In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of classic radio shows, starting with a discussion on the impact of "The Avengers" radio series in South Africa, a country that lacked national television until 1976. Despite the absence of television, the series managed to gain exposure through film rentals, capturing the imagination of audiences. We then transition to an intriguing Sherlock Holmes adventure, where Holmes and Watson find themselves embroiled in a mystery involving carrier pigeons, espionage, and a murder that leads to Watson's arrest. The episode unfolds with Holmes' brilliant deduction skills unraveling a plot of espionage during the Boer War, ultimately leading to the capture of an enemy agent within Scotland Yard itself.
Join us as we explore the captivating storytelling of classic radio, with a special focus on the "New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes." This episode features a thrilling narrative where Holmes and Watson navigate through a web of deceit, using their wit and intelligence to solve a case that involves coded messages, a mysterious boarding house, and a deadly encounter at a music hall. The episode highlights Holmes' unparalleled observational skills and his ability to turn the tables on those who seek to frame him and Watson for murder.
(00:04) The Avengers in South Africa
(00:50) Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
(02:26) Doctor Watson's Canine Adventure
(03:18) Mycroft Holmes and the Birdman Mystery
(09:00) Sherlock Holmes Investigates
(14:31) Decoding the Message
(17:00) The Arrest and Investigation
(21:34) Holmes' Deduction and the Real Culprit
(25:20) Mrs. Hudson's Visit to Mycroft
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/
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Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio
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Other shows we have for you to enjoy at myclassicradio.net. The Avengers was most certainly not a household name in South Africa prior to the radio series. With no national television service until 1976, the mechanism simply was not present in the country to show television programs to mass audiences. While many other countries reveled in the filmed adventures of John Steed and Company, South Africa was not equipped to join in the fun. The series took Britain by storm and made a major impression in the American markets, being that greatest of rarities, a British series given a network transmission slot. However, as a film series, rather than a videotaped one, the avengers was able to gain a modicum of exposure in South Africa through film rentals.
Come and listen at myclassicradio.net.
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Petrie wine brings you Basil Rothfone and Nigel Bruce and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to doctor Watson tell us another exciting story about his good friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And I'd like to tell you something that maybe you already know. The fact that America's favorite wine is port wine. Did you know that? Well if you didn't, you'll know why port is the way out front favorite if you'll just sample some Petri California port. You just look at that Petri Port and you know it's good. That wonderful deep rich red color.
And petri port is so clear. Well, just hold it to the light and you can sort of see right through the glass. But what you really want to know about a wine is how does it taste? And I'll tell you something, I've never yet been able to find the adjective that'll do petri port justice. It's wonderful, honest. You just got to taste it for yourself and find out for yourself. You love that petri port in the evening after dinner when you're sitting around listening to the radio, and it's perfect to serve your friends when they come over. Oh, and you can show that Petri label too. In fact, you can show it proudly because the name Petri is the proudest name in the history of American wines.
And now I'm sure our old friend doctor Watson's ready for us, so let's go in and join.
[00:02:32] Unknown:
Come in, come in, come in.
[00:02:34] Unknown:
Good evening, Mr. Bardo. Good evening, doctor. Oh, the puppies seem very happy tonight. Here tonight, yes. But you should have seen him this afternoon. I doubt if there were two more frightened little dogs in the whole of California. What happened, doctor? Well, I took him for a walk on the beach. As we were scrambling around a rocky point, a seal popped his head up in the water quite close to us. What the puppies did? Oh, both of them barked at it furiously. And the seal? Blew a few bubbles and then barked right back. I don't know what the world's speed record is for short leg dogs. I'm sure they broke it.
[00:03:09] Unknown:
You know, doctor, I'll have to join you on one of those afternoon strolls of yours. You always seem to be having such exciting adventures.
[00:03:15] Unknown:
Oh, and talking of that, how's about tonight's new Sherlock Holmes event? I'm all ready for you, my boy. In fact, I was looking over my notes on the case before you arrived. This is another story in which Sherlock Holmes' elder brother, Mycroft played an important part. Mycroft Holmes Holmes was seven years older than Sherlock, and some said it is superior in powers of observation and deduction. I know. That sounds like heresy, doctor. No. No. No. Young fellow man. Holmes himself was the first to admit it. In fact, if it hadn't been for his incurable laziness, Mycroft could have been his formidable rival to his younger brother. However, Mycroft did hold a position of considerable importance at the foreign office and it was there that tonight's story begins.
It was in the winter of eighteen hundred and ninety nine, and Mycroft Holmes after his gourmet lunch was reclining full length on a lever of sativa. His eyes were closed. His hands were folded across the stomach, and his breath came rhythmically. A cynic would have declared that Mycroft Holmes was taking an off to lunch and snooze. But mister Holmes' secretary, a gentleman by the name of Gardner, was a realist. He tapped on the door discreetly, then he repped on it. And still there was no response, so he opened the door and entered. After a moment, he gave what he thought was a discreet cock.
Mycroft Holmes opened his eyes and folded his hands
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and said,
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found it, Gardner. Must you come in here and bark at me so soon after lunch? I'm sorry, mister Holmes. But I thought that You thought that as I was lying down with my eyes closed that I must be bored. And so you came galloping
[00:04:57] Unknown:
in. Well, what do you want? There's no lady outside, sir. She insists on seeing you personally. I've tried to get rid of her but What's her name? Missus Hudson, sir. Missus Hudson?
[00:05:08] Unknown:
Show her in, Gardner. Show her in. Very good, sir. Undoubtedly, a message from young Sherlock. How are you, missus Hudson?
[00:05:17] Unknown:
Oh, good day, mister Holmes. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I won't take up much of your time. Sit down, won't you?
[00:05:22] Unknown:
Sit down, won't you? Don't leave us, Gardner. I may need you in a few minutes. Very good, sir. Now, missus Hudson, what's the message? Message, sir? Didn't my brother send you with some message that he was afraid to entrust for the ordinary channels? He's always so confounded and dramatic.
[00:05:38] Unknown:
Oh, bless your heart. No, sir. I I I've come to you with a little problem of my own. I didn't like to bother mister Sherlock Holmes with it. He's been so busy lately and and he's looking very tired.
[00:05:51] Unknown:
And so you came to me. How delightful.
[00:05:53] Unknown:
I thought you wouldn't mind, sir. You've always been so nice and friendly to me. Pure laziness.
[00:05:59] Unknown:
It is less effort to keep an old friend than to make a new enemy. But tell me your problem.
[00:06:04] Unknown:
Well, it it's really my sister's problem, sir. She keeps a boarding house at 14 Kensington Gardens Square in Bayswater, and she's convinced that one of her boarders, a man who has a room on the First Floor back. She's convinced that he's a birdman.
