Here you are. We keep a candle here in this niche for just such an occasion as this. So please hold back tapestries, sir. Oh, I I've got it. Thank you. Now let me see. One, two, three, four. The fourth brick up from the stair. I press it so and Boco,
[00:16:25] Unknown:
great Scott. A section of the wall swinging up. It's closing a stairway behind it. Ingenious. Dear gentlemen,
[00:16:31] Unknown:
allow me to give you the candle. But, aren't you going to lead the way? No, sir. I'm not going to lead the way. Thank you. I have owned this hotel for thirty two years, and yet I have never explored this stairway.
[00:16:45] Unknown:
Why, sir? Is it reputed to be haunted? Yes. It is supposed to be haunted. I the candle, gentleman. Thank you. I'm not obliged to. Come on, Watson. No.
[00:16:55] Unknown:
I shall wait here. I don't think I care for this, Holmes. Quitely dark in here. It's damp and moody too.
[00:17:03] Unknown:
Look. Watson. Look here. Where? It's landing. Landing?
[00:17:08] Unknown:
Nothing but dust? Dust and cobwebs? A personal chap.
[00:17:12] Unknown:
There's the faint imprint of a woman's heel here.
[00:17:16] Unknown:
Oh, my George. Yes. Shoes that have gone both up and down these stairs in the last twenty four hours. Exactly.
[00:17:22] Unknown:
And there's a reverse print over here.
[00:17:25] Unknown:
This, my dear chap, I think accounts for the appearance and disappearance of our visitor last night. It's been Holmes. It was the singer, Lily Rayner. Yet we saw her shop yesterday morning. Rubbish, Watson. Rubbish.
[00:17:36] Unknown:
What have we to do with walking corpses? Come on, old fellow. Let's see where this stairway leads us to. I know but then what did we see if we didn't see a ghost last night? That my dear chap is what we have to find out. Mhmm. Wait a minute. Staircase in. Yes. Good job.
[00:17:54] Unknown:
Yes. And against a blank wall.
[00:17:56] Unknown:
That doesn't make sense. And yet the entrance to this stairway was an apparent blank wall too, remember? Let's see if the same formula will do the same trick here. Now where was it? Oh, it's one, two, three, four. Four bricks up from the step. I press so and
[00:18:13] Unknown:
open circle. You're all swinging back again.
[00:18:16] Unknown:
What do we see? Another tapestry. A tapestry that, seems very familiar. Well, I should say so. This hidden door leads into your very own bedroom. Exactly, my dear chap. Now we know beyond doubt how the apparent ghost made her appearance last night. Don't you suppose it must have been someone impersonating the dead girl? That my dear fellow is a question that can only be answered by calling on her fiance, Prince Stefano. Let's go over and see him at once, shall we? Prince Stefano, I just like to intrude upon your personal tragedy, but I must ask you a few questions.
[00:18:53] Unknown:
Ask your question. Did your fiancee have a sister, a sister who may have resembled her? No. She had no living relatives at all, mister Holmes. Well, tell me this. Who inherits her estate, sir? Her dresser. A faithful old woman by the name of Martha Gregor who looked after her for some reason. I see. Did miss Rainer have an understudy? As a singer, she could have no understudy. She was every place. You say as a singer. Was she also an actress? Yes, mister Holmes. Oh, really? How very unusual for an opera singer. Well, I wasn't pleased. The first time I saw her was in Tosca. She she she was not another baron now, but her performance was very promising one considering her age. In my country, of course, she was not able to appear in anything but opera because because she could not speak Crostian. She didn't speak Crostian. Now I have the answer. Do you answer? Yes. To what? To this entire story, from the arrest of your fiancee
[00:19:40] Unknown:
to certain strange visitations of my hotel last night. What do you mean, mister Holmes? If you come to my hotel room tonight, my dear prince, I can safely promise to make the whole matter clear to you. And I dare go a little further. I think that I can even help you to find consolation in your bereavement. Ladies and gentlemen,
[00:20:07] Unknown:
I can see that you wonder why doctor Watson and I have asked you to come here to our hotel tonight. As minister of police, I should be stupid if I did not realize that since you rather to guess, the prince Stefano and Martha Gregor, the dead girl's dresser,
[00:20:21] Unknown:
this meeting has some bearing on the execution of miss Lili Reina. I should prefer to say her murder. Ladies and gentlemen, if you please, I should like to make my own position in this matter quite clear. Two nights ago, you mother came to me on behalf of miss Lily Rayner to solicit my aid. I convinced that she was guilty, refused that aid. Yesterday morning, she died before a firing squad. Last night, her ghost appeared to me here in this room and asked me to avenge her death. A ghost?
