In this intriguing episode, we delve into the world of classic radio dramas, exploring the impact of the radio series "The Avengers" in South Africa, a country without national television until 1976. The episode highlights how the series, despite its limited exposure, managed to captivate audiences through film rentals. We then transition to a gripping Sherlock Holmes adventure, "The Problem of Tor Bridge," featuring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Holmes and Watson unravel the mystery surrounding the death of Mrs. Gibson, initially suspected to be a murder committed by the governess, Miss Dunbar. Through Holmes' keen observation and deduction, the case takes a surprising turn, revealing a tale of jealousy, deceit, and ultimately, suicide. Listeners are treated to a vivid recounting of Holmes' investigation, from examining the crime scene at Tor Bridge to interviewing key witnesses, including the accused Miss Dunbar. Holmes' methodical approach and brilliant deductions lead to the discovery of a cleverly disguised suicide, exonerating Miss Dunbar. The episode not only showcases Holmes' legendary detective skills but also offers a glimpse into the societal dynamics and personal relationships that fuel the narrative. Join us for a captivating journey into the world of Sherlock Holmes, where every clue is a step closer to the truth.
(00:19) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:06) Sherlock Holmes Broadcast to Troops
(02:43) Dr. Watson Introduces the Case
(03:27) The Problem of Thor Bridge Begins
(07:00) Neil Gibson's Plea
(11:29) Investigating the Crime Scene
(18:09) Miss Dunbar's Testimony
(22:32) The Revelation at Thor Bridge
(26:51) Holmes' Reflection on the Case
Listen to our radio station Old Time Radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio
Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/
Entertainment Radio | Broadcasting Classic Radio Shows | Patreon
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
[00:00:00]
Unknown:
Bettering your business takes working with the best. With the James Hardie Alliance, you gain access to leads, training, networking, and support from the number one brand of siding in North America. Achieve new levels of success by joining the James Hardie Alliance today.
[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:
This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by a short wave and through the worldwide facilities of the armed forces radio service. Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Doctor. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And while you're settling back comfortably in your chair, mind if I tell you about something I'd like you to share with me? It's a glass of Petri California Sherry.
Of course, most people think of Petri California Sherry as the one wine that's really swell anytime. But personally, I like a glass of that Petri Sherry just before dinner. You know, that's the time you're a little on edge, you've just finished your day's work and you're waiting for your dinner. And well, that's when you want to lean back and take it easy. And boy, that's the time a glass of Petri Sherry tastes like something just too good to be true. True. Try it. Petri Sherry is the perfect before dinner wine. And incidentally, if you like your sherry dry, you know, not sweet, then you'll find that Petri Pale Dry Sherry is just made for you. The important thing is the Petri label. Because when it says Petri, it always means good wine.
And now for our weekly visit with our good friend and host, Doctor. Watson.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartell. You're a bit late. I've been keeping some dinner hot for you. Here, pull up your chair and join me. That's very nice of you. Thanks, doctor. Are you all set with tonight's story? Yes, my boy. I'm all set as you call it. As a matter of fact, I was going over my notes on the case just before you arrived. Last week, you hinted that a beautiful girl figured prominently in your adventure. That's quite right, mister Bartell. An extremely beautiful girl. In fact, I often used to say to Sherlock Holmes that if I I'd been a little younger at the time, I might, oh, well, you haven't come here to listen to my personal reminiscences.
You want to hear the story that I called the problem of Tor Bridge. That's what you promised us, doctor. How did it begin? On a windy morning in October in '18 in the eighteen nineties, it was. As I was dressing, I observed how the last remaining leaves were being whirled away from the solitary plane tree which graced the yard behind our Baker Street house. I descended to breakfast prepared to find my companion in depressed spirits for, like all great artists, he was easily impressed by his surroundings. But to my surprise, he was in an unusually gay mood. As I entered the room, he looked up at me and with a with a smile
[00:04:00] Unknown:
and spoke. Good morning, my dear fellow. Hope you slept well. Splendidly, Hank Jones. I'm so glad. We all very solicitous this morning. I I think you must have got a new case. Am I right? The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious. Yes. I have a new case. After a month of trivialities and stagnation, the wheels revolve once more. Good. Tell me all about it. Well, as yet, there is much to tell. Have you ever heard of Neil Gibson? Neil Gibson? Oh, yes. It has something to do with gold mining, isn't he? Great deal to do with it, my dear fellow. In fact, he's considered the greatest mining magnate in the world. About five years ago, he bought a large estate in Hampshire. Perhaps you've read of the tragic death of his wife. Oh, yes. Of course. I remember the case now. She was murdered by a jealous governess who was in her employ, wasn't she? That point will be decided when the lady in question, Grace Dunbar, I believe her name is, comes up for trial at the forthcoming Winchester Assizes. In any case, it's hard for me to see what I can do for my town at this late date. Your client? Oh, yes. I forgot I hadn't told you. I'm getting into your involved habit of telling a story backwards. Better read this letter. Ken, this morning. Oh, let's have a look.
[00:05:00] Unknown:
You know, mister Sherlock Holmes, miss Dunbar is innocent. I can't see the finest woman in the world go to her death without doing everything possible to save her. I shall call on you at 10:30 tomorrow morning to discuss the matter of yours faithfully,
[00:05:15] Unknown:
Neil Gibson. Good gracious to me. There you have it, Watson. That is the gentleman I await. Do you know anything about his dead wife? Only the what I've been reading in the papers, apparently, she was past her prime, which was the more unfortunate as this miss Dunbar who super attended the education of the two young children is reputed to be a very attractive young lady. The eternal triangle, Where did the murder take place? On Gibson's estate in Hampshire. His wife was found in the grounds nearly half a mile from the manor house late at night, clad in her dinner dress with a shawl over her shoulders and a revolver bullet to her brain. Any weapon found near her? No. There were no clues found at the scene of the crime. What made them suspect the governess? Well, in the first place, there was some very incriminating evidence.
A revolver with one discharge chamber, the caliber corresponding with the bullet in the dead woman's head, was found on the floor in miss Dunbar's wardrobe. Oh, was it? Pretty damaging evidence, Holmes. Mhmm. So the coroner thought. And to make the case even blacker against miss Dunbar, the dead woman had a note on her making an appointment at that very spot. And the note was signed by the governess. It seems obvious that the girl's guilty, and the motive's clear. Mister Gibson would be a great catch for a young girl.
[00:06:23] Unknown:
Love, fortune, power,
[00:06:26] Unknown:
all dependent on one life. Impossibly, Watson, but circumstantial evidence can be very misleading at times. Now, as the gentleman in question, unless I'm very much mistaken considerably before his time. I can see him from the window here. Formidable looking fuller.
[00:06:41] Unknown:
Must be well over six foot tall.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
Judging by the way he's wrenching at that doorbell, he's a man with a violent temper. Missus Hudson's opening the door to him now. Meet him on the stairs, Billy. What's happening? It'll save missus Hudson a journey. At your home.
[00:06:56] Unknown:
Up here, sir. Thank you, miss Hudson. Alright. Are you mister Sherlock home? No. No. Indeed. I'm his colleague, doctor Watson. Come along in, won't you? Mister Neil Gibson, I presume? That's right. So you're the great Sherlock Holmes.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
Adjective is your own, mister Gibson. Sit down, won't you? By the way, you may speak, quite freely in front of doctor Watson.