[00:06:20] Unknown:
And what in heaven's name is a birdman? Tuno Gardner?
[00:06:24] Unknown:
No, sir. I can't imagine. Oh, it's like a werewolf gentleman except that the man turns into a bird. Oh, come now, missus Hudson. Oh, I know it sounds daft, but my sister's in a dreadful state. Of course, I've been with your brother long enough, sir, to know that such things are nonsense, but how can I prove it to her? What reason does your sister give for holding a strange belief? She keeps finding pigeon feathers in the room. Now the man doesn't keep pigeons, sir. My sister knows that for a fact. Has she found any traces of scattered food on the window ledge? None, sir. No signs of any pigeons except the feathers. My sister's a wee bit fay, mister Holmes. She's the seventh daughter imagining things, sir.
She's shown me the feathers herself. Where were they, missus Hudson? Somewhere on the floor by the end of the bedstead, sir. I I brought some along with me. Yes, sir. And we found some more in the gentleman's cupboard where he keeps his clothes.
[00:07:22] Unknown:
I George, I wonder if What is it, sir? I'll tell you in a moment, Gardner.
[00:07:27] Unknown:
Missus Hudson, this matter will require a little private investigation. You may return to your sister and tell her not to worry. I shall get in touch with you as soon as my inquiries are completed.
[00:07:36] Unknown:
Good day to you. Good day, sir. And I'm very much obliged to you.
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Well, Gardner, what do you make of it? An old wives' tale, sir. You're not treating it seriously, are you? Yes. I am. One of these feathers shows evidence of having had string tightened around it. That suggests a captive bird. Now a captive bird smuggled into an obscure boarding house would point to something of the greatest importance to us, Gardner. By George, sir, you mean carrier pigeons? Exactly. And remember that we're at war and that the Boas have obtained several important and highly confidential secrets of ours lately. We know there's a leak somewhere. This requires an active investigator who can work with discretion.
Now, I could work with discretion but, I don't feel too active at the moment. Ah, I have it. I want you to write this letter to my brother. Disguise your hand, use plain cheap note paper and don't sign the letter. He won't be able to resist that combination. Are you ready, Gardner? Yes, sir. Very well then. My dear mister Sherlock Holmes, we know of your proposed investigation of the tenant in the First Floor back at, 14 Kensington Gardens Square. We warn you, as you value your life, keep away from it.
[00:09:00] Unknown:
We warn you as you value your life to keep away from the case. And that, my dear Watson, is why we are driving towards 14 Kensington Garden Square. This guy is just building inspectors of the London County Council. Well, Well, I must say it's a very challenging letter, Holmes. Unsigned, I noticed.
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Written on cheap note paper
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and in a disguised hand. No clue there, I'm afraid.
[00:09:22] Unknown:
Oh, we're we're entering the square, Holmes.
[00:09:25] Unknown:
I'll stop the cab here.
[00:09:27] Unknown:
You can drop us here, cabby. Not all to your cab. You
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seem a little incongruous in these costumes, supposed to arrive in a cab. Yes, I suppose so.
[00:09:37] Unknown:
Cabby.
[00:09:40] Unknown:
Oh, thank you, governor.
[00:09:42] Unknown:
Supposing this mysterious tenant to the First Floor back should be in his room when we get there. Then we must hope that our disguises are convincing and keep our wits about us. And this may be a trap. Yes. Just what I was gonna say. After all, you've never heard of fucking Kensington Gardens Square until you received an unsigned letter two hours ago warning you to keep away from it. Don't like the look of it. There we are. Number 14.
[00:10:07] Unknown:
I suggest that you let me do most of the talking. Good lord. Yes. My cockney accent doesn't compare with yours.
[00:10:13] Unknown:
Who do you want to say? We're from the London County Council. We are. We've had complaints about a leaky gas jet in the, first law back. Oh, that's mister Green's room. He ain't home. Oh, that don't matter, my dear. We'll go out and take a look. Come on, Bertie. Right. Right. You are, Elfie. Want me to show you the way? The missus that shot No. Thanks, Jerry. Me and Bertie can't get lost, can't we, Bertie?
[00:10:35] Unknown:
No. Of course we can't. Of course we can't. Look at him laughing.
[00:10:41] Unknown:
Come on, Bertie.
[00:10:43] Unknown:
I do not believe beside the seaside. I do not have babyside the sea. Nice house, Bertie, ain't it? Yourself. Nice as can be, this house. Oh, I do not have a bit beside us. Ain't side there. I do not have a bit beside us. Here we are. First of all, peck. Better make sure the bloke ain't home.
[00:11:09] Unknown:
Oh, I do not have a bit beside us. Ain't home, Alfie.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
No. Alright. Let's go in. Oh, so this is the mysterious Romaine. Well, it looks perfectly ordinary, doesn't it? Yes. A depressing example of the squalor reporting house life. Hello. What's this on the bedspread? Feathers must have come out of the pillow. No. He's a pigeon stud, old chap. Look here, Watson. Attached to the bed rail. No. It's only a piece of string. String. Yes. But with a small metal ring on the end. The ring such as is used to place around a homing pigeon's leg. And why should someone keep carrier pigeons in an obscure boarding house like this? Why indeed. Why indeed. The answer could be that the lieutenant of this room is engaged in some sinister activity that requires the use of carrier pigeons in sending messages. There's no evidence of the birds being kept here. That's true, Arthur. That's true. Possibly the owner of this room is given to given a pigeon by one of his superiors, brings it here, affixes his message,
[00:12:03] Unknown:
and releases the bird. Why couldn't he just take the message to where they keep the birds?
[00:12:08] Unknown:
Well, in that way, he would run the risk of being picked up with, dangerous and incriminating messages on it. What kind of skullduggery involves the use of carrier pigeons, you suppose? We're at war with the boars in South Africa, Watson. What could be more logical than that a spy in their pay should be using this method to smuggle important information out of the country? My jovial selves, I wouldn't mind very Shh.
[00:12:27] Unknown:
Somebody come here. Look out. Who are you? What the devil do you think you're doing in my room? Well, my name's Bert Limanart coming here to look at your gas parts. No. Don't lie to me. Who are you? It's right. I'll say, governor. My name's Bertram, and I come from the Landi Cal council. Very well then.
[00:12:43] Unknown:
If you won't tell me the truth, perhaps this revolver will make you change your mind. Governor. Look at that, governor. He had a pigeon under his coat. Yes. See if you can catch the bird, will you, Walter? Alright. Here. Come on, Pidgey. Pidgey. Come on. Come on, little fella. Come on. Come on, Pidgey. Here he comes. That's it. Look at the little fella snuggled up on my arm. Friendly little fella, isn't he? Yes. I cooked out, Watson, the gentleman's revolver. Yes. When I get it out Beautiful apricot, Holmes.
