In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of classic radio with a focus on the iconic series, "The Avengers," and its unique journey to South Africa. With no national television service until 1976, South Africans missed out on the televised adventures of John Steed and Company. However, the series managed to gain some exposure through film rentals, allowing fans to enjoy the British classic in a different format. We also explore the intriguing tale of Sherlock Holmes in "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," where Holmes and Watson unravel a sinister plot involving a deadly snake, a dummy bell rope, and a mysterious ventilator. This thrilling story showcases Holmes' brilliant deductive skills as he saves a young woman from a murderous scheme orchestrated by her stepfather.
Join us as we journey through these captivating stories, highlighting the power of radio in bringing classic tales to life. From the adventures of "The Avengers" to the suspenseful mysteries of Sherlock Holmes, this episode offers a nostalgic look at the golden age of radio. We also touch on the importance of supporting our troops through victory bonds, emphasizing the role of radio in wartime communication and entertainment. Tune in for a blend of history, mystery, and a touch of nostalgia.
(00:04) The Avengers in South Africa
(01:01) Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
(03:08) The Case of the Speckled Band Begins
(08:05) Helen Stoner's Plea for Help
(14:18) Investigating Stoke Moran
(20:19) The Night Vigil
(24:12) Confrontation and Resolution
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:
Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:00:51] Unknown:
This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by short wave and through the worldwide facilities of the armed forces radio service. Petri wine brings you Basil Rapfone 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 if you don't mind, I'd like to suggest something that you might share with your friends. And that something is a glass of sherry before dinner.
Naturally, a glass of Petri California sherry. I say Petri sherry because it's the perfect before dinner wine. You couldn't think of a better way to begin a meal. That Petri sherry has a beautiful inviting color like like dark amber. And for flavor, well you've heard sherry described many times as having a rich nut like flavor. But if you want to learn for the first time what those words rich and nut like really mean, you just taste Petri Sherry. It's wonderful. Serve Petri Sherry by itself or serve it with hors d'oeuvres or, or those little cocktail sandwiches. And incidentally, if you prefer your Sherry dry, you know, not sweet. Just ask your wine merchant for Petri Pale Dry Sherry.
Well, the important thing to remember is if you want Sherry, you want Petri Sherry because that means good Sherry. And now, let's look in on our genial friend and good host, Doctor. Watson.
[00:02:39] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartel. Punctual to the minute as usual.
[00:02:44] Unknown:
Never keep a doctor waiting, I always say.
[00:02:46] Unknown:
Particularly Doctor. Watson. Draw up a chair, my boy. Thank you.
[00:02:50] Unknown:
That's it. That's it. That's it. All ready to tell us the Sherlock Holmes adventure of the speckled band, doctor? Yes. I'm all ready, mister Barto. Say doctor, just what what does the speckled band mean?
[00:03:01] Unknown:
You wait until I've told you the story, young fellow my lad. You'll find out for yourself. I'm sorry. The floor is all yours, doctor. The adventure of the speckled band began on a rainy April morning in 1883. An urgent call from one of my patients had kept me up most of the night before, and in consequence, I came down to my breakfast rather later than usual to find that Holmes had already left our house some hours earlier. As As I sat there reading the morning paper and consuming my two lightly boiled eggs, there was a knock at the door.
It opened to disclose a typical example of the British working man, a bag of tools in one hand and a grimy cap in the other as he spoke to me from the doorway.
[00:03:45] Unknown:
You sent for me, mister Holmes? I'm not, mister Holmes. I beg your pardon, governor. We can't come them in the guest bracket over the mantle, please. What's wrong with it? I call leaking it. Oh, leak. Well, well, well, get along with your work. Yes, sir. Hope I won't be disturbing yourself. No. No. No. That's alright, my man. Don't mind me. Don't mind me. Oh, dear. Very untidy man, mister Holmes, sir. What do you mean by that? Well, you can't help noticing the mess this is in. I've heard say he was as tidy as anyone he started, but he'd earned bad habits from a bloke what lived with him.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Doctor Watson, I think his name is. You in Portland fellow. Not sure you talk to me like that. I've got a good oh, as great as you go to. Here. You come out of there. That's mister Holmes' room.
[00:04:25] Unknown:
I'll be angry with him, Watson. What? Stepping out of these grimy rags into her dressing gown.
[00:04:30] Unknown:
Good gracious me. So was you, Holmes. Well, upon my soul, I've never recognized you, but
[00:04:37] Unknown:
why in disguise? A case, my dear. What's in the case? One of those small problems which a trusting public occasionally confides to my investigation. Uh-huh. To the British workman, old chap, all doors are open. His costume is unostentatious, and his habits are sociable. Toolbag is an excellent passport, and a tawny mustache will secure the, cooperation of the maids. But what's the case, Holmes? Well, modest little drama of life in the kitchen, one of those seemingly in consequential affairs. And yet, Watson, the honor of a duchess is at stake. Duchess? Oh, mad world, my master. The mad world.
Now I feel a little more comfortable. Let's return to the sitting room, shall we? Strong cup of tea would be most acceptable. Oh, I wish you'd tell me about the duchess and life in the kitchen house. Some other time, O'Fella, some other time. At the moment, suppose you tell me what you know about miss Helen Stoner. I received a letter from her this morning in which she informed me that she would be calling here at eleven and also that she was a friend of yours. Helen Stoner. Oh, yes. Yes. A charming girl indeed. Me a cup of tea, Watson, and tell me about her. Well, I befriended her
[00:05:40] Unknown:
at the time of the tragic death of her sister two years ago. I told you about the case. Don't you remember? The sudden death of Violet Stoner
[00:05:50] Unknown:
at an old house in Stoke Moran? Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. It all comes back to me now. There was a there was an inquest, wasn't there, with a string of stupid ineffective witnesses. Oh, ineffective. I was one of them. Oh, I'm sorry, old fellow then. You were the exception. Of course. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let me see. I docketed the evidence on the place. Where is it? My scrap ah, here we are. Here we are. Let me see. Yes. Yes. Yes. Salisbury Hatchet Murder, Lords and Simon. Here we are. Here we are. Stoke Moran. Yes. I remember the affair well now.
[00:06:21] Unknown:
The villain of the piece was doctor Grimsby Roylott, wasn't he? Yes. A dreadful fellow. He's the stepfather of the two girls, Violet, the one that died so mysteriously, and Helen, the one who's coming here to see you. Doctor Roylott is a pretty record.