[00:07:16] Unknown:
Well, I may as well begin by telling you that money means nothing to me in this case. You can burn it if it's any use to you in writing the truth. Miss Dunbar is innocent, and it's up to you to prove it. Just name your fee. Mister Gibson, my professional charges are on a fixed scale. I don't vary them except when I omit them altogether. Very well. I imagine that you've read the newspaper reports of the coroner's inquest? Yes. Very thoroughly. I don't see that I can add anything that'll help you. But if there are any questions you'd like to ask, I'll answer them.
[00:07:42] Unknown:
Thank you.
[00:07:43] Unknown:
First, now what were the exact relations between you and miss Dunbar? I suppose you're within your rights in asking such question, mister Holmes? We will agree to suppose so, shall we? Then I can assure you that my relations with miss Dunbar were always those of an employer towards a young lady with whom he never or even saw, except in the company of his children.
[00:08:00] Unknown:
Oh, rather a busy man, mister Gibson, and I have no time or taste for aimless conversation. I wish you good morning. What the devil do you mean by this, mister Holmes? My dear, sir, the case is difficult enough without your giving me false information. Meaning that I lies I was trying to express it as delicately as possible, but if you insist on the word, I won't contradict you. Why you confound it? Don't be noisy, mister Gibson. Please don't be noisy. I find that after breakfast, even the smallest argument is unsettling.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little quiet thought will be great to your advantage. I suppose I can't make you take the case, but you've done yourself no good this morning, mister Holmes. I've broken stronger men than you. No man ever crossed me and was the better for you. Good morning, mister Gibson. You've a great deal yet to learn.
[00:08:39] Unknown:
Well, my soul, Holmes, you run you so severe with him.
[00:08:43] Unknown:
I dislike liars, Watson, and I cannot tolerate arrogance, particularly when it's coupled with great wealth. Now how did you know about his relations with the government? I didn't. It was pure bluff. Bluff? Well, it certainly worked. Think he'll come back? Of course, he will. He needs my help too badly. He'll probably change his mind before he's halfway down the stairs. Come in. Mister Gibson, just saying to doctor Watson that I was certain you'd be back.
[00:09:09] Unknown:
I've been thinking it over, mister Holmes, and I feel that perhaps I was hasty in taking your remarks amiss. Just to say, I can assure you that the relations between miss Dunbar and me really don't affect this case. Surely, that is for me to decide, mister Gibson. You see, mister Gibson, my friend is like a doctor. He wants every symptom before he can give his diagnosis. Fire away, mister Holmes. What is it you want to know? The truth. I can give it to you in very few words. To begin with, I met my wife when I was gold mining in Brazil.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Your wife was Brazilian by birth, wasn't she, sir? Yes, doctor, and very beautiful.
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Well, to make a long story short, I fell in love and married her and brought her to England. After a few years, I realized that we had nothing
[00:09:49] Unknown:
absolutely nothing in common. And then I suppose this young governess, miss Dunbar, arrived on the scene. That's right, mister Holmes.
[00:09:55] Unknown:
Well, the story should be obvious to you from there. You, fell in love with this girl, I suppose, sir. Who could help it? Did you suggest marriage to her? Yes. Though I knew that my wife would never divorce me. I see. Then you made an utterly insincere proposition to her. Now look here, mister Holmes. I came to you on a question of evidence, not of morals. I'm not asking for your criticism.
[00:10:14] Unknown:
It's only the young lady's sake that, forces me to touch your case at all. Now tell me, sir, what is your own opinion as to miss Dunbar's guilt? It's very black against her. I can't deny that.
[00:10:26] Unknown:
One explanation of the tragedy did come into my head, mister Holmes. I give it to you for what it's worth.
[00:10:32] Unknown:
Pray continue, mister Gibson.
[00:10:34] Unknown:
My wife was bitterly jealous. She was half crazy with hatred. She might have planned to murder miss Dunbar or will say to threaten a girl with a revolver and so frighten her into leaving us. There might have been a struggle in which the gun exploded
[00:10:46] Unknown:
and gone off and shot my wife who was holding it. All that possibility has already occurred to me. It's the only obvious alternative to deliberate murder. To harbor Holmes, we'll find on the floor of the governess's wardrobe. Mister Gibson, I should like to examine your house on the scene of the murder as soon as possible.
[00:11:01] Unknown:
Safely, mister Holmes. Sergeant Coventry of the local police is still down there. He'll give you any help you may need. Excellent. Watson Ultorone, out to the timetable. We're catching the next fast train to Winchester.
[00:11:29] Unknown:
So if I have to have someone else on the case, I'd rather have you, mister Holmes. The yard gets called in, then then we local police loses all credit for success. Generally gets blamed for the failures. Though I've heard that you play straight. No.
[00:11:43] Unknown:
I know it, Pura. In a matter at all, Sergeant Coventry.
[00:11:47] Unknown:
If I can clear it up, I don't ask to even have my name mentioned. Oh, that's handsome of you. I'm sure. And I I know your friend, doctor Watson, can be in custody. No. Don't worry, my dear fellow. We won't steal any of your thunder. That's nice and friendly of you, doctor. Well, come on, gentlemen. I'll walk you down to the bridge. That's where we found missus Gibson's body. It's not far from the house here.
[00:12:06] Unknown:
Well, I must say, mister Gibson has a beautiful estate. It must be 60 or or 70 acres. Oh, nearly twice that, doctor. The woods back of the house there belongs to him too. Mister
[00:12:17] Unknown:
Jones. Yes, sergeant? There's a question I'd like to ask you. Question I wouldn't ask anyone else. Then please ask it. Don't you think there might be a case against mister Gibson herself, sir? I've been considering that possibility. But there, miss Dunbar, a bit of alright. Ask me, he wanted his wife out of the way, and the pistol she was shot with was his pistol, you know? Was, was that fact, proven? Yes, doctor. It was one of a pair that he had. One of a pair? Where's the other? Well, mister Gibson has a lot of firearms. We never quite match that particular pistol, but the box was made for two. Well, if it was one of a pair, surely you'd be able to match it. Well, we have them all laid out at the house if you want to look them over. And we'll do that later.
[00:13:00] Unknown:
This I presume is Tall Bridge. That's right, sir.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Found missus Gibson's body lying right here at the approach to the bridge. I see. I gathered from the newspaper reports that the shop was found at very close quarters. Yes, sir. Very close. In the right temple, wasn't it? Just behind it, sir. How did the body lie, sergeant? Oh, respect, doctor. No trace of a struggle, no march, no weapon. The note from miss Dunbar was clutched in her left hand. Clutched, you say? Yes, sir. We we could hardly open the fingers to get at it. That's of of greatest importance. It excludes the idea that anyone could have placed the note there after death in order to furnish a false clue. What did the note say, sergeant? Little
[00:13:30] Unknown:
after death in order to furnish a false clue. What did the note say, sergeant? Little enough, doctor. It just said,
[00:13:36] Unknown:
I will be at Tor Bridge at 09:00 and it was signed Grace Dunbar. Miss Dunbar admit writing it? Oh, yes, sir. What was her explanation?