[00:13:28] Unknown:
I'm, I'm afraid he'll be unable to talk to us for some time. How fortunate he told us where the message was hidden before we indulged in this little section. What do you mean? He didn't say anything about a message? No. Not verbally. But I was watching his reflection in the mirror as he entered the room. His eyes first glanced at this top drawer on the dresser gear to see if we touched it. It was obviously the most important spot in the room. Let's see. Here we are. A message already rolled up and in its container. Oh, what does it say, Holmes? It's in code, which is not surprising, but I don't think it will be very difficult to decipher. Yes. And when you've done that? Then, my dear fellow, I shall compose a code message of my own and persuade this pigeon to lead us to its master.
[00:14:31] Unknown:
I can see in your puzzled expression, Watson, that you are wondering why I brought you to Dexter's Music Hall in the Edge of a Road. Well, I must confess I haven't confused Holmes. First of all, we go to Baker Street and you spend hours pouring over some obscure book. Then you write out a message, attach it to a pigeon, let it loose. Now you bring me here. I hate to question you when you're working, but I should be glad if you give me some idea of what's going on. Of course, but old chap, at times, I must seem confounded and mysterious, I'm sure. Here's the situation.
[00:14:56] Unknown:
The obscure book I've been studying was a table of ciphers. I was trying to decode the message we found in the room on the First Floor. Obviously, you succeeded or we wouldn't be here. Yes. The keyword was Louis Botha, the name of the Boer leader. The message was a report on the number of troops now in training at Aldershot. Then you were right. They mixed up the ring of enemy agents. Obviously, old chap. So I kept the original message and composed another using the same code and dispatched it by carrier pigeon. What did you say in your message? Meet me tonight, 08:00, table number three at Dexter's Music Hall. What made you choose this place as a rendezvous? Oh, I happen to know that it's a common meeting place for underworld characters.
And which is Table Number 3? That one over there in the corner. I reserved it. Then why don't we go and sit down there instead of standing at here at the back end? I thought to give our visitor the opportunity of showing his hand first. He won't be expecting Sherlock Holmes and doctor Watts night,
[00:16:08] Unknown:
Anthony. Good lord. Look at this woman coming on to sing. You ever see so many feathers? Not allowed to have a fun.
[00:16:15] Unknown:
They said before this lawn. So yesterday, he came in to feed, walking through the
[00:16:22] Unknown:
Holmes, look. Look. A man just sitting down at cable number three. What's with it? Not it's Sid Trimble.
[00:16:29] Unknown:
Sid Trimble, who's he? Dangerous criminal who once worked for the Moriarty gang. We've caught a prize pigeon, Watson. But have you ever had a handi, old chap? Undoubtedly, he'll recognize him. Go on
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then.
[00:16:53] Unknown:
I'm so glad you're able to keep your appointment, sir.
[00:16:56] Unknown:
Sherlock Holmes.
[00:16:57] Unknown:
This is a trap. I don't try to fix it. I better evolve it here, then. How'd you like this table in your face?
[00:17:04] Unknown:
What?
[00:17:05] Unknown:
Oh. Watch him. You didn't shoot him, did you? No. No. He knocked my hand. The revolver went off. I the shotgun well, I swear he did. Yes. Of course. Look at the wound. There are no powder burns. Sharp as fire from some distance.
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Holmes.
[00:17:19] Unknown:
Holmes, he's
[00:17:21] Unknown:
he's dead. Out of the way. Out of the way, please. Now then what's going on here? Constable, this man has been killed. Yes. And it's easy to see you did it. Well, I didn't do it, constable, if that's you're thinking. No? Then why are you standing here with a smoking revolver in your hand? Come on, you. You're under arrest. But you've got arrest me. I'm doctor Watson. And this is mister Sherlock Holmes. I don't care if you're the king of Siam and the Bishop of London himself. You're under arrest, And I'm taking you both to Scotland Yard.
[00:17:59] Unknown:
You'll hear the rest of doctor Watson's story in just a second. And if you don't mind, I'll take that second to say just one word to the ladies. And that word is Muscatel. Petri California Muscatel. I want you women to know about it because Petri Muscatel is one wine that practically every woman likes. Maybe because it's such a beautiful color, like, well, like pale gold. But I guess really because Petri Muscatel brings you the wonderful flavor of luscious, sun ripened Muscat grapes. And that's a flavor. Try Petri Muscatell after dinner or anytime as a change from Petri pork.
Have a bottle of each on hand. When you buy Petri wine, don't buy one by two. Remember, if it's a Petri wine, you know it's a good wine. Doctor Watson, that was really one for the books. So you got yourself arrested on a murder charge. Yes, mister Bartell. It's a humiliating
[00:18:55] Unknown:
experience. I was taken off the Scotland Yard in the Black Mora. It's like any common criminal. The wretched constable wouldn't listen to a word that I've gotta say. Well, Sherlock Holmes aren't with you, of course. Naturally, evidently. We arrived at Scotland Yard. My mortification was complete, and I found that I was led into the presence of our old friend, Inspector Lestrade. Holmes spoke to him at some length, but I could see from Lestrade's expression
[00:19:20] Unknown:
that my position was a very serious one.
[00:19:25] Unknown:
Now I can see, what it is, mister Holmes. You see, I know you both. Well, I I must say there are lots of a mirror at the yarders don't like what they called your I handed method. But, mister, our personal likes or dislikes have nothing to do with this. No. No. Of course they haven't. This is purely a matter of evidence. Well, I know that, doctor Watson. And the constable's evidence was as clear as the nose on your face. The dead man was shot through the head and you were standing in front of the body with a drawn revolver. My dear estrad. My dear estrad. There were no powder burns on the wound. Yeah. That's what you tells me, mister Holmes. But I'll have to wait for the official report on that. The police surgeon's examining the body now.
You understand, gentlemen, I'm not saying I'm sorry that, Sid Trimble is dead. He's been a thorn in our side for a good many years. In fact, here's the, police surgeon now. Doctor Hendricks, this is mister Sherlock Holmes and, doctor Watson. How do you do? How do you do, gentlemen?
[00:20:22] Unknown:
I am a great admirer of you both, and I'm sorry to see you in such a very unfortunate plight. Thank you. Thank you, doctor Hendricks. What were your findings, doctor Hendricks? Well, I just extracted the bullet, Lestrade,
[00:20:34] Unknown:
and I'm very much afraid it's the same make and caliber as the one missing from doctor Watson's revolver. Yes. But doesn't prove that I fired the fatal shot. 45 coats are very common weapon, doctor. It proves nothing. Doctor Hendricks, as I was just saying to inspector Lestrade before you came in, the only fact that would show my friend guilty would be powder burns on the wound, thereby giving
[00:20:53] Unknown:
proving that the bullet had been fired from close range. I entirely agree with you, mister Holmes. Then, as there were no powder burns, sir. But there are powder burns, mister Holmes. What? Very distinct ones too. Lord, I, well, I I just I don't understand, Holmes. I'm sorry, gentlemen, to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I have my duties to perform.