[00:06:35] Unknown:
55 years of age, killed his Kitna in India, once in an insane asylum, married money, wife died, distinguished surgeon. Well, Watson,
[00:06:45] Unknown:
I wonder what the distinguished surgeon has been up to now. Oh, some devil tree of her. Why do you say that? You remember that miss Violet Stoner's death followed close upon the announcement of her engagement. Yes. Well, I met miss Helen Stoner on the streets a few weeks ago. She told me that she just become engaged to a young fellow in the army who was leaving for the Far East. She was very upset at the thought of being alone with her stepfather.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
No. Naturally, she was. Doctor Royalott stands to lose a considerable sum of money in the event of his stepdaughter's marriage. Yes. They both had a trust fund which he administered only as long as the girls were unmarried.
[00:07:21] Unknown:
That fact was brought out of the coroner's inquest two years ago. But if Royalott did poison the other stepdaughter, and I'm pretty convinced that he did, it seems unlikely that he'd try it again. Two sudden deaths in the same household could hardly pass the coroner. Oh, no, my dear Watson.
[00:07:38] Unknown:
You're making the mistake of putting your normal brain into Royal Oak's abnormal being. Oh, that that must be miss Stoner now. Yeah. Let me see. It's precisely 11:00. Well, let's see what we can do for her. Well, I hope you can help her, Holmes. She's an extremely nice girl. Come in.
[00:07:54] Unknown:
Yes, missus Hudson. There is a miss Helen Stoner to see you, sir. She says she has an appointment. Show her in, please, missus Hudson. Aye, sir. Come in, my dear. Thank you. Miss Stoner, I'm I'm so glad to see you again. How do you do, doctor Watson? And this Yes, miss Stoner. I'm Sherlock Holmes. Sit down to the fire, won't you? Yes. This is please you, mother. Hello. You're you're trembling with cold. It's not cold that makes me shiver. Tell me, mister Holmes, has my stepfather, doctor Grimsby Roylott been here? No. He hasn't. He saw me in the street. I dashed by him in a handsome cab, but he saw me. Our eyes met and he waved me to stop, but I came here as fast as I could. Very sensible move. Doctor Watson has already given me several hints as to your present problem, as well as having refreshed my memory as to the circumstances of your sister's death. My problem is a simple enough one, mister Holmes. I'm I'm waiting to be murdered. No. No. No. My dear more explicit, miss Donner. Very well, mister Holmes.
My fiancee is leaving for the Far East today. When he leaves, I shall be alone with my stepfather at Stoke Moran. He plans to murder me just as he murdered my sister. What makes you say that, miss Dona? Many strange things have happened recently. For instance, he just moved me into the bedroom in which my sister died. What reason did he give for changing our room? That my old one needed repainting. It didn't need it, but doctor Roylott did need to move me into that horrible room. And other things have happened. I I've heard the music again. Music? What music? My sister first heard it a few days before she died.
I heard it myself on that dreadful night she breathed her last.
[00:09:28] Unknown:
Oh, mister Holland, I'm terrified. My dear, please don't worry anymore. Friends to help you now. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
[00:09:36] Unknown:
No. Of course not. Now this music,
[00:09:38] Unknown:
does it seem to come from inside the house or outside?
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Well, it it's hard to say. It it sounds so faint. What's it like? A sort of soft droning sound. Like, fruit or a pipe? Yes. It reminds me of native music I heard during my childhood in India. India. There's one other thing that puzzles me, mister Holmes. And what's that? My sister's dying words. As she lay in my arm, she gasped out two words. Oh, what were they? Banned and speckled.
[00:10:06] Unknown:
You remember that evidence from the inquest, don't you, doctor Watson? Yes. Yes. Yes. I do. I couldn't make her to tell it, ma'am. So Banned, speckled,
[00:10:13] Unknown:
Indian
[00:10:17] Unknown:
mister Holmes, but so did poor Violet. It didn't save her though. What did you gather from your sister's dying allusion to the band, the Speckled Band?
[00:10:26] Unknown:
Well, sometimes I thought it was merely the wild talk of delirium and sometimes that it referred to a band of people. Oh, yes. I remember that there were some gypsies in camp quite near us at the time of Violet's death. Gypsies, Yes. And it occurred to me that these parted gaily colored kerchiefs which so many of them wear over their heads might have suggested the unusual adjective which my sister used. Miss Donner, how long is it since you heard this strange music that you've told us about?
[00:10:51] Unknown:
I heard it last night. I can't say it lives to leaves today, you say? Yes, mister Holmes. Well, miss Turner, I should do everything I can to help you. If we were to come to Stoke Moran today, would it be possible to see over your rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather?
[00:11:04] Unknown:
Why, I think so. He told me this morning that he intended to take a late train home tonight. Oh, that's splendid. Watson, up at the timetable, old fellow, and look up the trains to Stoke Moran. Right. You're home. That's my stepfather. I know it is.
[00:11:17] Unknown:
Oh, yes. Yes, sir. He is on the doorstep. Oh, mister Holmes, he's followed me. What shall I do if he finds me here? My body, miss Donner. Please don't worry. There's a private exit through that room there, Watson. Sure the way will you. Come along with me, my dear young lady. And and you will come down today, miss Holmes. Certainly, my dear miss Stoner. I'll telegraph you the entire time of our arrival. Goodbye and courage, my dear. Goodbye, mister Holmes, and thank you. Come along, miss Stoner. Quickly. Come in.
[00:11:44] Unknown:
Yes, missus Hudson. It's a a gentleman, sir. I told him he wouldn't see anyone without an appointment, but he Out of the way, woman. Didn't push me like that. I'm sorry, mister Holmes. That's alright, missus Hudson. You can leave us. What kind of gentleman does he call himself pushing an old lady?
[00:12:00] Unknown:
So you are Sherlock Holmes. You have the advantage of me, sir. Your name is, My name, sir, is Royalott. Doctor Grimsby Royalott of Stoke Moran. Yes. Yes. Of course. A charming place I hear and obviously good for the lunge. You won't trifle with me if you know what's good for you.
[00:12:16] Unknown:
Watson, there you are. And how was the,
[00:12:20] Unknown:
the experiment? Very successful, Holmes. Per day to you, doctor Roylott. I haven't seen you since I gave evidence at your stepdaughter's inquest. Yes. Yes. I remember you, doctor Watson.
[00:12:31] Unknown:
Now listen to me, you two. My stepdaughter's been here. I placed Little cold to this time of the year, isn't it? You answer me. I hear that the crocuses promise well. You dare to try and put me off to you. I know you, you scoundrel.
[00:12:46] Unknown:
You're Holmes the meddler. Am I? Holmes the busybody. Believe that a man should occupy his time. Holmes the scuttons, you're in check-in office. When you go out, close the door, won't you? There's a draft. I'll go when I've had my say. Keep your nose out of my affairs, you hear? Oh, yes. My hearing is excellent. Thank you. And your addiction and delivery most forceful. But time flies, my dear doctor. Time flies, and life has its duties as well as its pleasures. Goodbye. Insolent rascal.
[00:13:12] Unknown:
Here. See this poker?