[00:13:44] Unknown:
She wouldn't say nothing. Said she was saving her defense for the trial. Yes. It seems odd that missus Gibson was still clutching that note. Seems perfectly natural to me. Oh, come now, old fellow. I'll give the thing out logically. If a letter is genuine, it was certainly received sometime before the tragedy, say an hour or two. Why then was the dead woman still clasping it in her left hand? Why should she carry it so carefully? She certainly didn't need to refer to the note at all at the interview. Doesn't it strike you as rather strange? Well, now you put it that way, it does seem a little peculiar.
[00:14:14] Unknown:
Hello.
[00:14:16] Unknown:
Did you notice this, sergeant? Oh, you mean that chip out of that stone on the underside of the parapet of the bridge, sir?
[00:14:22] Unknown:
Yes. I noticed it. Didn't think nothing of it though. It's a very large chip. Yes. But it's been done recently.
[00:14:29] Unknown:
That is how the stem work is wiped just here. It took some violence to do that. Hand me a cane, boss, William. Here you are. Good. Thanks. Yes. The hard knock
[00:14:42] Unknown:
and in a curious place too. But it's 15 feet from where we found the body, mister Elms. Yes, Holmes. I don't see how it could have any connection with missus Gibson's murder. It hasn't.
[00:14:52] Unknown:
But at the point worth noting, there were no footprints, you say, sergeant? None, mister Elms. The ground was as hard as I, and it's been a very dry summer. We haven't had any rain to see if we can lose sight. Shouldn't it? Well, sergeant, I'm much obliged to you, and now I think we'll get back to the house. Right. Cesar, sure where the firearms are, sir. Oh, who is Cesar? Funny kind of a bloke Brazilian here. Brazilian, like missus Gibson? Yes, mister Elms, comes from the same town that she does as a matter of fact. Something very fishy about him if you ask me. Now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'm going to take a little stroll around the grounds. You started me on a new train of thought in this case, mister Holmes. Oh, I'm delighted, sergeant. I'll get back to the
[00:15:32] Unknown:
house. Bettering your business takes working with the best. With the James Hardie Alliance, you gain access to leads, training, networking, and support from the number one brand of siding in North America. Achieve new levels of success by joining the James Hardie Alliance today.
[00:15:56] Unknown:
I see. And these are all the firearms in mister Gibson's possession. Is this,
[00:16:02] Unknown:
Except for the revolver that is missing from the case. Yes. So I see I see him. Well, I've never seen such a collection of guns and revolvers in my life. Mister Gibson had many enemies, senor. He always sleep with a loaded pistol beside his bed. She's a man of great violence. There have been times when all of us were afraid of him. Did you ever witness physical violence towards missus Gibson? No, senor. I cannot say that I have, but I have heard him say many terrible things to her. She would taunt her in front of we servants. I have heard him do it many times. Thank you, Cesar. That will be all. Going to vain, senor.
[00:16:39] Unknown:
You know, Holmes, I do think the case against miss Dunbar looks very black. I should agree with you if it were not for one fact, the finding of the revolver in her wardrobe. On the soul, Holmes, that seems to me the the strongest evidence of all. I think not, old chap. What? We must look for consistency. Where there is, a want of it, we must suspect deception. I don't quite follow you. Suppose for a moment that we visualize you in the character of a woman who in cold premeditated fashion is about to murder a rival. You've planned it. A note has been written. The victim has come. You have a a weapon. The crime is well done. It has been workmanlike and complete. You mean to tell me that after carrying out such crafty crime, you'd be so stupid as to forget to bring the incriminating revolver to the bottom of the stream or perhaps in the, dense reeds that border it? Would you carefully carry it home and put it in the first place that would be searched? Your wardrobe? Well, perhaps in the excitement of the moment, one Oh, my dear chap. I won't admit that's even possible. When a crime is coolly premeditated, then the means of covering it are coolly premeditated also. And if miss Dunbar didn't shoot missus Gibson, who the devil did? I hope I can give you the answer to that question, Watson, when we've made one question, Watson, when we've made one further visit. Oh, lord. Where are we going now? To prison, old chap. Prison? Yes. We are going to Winchester Prison to call on miss Dunbar. I'm certain that the key to this strange mystery lies in her hands.
[00:18:10] Unknown:
You'll hear the rest of doctor Watson's story in just a few seconds. Just time enough for me to remind you that the easiest way to make good food taste better is to serve that good food with a good Petri wine. If you like a red wine, well, you want a Petri California Burgundy. If you'd rather have a white wine, then you want a Petri California Sauternes. But red or white, Petri Burgundy or Petri Sauternes, you're choosing a dinner wine that's sure to turn a simple meal into a feast. Your whole family and all your friends will love Petri. The wine
[00:18:49] Unknown:
that makes good
[00:18:54] Unknown:
food taste better.
[00:18:59] Unknown:
And now back to doctor Watson and tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure, the problem of Tor Bridge.
[00:19:05] Unknown:
Well, doctor, did you go to Winchester Prison and see miss Dunbar? We did, mister Bartel. An hour later, I found the two of us sitting in a dank and gloomy cell, talking to one of the most beautiful girls that I've ever seen. Her bright flashing eyes and her air of quiet confidence seemed sadly out of place in such a setting. Holmes spoke to her quietly. Tell
[00:19:32] Unknown:
us of your true relations with the dead woman.
[00:19:35] Unknown:
She hated me, mister Holmes.
[00:19:36] Unknown:
She hated me with all the passion of her distorted mind. Please tell us exactly what happened on the evening of missus Gibson's
[00:19:43] Unknown:
death. Well, I I received a note from her in the morning. A note imploring me to meet her at the bridge after dinner that night. She said she had something important to say to me. Did you keep that note, miss Dunbar? No, doctor. She well, she asked me to destroy the note, so I burned it in the schoolroom grade. I saw no reason for such secrecy, but, well, I I did as she asked. And yet she kept your reply very carefully. It's interesting.
[00:20:08] Unknown:
Tell me what happened when you met her that night.
[00:20:11] Unknown:
When I reached the bridge, she was waiting for me. I I won't tell you what she said, but she poured out her whole wild fury and burning horrible words. I didn't answer. I couldn't. It was dreadful even to look at her. She was like an insane woman, standing there screaming disgusting insults at me. I I put my hands to my ears and rushed away. Where was she standing when when you left her? Within a few yards of the spot where her body was found later. And yet, presuming she met her death shortly after you left her, you heard no shot. No. No. I heard nothing. But I was so upset, mister Holmes, that I rushed straight back to my room. Did you leave it again that night?
Yes. When the alarm came that missus Gibson was dead, I ran off with the others. Did you see,
[00:20:57] Unknown:
mister Gibson? Yes, doctor.
[00:21:00] Unknown:
He had just returned from the bridge when I saw him. He had sent for the doctor and the police.
[00:21:05] Unknown:
This pistol that you found in your room, have you ever seen it before? Never, mister Holmes. I swear it. When was it found, miss Dunbar?
[00:21:12] Unknown:
Next morning when the police made their search. It was on the floor of my wardrobe where I keep my shoes. You have no idea how long it had been there. But it hadn't been there the morning before.