[00:20:46] Unknown:
What nonsense are you talking? It would be no surprise to me if her poor murdered soul came back from the grave to ask for justice, sir. I saw her, my good woman, almost as clearly as I see you all now. I agree with Crass. No doubt. To talk of ghosts is beyond belief. Please let me finish.
[00:21:02] Unknown:
When I had this this visitation last night, I decided to investigate the case thoroughly. I did so today and I can assure you that miss Rayner paid for a crime she did not commit. What grounds do you have for saying that mister The letters that were supposedly written to her were in the Grozny language. And yet today, Prince Stefano informed me that she could not appear in the theater here because she did not speak the language. Those letters were sewn into her body's home. That's true, my dear fellow. And who was the only person who had the opportunity to do that? The same person who came to me two nights ago and succeeded in convincing me that miss Rayner was guilty, her undresser and supposed friend. Are you suggesting that I'm suggesting that you inherited her estate on her death and that you would have lost that inheritance if she had married and had a family of her own. What do you have to say in answer to that, Martin?
[00:21:46] Unknown:
That I am among madmen. This talk of ghosts proves it. Very well then.
[00:21:51] Unknown:
Let the ghosts support my theories. Hand me the violin, will you Watson, Auckland? Of course. Thank you. And now turn down the gas light. Right. Sure. That's it. And listen.
[00:22:13] Unknown:
That's
[00:22:14] Unknown:
her voice. And that's her figure standing there in the moonlight
[00:22:18] Unknown:
even though she's dead. Now what you say, mother? Aren't you responsible for her death? If a ghost can sing, I'm sure it can also talk. I did do it. The letters belong to me. I sacrificed my own baby for gold.
[00:22:31] Unknown:
May heaven have mercy on my soul.
[00:22:35] Unknown:
A confession in front of four witnesses. Why not take it away, Krasnodar?
[00:22:38] Unknown:
We'll testify later. I will. Come with me, Martha. I killed my own baby. I deserve to die.
[00:22:46] Unknown:
But shall I shall I turn up the gas holes? Ask prince Stefano. No.
[00:22:51] Unknown:
Do not turn it up. I've seen and heard the ghost of my beloved when the lights were down. I'm not afraid. Please play her melody again, mister Holmes.
[00:23:13] Unknown:
Aren't you
[00:23:14] Unknown:
afraid, Prince Stefano? Why should I be afraid? Live it, my beloved. Your spirit I know can be no evil one. I love it as I love you living. The pleasure of love lasts but an instant. Love's regrets last for a lifetime. This is now my lifetime brightened by your gracious ghost.
[00:23:36] Unknown:
I'm sure this is a very touching scene, but it's getting, dreadful, maudlin. All right, miss Raynard. You may come from behind the tapestry now. What's an old chap? Turn up the gaslight. That's a good fellow. Right. You are home. Prince Stefano, permit me to reintroduce you to your far from ghostly fiancee, miss Lily Reynard. Lily,
[00:23:53] Unknown:
my beloved,
[00:23:54] Unknown:
you are not dead. No. I am not dead. Though I cannot see how Sherlock Holmes fathomed to my secret.
[00:24:01] Unknown:
And there, my dear young lady, you are in exactly the same boat as I am. Surely the answer is obvious. You gave me the key yourself, Prince Stefano. Okay. But how, mister Holmes? When you informed me that miss Rayner had once played the title role in Tosca. Tosca? What's that got to do with anything else? Consider the plot, Watson. A minister of police who is very susceptible to a lady's charms arranges a false execution. Knowing mister Krasnodar's weakness, miss Raynor, you prevailed upon him to do likewise. Well, then the whole execution was a piece of pantomime.
[00:24:28] Unknown:
The rifles must have contained blanks. I have tried all too long.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
And what should have heightened my suspicion, miss Rainer, was the fact that at the moment of your apparent death, mister Krasnodar quoted a line from Tosca. He said, what an artist. I was not perceptive enough at the time to evaluate the remark correctly, I'm afraid. When the simulated execution
[00:24:47] Unknown:
took place, you were free but, assumed dead. But why should I indulge in such a trick, mister Holmes? You reasoned that,
[00:24:54] Unknown:
had you come to me directly, I might easily have turned you over as a fugitive from justice. And when you decided to dramatize the situation and appear last night as an apparent ghost, you knew it would, oh well, at the very least, stimulate my curiosity. It would cause me to investigate the matter and possibly to learn the truth and clear you from suspicion. Well, yes, but Holmes, if she's innocent, how about the the love letter in English which was in the handwriting of yourself, the revolutionary leader? Well, I can see only one explanation for that. You, prince Stefano, are that mysterious revolutionary Josip. Stefano.
[00:25:24] Unknown:
Oh, no. No. That is not personal, mister Holmes.
[00:25:27] Unknown:
You're a visitor in my country. I do not suppose you will be staying here much longer. Stefano.
