In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of classic radio dramas, focusing on the unique challenges faced by South Africa in accessing popular television series like The Avengers before 1976. Despite these challenges, the series managed to gain some exposure through film rentals, showcasing the global impact of British television. We also explore the intriguing story of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they unravel the mystery of a missing man, Neville St. Clair, who is discovered to be living a double life as a beggar. This tale of deception and surprise highlights Holmes' unparalleled deductive skills and the unexpected twists that make his adventures so captivating.
Join us as we journey through the atmospheric streets of London with Holmes and Watson, encountering opium dens, mysterious letters, and a case that challenges even the great detective's abilities. This episode not only brings to life the gripping narrative of "The Man with the Twisted Lip" but also offers a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the time, where radio dramas and classic storytelling captivated audiences worldwide. Whether you're a fan of classic mysteries or interested in the history of media, this episode promises to entertain and enlighten.
(00:19) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:06) Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
(03:08) The Case of the Missing Husband
(07:29) The Investigation Begins
(15:09) A Letter from the Missing
(19:57) Holmes' Sleepless Night
(21:07) The Prison Visit
(24:02) The Beggar's Confession
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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Unknown:
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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 filmed series, rather than a videotaped one, the Avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:01:06] Unknown:
Petrie Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures
[00:01:13] Unknown:
of Sherlock
[00:01:17] Unknown:
Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Doctor. Watson tell another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend at master detective, Sherlock Holmes. Before he starts, I can tell you something it's really worth knowing. Simply this. The best beginning a good meal ever had is a glass of Petri California sherry. Petri sherry is the perfect before dinner wine. While you're waiting for dinner to be put on the table, pour yourself a glass of that clear amber colored Petri sherry. Now just sit back and sip it slowly.
Take your time so you can thoroughly enjoy every single drop of that wonderful petri flavor. And what a flavor that sherry has. It comes right from the sun ripened heart of wonderful California grapes. You may be a real wine expert and know all about sherry wine, but believe me, until you've tried a petri sherry, you're really missing something. Serve petri sherry alone or serve it with canapes or appetizers. And by all means, serve it proudly. You can because the letters p e t r I spell the proudest name in the history of American wines, Petri.
And now let's visit our good friend and host, doctor Watson.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartel. Drop your usual chair and make yourself at home. How about a glass of cherry? That'd be very nice.
[00:02:57] Unknown:
All ready for tonight's story, doctor? Yes, my boy. Here. Here here's your cherry. Thank you, sir. My story
[00:03:09] Unknown:
quiet evening at home, I remember. It was just about the hour that a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock, and the tranquility of the scene was broken by the discordant jangling. It was An
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emergency
[00:03:22] Unknown:
call for you, I suppose, doctor. Not exactly, mister Bartol. It turned out to be a certain missus Isa Whitney, an old friend of my wife's who'd come to us in trouble. Her husband, she told us, had been missing for forty eight hours. And knowing him to be the victim of the shocking habit of taking opium, she was convinced that he was lying drugged and stupefied
[00:03:42] Unknown:
in some foul den amid the London Waterfront. And I suppose you went out to try to find him? Yes, mister Bartell. I did.
[00:03:49] Unknown:
She told me that her husband had mentioned frequenting a place called the Bar of Gold in Upper Swandam Lane, so naturally that's where I began my search. I quickly located it and after ordering my cab to wait, I entered the place. A strange sight met my eyes. Through the smoke ridden gloom, I could catch a glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses as they smoked the pipes of death. Most of the unhappy creatures lay silently, but some muttered to themselves and others talked together in strange low monotonous voices, their conversation coming in clashes and then trailing off into silence, each mumbling his own thoughts, and paying little attention or heed to the words of his neighbor.
As I entered, an attendant hurried up to me with an opium pipe and a supply of the drug, and beckoned me to an empty bath. Master may lie here. I haven't come to stay here, my good man. I'm looking for a friend, mister Iser Whitney. No one by that name here, my Well, I'm going to search this place just the same. Please not to make trouble, ma'am. Ma'am. Watson. Is that you, Watson? Whitney. Thank heavens I've found you, man. For what time is it? It's nearly eleven. Of what day? What day? Friday, June the nineteenth. Good lord. I thought it was Wednesday.
[00:05:06] Unknown:
It is Wednesday. You're trying to confuse me. I tell you it's Friday. Your wife has been waiting two days for you. You're mixed up on your dates, Watson. I've only been here a few hours. Three pipes, four pipes. I forget how many.
[00:05:17] Unknown:
I'll go home with you. Yeah. How'd you go home?
[00:05:21] Unknown:
That's it. I have a cab waiting. I must owe some money.
[00:05:25] Unknown:
Will you settle up for me? Yes. Of course. Yeah. Wait here for me. Stop calling it my steam, my good fellow. Who are you, and what do you want? A word in your ear, please. Oh, very well. What what what is it? Get rid of your friend and join me outside.
[00:05:41] Unknown:
Holmes. What on earth are you doing here in Stan? Your cab waiting? Yes. Then please use it to send you a befuddled friend home. And and if you fill up to it, I should also recommend that you send a note to the cabman telling your wife that you have thrown in your lock with me. I'd be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you. Yes. Of course. I'm Splendid. Then conclude your business here, O'Shaugh. I'll meet you outside in about ten minutes.
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Where on earth is he? It's it's nearly
[00:06:22] Unknown:
is that your house? Yes. What's this mean? Your disguise is wonderful. I'd never recognized you if you haven't spoke to me just now. You're supposed to be a friend? Yes. Yes. Good. Splendid, let's start walking. I have a horse and trap waiting for me on the next street.
[00:06:34] Unknown:
What on earth were you doing in the bar of gold, Holmes? Trying to get news of a missing man.
[00:06:39] Unknown:
You sign me. I'm in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry, and and I'd hoped to get a clue from the incoherent ramblings of those poor devils back there. There's the horse and trap under the street lamp on the corner. You'll come with me, Watson. Yes. Of course. If I can be of any use. A trust to come. That is always of use. My room at the Cedars has two beds in it. The Cedars? Yes. That's mister Neville Saint Claire's house and our present destination. It's near me in Kent about seven miles from here. I'm using it as a headquarters while I conduct my inquiries. Evening, mister Elms. Everything alright? Yes. Thank you, John. I get in, Watson. Right.