[00:13:16] Unknown:
Oh, the fire doesn't need poking. Thank you, doctor. But I I should be obliged if you'd, put some more coal on for me. You laugh at me. You don't know my strengths.
[00:13:25] Unknown:
Look. There. Your poker's bent double. And that's what I'll do to both of you if you don't keep out of my affairs.
[00:13:38] Unknown:
I had a presentiment that he'd slammed the door. He's an ugly customer. Literally as well as figuratively. Watson, I'd be much obliged if you get your revolver. It may prove to be an excellent argument with a gentleman who twists iron pokers into knots. A fellow's amazingly strong. Just look at it. I don't want to appear flamboyant, but, there we are. Great. Good. God, Holmes. You straightened the poker out again. Yes. But it's utterly useless in its former shape. And now what's in the timetable? We'll catch the next fast train to Stoke Moran. Oh, mister Holmes, doctor Watson, I'm so relieved that you've come. But don't you think my stepfather might have followed you down here? You have to take that chance, miss Stoner. A few hours delay might mean the difference between your life and death. It was imperative that we examine this bedroom of yours before doctor Royal returns. Anyway, my dear, you mustn't worry anymore. We are here in your house, and we're gonna take good care of you no matter what harm befalls you. Thank you, doctor Watson. No. This is the room in which your sister died, is it? It's much as I pictured it.
[00:14:45] Unknown:
And doctor Royal's room adjoins this one, you say, miss Della? Yes, doctor. On that side, the room which adjoins us on the other side is my regular bedroom. The one that's being so conveniently painted, Yes. Well, let's examine this room.
[00:14:58] Unknown:
No trap doors or sliding panels, I suppose.
[00:15:03] Unknown:
It sounds solid enough,
[00:15:05] Unknown:
Yes. I think it is. Hello. What's this? Are you aware that this bed is clamped to the floor, miss Stoner? Why? No. No, mister Holmes. I didn't know that. What an extraordinary thing. Was the bed in your other room anchored also?
[00:15:21] Unknown:
I know. I don't think it was. Very illuminating. And this bell pull hanging against the wall above your bed. Oh, that, it doesn't work. Doesn't work, but if you want to ring. There's another one on the other wall over there. Now why this one? Well, I I don't know. My stepfather made a number of changes after we came here. Yes. Quite a burst of activity, apparently.
[00:15:44] Unknown:
Holmes? I'm curious, my dear fellow. Uh-huh. It may interest you to know that this bell rope is fastened to a brass hook. There's no wire attachment. It's a dummy. A dummy of wire? There's a small screen above it. It's a ventilator, I suppose. Yes, mister Holmes. Yes. A ventilator leading into your stepfather's room. Curious. I noticed there's no means of opening the ventilator on this side. It can only be operated from your stepfather's room next door. I wonder if you'd mind taking us in there. Of course, mister Holmes. Follow me.
[00:16:19] Unknown:
What do you make of it, Holmes?
[00:16:21] Unknown:
As devil's work up, old chap.
[00:16:24] Unknown:
Here we are, mister Holmes.
[00:16:28] Unknown:
It's much the same as the other room, a bit bigger, perhaps. At large, safe against the wall seems to be an unusual piece of bedroom furniture. What is it, miss Dona? My stepfather's business papers. Oh, you've seen inside it then? Only once. Some years ago. I remember that it was full of documents. What's this source of milk doing on top of it? Does doctor Royler keep a cat? No. But he does have a cheetah and a baboon as pets. He brought them with him from India. Well, Holmes, a cheetah is just a big cat. True. But I doubt if a saucer of milk would go very far in satisfying the appetite of a cheetah. Well, I think I've seen enough.
This matter is too serious for hesitation. Your life may depend upon your following and my instructions, miss Homer. I'll do anything you say, mister Holmes. Anything. Is that village in I see through the trees from this window? Yes. The queen's arms. Your bedroom windows would be visible from there. Yes, mister Holmes. Beautiful then. Watson and I will go there now and obtain accommodations. When your stepfather returns, you must confine yourself to your room on the pretense of a headache. You follow me? Perfect. When doctor Royal Oak returns for the night, night, you must open your bedroom window and put your lamp on the sill as a signal to us at the end. Then withdraw quietly to your usual bedroom, the one that's being painted. I'm sure that you could manage that for one night. Of course. But what will you do? When we get your signal, doctor Watson and I will come here and spend the night in your dead sister's room. We are going to solve this mystery of the dummy bell rope and the unusual ventilator and the strange music in the night.
[00:17:59] Unknown:
You'll You'll hear the remainder of doctor Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to point out that at any really important dinner, you know, like when diplomats get together, you'll find wine on the table. Because for years, it's been a known fact that good wine makes good food taste better. Prove that to yourself tomorrow night by having your dinner together with a glass of Petri wine. If you prefer a red wine for any meat or meat dish, try a Petri California Burgundy. That rich, hearty red Petri Burgundy is really out of this world. Now if you'd rather have a subtle intriguing white wine, let's say to go with chicken or fish, then try Petri California Sauternes.
But Sauternes or Burgundy, to make sure it's good, make sure it's Petri, won't you? Well, doctor, it's a rattling good story so far. What happened next? You went to the local in, I guess, and waited for that lantern to appear in the bedroom window at doctor Roylott's house? That's right, mister Bartel. We had an early dinner at the Queen's Arms and then retired to our upstairs bedroom
[00:19:01] Unknown:
and sat there side by side puffing away at our pipes, our eyes trainings with the darkness for that telltale lantern to give us a signal that there was dangerous work ahead for us. As we sat there discussing the various aspects of the case, I remember that Holmes was very concerned about my own safety.
[00:19:22] Unknown:
You know, Watson, I I really have some scruples about taking you with me tonight. This is an infernally dangerous business. What about that poor girl, her alone in the house with that fiend, Roylott? I can handle the case by myself, old chap. I'm coming with you, Holmes.
[00:19:37] Unknown:
You speak of danger. We haven't seen more in those rooms than was visible to me. But, possibly I've deduced a little more, and I imagine you saw all that I did. No. I saw nothing remarkable except the bell rope. And what purpose that could answer, I confess there's more than I can imagine. It's all the ventilator too. Yes. But I don't think it's such an unusual thing to have an opening between two rooms
[00:19:58] Unknown:
so small that a mouse could hardly pass through it. True. But at least you will admit there was a a curious sequence of coincidences. A ventilator is constructed. A bell cord is hung from it. A lady sleeps in a bed directly below the ventilator, a bed that is anchored to the floor.
[00:20:15] Unknown:
The lady dies. We're beginning to see what you're driving in, Holmes. Look. Look. Look. Look.