[00:21:21] Unknown:
How do you know? Because I had tidied up the wardrobe that day. I see. Then someone must have come into your room and placed the pistol there in order to incriminate you. I'm certain of it. Oh, well
[00:21:31] Unknown:
well could they have done that?
[00:21:33] Unknown:
Well, it it it could have been at mealtime or when I was in the schoolroom with the children. Yeah.
[00:21:39] Unknown:
Miss Dunbar, on exam examining the scene of missus Gibson's death, I noticed that a piece of stonework on the underside of the parapet of the bridge had been broken away. Can you suggest any possible explanation for that? Oh, surely, it must have been a mere coincidence, mister Holmes. Possibly. But why should it appear at the very time of the tragedy and to the very place? Could it possibly be Why, yes. Of course. Idiot. Why didn't I think of it before? Come on, Watson. Where are we going, Holmes? Back to Thorbridge, old fellow, as fast as we can get there. What have you found out, mister Holmes? The answer to this mystery, I hope, my dear young lady, you will get news before the day is out. And meanwhile, take my assurance that the clouds are lifting and that the light of truth is breaking through. Well, mister Holmes, you're soon back here. What have you found? Hang on a few moments. Have you got my message? Oh, yes, sir. Here you are. Ball of twine. What you wanted for, I caught a merchant. Now you'll soon see sergeant. Watson, I, have some recollection that you usually go armed on these excursions of ours. Yes. I'm carrying my revolver. Why? Give it to me, old chap, will you? Thanks. I I believe your revolver may have a very intimate connection with the mystery we're investigating. I'm joking. Now, watch my very serious. I have a test to make. The test is successful. Miss Dunbar will be free before nightfall, and the test will depend on the conduct of this revolver of yours.
Yeah. I'll take the precaution of unloading it. Uh-huh. There we are. Now, sergeant bolt twine, please. Or should I do what he was up to, sir? I tie one into the twine like this to the handle of the revolver. So sergeant, see if you can find me a heavy stone, will you? Roger, sir. Holmes, what are you doing? Trying to reconstruct the killing of missus Gibson. But you've seen me mister Mark before, Watson. I have an instinct for such things, and yet it sometimes played me false. Seemed a certainty when it first flashed across my mind in Miss Dunbarcel. But one drawback of an active mind is that one can always conceive alternative explanations which would make our scent a false one. And yet oh, well, we can but try. It's nice still, mister Holmes. Thank you, sergeant. Now, I tie the other end of the twine to the stone.
[00:24:00] Unknown:
Wait a minute.
[00:24:01] Unknown:
Like that. Splendid. Sergeant, will you please take the stone and stretch the twine across the parapet of the bridge there so that the stone will swing just clear of the water on the other side of the bridge? Right, sir. I'll stand on the spot where missus Gibson's body was found. That's it, sergeant.
[00:24:16] Unknown:
Over the parapet. How's that, mister Rose? The stone swing about eight feet above the water. Splendid. Now, Watson, watch closely.
[00:24:24] Unknown:
I raise the revolver to my head. Careful, home. Careful. Nobody, old chap. It's not loaded. Now let us imagine I am the late missus Gibson. I raise the revolver to my head and fire it. Instantly, my fingers release. I grip them. There's your answer, Watson. Great. The sculptor revolver flashed back out of your hand, struck the parapetress bridge, and then the weight of the stone flipped it over into the water. Was there ever a more exact demonstration? Come on, old fellow. You're a booming magician, mister Holmes. That's what you wore. A booming magician. Look at that. Is there the second chip on the stonework of the parapet here? Same size as the first. Then the murder of missus Gibson? Wasn't murder at all. It was suicide. What? We can follow the various steps quite clearly. A note was extracted very cleverly from miss Dunbar. Note which made it appear that she had chosen the scene of the crime. Missus Gibson, in her anxiety that the note should be discovered, somewhat overdid it by holding it in our hand to the last.
[00:25:13] Unknown:
That alone should have excited my suspicions earlier than it did. So she stole one of her husband's revolvers and What did the other one in miss Dunbar's wardrobe? Exactly.
[00:25:21] Unknown:
After discharging one of the cartridges, which you could easily do in the woods without attracting suspicion, she then went down to the bridge where she contrived this exceedingly ingenious method of getting rid of her weapon. When miss Dunbar appeared, she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred. And then when the girl had left carried out her terrible purpose. Then the missing report You'll find it, with the aid of a grappling hook at the bottom of the stream and also the stone and the string, with which this vindictive woman attempted to to disguise her own crime and fasten a charge of murder on an innocent victim. Yes, sergeant. And don't forget while you're at it that my revolver is down there too. Oh, don't worry, doctor. I'll get some grappling hooks right away.
[00:26:00] Unknown:
I must say, Holmes, you solve this case brilliantly. Quite brilliantly.
[00:26:05] Unknown:
I disagree, old chap. And I fear that you will not improve my reputation by adding the case of the Tor Bridge mystery to your annals. Oh, nonsense. Well, that's ridiculous. Oh, no. It is no boy. I've been sluggish in my mind and wanting in that mixture of imagination and reality, which is the very basis of my art. I confess that the chip in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the full solution, and I blame myself for not having attained it sooner. Well, Holmes, personally, I agree with the sergeant's opinion of you. Oh? What was that all, fellow?
[00:26:36] Unknown:
You're a blooming magician, mister Holmes. That's what you are, a blooming magician.
[00:26:51] Unknown:
Well, doctor, Holmes really was a magician. That is if you did find missus Gibson's revolver and your own and I'm not being fine. I'm alright. You don't think I'd tell you the story otherwise, do you? What did you take before anywhere? Well, now that you ask, I'll tell you. I take you for a very charming gentleman, a wonderful storyteller, and a fine host. Oh, well, I know. I really Well, you are a gentleman of the old school. Oh, well, well, well, I know. You tell a fine story. Are you frightened me? You And you are a perfect host. Oh, I know. That meal we had tonight was wonderful. Oh, it was, And,
[00:27:23] Unknown:
that that wine, what kind was it? It was Petri wine, and you know it. Mhmm. And I should have known that you were leading up to something. Mister Bartell, you should be ashamed of yourself. You will do anything to get a chance to talk
[00:27:35] Unknown:
about Petri wine. Oh, I can't say it. I blame you. Well, honestly, doctor, I meant everything I said. But you don't really want me to stop talking about Petri wine, do you? After all, it's worth talking about, isn't it? What other wine is made with a loving care that goes into Petri wine? Don't forget, Petri wine is made by the Petri family. Winemaking is their business. Why, they've been making wine for generations, handing down from father to son, from father to son, all their skill and knowledge and experience. You can be sure the Petri family really knows plenty about the fine art of turning luscious grapes into delicious wine.
That's why why whether you want a wine for before dinner, with dinner, or for any time, you can't go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine.
[00:28:26] Unknown:
And now Doctor. Watson, what new story are you planning to tell us next week? Well, next week, mister Bartell, I'm going to tell an adventure that Holmes and I had amid the oriental magnificence of a Maharaja's palace in India. India? Sounds intriguing. What were you and Sherlock Holmes doing out there, doctor? Well, we'll have to wait till next week for you answer that question. But I can tell you that it was one of the weirdest problems that we ever had to solve. I call the story the vanishing elephant.