I shan't need you anymore tonight, John. Here's how I can for you. Look out for me tomorrow about eleven. Right to arm, mister Holmes. Good night, John. Good night.
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Get up.
[00:07:24] Unknown:
Well, Holmes, if we have a seven mile drive ahead of us, perhaps you'll tell me about the case that you're working on. The pleasure, old chap. But first, take the range for a few minutes, will you? I,
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want to remove my makeup and take off my wig and be comfortable. Now to that, I'll tell you why we are headed to the Kintish countryside at this hour of the night. Watson, you have a grand gift of silence. It makes you invaluable as a companion. We've driven four miles and you've doubted a word. It wasn't easy, Holmes. I've been dying to question you, but I could see that you were preoccupied. Then I shall reward you with a clear and concise statement of my problem. Mister Neville Saint Claire, age 37, the father of two children and an affectionate husband, is missing. He left his house, The Cedars, near Lee, our present destination last Monday. Four days ago, Yes. Now why should an affectionate husband and a happy father disappear?
Any any money trouble? No. I think not. His entire debts at the moment amount to £88 while he has £220 standing to his credit of the Capital and County's bank. Who was the last person to see him on Monday? His wife. But let me tell you the story. He left his house for London rather earlier than usual. He was a businessman, isn't he? Yes. He has an interest in several companies in London. But his wife doesn't know exactly what he does. But to continue, he left for London saying that he would bring his little boy home a box of toy bricks. Now with the merest chance, his wife received a telegram shortly after his departure saying that a parcel of considerable value was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Aberdeen should require their offices in Fresno Street. I drove by them tonight. Jack in Fresno Street branches out of Upper Swandam Lane where the bar of gold is situated. Now I'm beginning to understand. Go on, Holmes. Go on. Missus Saint Claire took a train to London and at exactly 04:35 on Monday last, found herself walking past the bar of gold. Suddenly, she heard a cry and looking up was horrified to see her husband beckoning to her from a second story window. Great Scott. Was he a prisoner or was he there in his own free will, you suppose? Undoubtedly, he was a prisoner. The window was open and she distinctly saw his face, which she described as being terribly agitated. Really? Too bad. He waved his hand to her frantically and then dashed from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he had been dragged back by some irresistible force from behind. Oh, gracious me. Very good. One singular point which struck a quick feminine eye was that although he wore the coat he had left for London men, he wore neither collar nor tie. Oh, what did she do? Rushed down the steps into the bar of gold and attempted to go up the staircase leading to the Second Floor. I suppose that oriental fellow that I talked to tonight stopped her. Exactly. In fact, he pushed her out the door and slammed it after her.
She rushed down the lane and a few moments later was lucky enough to meet a sergeant and too comfortable. She She took him back with her to the bar of gold, of course. Yes. They went with her to the room in which Noel St. Clair at last been seen. Of course, there was no sign of him. In fact, on the whole floor, there was no one to be found except the hideous deformed beggar who seemed to live there. And what missus St. Clair told me, it appears that the sergeant conducted the examination quite intelligently.
[00:10:38] Unknown:
Sir, you saw your husband at this window, missus St. Clair? I'm positive, sergeant. And Alaska swears, no one's been upstairs this afternoon. He's probably lying. But let's see what this crippled fellow has to say for himself. Here you. What do you want but me? I ain't done nothing. Now you heard what this lady said. Did you see your husband go in this room a few minutes ago? I didn't see nobody and I've been here all the afternoon. You live here? Yes. And you swear on earth that no one's been in this room for the last few hours? Yes, I do. Missus Sinclair, I know that you think you saw your husband, but don't you suppose Look. Look on the table.
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Just a wooden box, ma'am. But I know what's inside it. There, see?
[00:11:19] Unknown:
What's a lot a lot of wooden bricks like kids paint? My husband came to London today especially to buy the raw sun. You can't just believe me now, sergeant. Don't think I can, ma'am. I'll take another nap round. Where does this door lead to? My bedroom. You won't find nothing in there. Oh, we'll look just the same. Hello. Blood stains on this window ledge. Fresh blood stains. How do you account for that? Well, I don't know nothing about it. And the window overlooks the river just where the water's good and deep too. Nice place to tip a body out here. Come here, you. Yeah. But you ain't done nothing. You've got blood stains on your right sleeve. What do you gotta say about that? Well, Well, I cut my finger, see. And then I went and opened the window later. That's how the bird got there. And you think I was born yesterday? Let's have a look in this chest of drawers. Hello.
Hello. Whose clothes are these? A pair of trousers, socks, shoes, everything except the coat, Missus Sinclair, will you come in here please, ma'am? What have you found, sergeant? These clothes.
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Are they your husband's, ma'am?
[00:12:25] Unknown:
Yes. Yes, they are. What's happened to him sergeant? I'm afraid he's met with foul playman. And this man knows what happened and he won't talk. I don't know nothing or I tell you. Don't you? Well, I arrest you in the name of the lord and I warn you that anything you say
[00:12:42] Unknown:
And sir Watson, the sergeant arrested this crippled beggar. Oh, I'm not surprised. What have they been able to find out about him? Surprisingly little. His name is Hugh Boone, and he's a professional beggar, quite successful when I gather. His pathetic appearance attracts great sympathy. There's a shock of orange hair and a pale face that is disfigured by a horrible scar which has twisted the outer edge of his upper lip. He was the last man to see Neville St. Kerr alive, So it would seem, Velasco downstairs has been cross examined relentlessly, but he swears that he has no knowledge of the crime. Has there been any any further debate? Oh, yes. Oh, chap. Yes. Indeed there have. The ebbing tide gave a fresh clue. You mean St. Kerr's body was washed up? No. His coat. What? With every pocket stuffed with pennies and halfpennies. 4 hundred and 20 1 pennies and 270 halfpennies to be exact.
There's no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a human body was a different matter. Yes. There's a strong eddy between the house and the wall. It seems likely that the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been carried away into the river. If the other clothes were found in the room, why would the body be dressed in a coat alone? We can only surmise, old chap, but, supposing that this man's boon had thrust Neville Sinclair through the window and into the river. What will you do then? Try and dispose of the telltale garments. Yes. That would be logical, wouldn't it? He would seize the coats and be in the act of throwing it out of the window when it would occur to him that it would float and not sink. So we loaded the pockets of coins to make it sink? Quite so. Of course. But, he has little time for he has hurt this couple downstairs when missus Saint Claire tried to force her way up.