[00:20:20] Unknown:
There's a lantern in this tonus window. That's our signal. Alright. Come on, Watson. Our night's vigil begins. What a foul night. A foul night's a foul business, Watson. Come on through these laurel bushes. It's only another 50 yards for the house. Is
[00:20:50] Unknown:
the mountain still burning away in the bedroom window? Yes. All the other lights are out. Including the one in doctor Roylott's room. He must have gone to sleep. To bed, possibly, Watson, but not, I think, to sleep. Great heavens, Holmes. Look at that frightful creature leaving about the moonlight.
[00:21:08] Unknown:
It looks like some hideous child. That's doctor Royl. It's pet baboon. But it looks positively human. Yes. Probably a great deal more so than its master.
[00:21:18] Unknown:
They directly blow the most
[00:21:21] Unknown:
convenient ladder. I'll go first. Careful, Holmes. Careful. Wait a minute. Yeah. I hope the thing's
[00:21:29] Unknown:
strong enough to to hold us both.
[00:21:33] Unknown:
Please look what is stupid to our backs in the mouth. Give me a hand, William Holmes. I can't quite get my leg up over this window ledge. Here you are. Thanks, oh, boy.
[00:21:44] Unknown:
Oh, sir. Phew. How to close the window sillage. This room looks exactly like the same as it is it did this afternoon.
[00:21:54] Unknown:
At least, some would be fatal to our plans. Keep the lamp covered so that if the ventilator is open from doctor Roylott's room, no light will show from in there.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
That's it. Why are you carrying that sticker?
[00:22:08] Unknown:
I'm prepared for a visitor that I expect before the night is over. A visitor who will herald his entrance with faint music from an Indian pipe. You mean the music is is a signal? Exactly, Othello. A signal to an accomplice who can enter a room but locked doors, an accomplice who kills and leave no trace. You mean that no more talking, Watson. I'll sit on the edge of the bed here. You sit on that chair. Have your revolver ready in case you you should need it. But you are. Have the lantern ready too. And I shout now, turn the light, pull on the top of the bell rope. You understand? Yes. Perfect. Good.
Now we must wait, perhaps for some time, if you don't go to sleep, and if you're in life, may depend on it. Watson? Yes. You're not smoking, are you? No, Holmes. I smoke tobacco smoke. Must be drifting through the ventilator. Exactly. Doctor Royalitz is up. Look. Look. Look. Look. It's a tiny shot of light showing up in the window. Shh. Listen. There's the music. Yes. Holding the messenger of death. Have your lantern ready, Watson.
[00:23:45] Unknown:
Now, Watson. Now. Great heavens. It's a snake, slipping down the bell rope. You
[00:23:51] Unknown:
you can't get it without stick holes out of the way. Let me get a shot at it. I'm trying to Quick scuppence.
[00:24:13] Unknown:
I think the devil has turned on its master. Come on, Watson, and to doctor Roylott's room.
[00:24:17] Unknown:
Doctor Roylott. Doctor Roylott. Doctor. Good old Holmes, look at him sprawled on the bed. Look at his eyes. Yes.
[00:24:27] Unknown:
And see what has coiled around his forehead. It's the snake. Yes. The band. The speckled band. He's dead, Holmes. Yes. He's been bitten by the deadliest snake in the world, the Indian swamp terror. Its deadly fangs produce death within ten seconds. Well, Watson, violence does in truth recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another. What should we do now, Holmes? We must remove the macabre headgear from the dead doctor and return the snake to its den. And I suggest that we tell miss Stoner that there's no more danger under this roof. After that, we can turn the matter over to the local police. Our work
[00:25:10] Unknown:
is
[00:25:13] Unknown:
done.
[00:25:17] Unknown:
Oh, mister Holmes, doctor Watsner, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you brought me back into the biggest street. Turner, it would have been inhuman to leave you in that house of horror and death.
[00:25:25] Unknown:
We have a spare bedroom, and missus Hudson is a motherly and understanding woman, and I can assure you that doctor Watson and I will be delighted to have you stay with us here until you've decided on your future plan. Yes. Of course, we will, my dear. As a matter of fact, it'd be rather refreshing to have a a touch of youth about the place. You're both so kind. Mister Holmes, I think it's wonderful how you foil my stepfather's devilish plans. Yes. Wasn't it a remarkable example of logical deduction? No. It wasn't. No. No. At first, your mention of the gypsies, miss Stoner, and the use of the word ban put me on an entirely wrong scent. However, when we examined the fatal room, I drew the obvious conclusions. We used the dummy bell rope, the ventilator, and the immovable bed. Yes, old fellow. In instance, it gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridge for something coming through the ventilator and traveling to the bed. I once thought of a snake. When I saw the saucer of milk on top of the safe, my suspicions crystallized into certainty. Oh, it was a fiendish plant. Yes. And an extremely clever one too. Exactly. My stepfather father must have trained the snake to return to him when he played the music. Yes. He put it through the ventilator and with the certainty that it would crawl down the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the occupant.
Perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sooner or later, she must fall a victim. Thank heaven I came to you, mister Holmes. Amen to that, mister Holmes. You know, Holmes, if you hadn't lashed at the snake with your stick, I bet it wouldn't have turned back on its master. True, old chap. In that way, I am no doubt indirectly responsible for doctor Grimsby be run at death. But I I can't say it's a fact that's likely to weigh too heavily on my conscience.
[00:26:59] Unknown:
Doctor, that was quite a fascinating story.
[00:27:02] Unknown:
You know something, I I'm not exactly a coward, but no kidding. My toes really curl when I get mixed up with snakes. Oh, I'm not alone in that respect, mister Bartell. I must admit that I like to have a revolver at least 20 feet between me and any snake that wants to cross my path. Well, if you want a revolver in 20 feet, I'll take a cannon in 20 miles. It's fortunate that you're a wine expert, mister Bartell, not a detective. I'm afraid you wouldn't, shall we say, find detecting to your liking? We certainly shall say it.
[00:27:31] Unknown:
Incidentally, I'm not a wine expert, doctor. All I know about wine is that it either tastes good or it doesn't. And I also know that Petri wine always tastes good. The Petri family sees to that. The name Petri on the label is the personal assurance of the Petri family that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine. And they know how to make it good because they've been making fine wine for generations, Handing down from father to son, from father to son, every secret, every skill of the winemaker's art. Yes, the Petri family took time to bring you good wine.
That's why no matter what type of wine you wish, you can't go wrong with a Petri wine.
[00:28:12] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you planning to tell us next week? Well, now let me see now. Next week, mister Bartel, I'm I think I'll tell you an adventure that took place at a gambling casino in the South Of France. It's a strange story of sudden tragedy and death. I call it the adventure of the double zero. Sounds well. We'll all be listening. Yeah. Right, mister Bartel, before I go, I want to say that everyone of our friends bought war bonds to help our boys win the war. And now let's all buy victory bonds to help bring our boys back home again. Yes. And let's buy victory bonds to make sure the men who were wounded will get the finest possible care. Those same victory bonds will help make the GI Bill of Rights a success too, and they'll help provide for the families of those men who gave everything, including their lives.