[00:25:33] Unknown:
All these muncher this evening. Silence, Lily. Gentlemen,
[00:25:36] Unknown:
I hope for your own sake you will not be staying here much longer.
[00:25:41] Unknown:
Oh. I've been threatened by far more imposing adversaries than you, mister Prince Stefano. I suggest that you leave my room. It's none of my business dabbling in Grozny and political affairs. Your secret is safe. In any case, I came to Grozny for a holiday. Goodbye. Goodbye,
[00:25:56] Unknown:
mister Brown. For
[00:25:58] Unknown:
my solo, if we were in London, you wouldn't behave in a soft hand way? But we're in Groznyere, old chap, aren't we?
[00:26:04] Unknown:
Hand me the violin, will you? Alright, here you are.
[00:26:08] Unknown:
Thanks.
[00:26:09] Unknown:
You know, Watson, I've only had professional dealings with two singers in my life. The first was
[00:26:17] Unknown:
Irene Adler and she fooled me, oh, so cleverly. And this singer tried to fool you and failed dismally. Seems to me the scores are not even. Oh chap,
[00:26:27] Unknown:
no. This one was an amateur. Irene Adler will always be the woman. Ah well, I think that's enough excitement for one day, don't you? After all I am supposed to be taking a holiday.
[00:27:12] Unknown:
Doctor, that was a swell story. And I'll bet that you were a lot more interested in the beautiful Lily than your story tonight would have us believe.
[00:27:20] Unknown:
Of course, I'm interested in a beautiful woman. But then what man isn't?
[00:27:24] Unknown:
Check.
[00:27:25] Unknown:
But don't worry about me, mister Bartell. You know, being a family man, I just naturally associate a beautiful woman and home, and that makes me think of hospitality. Well, what do you mean by that? Well, according to you, I'm interested in home life. You, you're primarily interested in wine. Put us together, and we're interested in Wine in the home. Isn't that an important part of hospitality?
[00:27:49] Unknown:
That I admit. But remember, my interest in wine is entirely an interest in good wine, in Petri wine to be exact, because I know all about Petri wine. I know that the Petri family has been making wine for generations. With the Petri family, the growing of perfect sun ripened grapes and the art of turning those grapes into fragrant delicious wine is a heritage. It's a heritage handed down from father to son, from father to son. The skills of those generations of wine making are evident in every drop of Petri wine. The name Petri on a bottle of wine is more than a trademark.
It's the personal assurance of the Petri family that Petri wine is always good wine, but you'll discover that for yourself. You'll learn that no matter what type wine you prefer, you like it better when it's a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine.
[00:28:46] Unknown:
Well doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes adventure do you have lined up for us next week? Next week, mister Bartel, I'm going to tell you a most unusual story in which Sherlock Holmes crossed swords with a famous Frenchman and prove that although the English have been called a nation of shopkeepers, that a murder did not always prove to be a good bargain.
[00:29:15] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in the sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, the Sussex vampire. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and tonight, doctor Watson was played by mister Joe Kearns, who substituted for mister Nigel Bruce. Mister Bruce is scheduled to return to the program next week. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio.
This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. For a solid hour of exciting mystery dramas, listen every Monday on most of these same stations at 08:00 to Michael Shane followed immediately by Sherlock Holmes. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
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.
[00:00:51] Unknown:
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[00:01:20] Unknown:
Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to doctor Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And say, if you'd like to try a new adventure in good eating, will you just make sure that your dinner tomorrow night includes a bottle of Petri California Burgundy. Petri Burgundy is the ideal wine with any kind of meat or meat dish. A petri burgundy is a hearty red wine just as rich in flavour as it is in colour.
It's the perfect companion to a thick juicy steak or a piping hot pot roast or a good hamburger. You know that Patrick Burgundy has a happy faculty of turning a simple meal like, say a hamburger sandwich into a feast. Believe me, here is a wine that's clear, fragrant and delicious. A wine that you can serve to your friends proudly. Petri Burgundy. Remember the name Petri is the proudest name in the history of America's wine. And now let's join our good friend Doctor Watson.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
I'm out here on the patio, Mr. Bartell.
[00:02:49] Unknown:
Well, I see you're making the most of a wonderful evening, doctor. Oh, oh, yes, my boy.
[00:02:55] Unknown:
It's pleasant to sit out here on a summer's night with a good friend and a pipe, a bottle of wine. Open yourself a glass and sit down. Thank you, sir.
[00:03:03] Unknown:
Already with tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure, doctor? Yes. And a strange story it is.