[00:29:05] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Antley Boucher, and is adapted from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Problem of Tor Bridge. Mister Ratbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.
[00:29:36] Unknown:
Oh, the Petri family took the time to bring you such good wine. For when you eat and when you cook, remember Petri
[00:29:44] Unknown:
wine. To make good food taste better, remember
[00:29:48] Unknown:
Pet, pet, petri.
[00:29:58] Unknown:
This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
Bettering your business takes working with the best. With the James Hardie Alliance, you gain access to leads, training, networking, and support from the number one brand of siding in North America. Achieve new levels of success by joining the James Hardie Alliance today.
[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:
This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by a short wave and through the worldwide facilities of the armed forces radio service. Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Doctor. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And while you're settling back comfortably in your chair, mind if I tell you about something I'd like you to share with me? It's a glass of Petri California Sherry.
Of course, most people think of Petri California Sherry as the one wine that's really swell anytime. But personally, I like a glass of that Petri Sherry just before dinner. You know, that's the time you're a little on edge, you've just finished your day's work and you're waiting for your dinner. And well, that's when you want to lean back and take it easy. And boy, that's the time a glass of Petri Sherry tastes like something just too good to be true. True. Try it. Petri Sherry is the perfect before dinner wine. And incidentally, if you like your sherry dry, you know, not sweet, then you'll find that Petri Pale Dry Sherry is just made for you. The important thing is the Petri label. Because when it says Petri, it always means good wine.
And now for our weekly visit with our good friend and host, Doctor. Watson.
[00:02:47] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartell. You're a bit late. I've been keeping some dinner hot for you. Here, pull up your chair and join me. That's very nice of you. Thanks, doctor. Are you all set with tonight's story? Yes, my boy. I'm all set as you call it. As a matter of fact, I was going over my notes on the case just before you arrived. Last week, you hinted that a beautiful girl figured prominently in your adventure. That's quite right, mister Bartell. An extremely beautiful girl. In fact, I often used to say to Sherlock Holmes that if I I'd been a little younger at the time, I might, oh, well, you haven't come here to listen to my personal reminiscences.
You want to hear the story that I called the problem of Tor Bridge. That's what you promised us, doctor. How did it begin? On a windy morning in October in '18 in the eighteen nineties, it was. As I was dressing, I observed how the last remaining leaves were being whirled away from the solitary plane tree which graced the yard behind our Baker Street house. I descended to breakfast prepared to find my companion in depressed spirits for, like all great artists, he was easily impressed by his surroundings. But to my surprise, he was in an unusually gay mood. As I entered the room, he looked up at me and with a with a smile
[00:04:00] Unknown:
and spoke. Good morning, my dear fellow. Hope you slept well. Splendidly, Hank Jones. I'm so glad. We all very solicitous this morning. I I think you must have got a new case. Am I right? The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious. Yes. I have a new case. After a month of trivialities and stagnation, the wheels revolve once more. Good. Tell me all about it. Well, as yet, there is much to tell. Have you ever heard of Neil Gibson? Neil Gibson? Oh, yes. It has something to do with gold mining, isn't he? Great deal to do with it, my dear fellow. In fact, he's considered the greatest mining magnate in the world. About five years ago, he bought a large estate in Hampshire. Perhaps you've read of the tragic death of his wife. Oh, yes. Of course. I remember the case now. She was murdered by a jealous governess who was in her employ, wasn't she? That point will be decided when the lady in question, Grace Dunbar, I believe her name is, comes up for trial at the forthcoming Winchester Assizes. In any case, it's hard for me to see what I can do for my town at this late date. Your client? Oh, yes. I forgot I hadn't told you. I'm getting into your involved habit of telling a story backwards. Better read this letter. Ken, this morning. Oh, let's have a look.
[00:05:00] Unknown:
You know, mister Sherlock Holmes, miss Dunbar is innocent. I can't see the finest woman in the world go to her death without doing everything possible to save her. I shall call on you at 10:30 tomorrow morning to discuss the matter of yours faithfully,
[00:05:15] Unknown:
Neil Gibson. Good gracious to me. There you have it, Watson. That is the gentleman I await. Do you know anything about his dead wife? Only the what I've been reading in the papers, apparently, she was past her prime, which was the more unfortunate as this miss Dunbar who super attended the education of the two young children is reputed to be a very attractive young lady. The eternal triangle, Where did the murder take place? On Gibson's estate in Hampshire. His wife was found in the grounds nearly half a mile from the manor house late at night, clad in her dinner dress with a shawl over her shoulders and a revolver bullet to her brain. Any weapon found near her? No. There were no clues found at the scene of the crime. What made them suspect the governess? Well, in the first place, there was some very incriminating evidence.
A revolver with one discharge chamber, the caliber corresponding with the bullet in the dead woman's head, was found on the floor in miss Dunbar's wardrobe. Oh, was it? Pretty damaging evidence, Holmes. Mhmm. So the coroner thought. And to make the case even blacker against miss Dunbar, the dead woman had a note on her making an appointment at that very spot. And the note was signed by the governess. It seems obvious that the girl's guilty, and the motive's clear. Mister Gibson would be a great catch for a young girl.
[00:06:23] Unknown:
Love, fortune, power,
[00:06:26] Unknown:
all dependent on one life. Impossibly, Watson, but circumstantial evidence can be very misleading at times. Now, as the gentleman in question, unless I'm very much mistaken considerably before his time. I can see him from the window here. Formidable looking fuller.
[00:06:41] Unknown:
Must be well over six foot tall.
[00:06:44] Unknown:
Judging by the way he's wrenching at that doorbell, he's a man with a violent temper. Missus Hudson's opening the door to him now. Meet him on the stairs, Billy. What's happening? It'll save missus Hudson a journey. At your home.
[00:06:56] Unknown:
Up here, sir. Thank you, miss Hudson. Alright. Are you mister Sherlock home? No. No. Indeed. I'm his colleague, doctor Watson. Come along in, won't you? Mister Neil Gibson, I presume? That's right. So you're the great Sherlock Holmes.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
Adjective is your own, mister Gibson. Sit down, won't you? By the way, you may speak, quite freely in front of doctor Watson.
[00:07:16] Unknown:
Well, I may as well begin by telling you that money means nothing to me in this case. You can burn it if it's any use to you in writing the truth. Miss Dunbar is innocent, and it's up to you to prove it. Just name your fee. Mister Gibson, my professional charges are on a fixed scale. I don't vary them except when I omit them altogether. Very well. I imagine that you've read the newspaper reports of the coroner's inquest? Yes. Very thoroughly. I don't see that I can add anything that'll help you. But if there are any questions you'd like to ask, I'll answer them.
[00:07:42] Unknown:
Thank you.
[00:07:43] Unknown:
First, now what were the exact relations between you and miss Dunbar? I suppose you're within your rights in asking such question, mister Holmes? We will agree to suppose so, shall we? Then I can assure you that my relations with miss Dunbar were always those of an employer towards a young lady with whom he never or even saw, except in the company of his children.