The men of our armed forces finished their job. Now let's finish ours. Buy victory bonds.
[00:29:19] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Voucher and is an adaptation of the sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, the adventure of the speckled band. 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. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios.
This is the broadcasting
[00:30:05] Unknown:
system.
Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
[00:00:51] Unknown:
This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by short wave and through the worldwide facilities of the armed forces radio service. Petri wine brings you Basil Rapfone 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 if you don't mind, I'd like to suggest something that you might share with your friends. And that something is a glass of sherry before dinner.
Naturally, a glass of Petri California sherry. I say Petri sherry because it's the perfect before dinner wine. You couldn't think of a better way to begin a meal. That Petri sherry has a beautiful inviting color like like dark amber. And for flavor, well you've heard sherry described many times as having a rich nut like flavor. But if you want to learn for the first time what those words rich and nut like really mean, you just taste Petri Sherry. It's wonderful. Serve Petri Sherry by itself or serve it with hors d'oeuvres or, or those little cocktail sandwiches. And incidentally, if you prefer your Sherry dry, you know, not sweet. Just ask your wine merchant for Petri Pale Dry Sherry.
Well, the important thing to remember is if you want Sherry, you want Petri Sherry because that means good Sherry. And now, let's look in on our genial friend and good host, Doctor. Watson.
[00:02:39] Unknown:
Good evening, doctor. Good evening, mister Bartel. Punctual to the minute as usual.
[00:02:44] Unknown:
Never keep a doctor waiting, I always say.
[00:02:46] Unknown:
Particularly Doctor. Watson. Draw up a chair, my boy. Thank you.
[00:02:50] Unknown:
That's it. That's it. That's it. All ready to tell us the Sherlock Holmes adventure of the speckled band, doctor? Yes. I'm all ready, mister Barto. Say doctor, just what what does the speckled band mean?
[00:03:01] Unknown:
You wait until I've told you the story, young fellow my lad. You'll find out for yourself. I'm sorry. The floor is all yours, doctor. The adventure of the speckled band began on a rainy April morning in 1883. An urgent call from one of my patients had kept me up most of the night before, and in consequence, I came down to my breakfast rather later than usual to find that Holmes had already left our house some hours earlier. As As I sat there reading the morning paper and consuming my two lightly boiled eggs, there was a knock at the door.
It opened to disclose a typical example of the British working man, a bag of tools in one hand and a grimy cap in the other as he spoke to me from the doorway.
[00:03:45] Unknown:
You sent for me, mister Holmes? I'm not, mister Holmes. I beg your pardon, governor. We can't come them in the guest bracket over the mantle, please. What's wrong with it? I call leaking it. Oh, leak. Well, well, well, get along with your work. Yes, sir. Hope I won't be disturbing yourself. No. No. No. That's alright, my man. Don't mind me. Don't mind me. Oh, dear. Very untidy man, mister Holmes, sir. What do you mean by that? Well, you can't help noticing the mess this is in. I've heard say he was as tidy as anyone he started, but he'd earned bad habits from a bloke what lived with him.
[00:04:13] Unknown:
Doctor Watson, I think his name is. You in Portland fellow. Not sure you talk to me like that. I've got a good oh, as great as you go to. Here. You come out of there. That's mister Holmes' room.
[00:04:25] Unknown:
I'll be angry with him, Watson. What? Stepping out of these grimy rags into her dressing gown.
[00:04:30] Unknown:
Good gracious me. So was you, Holmes. Well, upon my soul, I've never recognized you, but
[00:04:37] Unknown:
why in disguise? A case, my dear. What's in the case? One of those small problems which a trusting public occasionally confides to my investigation. Uh-huh. To the British workman, old chap, all doors are open. His costume is unostentatious, and his habits are sociable. Toolbag is an excellent passport, and a tawny mustache will secure the, cooperation of the maids. But what's the case, Holmes? Well, modest little drama of life in the kitchen, one of those seemingly in consequential affairs. And yet, Watson, the honor of a duchess is at stake. Duchess? Oh, mad world, my master. The mad world.
Now I feel a little more comfortable. Let's return to the sitting room, shall we? Strong cup of tea would be most acceptable. Oh, I wish you'd tell me about the duchess and life in the kitchen house. Some other time, O'Fella, some other time. At the moment, suppose you tell me what you know about miss Helen Stoner. I received a letter from her this morning in which she informed me that she would be calling here at eleven and also that she was a friend of yours. Helen Stoner. Oh, yes. Yes. A charming girl indeed. Me a cup of tea, Watson, and tell me about her. Well, I befriended her
[00:05:40] Unknown:
at the time of the tragic death of her sister two years ago. I told you about the case. Don't you remember? The sudden death of Violet Stoner
[00:05:50] Unknown:
at an old house in Stoke Moran? Oh, yes. Yes. Yes. It all comes back to me now. There was a there was an inquest, wasn't there, with a string of stupid ineffective witnesses. Oh, ineffective. I was one of them. Oh, I'm sorry, old fellow then. You were the exception. Of course. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Let me see. I docketed the evidence on the place. Where is it? My scrap ah, here we are. Here we are. Let me see. Yes. Yes. Yes. Salisbury Hatchet Murder, Lords and Simon. Here we are. Here we are. Stoke Moran. Yes. I remember the affair well now.
[00:06:21] Unknown:
The villain of the piece was doctor Grimsby Roylott, wasn't he? Yes. A dreadful fellow. He's the stepfather of the two girls, Violet, the one that died so mysteriously, and Helen, the one who's coming here to see you. Doctor Roylott is a pretty record.
[00:06:35] Unknown:
55 years of age, killed his Kitna in India, once in an insane asylum, married money, wife died, distinguished surgeon. Well, Watson,
[00:06:45] Unknown:
I wonder what the distinguished surgeon has been up to now. Oh, some devil tree of her. Why do you say that? You remember that miss Violet Stoner's death followed close upon the announcement of her engagement. Yes. Well, I met miss Helen Stoner on the streets a few weeks ago. She told me that she just become engaged to a young fellow in the army who was leaving for the Far East. She was very upset at the thought of being alone with her stepfather.
[00:07:09] Unknown:
No. Naturally, she was. Doctor Royalott stands to lose a considerable sum of money in the event of his stepdaughter's marriage. Yes. They both had a trust fund which he administered only as long as the girls were unmarried.
[00:07:21] Unknown:
That fact was brought out of the coroner's inquest two years ago. But if Royalott did poison the other stepdaughter, and I'm pretty convinced that he did, it seems unlikely that he'd try it again. Two sudden deaths in the same household could hardly pass the coroner. Oh, no, my dear Watson.