He only succeeded in getting as far as throwing the coat out when the police arrived on the scene. Well, that seems perfectly feasible. Well, it'll do as a working hypothesis anyway. Neville St. Clair disappeared on Monday, yet we still don't know what what he was doing in the opium den. What happened to him when he was got there, or or where he is now? Oh, what Hugh Boone, the dagger with a twisted lip had to do with his disappearance. Now here we are at our destination. Well, the light burning, missus Sinclair must be waiting up for you. Yes, poor woman. I hate to return here with no news of her husband, but she's being brave once and extremely brave. We must do everything we can to comfort her.
[00:15:10] Unknown:
Doctor Watson, I'm so grateful that you were able to come down and help your friend. Oh, I only hope that I can be of some help, missus Sinclair. I see that you have no good news for me, mister Holmes. I'm afraid not. No bad? No. Thank heaven for that. Mister Holmes, tell me honestly. Do you think that Neville is still alive? Well, I Frankly, no. Franklin and I don't. You You think he's murdered? Well, I don't say that, but perhaps you And on what day did he meet his death? On Monday. Then perhaps, mister Holmes, you could explain how I received a letter from him today. What? Where is the letter, madam? Here. Let me see it.
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This is very crude writing on the envelope.
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Surely, it's not your husband's hand. No. Look what the writing in the letter is. Uh-huh. This letter contained an enclosure. Yes. There was a ring. His signet ring. What does the letter say, home?
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Dearest, do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify, waiting patience. And it's signed Neville. Mhmm. Written pencil on a fly leaf of a notebook. No watermark. Hosted today in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Mhmm. And flap has been gummed, if I'm not mistaken, by a man who has been chewing tobacco. My husband must be alive, mister Holmes. This might be a clever forgery to put us off put us off the track. Put the signet ring. Yes. It may have been taken from him. Put the handwriting and and then the postmark. Might have been written on Monday and only posted today. I won't be discouraged, mister Holmes. Clear. I have no wish to discourage
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be practical. If your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you? I I can't have met. He made no special remarks before leaving on Monday? No. None. Except to say that he was going to buy the wooden blocks.
[00:16:56] Unknown:
When you saw him at the bar of gold in Swandom Lane, was the window open? Yes. Then he might have called you. He might? As I understand it, he gave an inarticulate cry, a call for help, you thought. Yes. He waved his hands. But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment of the unexpected sight of you might have caused him to throw up his hands. I suppose so. And you thought that he was pulled back from the window? Yes. Because he disappeared so abruptly. He might have leaped back, might he? He might have, though I can't think why. One last question. Had your husband ever shown signs of,
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taking opium? Why, no. Never, mister Holmes. I'm certain the idea would have revolted him. Thank you, missus Sinclair.
[00:17:36] Unknown:
As were the principal points I wanted to be clear on. And now what can I suggest we retire for the night? We may have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. I hope you both sleep well.
[00:17:45] Unknown:
Good night, mister Holmes. Doctor Watson. Good night, missus Thornton.
[00:17:49] Unknown:
Keep up your courage. Good night, missus St. Clair. We must hope for the best. The clouds seem lighter, though I should not venture to say that danger is over.
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You'll hear the rest of Doctor. Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to remind you that when you buy petri California sherry, you have a choice of two kinds of sherry. You can choose Petri regular sherry, or if you prefer your sherry dry, you know, not sweet, ask for Petri pale dry sherry. They're both fine wines. And if you don't know which you'd prefer, don't buy one, buy two. Buy them both and try them both. And remember this, petri sherry is the perfect all round, all occasion wine. It's good before dinner, after dinner, at cocktail time, and any time.
Just be sure you get petri, petri sherry.
[00:18:53] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, you and the great Sherlock Holmes certainly deserved a good night's rest. Did you get it? I did, mister Boteau, but Holmes made no attempt to sleep. As soon as we retired upstairs, he donned a blue silk dressing gown, and then wandered above the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the sofa and the armchairs. With these, he constructed a sort of eastern divan, in which he first himself cross legged with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of him. He was all set for a session of thinking, I guess. Yes, my boy. In the dim light of the lamp, I saw him sitting there, an old brow pipe clenched in his teeth, his eyes fixed vacantly on a corner of a ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him silent, motionless.
So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sat when I wakened in the morning to find the summer sun shining into the room. The pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had seen on the previous
[00:19:53] Unknown:
night. Watson. Wake, Watson. Twenty minutes past four. Hold on, Holmes. You you haven't been a bear. Well, Chapp, I had to think. I couldn't allow my brain the luxury of sleeping.
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You game for morning drive? Certainly. I'll I'll get rest. Good.
[00:20:16] Unknown:
Am I stirring yet, but I know where the stable boy sleeps? I'll have have the horse and trap up no time at all. Where are we going? To prison. To visit Hubert, the man with the twisted lip. Oh, mister, you're unusually excited. What what's what's on your mind? I want to test a little theory. I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross, but I think I have the key to the affair. Oh, where is it? In the bathroom. What? You're you're joking, Owen. No. I've, just been there and removed it. It's in my coat pocket now. I didn't get dressed, old chap. And we'll drive over to the prison and see whether my key fits the lock.
Well, good morning, mister Holmes. Doctor Watson. Good morning. How's your good morning? You're a couple of early bird and no mistake. Yes, constable. We are searching for the proverbial worm. Who's on duty? Inspector Bright Street, sir. Oh. Oh, here he is now. Good morning, Bright Street. Oh, hello, mister Holmes. Good morning, doctor. Good morning, inspector. What can I do for you, gentlemen? He called about Hugh Boone, the beggar man who,
[00:21:31] Unknown:
is charged with being concerned in the disappearance of mister Neville Saint Claire. You have him here? Yes, mister Holmes. He's in the cells. I'll take you to him. Follow me, will you, gentlemen? Thank you. What, what kind of a prisoner has he been, mister Victor? Oh, he hasn't given us any trouble, but he's a dirty devil. It's as much as we can do to make him wash his hands. His face is as black as a tinker's. So he has an aversion to washing, has he? Yeah. Yes, mister Holmes. Well, once his case has been settled, he'll have a regular prison bath. And when you see him, I think you'll agree with me that he needs it. And here we are. This is his cell.