[00:21:12] Unknown:
Yes, sir. I'm sorry too, doctor Watson. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to let you leave here. Of course, miss. You must consider yourself under arrest.
[00:21:35] Unknown:
How much I never felt more despondent in my life? How much you're up, old chap? Well, how can I? Locked up in a prison cell. Looks like I might end up at the gallows. Don't worry, Watson. You'll be out of here before the night is over. I promise you that. I wish I felt as confident as you do. How do you propose to do it? All All with the aid of a little hard thinking. Thinking? That won't unlock any cell doors thinking. It will, old fellow.
[00:21:56] Unknown:
It's obvious someone's deliberately trying to incriminate us. Let's try and reconstruct killing logically. Said Trimble was a member of an espionage ring. I sent him a false message. After he'd, left to keep the appointment, one of his colleagues trailed him to the music hall and killed him before he could betray anything to us. Yes. Yes. That's undoubtedly the The powder burns, Holmes. How do you count for them? There were none just after the shop was fired. We know that. And yet doctor Hendricks assures us that there are very distinct powder burns now. May we come in, gentlemen? Yes. Yes. Of course you can, doctor Hendricks.
[00:22:32] Unknown:
Hello, Lestrade.
[00:22:33] Unknown:
I thought we'd come and, chat with you, doctor. Well, that's that's very nice of you, gentlemen. Yeah. Not a bit of it, doctor. You know, it it hurts me to see you in here, and that's a fact. And I can't bear to see a fellow medical in such flight,
[00:22:49] Unknown:
out coming in to see what I can do to help Watson.
[00:22:52] Unknown:
You're very quiet, miss Jones. Am I on Stroud? I was thinking, you see what's no chap? I have it. You have what? The answer. You'll sleep in Baker Street tonight after all. Mister Holmes, what are you talking about? The murder of Sid Trumbull. Incriminating powder burns were obviously faked. Watson and I know that whether you and doctor Hendricks believe it or not. The question is how were they faked? I think I have the answer. Doctor Hendricks. Yes, mister Holmes? If a blank cartridge were fired at the wound after death, it would produce parabens, wouldn't it? Undoubtedly. Yeah. But, who could have done that, mister? That's the point, Lestrade. Who had the opportunity?
[00:23:31] Unknown:
The constable who brought the body here. To old chap. Also, you, doctor Hendricks. That's perfectly true. Yeah. Well, I had the opportunity too, mister Holmes. I spent half an hour in the morgue alone with the body when it first come in. Well, you've narrowed it down to three suspects, Holmes.
[00:23:45] Unknown:
I hope I don't hang before you find the real killer. I found it, Watson. Why is he, mister Holmes? The answer is simple, Lestrade. The powder burns were certainly faked by a blank cartridge. Now if a blank cartridge were fired into a wound, the, wadding would have penetrated and distorted the wound. Yes. But supposing the person had removed the wadding from the black, mister Holmes. It's a fact that still be quite apparent to the police surgeon who removed the bullet. Am I correct, doctor Hendricks? Entirely.
[00:24:10] Unknown:
A surgeon cannot fail to identify the marks, mister Holmes. Exactly.
[00:24:14] Unknown:
Therefore, only one person could have fired that blank cartridge without detection. The same person who made the incision necessary to remove the cartridge would also remove all traces of the shot.
[00:24:24] Unknown:
You yourself, doctor Hendricks. Thank you, Holmes. I believe you're right.
[00:24:28] Unknown:
That's an ingenious theory, Holmes. Surely you're joking. Am I? And how do you account for the pigeon fellows that is on the collar of your coat?
[00:24:37] Unknown:
The devil with you, Holmes. Here. Here. Come back here. Jockey. Constable, come back up. Right? I'm off it. Right.
[00:24:46] Unknown:
Scott. Scotland Yard itself harboring an enemy agent. Upon my soul, Holmes, you've done it again. And I must say you've got sharp eyes.
[00:24:55] Unknown:
I didn't see those pigeon feathers on on Hendricks' collar. Confidentially, my dear fellow, neither did I. But Hendricks' guilty conscience knew they might be there. It was a shot in the dark and I had to take it. If you would spent the night in in a prison cell, I should never have heard the end of it. I'm sure. Never.
[00:25:21] Unknown:
I want to see mister Mycroft Holmes, please. Before me, missus Hudson. He's expecting you. Hi, sir.
[00:25:29] Unknown:
Oh, there you are, missus Hudson. Come and sit down. Oh, thank you, sir. I got your message and came over right away. In the first place, missus Hudson, you may tell your sister that she needn't worry anymore. I'm sure she'll find no more pigeon feathers in her room on the First Floor back.
[00:25:45] Unknown:
No, sir. Thank you. But she knows the fact, because the birdman left her yesterday for good. Some strange men came and took him away. And today, she's let the room to a nice young commercial traveler. I'm really sorry to have bothered you with her trouble, sir. I'm very glad you did, missus
[00:26:03] Unknown:
Hudson. Thanks to your information, an enemy espionage ring has been broken and the British government is deeply grateful to you.
[00:26:11] Unknown:
You're always one for a joke, aren't you, mister Holmes? Well, I'm glad you're not angry with me. I'll be going now, sir. Just one more favor, alas, before I go through. Anything, missus Hudson. What is it? Please don't tell your brother about this, sir. He'd be so angry with me for wasting your time.
[00:26:43] Unknown:
Well, doctor, that was really a swell story tonight. Although, it was a bit unexpected for you to have been arrested. Yes, indeed. Mister Bartel,
[00:26:51] Unknown:
when you're a detective like, like Holmes or a doctor like myself, well, you've got to be prepared unexpected every once in a while.
[00:27:02] Unknown:
I suppose so. Of course, you wouldn't know about things like that being a a wine expert yourself. Oh, now wait a minute, doctor. In a way you talk, you think I spent every waking moment in a nice cool wine cellar, tasting wine from morning till night. Well, don't you? Oh, not doctor. I'm no more a wine expert than you are. All I know about wine is that it either tastes good or it doesn't. And I know that Petri wine does taste good. And that's because the Petri family took time to make good wine. Generations of time. Well, the Petri family has been making wine ever since they started the Petri business way back in the eighteen hundreds.
And since the business has always been family owned and operated, they've been able to hand on down from father to son, from father to son, all they've ever learned about the fine art of turning luscious, sun ripened grapes into fragrant delicious wine. And they've learned plenty. So no matter what type wine you want, for any occasion, you can't go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine.