[00:07:38] Unknown:
You're making the mistake of putting your normal brain into Royal Oak's abnormal being. Oh, that that must be miss Stoner now. Yeah. Let me see. It's precisely 11:00. Well, let's see what we can do for her. Well, I hope you can help her, Holmes. She's an extremely nice girl. Come in.
[00:07:54] Unknown:
Yes, missus Hudson. There is a miss Helen Stoner to see you, sir. She says she has an appointment. Show her in, please, missus Hudson. Aye, sir. Come in, my dear. Thank you. Miss Stoner, I'm I'm so glad to see you again. How do you do, doctor Watson? And this Yes, miss Stoner. I'm Sherlock Holmes. Sit down to the fire, won't you? Yes. This is please you, mother. Hello. You're you're trembling with cold. It's not cold that makes me shiver. Tell me, mister Holmes, has my stepfather, doctor Grimsby Roylott been here? No. He hasn't. He saw me in the street. I dashed by him in a handsome cab, but he saw me. Our eyes met and he waved me to stop, but I came here as fast as I could. Very sensible move. Doctor Watson has already given me several hints as to your present problem, as well as having refreshed my memory as to the circumstances of your sister's death. My problem is a simple enough one, mister Holmes. I'm I'm waiting to be murdered. No. No. No. My dear more explicit, miss Donner. Very well, mister Holmes.
My fiancee is leaving for the Far East today. When he leaves, I shall be alone with my stepfather at Stoke Moran. He plans to murder me just as he murdered my sister. What makes you say that, miss Dona? Many strange things have happened recently. For instance, he just moved me into the bedroom in which my sister died. What reason did he give for changing our room? That my old one needed repainting. It didn't need it, but doctor Roylott did need to move me into that horrible room. And other things have happened. I I've heard the music again. Music? What music? My sister first heard it a few days before she died.
I heard it myself on that dreadful night she breathed her last.
[00:09:28] Unknown:
Oh, mister Holland, I'm terrified. My dear, please don't worry anymore. Friends to help you now. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
[00:09:36] Unknown:
No. Of course not. Now this music,
[00:09:38] Unknown:
does it seem to come from inside the house or outside?
[00:09:41] Unknown:
Well, it it's hard to say. It it sounds so faint. What's it like? A sort of soft droning sound. Like, fruit or a pipe? Yes. It reminds me of native music I heard during my childhood in India. India. There's one other thing that puzzles me, mister Holmes. And what's that? My sister's dying words. As she lay in my arm, she gasped out two words. Oh, what were they? Banned and speckled.
[00:10:06] Unknown:
You remember that evidence from the inquest, don't you, doctor Watson? Yes. Yes. Yes. I do. I couldn't make her to tell it, ma'am. So Banned, speckled,
[00:10:13] Unknown:
Indian
[00:10:17] Unknown:
mister Holmes, but so did poor Violet. It didn't save her though. What did you gather from your sister's dying allusion to the band, the Speckled Band?
[00:10:26] Unknown:
Well, sometimes I thought it was merely the wild talk of delirium and sometimes that it referred to a band of people. Oh, yes. I remember that there were some gypsies in camp quite near us at the time of Violet's death. Gypsies, Yes. And it occurred to me that these parted gaily colored kerchiefs which so many of them wear over their heads might have suggested the unusual adjective which my sister used. Miss Donner, how long is it since you heard this strange music that you've told us about?
[00:10:51] Unknown:
I heard it last night. I can't say it lives to leaves today, you say? Yes, mister Holmes. Well, miss Turner, I should do everything I can to help you. If we were to come to Stoke Moran today, would it be possible to see over your rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather?
[00:11:04] Unknown:
Why, I think so. He told me this morning that he intended to take a late train home tonight. Oh, that's splendid. Watson, up at the timetable, old fellow, and look up the trains to Stoke Moran. Right. You're home. That's my stepfather. I know it is.
[00:11:17] Unknown:
Oh, yes. Yes, sir. He is on the doorstep. Oh, mister Holmes, he's followed me. What shall I do if he finds me here? My body, miss Donner. Please don't worry. There's a private exit through that room there, Watson. Sure the way will you. Come along with me, my dear young lady. And and you will come down today, miss Holmes. Certainly, my dear miss Stoner. I'll telegraph you the entire time of our arrival. Goodbye and courage, my dear. Goodbye, mister Holmes, and thank you. Come along, miss Stoner. Quickly. Come in.
[00:11:44] Unknown:
Yes, missus Hudson. It's a a gentleman, sir. I told him he wouldn't see anyone without an appointment, but he Out of the way, woman. Didn't push me like that. I'm sorry, mister Holmes. That's alright, missus Hudson. You can leave us. What kind of gentleman does he call himself pushing an old lady?
[00:12:00] Unknown:
So you are Sherlock Holmes. You have the advantage of me, sir. Your name is, My name, sir, is Royalott. Doctor Grimsby Royalott of Stoke Moran. Yes. Yes. Of course. A charming place I hear and obviously good for the lunge. You won't trifle with me if you know what's good for you.
[00:12:16] Unknown:
Watson, there you are. And how was the,
[00:12:20] Unknown:
the experiment? Very successful, Holmes. Per day to you, doctor Roylott. I haven't seen you since I gave evidence at your stepdaughter's inquest. Yes. Yes. I remember you, doctor Watson.
[00:12:31] Unknown:
Now listen to me, you two. My stepdaughter's been here. I placed Little cold to this time of the year, isn't it? You answer me. I hear that the crocuses promise well. You dare to try and put me off to you. I know you, you scoundrel.
[00:12:46] Unknown:
You're Holmes the meddler. Am I? Holmes the busybody. Believe that a man should occupy his time. Holmes the scuttons, you're in check-in office. When you go out, close the door, won't you? There's a draft. I'll go when I've had my say. Keep your nose out of my affairs, you hear? Oh, yes. My hearing is excellent. Thank you. And your addiction and delivery most forceful. But time flies, my dear doctor. Time flies, and life has its duties as well as its pleasures. Goodbye. Insolent rascal.
[00:13:12] Unknown:
Here. See this poker?
[00:13:16] Unknown:
Oh, the fire doesn't need poking. Thank you, doctor. But I I should be obliged if you'd, put some more coal on for me. You laugh at me. You don't know my strengths.
[00:13:25] Unknown:
Look. There. Your poker's bent double. And that's what I'll do to both of you if you don't keep out of my affairs.