[00:22:10] Unknown:
He's still asleep. Good lord. What a what a filthy or impossibly looking fella. Yes. He's a beauty, isn't he?
[00:22:18] Unknown:
Want to go in, mister Holmes? Please, inspector. Well, he he certainly needs a wash. Yes. I had an idea that he might. That's why I brought this sponge along in my pocket. Oh, sir. That was the key that you found in the bathroom. You're a funny one, mister Olmes, and no mistake. Why did you bring a sponge along for? I'll show you. Is there any water in this cell? There in the jug on the table there. Yes. Yes. I soak the sponge in the water cell and then apply it to the prisoner's face. So
[00:22:50] Unknown:
I've got his complexion three shades lighter underneath, and the scar on his lip has disappeared.
[00:22:55] Unknown:
What are you join to me? I'll tug on this muffle bread here, and I think we'll mind it's a wig. Yes. Come on. That's right.
[00:23:02] Unknown:
Let me introduce you to mister Neville Saint Clair of Lee in the County of Kent. Good Lord, mister Holmes. Is the missing man alright? I recognize him from the photographs. Alright.
[00:23:12] Unknown:
I'm Neville St. Fair.
[00:23:14] Unknown:
What am I charged with? We're making away with mister Neville St. Oh, no. You you can't be charged with that unless we make a case of attempted suicide of it. Well, since I'm the missing man, then it's obvious that no crime has been committed, and therefore I'm illegally detained. No crime, but a very great error has been committed. You would have done better to have trusted your wife. It wasn't only my wife. It was the children. I I couldn't bear to have them know that their father was a common beggar.
[00:23:39] Unknown:
Now you've exposed me. What could I do? Well, if you leave it to court of law to clear this matter up, sir, you can hardly avoid newspaper publicity. But if you're perfectly honest with us now, I'm sure the inspector and mister Holmes won't be too hard on you. No, mister St. Clair. Inspector Bradstreet will, I'm sure, make notes on the information that you give us and submit them to the proper authorities. But now, sir,
[00:24:01] Unknown:
your story, please. Why have you been posing as Hugh Boone, a crippled beggar with a twisted lip? Well, it's a
[00:24:08] Unknown:
simple enough story. Some years ago, I was a newspaper reporter.
[00:24:13] Unknown:
One day, my editor wanted an article on begging in the London metropolis. Yes. Because you thought the best way to get your facts was to disguise yourself as a beggar. Yes. I'd,
[00:24:23] Unknown:
I'd been an actor in my youth, and it wasn't hard for me to adopt a convincing disguise. But that was the point where all my trouble started. On that first day I sat in the London streets, I found to my amazement that I received no less than 26 shillings and fourpence. Almost as much as your weekly salary as a reporter, I imagine. Yes, mister Holmes. Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous work at £2 a week when I knew that I could earn as much in a couple of days by smearing my face with paint, laying my cap on the ground, and sitting still. Only
[00:24:57] Unknown:
one man knew my secret. Alaska at the Barn of Gold in Upper Swandom Lane. Yes, mister Holmes. Mhmm.
[00:25:03] Unknown:
Every morning, I would emerge from there dressed as a beggar. And in the evenings, I'd return and transform myself into a well dressed man about town. The, fellow was well paid for his rooms, and, well, I knew that my secret was safe in his position. And when you got married, you couldn't bring yourself to confide in your wife, I suppose. No. I I couldn't. My wife knew that I had a business in the city.
[00:25:26] Unknown:
She little knew what. When you saw your wife from the window last Monday, you quickly changed back into the character of the beggar, I suppose. Yes, mister Holmes. Of course. And then weighted my coat and threw it into the River. Mhmm. Well, I I don't think there's anything else I need explained. Is it One point. The signet ring that you sent your wife.
[00:25:45] Unknown:
Well, I I knew that she'd be worrying, so I gave it to the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me together with a hastily scribbled note. That note only reached her last night, mister Stintra. Last night?
[00:26:00] Unknown:
Poor Catherine. What a dreadful week she must have spent. The police have been watching that, Lascar. He probably found it difficult to post the letter for you without being spotted. Yes. I would surmise he gave it to a a sailor customer of his post, a sailor who chewed tobacco and had a dirty thumb. Yes. I I think all the ends are tied off very neatly now. One last question, mister Sinclair. Have you ever been prosecuted for begging?
[00:26:24] Unknown:
Many times, but what was a fine to me? It's got to stop here and now, mister Sinclair. And if the police had asked this thing up, there must be no more of you, Boone, the beggar.
[00:26:34] Unknown:
I swear it. And you must tell your wife the truth at once. If you've done that a long time ago, you'd have saved both of yourselves a very great deal of miserises. I shall tell her everything.
[00:26:43] Unknown:
Well, mister Holmes, we're very much obliged to you for having cleared this matter up. I wish I knew how you reached your results, though. Well, in this case, my dear inspector, I
[00:26:52] Unknown:
I reached them by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag tobacco. I only wish that, all my problems might be solved so comfortably.
[00:27:17] Unknown:
Doctor, that was some story. Imagine arresting a man for committing a murder and then finding out that he's the fellow who's supposed to be dead. It is a bit bewildering, isn't it? You said it. Boy, being a detective sure has its surprises.
[00:27:33] Unknown:
Nothing like that ever happens to me. Oh, come, come, come, come, come. One would believe to hear you talk that you lead a very uneventful
[00:27:40] Unknown:
life. Oh, but I do, doctor. I do. Why, I never get any surprises. Look, I tell our friends that Petri wine is always good wine. And what happens? Oh, what does happen? Everybody agrees it's good wine, and that's that. Well, it's just got to be. After all, the Petri family has been making wine for generations. Winemaking is their heritage. A heritage passed on down from father to son, from father to son, from generation to generation. The Petri family knows full well the art of turning luscious sun ripened grapes into fragrant delicious wine.