[00:03:08] Unknown:
It was in the autumn of eighteen hundred and ninety nine, mister Bartell, that I decided both as doctor and friend that Sherlock Holmes was in desperate need of a holiday. He'd really been overdoing it, So has my boy. It had been an unusually busy year. And at the time my story begins, Holmes was suffering from complete exhaustion. So my boy, towards the October in that year, we found ourselves in the charming city of Kazanlak, capital of the small Balkan kingdom of Groznya. Few nights after our arrival, I remember Pavlo Krasnodar, Grozian minister of police, took us to hear the singing of a certain young Hungarian opera star, miss Lili Reina, who was then touring Europe.
At our table was her fiance, the charming young aristocrat prince Stefano. And it was very easy to see as he sat there listening to the song that the boy was head over heels in love. It is a haunting melody that she sang, mister Bartel. I can almost hear it.
[00:04:21] Unknown:
You're a very lucky man, Prince Stefano. Your fiance's voice matches her beauty. Oh yes, doctor Watson. I consider myself the most fortunate man in Watseny. She has a magnificent voice, the finest singing I can recall since since where, mister Watseny? I was thinking of a prima donna of the Warsaw opera who attained considerable success in London, miss Irene Adler. Oh, my George. Yes.
[00:04:40] Unknown:
She was a criminal, one of the few that outwitted you, Holmes. Oh, that was a case that would have interested you, mister Krasnodar. I am familiar with it, my dear darling. You are unusually solemn tonight, Krasnodar. Have a glass of wine and I will bring Lily to our table and we will toast our happiness. I'm afraid I cannot drink to that toast, prince Stefano. Why not?
[00:04:58] Unknown:
I know why. You, the notorious lady killer who floats near, are jealous. You're in love with Lily yourself. Oh. Prince Stefano,
[00:05:04] Unknown:
I have sad news for you. I have come here tonight, but for one purpose, to arrest your fiancee. You're joking. It is far from a joke. At my ministry, we have evidence, conclusive evidence, that miss Lily Reyna is a spy. A spy. Good lord. And the penalty for spying in Groznya? That my friend is why I would drink no toast. In Groznya, the penalty for espionage is death.
[00:05:42] Unknown:
As I know but Holmes you must do something to save that girl. You can't just turn in for the night without trying to help her in some way. They might shoot her in the morning. Krasnodar's no fool. Since he's made the arrest, obviously, he has a war tonight case against the girl. I suppose so. One last pipe. You know, I couldn't understand her fiance's behavior. He didn't do a thing. Just stood there and let Krasnodar arrest the girl. What could he have done?
[00:06:07] Unknown:
Krasnodar is commissioner of police. There was no point in arguing with him until the evidence had been examined.
[00:06:13] Unknown:
I imagine the prince will try and pull some political strings. After all, Grozny Come in. Come in. Who's this now?
[00:06:20] Unknown:
Oh, you wish to speak to me?
[00:06:23] Unknown:
Mister Sherlock Holmes, I've come to talk to you about my baby. My name is Martha Gregoire. Gregoire. Your baby? Oh, mister Holmes done. Oh, my baby. She is 20 years old, and she is flaxen hairdone beautiful.
[00:06:36] Unknown:
Oh, that's entirely different matter. We'll be delighted to help you. Delighted. Sit down, won't you? On whose behalf if you come to me? Poor Lily Reyna. Lily Reyna? Well, that's the girl who's arrested tonight. I am only her dresser,
[00:06:49] Unknown:
and yet I'm Martha Gregory. I'm her mother and father. I have toured Europe with her ever since she left Vienna. She sent you to me tonight, I suppose. Yes, mister Holmes. She said you would understand. What did she mean by that, I wonder? She said that mister Holmes would take care that a talent like hers should not perish just because
[00:07:10] Unknown:
a few laws. In other words, she wishes me to establish her innocence in the same breath as she confesses her guilt. And I'm afraid I don't take that sort of plan. Good night to you.
[00:07:29] Unknown:
Mister Holmes, doctor Watson I am glad that you came to my office this morning. I can show you the proof of miss Lily Reyna's guilt. As distinguished foreigners, I should like you to know that though the penalty for political crimes is swift and severe, we are most careful that the incriminating evidence is beyond question. You see these letters? Yeah. We found them sewed into the bodies of her gown. Oh, good gracious, man. There were series of highly dangerous letters from Josip, the leader of the revolutionary party with whom she is, obviously handing love. Here, you may examine them if you wish.
[00:08:07] Unknown:
They looks like Greek to me.
[00:08:10] Unknown:
My knowledge of the Groznan language is far from perfect, but these letters certainly seem to incriminate their owner beyond doubt.
[00:08:16] Unknown:
You will observe that the the letters have followed her to each each of the cities in which she has been changing. All of them ask questions as to the military garrisons and the chances of a successful revolution.