[00:13:38] Unknown:
I had a presentiment that he'd slammed the door. He's an ugly customer. Literally as well as figuratively. Watson, I'd be much obliged if you get your revolver. It may prove to be an excellent argument with a gentleman who twists iron pokers into knots. A fellow's amazingly strong. Just look at it. I don't want to appear flamboyant, but, there we are. Great. Good. God, Holmes. You straightened the poker out again. Yes. But it's utterly useless in its former shape. And now what's in the timetable? We'll catch the next fast train to Stoke Moran. Oh, mister Holmes, doctor Watson, I'm so relieved that you've come. But don't you think my stepfather might have followed you down here? You have to take that chance, miss Stoner. A few hours delay might mean the difference between your life and death. It was imperative that we examine this bedroom of yours before doctor Royal returns. Anyway, my dear, you mustn't worry anymore. We are here in your house, and we're gonna take good care of you no matter what harm befalls you. Thank you, doctor Watson. No. This is the room in which your sister died, is it? It's much as I pictured it.
[00:14:45] Unknown:
And doctor Royal's room adjoins this one, you say, miss Della? Yes, doctor. On that side, the room which adjoins us on the other side is my regular bedroom. The one that's being so conveniently painted, Yes. Well, let's examine this room.
[00:14:58] Unknown:
No trap doors or sliding panels, I suppose.
[00:15:03] Unknown:
It sounds solid enough,
[00:15:05] Unknown:
Yes. I think it is. Hello. What's this? Are you aware that this bed is clamped to the floor, miss Stoner? Why? No. No, mister Holmes. I didn't know that. What an extraordinary thing. Was the bed in your other room anchored also?
[00:15:21] Unknown:
I know. I don't think it was. Very illuminating. And this bell pull hanging against the wall above your bed. Oh, that, it doesn't work. Doesn't work, but if you want to ring. There's another one on the other wall over there. Now why this one? Well, I I don't know. My stepfather made a number of changes after we came here. Yes. Quite a burst of activity, apparently.
[00:15:44] Unknown:
Holmes? I'm curious, my dear fellow. Uh-huh. It may interest you to know that this bell rope is fastened to a brass hook. There's no wire attachment. It's a dummy. A dummy of wire? There's a small screen above it. It's a ventilator, I suppose. Yes, mister Holmes. Yes. A ventilator leading into your stepfather's room. Curious. I noticed there's no means of opening the ventilator on this side. It can only be operated from your stepfather's room next door. I wonder if you'd mind taking us in there. Of course, mister Holmes. Follow me.
[00:16:19] Unknown:
What do you make of it, Holmes?
[00:16:21] Unknown:
As devil's work up, old chap.
[00:16:24] Unknown:
Here we are, mister Holmes.
[00:16:28] Unknown:
It's much the same as the other room, a bit bigger, perhaps. At large, safe against the wall seems to be an unusual piece of bedroom furniture. What is it, miss Dona? My stepfather's business papers. Oh, you've seen inside it then? Only once. Some years ago. I remember that it was full of documents. What's this source of milk doing on top of it? Does doctor Royler keep a cat? No. But he does have a cheetah and a baboon as pets. He brought them with him from India. Well, Holmes, a cheetah is just a big cat. True. But I doubt if a saucer of milk would go very far in satisfying the appetite of a cheetah. Well, I think I've seen enough.
This matter is too serious for hesitation. Your life may depend upon your following and my instructions, miss Homer. I'll do anything you say, mister Holmes. Anything. Is that village in I see through the trees from this window? Yes. The queen's arms. Your bedroom windows would be visible from there. Yes, mister Holmes. Beautiful then. Watson and I will go there now and obtain accommodations. When your stepfather returns, you must confine yourself to your room on the pretense of a headache. You follow me? Perfect. When doctor Royal Oak returns for the night, night, you must open your bedroom window and put your lamp on the sill as a signal to us at the end. Then withdraw quietly to your usual bedroom, the one that's being painted. I'm sure that you could manage that for one night. Of course. But what will you do? When we get your signal, doctor Watson and I will come here and spend the night in your dead sister's room. We are going to solve this mystery of the dummy bell rope and the unusual ventilator and the strange music in the night.
[00:17:59] Unknown:
You'll You'll hear the remainder of doctor Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to point out that at any really important dinner, you know, like when diplomats get together, you'll find wine on the table. Because for years, it's been a known fact that good wine makes good food taste better. Prove that to yourself tomorrow night by having your dinner together with a glass of Petri wine. If you prefer a red wine for any meat or meat dish, try a Petri California Burgundy. That rich, hearty red Petri Burgundy is really out of this world. Now if you'd rather have a subtle intriguing white wine, let's say to go with chicken or fish, then try Petri California Sauternes.
But Sauternes or Burgundy, to make sure it's good, make sure it's Petri, won't you? Well, doctor, it's a rattling good story so far. What happened next? You went to the local in, I guess, and waited for that lantern to appear in the bedroom window at doctor Roylott's house? That's right, mister Bartel. We had an early dinner at the Queen's Arms and then retired to our upstairs bedroom
[00:19:01] Unknown:
and sat there side by side puffing away at our pipes, our eyes trainings with the darkness for that telltale lantern to give us a signal that there was dangerous work ahead for us. As we sat there discussing the various aspects of the case, I remember that Holmes was very concerned about my own safety.
[00:19:22] Unknown:
You know, Watson, I I really have some scruples about taking you with me tonight. This is an infernally dangerous business. What about that poor girl, her alone in the house with that fiend, Roylott? I can handle the case by myself, old chap. I'm coming with you, Holmes.
[00:19:37] Unknown:
You speak of danger. We haven't seen more in those rooms than was visible to me. But, possibly I've deduced a little more, and I imagine you saw all that I did. No. I saw nothing remarkable except the bell rope. And what purpose that could answer, I confess there's more than I can imagine. It's all the ventilator too. Yes. But I don't think it's such an unusual thing to have an opening between two rooms
[00:19:58] Unknown:
so small that a mouse could hardly pass through it. True. But at least you will admit there was a a curious sequence of coincidences. A ventilator is constructed. A bell cord is hung from it. A lady sleeps in a bed directly below the ventilator, a bed that is anchored to the floor.
[00:20:15] Unknown:
The lady dies. We're beginning to see what you're driving in, Holmes. Look. Look. Look. Look.
[00:20:20] Unknown:
There's a lantern in this tonus window. That's our signal. Alright. Come on, Watson. Our night's vigil begins. What a foul night. A foul night's a foul business, Watson. Come on through these laurel bushes. It's only another 50 yards for the house. Is
[00:20:50] Unknown:
the mountain still burning away in the bedroom window? Yes. All the other lights are out. Including the one in doctor Roylott's room. He must have gone to sleep. To bed, possibly, Watson, but not, I think, to sleep. Great heavens, Holmes. Look at that frightful creature leaving about the moonlight.
[00:21:08] Unknown:
It looks like some hideous child. That's doctor Royl. It's pet baboon. But it looks positively human. Yes. Probably a great deal more so than its master.