And because the making of Petri wine is a family affair, you can be sure that the name Petri on a bottle of wine really stands for something. It's your assurance that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine. No matter what type wine you prefer, you'll never go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine. Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes adventure are you planning to tell us next week? Well, now let me see. Next week,
[00:28:48] Unknown:
next week, mister Bartel, I'm I'm gonna tell you a a weird story of violence and of sudden death that struck without warning. I call it the strange adventure of the An Easy Easy Chair.
[00:29:25] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was adapted by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher, from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Man with the Twisted Lip. Music is by Dean Foster. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petrie 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.
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[00:00:15] Unknown:
Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a filmed series, rather than a videotaped one, the Avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:01:06] Unknown:
Petrie Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures
[00:01:13] Unknown:
of Sherlock
[00:01:17] Unknown:
Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Doctor. Watson tell another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend at master detective, Sherlock Holmes. Before he starts, I can tell you something it's really worth knowing. Simply this. The best beginning a good meal ever had is a glass of Petri California sherry. Petri sherry is the perfect before dinner wine. While you're waiting for dinner to be put on the table, pour yourself a glass of that clear amber colored Petri sherry. Now just sit back and sip it slowly.
Take your time so you can thoroughly enjoy every single drop of that wonderful petri flavor. And what a flavor that sherry has. It comes right from the sun ripened heart of wonderful California grapes. You may be a real wine expert and know all about sherry wine, but believe me, until you've tried a petri sherry, you're really missing something. Serve petri sherry alone or serve it with canapes or appetizers. And by all means, serve it proudly. You can because the letters p e t r I spell the proudest name in the history of American wines, Petri.
And now let's visit our good friend and host, doctor Watson.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartel. Drop your usual chair and make yourself at home. How about a glass of cherry? That'd be very nice.
[00:02:57] Unknown:
All ready for tonight's story, doctor? Yes, my boy. Here. Here here's your cherry. Thank you, sir. My story
[00:03:09] Unknown:
quiet evening at home, I remember. It was just about the hour that a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock, and the tranquility of the scene was broken by the discordant jangling. It was An
[00:03:21] Unknown:
emergency
[00:03:22] Unknown:
call for you, I suppose, doctor. Not exactly, mister Bartol. It turned out to be a certain missus Isa Whitney, an old friend of my wife's who'd come to us in trouble. Her husband, she told us, had been missing for forty eight hours. And knowing him to be the victim of the shocking habit of taking opium, she was convinced that he was lying drugged and stupefied
[00:03:42] Unknown:
in some foul den amid the London Waterfront. And I suppose you went out to try to find him? Yes, mister Bartell. I did.
[00:03:49] Unknown:
She told me that her husband had mentioned frequenting a place called the Bar of Gold in Upper Swandam Lane, so naturally that's where I began my search. I quickly located it and after ordering my cab to wait, I entered the place. A strange sight met my eyes. Through the smoke ridden gloom, I could catch a glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses as they smoked the pipes of death. Most of the unhappy creatures lay silently, but some muttered to themselves and others talked together in strange low monotonous voices, their conversation coming in clashes and then trailing off into silence, each mumbling his own thoughts, and paying little attention or heed to the words of his neighbor.
As I entered, an attendant hurried up to me with an opium pipe and a supply of the drug, and beckoned me to an empty bath. Master may lie here. I haven't come to stay here, my good man. I'm looking for a friend, mister Iser Whitney. No one by that name here, my Well, I'm going to search this place just the same. Please not to make trouble, ma'am. Ma'am. Watson. Is that you, Watson? Whitney. Thank heavens I've found you, man. For what time is it? It's nearly eleven. Of what day? What day? Friday, June the nineteenth. Good lord. I thought it was Wednesday.
[00:05:06] Unknown:
It is Wednesday. You're trying to confuse me. I tell you it's Friday. Your wife has been waiting two days for you. You're mixed up on your dates, Watson. I've only been here a few hours. Three pipes, four pipes. I forget how many.
[00:05:17] Unknown:
I'll go home with you. Yeah. How'd you go home?
[00:05:21] Unknown:
That's it. I have a cab waiting. I must owe some money.
[00:05:25] Unknown:
Will you settle up for me? Yes. Of course. Yeah. Wait here for me. Stop calling it my steam, my good fellow. Who are you, and what do you want? A word in your ear, please. Oh, very well. What what what is it? Get rid of your friend and join me outside.
[00:05:41] Unknown:
Holmes. What on earth are you doing here in Stan? Your cab waiting? Yes. Then please use it to send you a befuddled friend home. And and if you fill up to it, I should also recommend that you send a note to the cabman telling your wife that you have thrown in your lock with me. I'd be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you. Yes. Of course. I'm Splendid. Then conclude your business here, O'Shaugh. I'll meet you outside in about ten minutes.
[00:06:18] Unknown:
Where on earth is he? It's it's nearly
[00:06:22] Unknown:
is that your house? Yes. What's this mean? Your disguise is wonderful. I'd never recognized you if you haven't spoke to me just now. You're supposed to be a friend? Yes. Yes. Good. Splendid, let's start walking. I have a horse and trap waiting for me on the next street.
[00:06:34] Unknown:
What on earth were you doing in the bar of gold, Holmes? Trying to get news of a missing man.
[00:06:39] Unknown:
You sign me. I'm in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry, and and I'd hoped to get a clue from the incoherent ramblings of those poor devils back there. There's the horse and trap under the street lamp on the corner. You'll come with me, Watson. Yes. Of course. If I can be of any use. A trust to come. That is always of use. My room at the Cedars has two beds in it. The Cedars? Yes. That's mister Neville Saint Claire's house and our present destination. It's near me in Kent about seven miles from here. I'm using it as a headquarters while I conduct my inquiries. Evening, mister Elms. Everything alright? Yes. Thank you, John. I get in, Watson. Right.
I shan't need you anymore tonight, John. Here's how I can for you. Look out for me tomorrow about eleven. Right to arm, mister Holmes. Good night, John. Good night.
[00:07:19] Unknown:
Get up.