[00:08:00] Unknown:
Oh, rather a busy man, mister Gibson, and I have no time or taste for aimless conversation. I wish you good morning. What the devil do you mean by this, mister Holmes? My dear, sir, the case is difficult enough without your giving me false information. Meaning that I lies I was trying to express it as delicately as possible, but if you insist on the word, I won't contradict you. Why you confound it? Don't be noisy, mister Gibson. Please don't be noisy. I find that after breakfast, even the smallest argument is unsettling.
[00:08:23] Unknown:
I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little quiet thought will be great to your advantage. I suppose I can't make you take the case, but you've done yourself no good this morning, mister Holmes. I've broken stronger men than you. No man ever crossed me and was the better for you. Good morning, mister Gibson. You've a great deal yet to learn.
[00:08:39] Unknown:
Well, my soul, Holmes, you run you so severe with him.
[00:08:43] Unknown:
I dislike liars, Watson, and I cannot tolerate arrogance, particularly when it's coupled with great wealth. Now how did you know about his relations with the government? I didn't. It was pure bluff. Bluff? Well, it certainly worked. Think he'll come back? Of course, he will. He needs my help too badly. He'll probably change his mind before he's halfway down the stairs. Come in. Mister Gibson, just saying to doctor Watson that I was certain you'd be back.
[00:09:09] Unknown:
I've been thinking it over, mister Holmes, and I feel that perhaps I was hasty in taking your remarks amiss. Just to say, I can assure you that the relations between miss Dunbar and me really don't affect this case. Surely, that is for me to decide, mister Gibson. You see, mister Gibson, my friend is like a doctor. He wants every symptom before he can give his diagnosis. Fire away, mister Holmes. What is it you want to know? The truth. I can give it to you in very few words. To begin with, I met my wife when I was gold mining in Brazil.
[00:09:36] Unknown:
Your wife was Brazilian by birth, wasn't she, sir? Yes, doctor, and very beautiful.
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Well, to make a long story short, I fell in love and married her and brought her to England. After a few years, I realized that we had nothing
[00:09:49] Unknown:
absolutely nothing in common. And then I suppose this young governess, miss Dunbar, arrived on the scene. That's right, mister Holmes.
[00:09:55] Unknown:
Well, the story should be obvious to you from there. You, fell in love with this girl, I suppose, sir. Who could help it? Did you suggest marriage to her? Yes. Though I knew that my wife would never divorce me. I see. Then you made an utterly insincere proposition to her. Now look here, mister Holmes. I came to you on a question of evidence, not of morals. I'm not asking for your criticism.
[00:10:14] Unknown:
It's only the young lady's sake that, forces me to touch your case at all. Now tell me, sir, what is your own opinion as to miss Dunbar's guilt? It's very black against her. I can't deny that.
[00:10:26] Unknown:
One explanation of the tragedy did come into my head, mister Holmes. I give it to you for what it's worth.
[00:10:32] Unknown:
Pray continue, mister Gibson.
[00:10:34] Unknown:
My wife was bitterly jealous. She was half crazy with hatred. She might have planned to murder miss Dunbar or will say to threaten a girl with a revolver and so frighten her into leaving us. There might have been a struggle in which the gun exploded
[00:10:46] Unknown:
and gone off and shot my wife who was holding it. All that possibility has already occurred to me. It's the only obvious alternative to deliberate murder. To harbor Holmes, we'll find on the floor of the governess's wardrobe. Mister Gibson, I should like to examine your house on the scene of the murder as soon as possible.
[00:11:01] Unknown:
Safely, mister Holmes. Sergeant Coventry of the local police is still down there. He'll give you any help you may need. Excellent. Watson Ultorone, out to the timetable. We're catching the next fast train to Winchester.
[00:11:29] Unknown:
So if I have to have someone else on the case, I'd rather have you, mister Holmes. The yard gets called in, then then we local police loses all credit for success. Generally gets blamed for the failures. Though I've heard that you play straight. No.
[00:11:43] Unknown:
I know it, Pura. In a matter at all, Sergeant Coventry.
[00:11:47] Unknown:
If I can clear it up, I don't ask to even have my name mentioned. Oh, that's handsome of you. I'm sure. And I I know your friend, doctor Watson, can be in custody. No. Don't worry, my dear fellow. We won't steal any of your thunder. That's nice and friendly of you, doctor. Well, come on, gentlemen. I'll walk you down to the bridge. That's where we found missus Gibson's body. It's not far from the house here.
[00:12:06] Unknown:
Well, I must say, mister Gibson has a beautiful estate. It must be 60 or or 70 acres. Oh, nearly twice that, doctor. The woods back of the house there belongs to him too. Mister
[00:12:17] Unknown:
Jones. Yes, sergeant? There's a question I'd like to ask you. Question I wouldn't ask anyone else. Then please ask it. Don't you think there might be a case against mister Gibson herself, sir? I've been considering that possibility. But there, miss Dunbar, a bit of alright. Ask me, he wanted his wife out of the way, and the pistol she was shot with was his pistol, you know? Was, was that fact, proven? Yes, doctor. It was one of a pair that he had. One of a pair? Where's the other? Well, mister Gibson has a lot of firearms. We never quite match that particular pistol, but the box was made for two. Well, if it was one of a pair, surely you'd be able to match it. Well, we have them all laid out at the house if you want to look them over. And we'll do that later.
[00:13:00] Unknown:
This I presume is Tall Bridge. That's right, sir.
[00:13:03] Unknown:
Found missus Gibson's body lying right here at the approach to the bridge. I see. I gathered from the newspaper reports that the shop was found at very close quarters. Yes, sir. Very close. In the right temple, wasn't it? Just behind it, sir. How did the body lie, sergeant? Oh, respect, doctor. No trace of a struggle, no march, no weapon. The note from miss Dunbar was clutched in her left hand. Clutched, you say? Yes, sir. We we could hardly open the fingers to get at it. That's of of greatest importance. It excludes the idea that anyone could have placed the note there after death in order to furnish a false clue. What did the note say, sergeant? Little
[00:13:30] Unknown:
after death in order to furnish a false clue. What did the note say, sergeant? Little enough, doctor. It just said,
[00:13:36] Unknown:
I will be at Tor Bridge at 09:00 and it was signed Grace Dunbar. Miss Dunbar admit writing it? Oh, yes, sir. What was her explanation?
[00:13:44] Unknown:
She wouldn't say nothing. Said she was saving her defense for the trial. Yes. It seems odd that missus Gibson was still clutching that note. Seems perfectly natural to me. Oh, come now, old fellow. I'll give the thing out logically. If a letter is genuine, it was certainly received sometime before the tragedy, say an hour or two. Why then was the dead woman still clasping it in her left hand? Why should she carry it so carefully? She certainly didn't need to refer to the note at all at the interview. Doesn't it strike you as rather strange? Well, now you put it that way, it does seem a little peculiar.
[00:14:14] Unknown:
Hello.
[00:14:16] Unknown:
Did you notice this, sergeant? Oh, you mean that chip out of that stone on the underside of the parapet of the bridge, sir?
[00:14:22] Unknown:
Yes. I noticed it. Didn't think nothing of it though. It's a very large chip. Yes. But it's been done recently.