[00:21:18] Unknown:
They directly blow the most
[00:21:21] Unknown:
convenient ladder. I'll go first. Careful, Holmes. Careful. Wait a minute. Yeah. I hope the thing's
[00:21:29] Unknown:
strong enough to to hold us both.
[00:21:33] Unknown:
Please look what is stupid to our backs in the mouth. Give me a hand, William Holmes. I can't quite get my leg up over this window ledge. Here you are. Thanks, oh, boy.
[00:21:44] Unknown:
Oh, sir. Phew. How to close the window sillage. This room looks exactly like the same as it is it did this afternoon.
[00:21:54] Unknown:
At least, some would be fatal to our plans. Keep the lamp covered so that if the ventilator is open from doctor Roylott's room, no light will show from in there.
[00:22:05] Unknown:
That's it. Why are you carrying that sticker?
[00:22:08] Unknown:
I'm prepared for a visitor that I expect before the night is over. A visitor who will herald his entrance with faint music from an Indian pipe. You mean the music is is a signal? Exactly, Othello. A signal to an accomplice who can enter a room but locked doors, an accomplice who kills and leave no trace. You mean that no more talking, Watson. I'll sit on the edge of the bed here. You sit on that chair. Have your revolver ready in case you you should need it. But you are. Have the lantern ready too. And I shout now, turn the light, pull on the top of the bell rope. You understand? Yes. Perfect. Good.
Now we must wait, perhaps for some time, if you don't go to sleep, and if you're in life, may depend on it. Watson? Yes. You're not smoking, are you? No, Holmes. I smoke tobacco smoke. Must be drifting through the ventilator. Exactly. Doctor Royalitz is up. Look. Look. Look. Look. It's a tiny shot of light showing up in the window. Shh. Listen. There's the music. Yes. Holding the messenger of death. Have your lantern ready, Watson.
[00:23:45] Unknown:
Now, Watson. Now. Great heavens. It's a snake, slipping down the bell rope. You
[00:23:51] Unknown:
you can't get it without stick holes out of the way. Let me get a shot at it. I'm trying to Quick scuppence.
[00:24:13] Unknown:
I think the devil has turned on its master. Come on, Watson, and to doctor Roylott's room.
[00:24:17] Unknown:
Doctor Roylott. Doctor Roylott. Doctor. Good old Holmes, look at him sprawled on the bed. Look at his eyes. Yes.
[00:24:27] Unknown:
And see what has coiled around his forehead. It's the snake. Yes. The band. The speckled band. He's dead, Holmes. Yes. He's been bitten by the deadliest snake in the world, the Indian swamp terror. Its deadly fangs produce death within ten seconds. Well, Watson, violence does in truth recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another. What should we do now, Holmes? We must remove the macabre headgear from the dead doctor and return the snake to its den. And I suggest that we tell miss Stoner that there's no more danger under this roof. After that, we can turn the matter over to the local police. Our work
[00:25:10] Unknown:
is
[00:25:13] Unknown:
done.
[00:25:17] Unknown:
Oh, mister Holmes, doctor Watsner, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you brought me back into the biggest street. Turner, it would have been inhuman to leave you in that house of horror and death.
[00:25:25] Unknown:
We have a spare bedroom, and missus Hudson is a motherly and understanding woman, and I can assure you that doctor Watson and I will be delighted to have you stay with us here until you've decided on your future plan. Yes. Of course, we will, my dear. As a matter of fact, it'd be rather refreshing to have a a touch of youth about the place. You're both so kind. Mister Holmes, I think it's wonderful how you foil my stepfather's devilish plans. Yes. Wasn't it a remarkable example of logical deduction? No. It wasn't. No. No. At first, your mention of the gypsies, miss Stoner, and the use of the word ban put me on an entirely wrong scent. However, when we examined the fatal room, I drew the obvious conclusions. We used the dummy bell rope, the ventilator, and the immovable bed. Yes, old fellow. In instance, it gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridge for something coming through the ventilator and traveling to the bed. I once thought of a snake. When I saw the saucer of milk on top of the safe, my suspicions crystallized into certainty. Oh, it was a fiendish plant. Yes. And an extremely clever one too. Exactly. My stepfather father must have trained the snake to return to him when he played the music. Yes. He put it through the ventilator and with the certainty that it would crawl down the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the occupant.
Perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sooner or later, she must fall a victim. Thank heaven I came to you, mister Holmes. Amen to that, mister Holmes. You know, Holmes, if you hadn't lashed at the snake with your stick, I bet it wouldn't have turned back on its master. True, old chap. In that way, I am no doubt indirectly responsible for doctor Grimsby be run at death. But I I can't say it's a fact that's likely to weigh too heavily on my conscience.
[00:26:59] Unknown:
Doctor, that was quite a fascinating story.
[00:27:02] Unknown:
You know something, I I'm not exactly a coward, but no kidding. My toes really curl when I get mixed up with snakes. Oh, I'm not alone in that respect, mister Bartell. I must admit that I like to have a revolver at least 20 feet between me and any snake that wants to cross my path. Well, if you want a revolver in 20 feet, I'll take a cannon in 20 miles. It's fortunate that you're a wine expert, mister Bartell, not a detective. I'm afraid you wouldn't, shall we say, find detecting to your liking? We certainly shall say it.
[00:27:31] Unknown:
Incidentally, I'm not a wine expert, doctor. All I know about wine is that it either tastes good or it doesn't. And I also know that Petri wine always tastes good. The Petri family sees to that. The name Petri on the label is the personal assurance of the Petri family that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine. And they know how to make it good because they've been making fine wine for generations, Handing down from father to son, from father to son, every secret, every skill of the winemaker's art. Yes, the Petri family took time to bring you good wine.
That's why no matter what type of wine you wish, you can't go wrong with a Petri wine.
[00:28:12] Unknown:
Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you planning to tell us next week? Well, now let me see now. Next week, mister Bartel, I'm I think I'll tell you an adventure that took place at a gambling casino in the South Of France. It's a strange story of sudden tragedy and death. I call it the adventure of the double zero. Sounds well. We'll all be listening. Yeah. Right, mister Bartel, before I go, I want to say that everyone of our friends bought war bonds to help our boys win the war. And now let's all buy victory bonds to help bring our boys back home again. Yes. And let's buy victory bonds to make sure the men who were wounded will get the finest possible care. Those same victory bonds will help make the GI Bill of Rights a success too, and they'll help provide for the families of those men who gave everything, including their lives.
The men of our armed forces finished their job. Now let's finish ours. Buy victory bonds.
[00:29:19] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Voucher and is an adaptation of the sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, the adventure of the speckled band. 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. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios.
This is the broadcasting
[00:30:05] Unknown:
system.