[00:07:24] Unknown:
Well, Holmes, if we have a seven mile drive ahead of us, perhaps you'll tell me about the case that you're working on. The pleasure, old chap. But first, take the range for a few minutes, will you? I,
[00:07:33] Unknown:
want to remove my makeup and take off my wig and be comfortable. Now to that, I'll tell you why we are headed to the Kintish countryside at this hour of the night. Watson, you have a grand gift of silence. It makes you invaluable as a companion. We've driven four miles and you've doubted a word. It wasn't easy, Holmes. I've been dying to question you, but I could see that you were preoccupied. Then I shall reward you with a clear and concise statement of my problem. Mister Neville Saint Claire, age 37, the father of two children and an affectionate husband, is missing. He left his house, The Cedars, near Lee, our present destination last Monday. Four days ago, Yes. Now why should an affectionate husband and a happy father disappear?
Any any money trouble? No. I think not. His entire debts at the moment amount to £88 while he has £220 standing to his credit of the Capital and County's bank. Who was the last person to see him on Monday? His wife. But let me tell you the story. He left his house for London rather earlier than usual. He was a businessman, isn't he? Yes. He has an interest in several companies in London. But his wife doesn't know exactly what he does. But to continue, he left for London saying that he would bring his little boy home a box of toy bricks. Now with the merest chance, his wife received a telegram shortly after his departure saying that a parcel of considerable value was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Aberdeen should require their offices in Fresno Street. I drove by them tonight. Jack in Fresno Street branches out of Upper Swandam Lane where the bar of gold is situated. Now I'm beginning to understand. Go on, Holmes. Go on. Missus Saint Claire took a train to London and at exactly 04:35 on Monday last, found herself walking past the bar of gold. Suddenly, she heard a cry and looking up was horrified to see her husband beckoning to her from a second story window. Great Scott. Was he a prisoner or was he there in his own free will, you suppose? Undoubtedly, he was a prisoner. The window was open and she distinctly saw his face, which she described as being terribly agitated. Really? Too bad. He waved his hand to her frantically and then dashed from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he had been dragged back by some irresistible force from behind. Oh, gracious me. Very good. One singular point which struck a quick feminine eye was that although he wore the coat he had left for London men, he wore neither collar nor tie. Oh, what did she do? Rushed down the steps into the bar of gold and attempted to go up the staircase leading to the Second Floor. I suppose that oriental fellow that I talked to tonight stopped her. Exactly. In fact, he pushed her out the door and slammed it after her.
She rushed down the lane and a few moments later was lucky enough to meet a sergeant and too comfortable. She She took him back with her to the bar of gold, of course. Yes. They went with her to the room in which Noel St. Clair at last been seen. Of course, there was no sign of him. In fact, on the whole floor, there was no one to be found except the hideous deformed beggar who seemed to live there. And what missus St. Clair told me, it appears that the sergeant conducted the examination quite intelligently.
[00:10:38] Unknown:
Sir, you saw your husband at this window, missus St. Clair? I'm positive, sergeant. And Alaska swears, no one's been upstairs this afternoon. He's probably lying. But let's see what this crippled fellow has to say for himself. Here you. What do you want but me? I ain't done nothing. Now you heard what this lady said. Did you see your husband go in this room a few minutes ago? I didn't see nobody and I've been here all the afternoon. You live here? Yes. And you swear on earth that no one's been in this room for the last few hours? Yes, I do. Missus Sinclair, I know that you think you saw your husband, but don't you suppose Look. Look on the table.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
Just a wooden box, ma'am. But I know what's inside it. There, see?
[00:11:19] Unknown:
What's a lot a lot of wooden bricks like kids paint? My husband came to London today especially to buy the raw sun. You can't just believe me now, sergeant. Don't think I can, ma'am. I'll take another nap round. Where does this door lead to? My bedroom. You won't find nothing in there. Oh, we'll look just the same. Hello. Blood stains on this window ledge. Fresh blood stains. How do you account for that? Well, I don't know nothing about it. And the window overlooks the river just where the water's good and deep too. Nice place to tip a body out here. Come here, you. Yeah. But you ain't done nothing. You've got blood stains on your right sleeve. What do you gotta say about that? Well, Well, I cut my finger, see. And then I went and opened the window later. That's how the bird got there. And you think I was born yesterday? Let's have a look in this chest of drawers. Hello.
Hello. Whose clothes are these? A pair of trousers, socks, shoes, everything except the coat, Missus Sinclair, will you come in here please, ma'am? What have you found, sergeant? These clothes.
[00:12:23] Unknown:
Are they your husband's, ma'am?
[00:12:25] Unknown:
Yes. Yes, they are. What's happened to him sergeant? I'm afraid he's met with foul playman. And this man knows what happened and he won't talk. I don't know nothing or I tell you. Don't you? Well, I arrest you in the name of the lord and I warn you that anything you say
[00:12:42] Unknown:
And sir Watson, the sergeant arrested this crippled beggar. Oh, I'm not surprised. What have they been able to find out about him? Surprisingly little. His name is Hugh Boone, and he's a professional beggar, quite successful when I gather. His pathetic appearance attracts great sympathy. There's a shock of orange hair and a pale face that is disfigured by a horrible scar which has twisted the outer edge of his upper lip. He was the last man to see Neville St. Kerr alive, So it would seem, Velasco downstairs has been cross examined relentlessly, but he swears that he has no knowledge of the crime. Has there been any any further debate? Oh, yes. Oh, chap. Yes. Indeed there have. The ebbing tide gave a fresh clue. You mean St. Kerr's body was washed up? No. His coat. What? With every pocket stuffed with pennies and halfpennies. 4 hundred and 20 1 pennies and 270 halfpennies to be exact.
There's no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a human body was a different matter. Yes. There's a strong eddy between the house and the wall. It seems likely that the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been carried away into the river. If the other clothes were found in the room, why would the body be dressed in a coat alone? We can only surmise, old chap, but, supposing that this man's boon had thrust Neville Sinclair through the window and into the river. What will you do then? Try and dispose of the telltale garments. Yes. That would be logical, wouldn't it? He would seize the coats and be in the act of throwing it out of the window when it would occur to him that it would float and not sink. So we loaded the pockets of coins to make it sink? Quite so. Of course. But, he has little time for he has hurt this couple downstairs when missus Saint Claire tried to force her way up.
He only succeeded in getting as far as throwing the coat out when the police arrived on the scene. Well, that seems perfectly feasible. Well, it'll do as a working hypothesis anyway. Neville St. Clair disappeared on Monday, yet we still don't know what what he was doing in the opium den. What happened to him when he was got there, or or where he is now? Oh, what Hugh Boone, the dagger with a twisted lip had to do with his disappearance. Now here we are at our destination. Well, the light burning, missus Sinclair must be waiting up for you. Yes, poor woman. I hate to return here with no news of her husband, but she's being brave once and extremely brave. We must do everything we can to comfort her.