[00:14:29] Unknown:
That is how the stem work is wiped just here. It took some violence to do that. Hand me a cane, boss, William. Here you are. Good. Thanks. Yes. The hard knock
[00:14:42] Unknown:
and in a curious place too. But it's 15 feet from where we found the body, mister Elms. Yes, Holmes. I don't see how it could have any connection with missus Gibson's murder. It hasn't.
[00:14:52] Unknown:
But at the point worth noting, there were no footprints, you say, sergeant? None, mister Elms. The ground was as hard as I, and it's been a very dry summer. We haven't had any rain to see if we can lose sight. Shouldn't it? Well, sergeant, I'm much obliged to you, and now I think we'll get back to the house. Right. Cesar, sure where the firearms are, sir. Oh, who is Cesar? Funny kind of a bloke Brazilian here. Brazilian, like missus Gibson? Yes, mister Elms, comes from the same town that she does as a matter of fact. Something very fishy about him if you ask me. Now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'm going to take a little stroll around the grounds. You started me on a new train of thought in this case, mister Holmes. Oh, I'm delighted, sergeant. I'll get back to the
[00:15:32] Unknown:
house. Bettering your business takes working with the best. With the James Hardie Alliance, you gain access to leads, training, networking, and support from the number one brand of siding in North America. Achieve new levels of success by joining the James Hardie Alliance today.
[00:15:56] Unknown:
I see. And these are all the firearms in mister Gibson's possession. Is this,
[00:16:02] Unknown:
Except for the revolver that is missing from the case. Yes. So I see I see him. Well, I've never seen such a collection of guns and revolvers in my life. Mister Gibson had many enemies, senor. He always sleep with a loaded pistol beside his bed. She's a man of great violence. There have been times when all of us were afraid of him. Did you ever witness physical violence towards missus Gibson? No, senor. I cannot say that I have, but I have heard him say many terrible things to her. She would taunt her in front of we servants. I have heard him do it many times. Thank you, Cesar. That will be all. Going to vain, senor.
[00:16:39] Unknown:
You know, Holmes, I do think the case against miss Dunbar looks very black. I should agree with you if it were not for one fact, the finding of the revolver in her wardrobe. On the soul, Holmes, that seems to me the the strongest evidence of all. I think not, old chap. What? We must look for consistency. Where there is, a want of it, we must suspect deception. I don't quite follow you. Suppose for a moment that we visualize you in the character of a woman who in cold premeditated fashion is about to murder a rival. You've planned it. A note has been written. The victim has come. You have a a weapon. The crime is well done. It has been workmanlike and complete. You mean to tell me that after carrying out such crafty crime, you'd be so stupid as to forget to bring the incriminating revolver to the bottom of the stream or perhaps in the, dense reeds that border it? Would you carefully carry it home and put it in the first place that would be searched? Your wardrobe? Well, perhaps in the excitement of the moment, one Oh, my dear chap. I won't admit that's even possible. When a crime is coolly premeditated, then the means of covering it are coolly premeditated also. And if miss Dunbar didn't shoot missus Gibson, who the devil did? I hope I can give you the answer to that question, Watson, when we've made one question, Watson, when we've made one further visit. Oh, lord. Where are we going now? To prison, old chap. Prison? Yes. We are going to Winchester Prison to call on miss Dunbar. I'm certain that the key to this strange mystery lies in her hands.
[00:18:10] Unknown:
You'll hear the rest of doctor Watson's story in just a few seconds. Just time enough for me to remind you that the easiest way to make good food taste better is to serve that good food with a good Petri wine. If you like a red wine, well, you want a Petri California Burgundy. If you'd rather have a white wine, then you want a Petri California Sauternes. But red or white, Petri Burgundy or Petri Sauternes, you're choosing a dinner wine that's sure to turn a simple meal into a feast. Your whole family and all your friends will love Petri. The wine
[00:18:49] Unknown:
that makes good
[00:18:54] Unknown:
food taste better.
[00:18:59] Unknown:
And now back to doctor Watson and tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure, the problem of Tor Bridge.
[00:19:05] Unknown:
Well, doctor, did you go to Winchester Prison and see miss Dunbar? We did, mister Bartel. An hour later, I found the two of us sitting in a dank and gloomy cell, talking to one of the most beautiful girls that I've ever seen. Her bright flashing eyes and her air of quiet confidence seemed sadly out of place in such a setting. Holmes spoke to her quietly. Tell
[00:19:32] Unknown:
us of your true relations with the dead woman.
[00:19:35] Unknown:
She hated me, mister Holmes.
[00:19:36] Unknown:
She hated me with all the passion of her distorted mind. Please tell us exactly what happened on the evening of missus Gibson's
[00:19:43] Unknown:
death. Well, I I received a note from her in the morning. A note imploring me to meet her at the bridge after dinner that night. She said she had something important to say to me. Did you keep that note, miss Dunbar? No, doctor. She well, she asked me to destroy the note, so I burned it in the schoolroom grade. I saw no reason for such secrecy, but, well, I I did as she asked. And yet she kept your reply very carefully. It's interesting.
[00:20:08] Unknown:
Tell me what happened when you met her that night.
[00:20:11] Unknown:
When I reached the bridge, she was waiting for me. I I won't tell you what she said, but she poured out her whole wild fury and burning horrible words. I didn't answer. I couldn't. It was dreadful even to look at her. She was like an insane woman, standing there screaming disgusting insults at me. I I put my hands to my ears and rushed away. Where was she standing when when you left her? Within a few yards of the spot where her body was found later. And yet, presuming she met her death shortly after you left her, you heard no shot. No. No. I heard nothing. But I was so upset, mister Holmes, that I rushed straight back to my room. Did you leave it again that night?
Yes. When the alarm came that missus Gibson was dead, I ran off with the others. Did you see,
[00:20:57] Unknown:
mister Gibson? Yes, doctor.
[00:21:00] Unknown:
He had just returned from the bridge when I saw him. He had sent for the doctor and the police.
[00:21:05] Unknown:
This pistol that you found in your room, have you ever seen it before? Never, mister Holmes. I swear it. When was it found, miss Dunbar?
[00:21:12] Unknown:
Next morning when the police made their search. It was on the floor of my wardrobe where I keep my shoes. You have no idea how long it had been there. But it hadn't been there the morning before.
[00:21:21] Unknown:
How do you know? Because I had tidied up the wardrobe that day. I see. Then someone must have come into your room and placed the pistol there in order to incriminate you. I'm certain of it. Oh, well
[00:21:31] Unknown:
well could they have done that?
[00:21:33] Unknown:
Well, it it it could have been at mealtime or when I was in the schoolroom with the children. Yeah.