[00:08:28] Unknown:
She has been a dangerous spy. Yes. I can see that, sir. But even so, isn't the death penalty excessively severe, particularly for a woman? Doctor
[00:08:37] Unknown:
Watson, the Balkan states are a hotbed of European intrigue. Our penalties must be severe,
[00:08:43] Unknown:
and we cannot make concessions to the sex of a culprit. The man just hit the right of these letters. Have you been able to find any trace of him? None.
[00:08:51] Unknown:
If only we could, but we had never even seen the man. However, we are fortunate to trap his assistant and
[00:08:59] Unknown:
apparently the lady of his choice. Lady of his choice, but she was engaged to Prince Stefano.
[00:09:04] Unknown:
Undoubtedly a blind. In her home, we found an unsigned love letter in English. It wasn't the same handwriting as these letters from Joseph. Are you satisfied, Watson? Well, I suppose Obviously, she's guilty.
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Oh, there's no place for me in this affair, particularly when you consider that she made a virtual concession in sending her dresser to me last night. I suppose you're right. But just the same, if you want to trap this man, Josip, I should think you'd be wiser to hold the girl as a hostage. It might bring him on the scene of he's afraid she'll talk. If you hang her, you you'll never find him. Doctor Watson,
[00:09:37] Unknown:
in my country, we found that prompt justice gets the best results. And for your edification, we do not hang in, Groznya. The death penalty is exacted at the hands of a firing squad. And when does the execution to take place? You have timed your visit well, my friends. Please do step onto the balcony. Oh, dear. I, think that answers your question, mister Holmes. Grinchot.
[00:10:04] Unknown:
Against the wall, blindfolded with the firing squad before her. It's Lily Reyna.
[00:10:09] Unknown:
Krasnaya justice indeed moves swiftly, mister Krasnodar. It has to, my friend.
[00:10:18] Unknown:
Great heavens. I can't watch this. I don't care what she's done. I don't wanna see it. Don't. Don't. Don't. Don't. Don't. Oh, no. She's coming to the ground, poor little thing. What an artist.
[00:10:34] Unknown:
Hard to see a woman executed even if she is a spy. May all traitors to Groznya die swiftly. Oh, but what a loss. Her beautiful voice. Yes. Her beautiful voice.
[00:10:46] Unknown:
Shall we go in, gentlemen?
[00:11:06] Unknown:
You know, Holmes, I can still see that poor girl as she'd crumble before the firing squad.
[00:11:11] Unknown:
So can I, old chap?
[00:11:16] Unknown:
That's her song you're playing, isn't it? Yes. The melody still haunts me. You blame me, don't you? Who who blame you for what? For not preventing her death. Oh, of course. I don't blame you, Holmes. The girl's guilty. Grozny in law prescribes the death penalty for her crime. After all, what could you have done about it?
[00:11:42] Unknown:
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
[00:11:45] Unknown:
And yet And yet what?
[00:11:50] Unknown:
I wonder if she was right. I wonder if art history such as hers isn't of greater value to humanity than spying in any cause. It's not much good worrying about that now, is it?
[00:12:02] Unknown:
The girl's dead and buried.
[00:12:15] Unknown:
Watson.
[00:12:16] Unknown:
What's the matter, Holmes?
[00:12:18] Unknown:
Did you hear that? I hear what? I could swear that I heard the dead girl's voice. She was singing her song to my accompaniment.
[00:12:27] Unknown:
Oh, oh, really? Your nurse must be in a very bad state, Holmes. Hearing voices indeed. You better turn in for the night. Perhaps. It's,
[00:12:35] Unknown:
well, it may be more my conscience than my nerves. Well, I'll give you a sleeping draft if you like. No, no, no, my dear Shepita. I'm alright. It's it's funny though. I I could have sworn that oh, well.
[00:12:47] Unknown:
Play some more of that tune, will you, Holmes? The heavens.
[00:13:10] Unknown:
Uh-huh.
[00:13:12] Unknown:
You heard it this time, Watson? Of course, I did. It was her voice. There's no mistaking it. Holmes, I don't believe in ghosts, and yet I could swear. Listen. Good lord. It is her.
[00:13:25] Unknown:
Shh.
[00:13:37] Unknown:
Strike a match, Watson. Home. Strike a match. Light the gas. Look. Look. Look. Look. Look. There in the moonlight, moving past the window. It's the figure of that girl that was shot today. A match, Watson. I'll guard the door. There. Gas is lighted.
[00:13:51] Unknown:
She's vanished, Holmes. And not by means of this door. We're standing in front of it, and there's no other exit from the room.
[00:13:57] Unknown:
Holmes, I don't like this. We're dabbling in the supernatural.
[00:14:01] Unknown:
Stop trembling, Watson. Whatever the explanation for this may be, one thing at least I find quite fascinating. And what's that? It's the first time in my career that I've ever had a ghost for a client.