[00:15:10] Unknown:
Doctor Watson, I'm so grateful that you were able to come down and help your friend. Oh, I only hope that I can be of some help, missus Sinclair. I see that you have no good news for me, mister Holmes. I'm afraid not. No bad? No. Thank heaven for that. Mister Holmes, tell me honestly. Do you think that Neville is still alive? Well, I Frankly, no. Franklin and I don't. You You think he's murdered? Well, I don't say that, but perhaps you And on what day did he meet his death? On Monday. Then perhaps, mister Holmes, you could explain how I received a letter from him today. What? Where is the letter, madam? Here. Let me see it.
[00:15:48] Unknown:
This is very crude writing on the envelope.
[00:15:51] Unknown:
Surely, it's not your husband's hand. No. Look what the writing in the letter is. Uh-huh. This letter contained an enclosure. Yes. There was a ring. His signet ring. What does the letter say, home?
[00:16:01] Unknown:
Dearest, do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify, waiting patience. And it's signed Neville. Mhmm. Written pencil on a fly leaf of a notebook. No watermark. Hosted today in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Mhmm. And flap has been gummed, if I'm not mistaken, by a man who has been chewing tobacco. My husband must be alive, mister Holmes. This might be a clever forgery to put us off put us off the track. Put the signet ring. Yes. It may have been taken from him. Put the handwriting and and then the postmark. Might have been written on Monday and only posted today. I won't be discouraged, mister Holmes. Clear. I have no wish to discourage
[00:16:43] Unknown:
be practical. If your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you? I I can't have met. He made no special remarks before leaving on Monday? No. None. Except to say that he was going to buy the wooden blocks.
[00:16:56] Unknown:
When you saw him at the bar of gold in Swandom Lane, was the window open? Yes. Then he might have called you. He might? As I understand it, he gave an inarticulate cry, a call for help, you thought. Yes. He waved his hands. But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment of the unexpected sight of you might have caused him to throw up his hands. I suppose so. And you thought that he was pulled back from the window? Yes. Because he disappeared so abruptly. He might have leaped back, might he? He might have, though I can't think why. One last question. Had your husband ever shown signs of,
[00:17:28] Unknown:
taking opium? Why, no. Never, mister Holmes. I'm certain the idea would have revolted him. Thank you, missus Sinclair.
[00:17:36] Unknown:
As were the principal points I wanted to be clear on. And now what can I suggest we retire for the night? We may have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. I hope you both sleep well.
[00:17:45] Unknown:
Good night, mister Holmes. Doctor Watson. Good night, missus Thornton.
[00:17:49] Unknown:
Keep up your courage. Good night, missus St. Clair. We must hope for the best. The clouds seem lighter, though I should not venture to say that danger is over.
[00:18:08] Unknown:
You'll hear the rest of Doctor. Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to remind you that when you buy petri California sherry, you have a choice of two kinds of sherry. You can choose Petri regular sherry, or if you prefer your sherry dry, you know, not sweet, ask for Petri pale dry sherry. They're both fine wines. And if you don't know which you'd prefer, don't buy one, buy two. Buy them both and try them both. And remember this, petri sherry is the perfect all round, all occasion wine. It's good before dinner, after dinner, at cocktail time, and any time.
Just be sure you get petri, petri sherry.
[00:18:53] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, you and the great Sherlock Holmes certainly deserved a good night's rest. Did you get it? I did, mister Boteau, but Holmes made no attempt to sleep. As soon as we retired upstairs, he donned a blue silk dressing gown, and then wandered above the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the sofa and the armchairs. With these, he constructed a sort of eastern divan, in which he first himself cross legged with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of him. He was all set for a session of thinking, I guess. Yes, my boy. In the dim light of the lamp, I saw him sitting there, an old brow pipe clenched in his teeth, his eyes fixed vacantly on a corner of a ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him silent, motionless.
So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he sat when I wakened in the morning to find the summer sun shining into the room. The pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had seen on the previous
[00:19:53] Unknown:
night. Watson. Wake, Watson. Twenty minutes past four. Hold on, Holmes. You you haven't been a bear. Well, Chapp, I had to think. I couldn't allow my brain the luxury of sleeping.
[00:20:11] Unknown:
You game for morning drive? Certainly. I'll I'll get rest. Good.
[00:20:16] Unknown:
Am I stirring yet, but I know where the stable boy sleeps? I'll have have the horse and trap up no time at all. Where are we going? To prison. To visit Hubert, the man with the twisted lip. Oh, mister, you're unusually excited. What what's what's on your mind? I want to test a little theory. I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross, but I think I have the key to the affair. Oh, where is it? In the bathroom. What? You're you're joking, Owen. No. I've, just been there and removed it. It's in my coat pocket now. I didn't get dressed, old chap. And we'll drive over to the prison and see whether my key fits the lock.
Well, good morning, mister Holmes. Doctor Watson. Good morning. How's your good morning? You're a couple of early bird and no mistake. Yes, constable. We are searching for the proverbial worm. Who's on duty? Inspector Bright Street, sir. Oh. Oh, here he is now. Good morning, Bright Street. Oh, hello, mister Holmes. Good morning, doctor. Good morning, inspector. What can I do for you, gentlemen? He called about Hugh Boone, the beggar man who,
[00:21:31] Unknown:
is charged with being concerned in the disappearance of mister Neville Saint Claire. You have him here? Yes, mister Holmes. He's in the cells. I'll take you to him. Follow me, will you, gentlemen? Thank you. What, what kind of a prisoner has he been, mister Victor? Oh, he hasn't given us any trouble, but he's a dirty devil. It's as much as we can do to make him wash his hands. His face is as black as a tinker's. So he has an aversion to washing, has he? Yeah. Yes, mister Holmes. Well, once his case has been settled, he'll have a regular prison bath. And when you see him, I think you'll agree with me that he needs it. And here we are. This is his cell.
[00:22:10] Unknown:
He's still asleep. Good lord. What a what a filthy or impossibly looking fella. Yes. He's a beauty, isn't he?