[00:28:09] Unknown:
Well Doctor. Watson, what do you have lined up for us next week? Well, now next week, mister Bartell, I'm going to tell you a weird adventure that Sherlock Holmes and I had in the East End Of London. It concerns the most unusual stage play, a very frightened actor and a blood stained razor. I call it the strange case of the demon barber.
[00:28:43] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher, and was suggested by an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Greek Interpreter. Music is by Dean Fosler. 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 Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invite you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio.
This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. For a solid hour of exciting mystery dramas, listen every Monday on most of these same stations at 08:00 to Michael Shane, followed immediately by Sherlock Holmes. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
[00:29:42] Unknown:
Looking for a way to make quick cash? Making cash with DoorDash is super easy, guys. I love driving around my town, and now I can do that and get paid. Not to mention the sign up process was so easy. Download the DoorDash driver app today to get started.
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:
Petrie wine brings you Basil Rothfone and Nigel Bruce and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to doctor Watson tell us another exciting story about his good friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And I'd like to tell you something that maybe you already know. The fact that America's favorite wine is port wine. Did you know that? Well if you didn't, you'll know why port is the way out front favorite if you'll just sample some Petri California port. You just look at that Petri Port and you know it's good. That wonderful deep rich red color.
And petri port is so clear. Well, just hold it to the light and you can sort of see right through the glass. But what you really want to know about a wine is how does it taste? And I'll tell you something, I've never yet been able to find the adjective that'll do petri port justice. It's wonderful, honest. You just got to taste it for yourself and find out for yourself. You love that petri port in the evening after dinner when you're sitting around listening to the radio, and it's perfect to serve your friends when they come over. Oh, and you can show that Petri label too. In fact, you can show it proudly because the name Petri is the proudest name in the history of American wines.
And now I'm sure our old friend doctor Watson's ready for us, so let's go in and join.
[00:02:32] Unknown:
Come in, come in, come in.
[00:02:34] Unknown:
Good evening, Mr. Bardo. Good evening, doctor. Oh, the puppies seem very happy tonight. Here tonight, yes. But you should have seen him this afternoon. I doubt if there were two more frightened little dogs in the whole of California. What happened, doctor? Well, I took him for a walk on the beach. As we were scrambling around a rocky point, a seal popped his head up in the water quite close to us. What the puppies did? Oh, both of them barked at it furiously. And the seal? Blew a few bubbles and then barked right back. I don't know what the world's speed record is for short leg dogs. I'm sure they broke it.
[00:03:09] Unknown:
You know, doctor, I'll have to join you on one of those afternoon strolls of yours. You always seem to be having such exciting adventures.
[00:03:15] Unknown:
Oh, and talking of that, how's about tonight's new Sherlock Holmes event? I'm all ready for you, my boy. In fact, I was looking over my notes on the case before you arrived. This is another story in which Sherlock Holmes' elder brother, Mycroft played an important part. Mycroft Holmes Holmes was seven years older than Sherlock, and some said it is superior in powers of observation and deduction. I know. That sounds like heresy, doctor. No. No. No. Young fellow man. Holmes himself was the first to admit it. In fact, if it hadn't been for his incurable laziness, Mycroft could have been his formidable rival to his younger brother. However, Mycroft did hold a position of considerable importance at the foreign office and it was there that tonight's story begins.
It was in the winter of eighteen hundred and ninety nine, and Mycroft Holmes after his gourmet lunch was reclining full length on a lever of sativa. His eyes were closed. His hands were folded across the stomach, and his breath came rhythmically. A cynic would have declared that Mycroft Holmes was taking an off to lunch and snooze. But mister Holmes' secretary, a gentleman by the name of Gardner, was a realist. He tapped on the door discreetly, then he repped on it. And still there was no response, so he opened the door and entered. After a moment, he gave what he thought was a discreet cock.
Mycroft Holmes opened his eyes and folded his hands
[00:04:41] Unknown:
and said,
[00:04:43] Unknown:
found it, Gardner. Must you come in here and bark at me so soon after lunch? I'm sorry, mister Holmes. But I thought that You thought that as I was lying down with my eyes closed that I must be bored. And so you came galloping
[00:04:57] Unknown:
in. Well, what do you want? There's no lady outside, sir. She insists on seeing you personally. I've tried to get rid of her but What's her name? Missus Hudson, sir. Missus Hudson?
[00:05:08] Unknown:
Show her in, Gardner. Show her in. Very good, sir. Undoubtedly, a message from young Sherlock. How are you, missus Hudson?
[00:05:17] Unknown:
Oh, good day, mister Holmes. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I won't take up much of your time. Sit down, won't you?
[00:05:22] Unknown:
Sit down, won't you? Don't leave us, Gardner. I may need you in a few minutes. Very good, sir. Now, missus Hudson, what's the message? Message, sir? Didn't my brother send you with some message that he was afraid to entrust for the ordinary channels? He's always so confounded and dramatic.
[00:05:38] Unknown:
Oh, bless your heart. No, sir. I I I've come to you with a little problem of my own. I didn't like to bother mister Sherlock Holmes with it. He's been so busy lately and and he's looking very tired.
[00:05:51] Unknown:
And so you came to me. How delightful.
[00:05:53] Unknown:
I thought you wouldn't mind, sir. You've always been so nice and friendly to me. Pure laziness.
[00:05:59] Unknown:
It is less effort to keep an old friend than to make a new enemy. But tell me your problem.
[00:06:04] Unknown:
Well, it it's really my sister's problem, sir. She keeps a boarding house at 14 Kensington Gardens Square in Bayswater, and she's convinced that one of her boarders, a man who has a room on the First Floor back. She's convinced that he's a birdman.
[00:06:20] Unknown:
And what in heaven's name is a birdman? Tuno Gardner?
[00:06:24] Unknown:
No, sir. I can't imagine. Oh, it's like a werewolf gentleman except that the man turns into a bird. Oh, come now, missus Hudson. Oh, I know it sounds daft, but my sister's in a dreadful state. Of course, I've been with your brother long enough, sir, to know that such things are nonsense, but how can I prove it to her? What reason does your sister give for holding a strange belief? She keeps finding pigeon feathers in the room. Now the man doesn't keep pigeons, sir. My sister knows that for a fact. Has she found any traces of scattered food on the window ledge? None, sir. No signs of any pigeons except the feathers. My sister's a wee bit fay, mister Holmes. She's the seventh daughter imagining things, sir.
She's shown me the feathers herself. Where were they, missus Hudson? Somewhere on the floor by the end of the bedstead, sir. I I brought some along with me. Yes, sir. And we found some more in the gentleman's cupboard where he keeps his clothes.
[00:07:22] Unknown:
I George, I wonder if What is it, sir? I'll tell you in a moment, Gardner.