[00:14:22] Unknown:
Doctor Watson will tell us the rest of his story in just a second. So I'm just going to tell you about a wine that adds the perfect finishing touch to a good meal. Petri California Muscatel. With its sunshiny golden color and its full aroma, you just know Petri Muscatel is going to taste good and it really does. Ah, the flavor of big plump Muscat grapes picked when they're full to bursting with luscious juice. For the wine that everybody likes, serve Petri Muscatell. You know it's good if it's petri.
[00:14:56] Unknown:
Well doctor Watson, so you had a ghostly visitor calling on you at the hotel that night, Yes my boy, and I confess I was so badly shaken by the experience that I, I hardly slept a wink all night. Well, the next morning after an early breakfast, Holmes and I located the proprietor of our hotel and began to question him as to the history of the building.
[00:15:17] Unknown:
I admire the architecture of this building ever since you, ever since we came here. A house of this period would, undoubtedly have been built with secret passages and staircases. I confess that I know of one secret staircase. There there may well be others. Indeed. And, who is the one you know of? You wish to explore it, gentlemen? Oh, very much. My friend and I are most interested in such things. Follow me, please. These stairs lead to our wine cellars.
[00:15:43] Unknown:
Thousands of feet have clamped up and down these steps. Only a select few know that behind this tapestry here, behind this tapestry, gentlemen, is apparently a solid wall, but the wall is not solid. You have a match, perhaps. Oh, yes. Of course. Here you are. We keep a candle here in this niche for just such an occasion as this. So please hold back tapestries, sir. Oh, I I've got it. Thank you. Now let me see. One, two, three, four. The fourth brick up from the stair. I press it so and Boco,
[00:16:25] Unknown:
great Scott. A section of the wall swinging up. It's closing a stairway behind it. Ingenious. Dear gentlemen,
[00:16:31] Unknown:
allow me to give you the candle. But, aren't you going to lead the way? No, sir. I'm not going to lead the way. Thank you. I have owned this hotel for thirty two years, and yet I have never explored this stairway.
[00:16:45] Unknown:
Why, sir? Is it reputed to be haunted? Yes. It is supposed to be haunted. I the candle, gentleman. Thank you. I'm not obliged to. Come on, Watson. No.
[00:16:55] Unknown:
I shall wait here. I don't think I care for this, Holmes. Quitely dark in here. It's damp and moody too.
[00:17:03] Unknown:
Look. Watson. Look here. Where? It's landing. Landing?
[00:17:08] Unknown:
Nothing but dust? Dust and cobwebs? A personal chap.
[00:17:12] Unknown:
There's the faint imprint of a woman's heel here.
[00:17:16] Unknown:
Oh, my George. Yes. Shoes that have gone both up and down these stairs in the last twenty four hours. Exactly.
[00:17:22] Unknown:
And there's a reverse print over here.
[00:17:25] Unknown:
This, my dear chap, I think accounts for the appearance and disappearance of our visitor last night. It's been Holmes. It was the singer, Lily Rayner. Yet we saw her shop yesterday morning. Rubbish, Watson. Rubbish.
[00:17:36] Unknown:
What have we to do with walking corpses? Come on, old fellow. Let's see where this stairway leads us to. I know but then what did we see if we didn't see a ghost last night? That my dear chap is what we have to find out. Mhmm. Wait a minute. Staircase in. Yes. Good job.
[00:17:54] Unknown:
Yes. And against a blank wall.
[00:17:56] Unknown:
That doesn't make sense. And yet the entrance to this stairway was an apparent blank wall too, remember? Let's see if the same formula will do the same trick here. Now where was it? Oh, it's one, two, three, four. Four bricks up from the step. I press so and
[00:18:13] Unknown:
open circle. You're all swinging back again.
[00:18:16] Unknown:
What do we see? Another tapestry. A tapestry that, seems very familiar. Well, I should say so. This hidden door leads into your very own bedroom. Exactly, my dear chap. Now we know beyond doubt how the apparent ghost made her appearance last night. Don't you suppose it must have been someone impersonating the dead girl? That my dear fellow is a question that can only be answered by calling on her fiance, Prince Stefano. Let's go over and see him at once, shall we? Prince Stefano, I just like to intrude upon your personal tragedy, but I must ask you a few questions.