[00:22:18] Unknown:
Want to go in, mister Holmes? Please, inspector. Well, he he certainly needs a wash. Yes. I had an idea that he might. That's why I brought this sponge along in my pocket. Oh, sir. That was the key that you found in the bathroom. You're a funny one, mister Olmes, and no mistake. Why did you bring a sponge along for? I'll show you. Is there any water in this cell? There in the jug on the table there. Yes. Yes. I soak the sponge in the water cell and then apply it to the prisoner's face. So
[00:22:50] Unknown:
I've got his complexion three shades lighter underneath, and the scar on his lip has disappeared.
[00:22:55] Unknown:
What are you join to me? I'll tug on this muffle bread here, and I think we'll mind it's a wig. Yes. Come on. That's right.
[00:23:02] Unknown:
Let me introduce you to mister Neville Saint Clair of Lee in the County of Kent. Good Lord, mister Holmes. Is the missing man alright? I recognize him from the photographs. Alright.
[00:23:12] Unknown:
I'm Neville St. Fair.
[00:23:14] Unknown:
What am I charged with? We're making away with mister Neville St. Oh, no. You you can't be charged with that unless we make a case of attempted suicide of it. Well, since I'm the missing man, then it's obvious that no crime has been committed, and therefore I'm illegally detained. No crime, but a very great error has been committed. You would have done better to have trusted your wife. It wasn't only my wife. It was the children. I I couldn't bear to have them know that their father was a common beggar.
[00:23:39] Unknown:
Now you've exposed me. What could I do? Well, if you leave it to court of law to clear this matter up, sir, you can hardly avoid newspaper publicity. But if you're perfectly honest with us now, I'm sure the inspector and mister Holmes won't be too hard on you. No, mister St. Clair. Inspector Bradstreet will, I'm sure, make notes on the information that you give us and submit them to the proper authorities. But now, sir,
[00:24:01] Unknown:
your story, please. Why have you been posing as Hugh Boone, a crippled beggar with a twisted lip? Well, it's a
[00:24:08] Unknown:
simple enough story. Some years ago, I was a newspaper reporter.
[00:24:13] Unknown:
One day, my editor wanted an article on begging in the London metropolis. Yes. Because you thought the best way to get your facts was to disguise yourself as a beggar. Yes. I'd,
[00:24:23] Unknown:
I'd been an actor in my youth, and it wasn't hard for me to adopt a convincing disguise. But that was the point where all my trouble started. On that first day I sat in the London streets, I found to my amazement that I received no less than 26 shillings and fourpence. Almost as much as your weekly salary as a reporter, I imagine. Yes, mister Holmes. Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous work at £2 a week when I knew that I could earn as much in a couple of days by smearing my face with paint, laying my cap on the ground, and sitting still. Only
[00:24:57] Unknown:
one man knew my secret. Alaska at the Barn of Gold in Upper Swandom Lane. Yes, mister Holmes. Mhmm.
[00:25:03] Unknown:
Every morning, I would emerge from there dressed as a beggar. And in the evenings, I'd return and transform myself into a well dressed man about town. The, fellow was well paid for his rooms, and, well, I knew that my secret was safe in his position. And when you got married, you couldn't bring yourself to confide in your wife, I suppose. No. I I couldn't. My wife knew that I had a business in the city.
[00:25:26] Unknown:
She little knew what. When you saw your wife from the window last Monday, you quickly changed back into the character of the beggar, I suppose. Yes, mister Holmes. Of course. And then weighted my coat and threw it into the River. Mhmm. Well, I I don't think there's anything else I need explained. Is it One point. The signet ring that you sent your wife.
[00:25:45] Unknown:
Well, I I knew that she'd be worrying, so I gave it to the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me together with a hastily scribbled note. That note only reached her last night, mister Stintra. Last night?
[00:26:00] Unknown:
Poor Catherine. What a dreadful week she must have spent. The police have been watching that, Lascar. He probably found it difficult to post the letter for you without being spotted. Yes. I would surmise he gave it to a a sailor customer of his post, a sailor who chewed tobacco and had a dirty thumb. Yes. I I think all the ends are tied off very neatly now. One last question, mister Sinclair. Have you ever been prosecuted for begging?
[00:26:24] Unknown:
Many times, but what was a fine to me? It's got to stop here and now, mister Sinclair. And if the police had asked this thing up, there must be no more of you, Boone, the beggar.
[00:26:34] Unknown:
I swear it. And you must tell your wife the truth at once. If you've done that a long time ago, you'd have saved both of yourselves a very great deal of miserises. I shall tell her everything.
[00:26:43] Unknown:
Well, mister Holmes, we're very much obliged to you for having cleared this matter up. I wish I knew how you reached your results, though. Well, in this case, my dear inspector, I
[00:26:52] Unknown:
I reached them by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag tobacco. I only wish that, all my problems might be solved so comfortably.
[00:27:17] Unknown:
Doctor, that was some story. Imagine arresting a man for committing a murder and then finding out that he's the fellow who's supposed to be dead. It is a bit bewildering, isn't it? You said it. Boy, being a detective sure has its surprises.
[00:27:33] Unknown:
Nothing like that ever happens to me. Oh, come, come, come, come, come. One would believe to hear you talk that you lead a very uneventful
[00:27:40] Unknown:
life. Oh, but I do, doctor. I do. Why, I never get any surprises. Look, I tell our friends that Petri wine is always good wine. And what happens? Oh, what does happen? Everybody agrees it's good wine, and that's that. Well, it's just got to be. After all, the Petri family has been making wine for generations. Winemaking is their heritage. A heritage passed on down from father to son, from father to son, from generation to generation. The Petri family knows full well the art of turning luscious sun ripened grapes into fragrant delicious wine.
And because the making of Petri wine is a family affair, you can be sure that the name Petri on a bottle of wine really stands for something. It's your assurance that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine. No matter what type wine you prefer, you'll never go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine. Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes adventure are you planning to tell us next week? Well, now let me see. Next week,
[00:28:48] Unknown:
next week, mister Bartel, I'm I'm gonna tell you a a weird story of violence and of sudden death that struck without warning. I call it the strange adventure of the An Easy Easy Chair.
[00:29:25] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was adapted by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher, from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Man with the Twisted Lip. Music is by Dean Foster. Mister Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petrie 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.