[00:07:27] Unknown:
Missus Hudson, this matter will require a little private investigation. You may return to your sister and tell her not to worry. I shall get in touch with you as soon as my inquiries are completed.
[00:07:36] Unknown:
Good day to you. Good day, sir. And I'm very much obliged to you.
[00:07:41] Unknown:
Well, Gardner, what do you make of it? An old wives' tale, sir. You're not treating it seriously, are you? Yes. I am. One of these feathers shows evidence of having had string tightened around it. That suggests a captive bird. Now a captive bird smuggled into an obscure boarding house would point to something of the greatest importance to us, Gardner. By George, sir, you mean carrier pigeons? Exactly. And remember that we're at war and that the Boas have obtained several important and highly confidential secrets of ours lately. We know there's a leak somewhere. This requires an active investigator who can work with discretion.
Now, I could work with discretion but, I don't feel too active at the moment. Ah, I have it. I want you to write this letter to my brother. Disguise your hand, use plain cheap note paper and don't sign the letter. He won't be able to resist that combination. Are you ready, Gardner? Yes, sir. Very well then. My dear mister Sherlock Holmes, we know of your proposed investigation of the tenant in the First Floor back at, 14 Kensington Gardens Square. We warn you, as you value your life, keep away from it.
[00:09:00] Unknown:
We warn you as you value your life to keep away from the case. And that, my dear Watson, is why we are driving towards 14 Kensington Garden Square. This guy is just building inspectors of the London County Council. Well, Well, I must say it's a very challenging letter, Holmes. Unsigned, I noticed.
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Written on cheap note paper
[00:09:19] Unknown:
and in a disguised hand. No clue there, I'm afraid.
[00:09:22] Unknown:
Oh, we're we're entering the square, Holmes.
[00:09:25] Unknown:
I'll stop the cab here.
[00:09:27] Unknown:
You can drop us here, cabby. Not all to your cab. You
[00:09:30] Unknown:
seem a little incongruous in these costumes, supposed to arrive in a cab. Yes, I suppose so.
[00:09:37] Unknown:
Cabby.
[00:09:40] Unknown:
Oh, thank you, governor.
[00:09:42] Unknown:
Supposing this mysterious tenant to the First Floor back should be in his room when we get there. Then we must hope that our disguises are convincing and keep our wits about us. And this may be a trap. Yes. Just what I was gonna say. After all, you've never heard of fucking Kensington Gardens Square until you received an unsigned letter two hours ago warning you to keep away from it. Don't like the look of it. There we are. Number 14.
[00:10:07] Unknown:
I suggest that you let me do most of the talking. Good lord. Yes. My cockney accent doesn't compare with yours.
[00:10:13] Unknown:
Who do you want to say? We're from the London County Council. We are. We've had complaints about a leaky gas jet in the, first law back. Oh, that's mister Green's room. He ain't home. Oh, that don't matter, my dear. We'll go out and take a look. Come on, Bertie. Right. Right. You are, Elfie. Want me to show you the way? The missus that shot No. Thanks, Jerry. Me and Bertie can't get lost, can't we, Bertie?
[00:10:35] Unknown:
No. Of course we can't. Of course we can't. Look at him laughing.
[00:10:41] Unknown:
Come on, Bertie.
[00:10:43] Unknown:
I do not believe beside the seaside. I do not have babyside the sea. Nice house, Bertie, ain't it? Yourself. Nice as can be, this house. Oh, I do not have a bit beside us. Ain't side there. I do not have a bit beside us. Here we are. First of all, peck. Better make sure the bloke ain't home.
[00:11:09] Unknown:
Oh, I do not have a bit beside us. Ain't home, Alfie.
[00:11:12] Unknown:
No. Alright. Let's go in. Oh, so this is the mysterious Romaine. Well, it looks perfectly ordinary, doesn't it? Yes. A depressing example of the squalor reporting house life. Hello. What's this on the bedspread? Feathers must have come out of the pillow. No. He's a pigeon stud, old chap. Look here, Watson. Attached to the bed rail. No. It's only a piece of string. String. Yes. But with a small metal ring on the end. The ring such as is used to place around a homing pigeon's leg. And why should someone keep carrier pigeons in an obscure boarding house like this? Why indeed. Why indeed. The answer could be that the lieutenant of this room is engaged in some sinister activity that requires the use of carrier pigeons in sending messages. There's no evidence of the birds being kept here. That's true, Arthur. That's true. Possibly the owner of this room is given to given a pigeon by one of his superiors, brings it here, affixes his message,
[00:12:03] Unknown:
and releases the bird. Why couldn't he just take the message to where they keep the birds?
[00:12:08] Unknown:
Well, in that way, he would run the risk of being picked up with, dangerous and incriminating messages on it. What kind of skullduggery involves the use of carrier pigeons, you suppose? We're at war with the boars in South Africa, Watson. What could be more logical than that a spy in their pay should be using this method to smuggle important information out of the country? My jovial selves, I wouldn't mind very Shh.
[00:12:27] Unknown:
Somebody come here. Look out. Who are you? What the devil do you think you're doing in my room? Well, my name's Bert Limanart coming here to look at your gas parts. No. Don't lie to me. Who are you? It's right. I'll say, governor. My name's Bertram, and I come from the Landi Cal council. Very well then.
[00:12:43] Unknown:
If you won't tell me the truth, perhaps this revolver will make you change your mind. Governor. Look at that, governor. He had a pigeon under his coat. Yes. See if you can catch the bird, will you, Walter? Alright. Here. Come on, Pidgey. Pidgey. Come on. Come on, little fella. Come on. Come on, Pidgey. Here he comes. That's it. Look at the little fella snuggled up on my arm. Friendly little fella, isn't he? Yes. I cooked out, Watson, the gentleman's revolver. Yes. When I get it out Beautiful apricot, Holmes.
[00:13:28] Unknown:
I'm, I'm afraid he'll be unable to talk to us for some time. How fortunate he told us where the message was hidden before we indulged in this little section. What do you mean? He didn't say anything about a message? No. Not verbally. But I was watching his reflection in the mirror as he entered the room. His eyes first glanced at this top drawer on the dresser gear to see if we touched it. It was obviously the most important spot in the room. Let's see. Here we are. A message already rolled up and in its container. Oh, what does it say, Holmes? It's in code, which is not surprising, but I don't think it will be very difficult to decipher. Yes. And when you've done that? Then, my dear fellow, I shall compose a code message of my own and persuade this pigeon to lead us to its master.
[00:14:31] Unknown:
I can see in your puzzled expression, Watson, that you are wondering why I brought you to Dexter's Music Hall in the Edge of a Road. Well, I must confess I haven't confused Holmes. First of all, we go to Baker Street and you spend hours pouring over some obscure book. Then you write out a message, attach it to a pigeon, let it loose. Now you bring me here. I hate to question you when you're working, but I should be glad if you give me some idea of what's going on. Of course, but old chap, at times, I must seem confounded and mysterious, I'm sure. Here's the situation.