[00:21:39] Unknown:
Miss Dunbar, on exam examining the scene of missus Gibson's death, I noticed that a piece of stonework on the underside of the parapet of the bridge had been broken away. Can you suggest any possible explanation for that? Oh, surely, it must have been a mere coincidence, mister Holmes. Possibly. But why should it appear at the very time of the tragedy and to the very place? Could it possibly be Why, yes. Of course. Idiot. Why didn't I think of it before? Come on, Watson. Where are we going, Holmes? Back to Thorbridge, old fellow, as fast as we can get there. What have you found out, mister Holmes? The answer to this mystery, I hope, my dear young lady, you will get news before the day is out. And meanwhile, take my assurance that the clouds are lifting and that the light of truth is breaking through. Well, mister Holmes, you're soon back here. What have you found? Hang on a few moments. Have you got my message? Oh, yes, sir. Here you are. Ball of twine. What you wanted for, I caught a merchant. Now you'll soon see sergeant. Watson, I, have some recollection that you usually go armed on these excursions of ours. Yes. I'm carrying my revolver. Why? Give it to me, old chap, will you? Thanks. I I believe your revolver may have a very intimate connection with the mystery we're investigating. I'm joking. Now, watch my very serious. I have a test to make. The test is successful. Miss Dunbar will be free before nightfall, and the test will depend on the conduct of this revolver of yours.
Yeah. I'll take the precaution of unloading it. Uh-huh. There we are. Now, sergeant bolt twine, please. Or should I do what he was up to, sir? I tie one into the twine like this to the handle of the revolver. So sergeant, see if you can find me a heavy stone, will you? Roger, sir. Holmes, what are you doing? Trying to reconstruct the killing of missus Gibson. But you've seen me mister Mark before, Watson. I have an instinct for such things, and yet it sometimes played me false. Seemed a certainty when it first flashed across my mind in Miss Dunbarcel. But one drawback of an active mind is that one can always conceive alternative explanations which would make our scent a false one. And yet oh, well, we can but try. It's nice still, mister Holmes. Thank you, sergeant. Now, I tie the other end of the twine to the stone.
[00:24:00] Unknown:
Wait a minute.
[00:24:01] Unknown:
Like that. Splendid. Sergeant, will you please take the stone and stretch the twine across the parapet of the bridge there so that the stone will swing just clear of the water on the other side of the bridge? Right, sir. I'll stand on the spot where missus Gibson's body was found. That's it, sergeant.
[00:24:16] Unknown:
Over the parapet. How's that, mister Rose? The stone swing about eight feet above the water. Splendid. Now, Watson, watch closely.
[00:24:24] Unknown:
I raise the revolver to my head. Careful, home. Careful. Nobody, old chap. It's not loaded. Now let us imagine I am the late missus Gibson. I raise the revolver to my head and fire it. Instantly, my fingers release. I grip them. There's your answer, Watson. Great. The sculptor revolver flashed back out of your hand, struck the parapetress bridge, and then the weight of the stone flipped it over into the water. Was there ever a more exact demonstration? Come on, old fellow. You're a booming magician, mister Holmes. That's what you wore. A booming magician. Look at that. Is there the second chip on the stonework of the parapet here? Same size as the first. Then the murder of missus Gibson? Wasn't murder at all. It was suicide. What? We can follow the various steps quite clearly. A note was extracted very cleverly from miss Dunbar. Note which made it appear that she had chosen the scene of the crime. Missus Gibson, in her anxiety that the note should be discovered, somewhat overdid it by holding it in our hand to the last.
[00:25:13] Unknown:
That alone should have excited my suspicions earlier than it did. So she stole one of her husband's revolvers and What did the other one in miss Dunbar's wardrobe? Exactly.
[00:25:21] Unknown:
After discharging one of the cartridges, which you could easily do in the woods without attracting suspicion, she then went down to the bridge where she contrived this exceedingly ingenious method of getting rid of her weapon. When miss Dunbar appeared, she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred. And then when the girl had left carried out her terrible purpose. Then the missing report You'll find it, with the aid of a grappling hook at the bottom of the stream and also the stone and the string, with which this vindictive woman attempted to to disguise her own crime and fasten a charge of murder on an innocent victim. Yes, sergeant. And don't forget while you're at it that my revolver is down there too. Oh, don't worry, doctor. I'll get some grappling hooks right away.
[00:26:00] Unknown:
I must say, Holmes, you solve this case brilliantly. Quite brilliantly.
[00:26:05] Unknown:
I disagree, old chap. And I fear that you will not improve my reputation by adding the case of the Tor Bridge mystery to your annals. Oh, nonsense. Well, that's ridiculous. Oh, no. It is no boy. I've been sluggish in my mind and wanting in that mixture of imagination and reality, which is the very basis of my art. I confess that the chip in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the full solution, and I blame myself for not having attained it sooner. Well, Holmes, personally, I agree with the sergeant's opinion of you. Oh? What was that all, fellow?
[00:26:36] Unknown:
You're a blooming magician, mister Holmes. That's what you are, a blooming magician.
[00:26:51] Unknown:
Well, doctor, Holmes really was a magician. That is if you did find missus Gibson's revolver and your own and I'm not being fine. I'm alright. You don't think I'd tell you the story otherwise, do you? What did you take before anywhere? Well, now that you ask, I'll tell you. I take you for a very charming gentleman, a wonderful storyteller, and a fine host. Oh, well, I know. I really Well, you are a gentleman of the old school. Oh, well, well, well, I know. You tell a fine story. Are you frightened me? You And you are a perfect host. Oh, I know. That meal we had tonight was wonderful. Oh, it was, And,
[00:27:23] Unknown:
that that wine, what kind was it? It was Petri wine, and you know it. Mhmm. And I should have known that you were leading up to something. Mister Bartell, you should be ashamed of yourself. You will do anything to get a chance to talk
[00:27:35] Unknown:
about Petri wine. Oh, I can't say it. I blame you. Well, honestly, doctor, I meant everything I said. But you don't really want me to stop talking about Petri wine, do you? After all, it's worth talking about, isn't it? What other wine is made with a loving care that goes into Petri wine? Don't forget, Petri wine is made by the Petri family. Winemaking is their business. Why, they've been making wine for generations, handing down from father to son, from father to son, all their skill and knowledge and experience. You can be sure the Petri family really knows plenty about the fine art of turning luscious grapes into delicious wine.
That's why why whether you want a wine for before dinner, with dinner, or for any time, you can't go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine.
[00:28:26] Unknown:
And now Doctor. Watson, what new story are you planning to tell us next week? Well, next week, mister Bartell, I'm going to tell an adventure that Holmes and I had amid the oriental magnificence of a Maharaja's palace in India. India? Sounds intriguing. What were you and Sherlock Holmes doing out there, doctor? Well, we'll have to wait till next week for you answer that question. But I can tell you that it was one of the weirdest problems that we ever had to solve. I call the story the vanishing elephant.
[00:29:05] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Antley Boucher, and is adapted from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Problem of Tor Bridge. Mister Ratbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.
[00:29:36] Unknown:
Oh, the Petri family took the time to bring you such good wine. For when you eat and when you cook, remember Petri
[00:29:44] Unknown:
wine. To make good food taste better, remember
[00:29:48] Unknown:
Pet, pet, petri.
[00:29:58] Unknown:
This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
The Avengers in South Africa
Sherlock Holmes Broadcast to Troops
Dr. Watson Introduces the Case
The Problem of Thor Bridge Begins
Neil Gibson's Plea
Investigating the Crime Scene
Miss Dunbar's Testimony
The Revelation at Thor Bridge
Holmes' Reflection on the Case