[00:18:53] Unknown:
Ask your question. Did your fiancee have a sister, a sister who may have resembled her? No. She had no living relatives at all, mister Holmes. Well, tell me this. Who inherits her estate, sir? Her dresser. A faithful old woman by the name of Martha Gregor who looked after her for some reason. I see. Did miss Rainer have an understudy? As a singer, she could have no understudy. She was every place. You say as a singer. Was she also an actress? Yes, mister Holmes. Oh, really? How very unusual for an opera singer. Well, I wasn't pleased. The first time I saw her was in Tosca. She she she was not another baron now, but her performance was very promising one considering her age. In my country, of course, she was not able to appear in anything but opera because because she could not speak Crostian. She didn't speak Crostian. Now I have the answer. Do you answer? Yes. To what? To this entire story, from the arrest of your fiancee
[00:19:40] Unknown:
to certain strange visitations of my hotel last night. What do you mean, mister Holmes? If you come to my hotel room tonight, my dear prince, I can safely promise to make the whole matter clear to you. And I dare go a little further. I think that I can even help you to find consolation in your bereavement. Ladies and gentlemen,
[00:20:07] Unknown:
I can see that you wonder why doctor Watson and I have asked you to come here to our hotel tonight. As minister of police, I should be stupid if I did not realize that since you rather to guess, the prince Stefano and Martha Gregor, the dead girl's dresser,
[00:20:21] Unknown:
this meeting has some bearing on the execution of miss Lili Reina. I should prefer to say her murder. Ladies and gentlemen, if you please, I should like to make my own position in this matter quite clear. Two nights ago, you mother came to me on behalf of miss Lily Rayner to solicit my aid. I convinced that she was guilty, refused that aid. Yesterday morning, she died before a firing squad. Last night, her ghost appeared to me here in this room and asked me to avenge her death. A ghost?
[00:20:46] Unknown:
What nonsense are you talking? It would be no surprise to me if her poor murdered soul came back from the grave to ask for justice, sir. I saw her, my good woman, almost as clearly as I see you all now. I agree with Crass. No doubt. To talk of ghosts is beyond belief. Please let me finish.
[00:21:02] Unknown:
When I had this this visitation last night, I decided to investigate the case thoroughly. I did so today and I can assure you that miss Rayner paid for a crime she did not commit. What grounds do you have for saying that mister The letters that were supposedly written to her were in the Grozny language. And yet today, Prince Stefano informed me that she could not appear in the theater here because she did not speak the language. Those letters were sewn into her body's home. That's true, my dear fellow. And who was the only person who had the opportunity to do that? The same person who came to me two nights ago and succeeded in convincing me that miss Rayner was guilty, her undresser and supposed friend. Are you suggesting that I'm suggesting that you inherited her estate on her death and that you would have lost that inheritance if she had married and had a family of her own. What do you have to say in answer to that, Martin?
[00:21:46] Unknown:
That I am among madmen. This talk of ghosts proves it. Very well then.
[00:21:51] Unknown:
Let the ghosts support my theories. Hand me the violin, will you Watson, Auckland? Of course. Thank you. And now turn down the gas light. Right. Sure. That's it. And listen.
[00:22:13] Unknown:
That's
[00:22:14] Unknown:
her voice. And that's her figure standing there in the moonlight
[00:22:18] Unknown:
even though she's dead. Now what you say, mother? Aren't you responsible for her death? If a ghost can sing, I'm sure it can also talk. I did do it. The letters belong to me. I sacrificed my own baby for gold.
[00:22:31] Unknown:
May heaven have mercy on my soul.
[00:22:35] Unknown:
A confession in front of four witnesses. Why not take it away, Krasnodar?
[00:22:38] Unknown:
We'll testify later. I will. Come with me, Martha. I killed my own baby. I deserve to die.
[00:22:46] Unknown:
But shall I shall I turn up the gas holes? Ask prince Stefano. No.
[00:22:51] Unknown:
Do not turn it up. I've seen and heard the ghost of my beloved when the lights were down. I'm not afraid. Please play her melody again, mister Holmes.
[00:23:13] Unknown:
Aren't you
[00:23:14] Unknown:
afraid, Prince Stefano? Why should I be afraid? Live it, my beloved. Your spirit I know can be no evil one. I love it as I love you living. The pleasure of love lasts but an instant. Love's regrets last for a lifetime. This is now my lifetime brightened by your gracious ghost.
[00:23:36] Unknown:
I'm sure this is a very touching scene, but it's getting, dreadful, maudlin. All right, miss Raynard. You may come from behind the tapestry now. What's an old chap? Turn up the gaslight. That's a good fellow. Right. You are home. Prince Stefano, permit me to reintroduce you to your far from ghostly fiancee, miss Lily Reynard. Lily,
[00:23:53] Unknown:
my beloved,
[00:23:54] Unknown:
you are not dead. No. I am not dead. Though I cannot see how Sherlock Holmes fathomed to my secret.
[00:24:01] Unknown:
And there, my dear young lady, you are in exactly the same boat as I am. Surely the answer is obvious. You gave me the key yourself, Prince Stefano. Okay. But how, mister Holmes? When you informed me that miss Rayner had once played the title role in Tosca. Tosca? What's that got to do with anything else? Consider the plot, Watson. A minister of police who is very susceptible to a lady's charms arranges a false execution. Knowing mister Krasnodar's weakness, miss Raynor, you prevailed upon him to do likewise. Well, then the whole execution was a piece of pantomime.