[00:14:56] Unknown:
The obscure book I've been studying was a table of ciphers. I was trying to decode the message we found in the room on the First Floor. Obviously, you succeeded or we wouldn't be here. Yes. The keyword was Louis Botha, the name of the Boer leader. The message was a report on the number of troops now in training at Aldershot. Then you were right. They mixed up the ring of enemy agents. Obviously, old chap. So I kept the original message and composed another using the same code and dispatched it by carrier pigeon. What did you say in your message? Meet me tonight, 08:00, table number three at Dexter's Music Hall. What made you choose this place as a rendezvous? Oh, I happen to know that it's a common meeting place for underworld characters.
And which is Table Number 3? That one over there in the corner. I reserved it. Then why don't we go and sit down there instead of standing at here at the back end? I thought to give our visitor the opportunity of showing his hand first. He won't be expecting Sherlock Holmes and doctor Watts night,
[00:16:08] Unknown:
Anthony. Good lord. Look at this woman coming on to sing. You ever see so many feathers? Not allowed to have a fun.
[00:16:15] Unknown:
They said before this lawn. So yesterday, he came in to feed, walking through the
[00:16:22] Unknown:
Holmes, look. Look. A man just sitting down at cable number three. What's with it? Not it's Sid Trimble.
[00:16:29] Unknown:
Sid Trimble, who's he? Dangerous criminal who once worked for the Moriarty gang. We've caught a prize pigeon, Watson. But have you ever had a handi, old chap? Undoubtedly, he'll recognize him. Go on
[00:16:39] Unknown:
then.
[00:16:53] Unknown:
I'm so glad you're able to keep your appointment, sir.
[00:16:56] Unknown:
Sherlock Holmes.
[00:16:57] Unknown:
This is a trap. I don't try to fix it. I better evolve it here, then. How'd you like this table in your face?
[00:17:04] Unknown:
What?
[00:17:05] Unknown:
Oh. Watch him. You didn't shoot him, did you? No. No. He knocked my hand. The revolver went off. I the shotgun well, I swear he did. Yes. Of course. Look at the wound. There are no powder burns. Sharp as fire from some distance.
[00:17:18] Unknown:
Holmes.
[00:17:19] Unknown:
Holmes, he's
[00:17:21] Unknown:
he's dead. Out of the way. Out of the way, please. Now then what's going on here? Constable, this man has been killed. Yes. And it's easy to see you did it. Well, I didn't do it, constable, if that's you're thinking. No? Then why are you standing here with a smoking revolver in your hand? Come on, you. You're under arrest. But you've got arrest me. I'm doctor Watson. And this is mister Sherlock Holmes. I don't care if you're the king of Siam and the Bishop of London himself. You're under arrest, And I'm taking you both to Scotland Yard.
[00:17:59] Unknown:
You'll hear the rest of doctor Watson's story in just a second. And if you don't mind, I'll take that second to say just one word to the ladies. And that word is Muscatel. Petri California Muscatel. I want you women to know about it because Petri Muscatel is one wine that practically every woman likes. Maybe because it's such a beautiful color, like, well, like pale gold. But I guess really because Petri Muscatel brings you the wonderful flavor of luscious, sun ripened Muscat grapes. And that's a flavor. Try Petri Muscatell after dinner or anytime as a change from Petri pork.
Have a bottle of each on hand. When you buy Petri wine, don't buy one by two. Remember, if it's a Petri wine, you know it's a good wine. Doctor Watson, that was really one for the books. So you got yourself arrested on a murder charge. Yes, mister Bartell. It's a humiliating
[00:18:55] Unknown:
experience. I was taken off the Scotland Yard in the Black Mora. It's like any common criminal. The wretched constable wouldn't listen to a word that I've gotta say. Well, Sherlock Holmes aren't with you, of course. Naturally, evidently. We arrived at Scotland Yard. My mortification was complete, and I found that I was led into the presence of our old friend, Inspector Lestrade. Holmes spoke to him at some length, but I could see from Lestrade's expression
[00:19:20] Unknown:
that my position was a very serious one.
[00:19:25] Unknown:
Now I can see, what it is, mister Holmes. You see, I know you both. Well, I I must say there are lots of a mirror at the yarders don't like what they called your I handed method. But, mister, our personal likes or dislikes have nothing to do with this. No. No. Of course they haven't. This is purely a matter of evidence. Well, I know that, doctor Watson. And the constable's evidence was as clear as the nose on your face. The dead man was shot through the head and you were standing in front of the body with a drawn revolver. My dear estrad. My dear estrad. There were no powder burns on the wound. Yeah. That's what you tells me, mister Holmes. But I'll have to wait for the official report on that. The police surgeon's examining the body now.
You understand, gentlemen, I'm not saying I'm sorry that, Sid Trimble is dead. He's been a thorn in our side for a good many years. In fact, here's the, police surgeon now. Doctor Hendricks, this is mister Sherlock Holmes and, doctor Watson. How do you do? How do you do, gentlemen?
[00:20:22] Unknown:
I am a great admirer of you both, and I'm sorry to see you in such a very unfortunate plight. Thank you. Thank you, doctor Hendricks. What were your findings, doctor Hendricks? Well, I just extracted the bullet, Lestrade,
[00:20:34] Unknown:
and I'm very much afraid it's the same make and caliber as the one missing from doctor Watson's revolver. Yes. But doesn't prove that I fired the fatal shot. 45 coats are very common weapon, doctor. It proves nothing. Doctor Hendricks, as I was just saying to inspector Lestrade before you came in, the only fact that would show my friend guilty would be powder burns on the wound, thereby giving
[00:20:53] Unknown:
proving that the bullet had been fired from close range. I entirely agree with you, mister Holmes. Then, as there were no powder burns, sir. But there are powder burns, mister Holmes. What? Very distinct ones too. Lord, I, well, I I just I don't understand, Holmes. I'm sorry, gentlemen, to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I have my duties to perform.
[00:21:12] Unknown:
Yes, sir. I'm sorry too, doctor Watson. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to let you leave here. Of course, miss. You must consider yourself under arrest.
[00:21:35] Unknown:
How much I never felt more despondent in my life? How much you're up, old chap? Well, how can I? Locked up in a prison cell. Looks like I might end up at the gallows. Don't worry, Watson. You'll be out of here before the night is over. I promise you that. I wish I felt as confident as you do. How do you propose to do it? All All with the aid of a little hard thinking. Thinking? That won't unlock any cell doors thinking. It will, old fellow.