[00:24:28] Unknown:
The rifles must have contained blanks. I have tried all too long.
[00:24:32] Unknown:
And what should have heightened my suspicion, miss Rainer, was the fact that at the moment of your apparent death, mister Krasnodar quoted a line from Tosca. He said, what an artist. I was not perceptive enough at the time to evaluate the remark correctly, I'm afraid. When the simulated execution
[00:24:47] Unknown:
took place, you were free but, assumed dead. But why should I indulge in such a trick, mister Holmes? You reasoned that,
[00:24:54] Unknown:
had you come to me directly, I might easily have turned you over as a fugitive from justice. And when you decided to dramatize the situation and appear last night as an apparent ghost, you knew it would, oh well, at the very least, stimulate my curiosity. It would cause me to investigate the matter and possibly to learn the truth and clear you from suspicion. Well, yes, but Holmes, if she's innocent, how about the the love letter in English which was in the handwriting of yourself, the revolutionary leader? Well, I can see only one explanation for that. You, prince Stefano, are that mysterious revolutionary Josip. Stefano.
[00:25:24] Unknown:
Oh, no. No. That is not personal, mister Holmes.
[00:25:27] Unknown:
You're a visitor in my country. I do not suppose you will be staying here much longer. Stefano.
[00:25:33] Unknown:
All these muncher this evening. Silence, Lily. Gentlemen,
[00:25:36] Unknown:
I hope for your own sake you will not be staying here much longer.
[00:25:41] Unknown:
Oh. I've been threatened by far more imposing adversaries than you, mister Prince Stefano. I suggest that you leave my room. It's none of my business dabbling in Grozny and political affairs. Your secret is safe. In any case, I came to Grozny for a holiday. Goodbye. Goodbye,
[00:25:56] Unknown:
mister Brown. For
[00:25:58] Unknown:
my solo, if we were in London, you wouldn't behave in a soft hand way? But we're in Groznyere, old chap, aren't we?
[00:26:04] Unknown:
Hand me the violin, will you? Alright, here you are.
[00:26:08] Unknown:
Thanks.
[00:26:09] Unknown:
You know, Watson, I've only had professional dealings with two singers in my life. The first was
[00:26:17] Unknown:
Irene Adler and she fooled me, oh, so cleverly. And this singer tried to fool you and failed dismally. Seems to me the scores are not even. Oh chap,
[00:26:27] Unknown:
no. This one was an amateur. Irene Adler will always be the woman. Ah well, I think that's enough excitement for one day, don't you? After all I am supposed to be taking a holiday.
[00:27:12] Unknown:
Doctor, that was a swell story. And I'll bet that you were a lot more interested in the beautiful Lily than your story tonight would have us believe.
[00:27:20] Unknown:
Of course, I'm interested in a beautiful woman. But then what man isn't?
[00:27:24] Unknown:
Check.
[00:27:25] Unknown:
But don't worry about me, mister Bartell. You know, being a family man, I just naturally associate a beautiful woman and home, and that makes me think of hospitality. Well, what do you mean by that? Well, according to you, I'm interested in home life. You, you're primarily interested in wine. Put us together, and we're interested in Wine in the home. Isn't that an important part of hospitality?
[00:27:49] Unknown:
That I admit. But remember, my interest in wine is entirely an interest in good wine, in Petri wine to be exact, because I know all about Petri wine. I know that the Petri family has been making wine for generations. With the Petri family, the growing of perfect sun ripened grapes and the art of turning those grapes into fragrant delicious wine is a heritage. It's a heritage handed down from father to son, from father to son. The skills of those generations of wine making are evident in every drop of Petri wine. The name Petri on a bottle of wine is more than a trademark.
It's the personal assurance of the Petri family that Petri wine is always good wine, but you'll discover that for yourself. You'll learn that no matter what type wine you prefer, you like it better when it's a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine.
[00:28:46] Unknown:
Well doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes adventure do you have lined up for us next week? Next week, mister Bartel, I'm going to tell you a most unusual story in which Sherlock Holmes crossed swords with a famous Frenchman and prove that although the English have been called a nation of shopkeepers, that a murder did not always prove to be a good bargain.
[00:29:15] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in the sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, the Sussex vampire. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and tonight, doctor Watson was played by mister Joe Kearns, who substituted for mister Nigel Bruce. Mister Bruce is scheduled to return to the program next week. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio.
This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. For a solid hour of exciting mystery dramas, listen every Monday on most of these same stations at 08:00 to Michael Shane followed immediately by Sherlock Holmes. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