[00:21:56] Unknown:
It's obvious someone's deliberately trying to incriminate us. Let's try and reconstruct killing logically. Said Trimble was a member of an espionage ring. I sent him a false message. After he'd, left to keep the appointment, one of his colleagues trailed him to the music hall and killed him before he could betray anything to us. Yes. Yes. That's undoubtedly the The powder burns, Holmes. How do you count for them? There were none just after the shop was fired. We know that. And yet doctor Hendricks assures us that there are very distinct powder burns now. May we come in, gentlemen? Yes. Yes. Of course you can, doctor Hendricks.
[00:22:32] Unknown:
Hello, Lestrade.
[00:22:33] Unknown:
I thought we'd come and, chat with you, doctor. Well, that's that's very nice of you, gentlemen. Yeah. Not a bit of it, doctor. You know, it it hurts me to see you in here, and that's a fact. And I can't bear to see a fellow medical in such flight,
[00:22:49] Unknown:
out coming in to see what I can do to help Watson.
[00:22:52] Unknown:
You're very quiet, miss Jones. Am I on Stroud? I was thinking, you see what's no chap? I have it. You have what? The answer. You'll sleep in Baker Street tonight after all. Mister Holmes, what are you talking about? The murder of Sid Trumbull. Incriminating powder burns were obviously faked. Watson and I know that whether you and doctor Hendricks believe it or not. The question is how were they faked? I think I have the answer. Doctor Hendricks. Yes, mister Holmes? If a blank cartridge were fired at the wound after death, it would produce parabens, wouldn't it? Undoubtedly. Yeah. But, who could have done that, mister? That's the point, Lestrade. Who had the opportunity?
[00:23:31] Unknown:
The constable who brought the body here. To old chap. Also, you, doctor Hendricks. That's perfectly true. Yeah. Well, I had the opportunity too, mister Holmes. I spent half an hour in the morgue alone with the body when it first come in. Well, you've narrowed it down to three suspects, Holmes.
[00:23:45] Unknown:
I hope I don't hang before you find the real killer. I found it, Watson. Why is he, mister Holmes? The answer is simple, Lestrade. The powder burns were certainly faked by a blank cartridge. Now if a blank cartridge were fired into a wound, the, wadding would have penetrated and distorted the wound. Yes. But supposing the person had removed the wadding from the black, mister Holmes. It's a fact that still be quite apparent to the police surgeon who removed the bullet. Am I correct, doctor Hendricks? Entirely.
[00:24:10] Unknown:
A surgeon cannot fail to identify the marks, mister Holmes. Exactly.
[00:24:14] Unknown:
Therefore, only one person could have fired that blank cartridge without detection. The same person who made the incision necessary to remove the cartridge would also remove all traces of the shot.
[00:24:24] Unknown:
You yourself, doctor Hendricks. Thank you, Holmes. I believe you're right.
[00:24:28] Unknown:
That's an ingenious theory, Holmes. Surely you're joking. Am I? And how do you account for the pigeon fellows that is on the collar of your coat?
[00:24:37] Unknown:
The devil with you, Holmes. Here. Here. Come back here. Jockey. Constable, come back up. Right? I'm off it. Right.
[00:24:46] Unknown:
Scott. Scotland Yard itself harboring an enemy agent. Upon my soul, Holmes, you've done it again. And I must say you've got sharp eyes.
[00:24:55] Unknown:
I didn't see those pigeon feathers on on Hendricks' collar. Confidentially, my dear fellow, neither did I. But Hendricks' guilty conscience knew they might be there. It was a shot in the dark and I had to take it. If you would spent the night in in a prison cell, I should never have heard the end of it. I'm sure. Never.
[00:25:21] Unknown:
I want to see mister Mycroft Holmes, please. Before me, missus Hudson. He's expecting you. Hi, sir.
[00:25:29] Unknown:
Oh, there you are, missus Hudson. Come and sit down. Oh, thank you, sir. I got your message and came over right away. In the first place, missus Hudson, you may tell your sister that she needn't worry anymore. I'm sure she'll find no more pigeon feathers in her room on the First Floor back.
[00:25:45] Unknown:
No, sir. Thank you. But she knows the fact, because the birdman left her yesterday for good. Some strange men came and took him away. And today, she's let the room to a nice young commercial traveler. I'm really sorry to have bothered you with her trouble, sir. I'm very glad you did, missus
[00:26:03] Unknown:
Hudson. Thanks to your information, an enemy espionage ring has been broken and the British government is deeply grateful to you.
[00:26:11] Unknown:
You're always one for a joke, aren't you, mister Holmes? Well, I'm glad you're not angry with me. I'll be going now, sir. Just one more favor, alas, before I go through. Anything, missus Hudson. What is it? Please don't tell your brother about this, sir. He'd be so angry with me for wasting your time.
[00:26:43] Unknown:
Well, doctor, that was really a swell story tonight. Although, it was a bit unexpected for you to have been arrested. Yes, indeed. Mister Bartel,
[00:26:51] Unknown:
when you're a detective like, like Holmes or a doctor like myself, well, you've got to be prepared unexpected every once in a while.
[00:27:02] Unknown:
I suppose so. Of course, you wouldn't know about things like that being a a wine expert yourself. Oh, now wait a minute, doctor. In a way you talk, you think I spent every waking moment in a nice cool wine cellar, tasting wine from morning till night. Well, don't you? Oh, not doctor. I'm no more a wine expert than you are. All I know about wine is that it either tastes good or it doesn't. And I know that Petri wine does taste good. And that's because the Petri family took time to make good wine. Generations of time. Well, the Petri family has been making wine ever since they started the Petri business way back in the eighteen hundreds.
And since the business has always been family owned and operated, they've been able to hand on down from father to son, from father to son, all they've ever learned about the fine art of turning luscious, sun ripened grapes into fragrant delicious wine. And they've learned plenty. So no matter what type wine you want, for any occasion, you can't go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine.
[00:28:09] Unknown:
Well Doctor. Watson, what do you have lined up for us next week? Well, now next week, mister Bartell, I'm going to tell you a weird adventure that Sherlock Holmes and I had in the East End Of London. It concerns the most unusual stage play, a very frightened actor and a blood stained razor. I call it the strange case of the demon barber.
[00:28:43] Unknown:
Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher, and was suggested by an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Greek Interpreter. Music is by Dean Fosler. 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 Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invite you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio.
This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. For a solid hour of exciting mystery dramas, listen every Monday on most of these same stations at 08:00 to Michael Shane, followed immediately by Sherlock Holmes. This is the mutual broadcasting system.
[00:29:42] Unknown:
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The Avengers in South Africa
Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
Doctor Watson's Canine Adventure
Mycroft Holmes and the Birdman Mystery
Sherlock Holmes Investigates
Decoding the Message
The Arrest and Investigation
Holmes' Deduction and the Real Culprit
Mrs. Hudson's Visit to Mycroft
