Sherlock Holmes: Accidental Murderess (Rathbone & Bruce) 11/26/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes – "Accidental Murderess" (Rathbone & Bruce)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode: Sherlock Holmes: Accidental Murderess (11/26/1945)
Date: January 9, 2026

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Main Theme/Purpose

This episode centers on "The Accidental Murderess," a Sherlock Holmes mystery set in the English countryside. Dr. Watson recounts a seemingly innocent holiday that escalates into a web of suspicion, accidental shootings, potential marital murder, and dramatic revelations. The story showcases Holmes’ ingenuity as he and Watson unravel a complex case involving secrets, jealousy, and a long trail of suspicious deaths, with the tone mixing suspense, wit, and Golden Age radio drama banter.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Idyllic Beginnings and a Sudden Crime Attempt

• Holmes and Watson vacation in Stratford-on-Avon after a strenuous case (02:30). Holmes muses on retiring (03:46), and shares Shakespearean verse (04:26).
• The peaceful walk is shattered when Holmes is shot (05:18). The Markhams, a husband and wife, claim it was a rabbit hunting accident (06:10).
• Holmes is superficially wounded, faints (or pretends to – later revealed), and all go to the hospital (07:15-07:49).

2. Holmes’ Suspicion and Mrs. Markham’s Hidden Past

• In private, Holmes reveals to Watson his collapse was faked (08:00), as he recognized Mrs. Markham as the notorious Mrs. Dangerfield, once acquitted of poisoning her husband (08:18-08:32).
• Holmes suspects the shot was no accident; Mrs. Markham has a shadowy history including another suspicious ‘accident’ (09:13).

3. Undercover Investigations: Lunch and Tensions

• Holmes tasks Watson with shadowing the Markhams while he remains "out of action" in hospital (09:36).
• At the Markhams’ home, Watson meets Dennis Romney, an actor, and observes tensions: Alice (Mrs. Markham) flirts with Dennis, Geoffrey (her husband) is suspicious and irritable (09:44-13:17).
• Geoffrey shows Watson his butterfly collection and is defensive when Watson mentions arsenic, revealing he uses cyanide for butterflies (13:37-15:03).

4. Marital Discord and Suspicions of Murder

• Geoffrey overhears his wife and Romney speaking intimately, making dark hints about his wife’s intentions (15:24-15:42).
• Watson believes Alice is plotting to kill Geoffrey, possibly using the dilapidated balcony railing (16:18-16:34).

5. Clue: The Two Bullets

• Holmes reveals he was struck by a different bullet than the one found in the tree, suggesting two rifles were fired (17:10-17:30): "Therefore two bullets were fired." (17:27, Holmes)

6. Escalation: A Near-Accident on the River

• During a boating trip, Geoffrey falls into the river at the deepest, reed-thick point (18:31-19:16). He accuses Alice and Dennis of trying to kill him.
• The Markhams' insurance policies on each other are revealed (20:12-20:33), deepening suspicion.

7. The Dramatic Denouement

• Holmes appears at the Markham home, despite supposed convalescence, confronting Alice about her identity (21:00-22:24).
• Geoffrey and Alice go upstairs; Holmes, Watson, and Dennis watch from below as Geoffrey appears to try to push Alice through the weak banister (24:12).
• Holmes reveals he repaired the banister earlier, thwarting the planned "accident" (24:32).
• Holmes accuses Geoffrey of previous murders (uncle and first husband of Alice) using butterfly poison as a cover (24:51-25:15).

8. Final Revelation and Justice

• Holmes explains the two gunshots: Alice's was deflected; Geoffrey simultaneously tried to shoot Holmes (25:41).
• Geoffrey confesses to trying to hide his wife’s supposed crimes but is revealed as the actual killer. Holmes refers to the “slow but sure” British justice – Geoffrey will face the gallows (26:12).

9. Epilogue

• Watson reveals Geoffrey was indeed hanged and that Mrs. Markham married Dennis Romney. Light banter about acting ensues and Dr. Watson critiques the host's Shakespeare recitation (27:02).

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Holmes, on the English countryside:
  “The beauty of this place, old fellow. I’m perfectly certain I’d be happy in retirement here.” (03:50)

• Holmes reciting Shakespeare:
  “Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head…” (04:26)

• On the accident:
  “I can’t imagine someone mistaking me for a rabbit, Watson.” (05:46, Holmes)

• Key investigation insight:
  "In that case I can stop behaving as if I were at death’s door… I recognized this Mrs. Markham and I think she recognized me." (08:02, Holmes)

• Holmes, on the Markhams' history:
  "Prior to her husband’s death there was an episode in which her uncle was killed in a shooting accident..." (09:07, Holmes)

• Dramatic revelation:
  "Therefore two bullets were fired." (17:27, Holmes)

• Alice, expressing guilt:
  "Yes, but I might so easily have killed him." (10:39, Alice Markham)

• Geoffrey, hinting at marital discord:
  "Sometimes I wonder if my wife wouldn’t like me out of the way." (15:42, Geoffrey Markham)

• Holmes, directly confronting Alice:
  "I know that you were once Mrs. Dangerfield, and you know that I know it. Why keep up the pretense any longer?" (22:24, Holmes)

• Holmes, revealing the true villain:
  "It was he [Geoffrey] who accidentally gave your first husband an overdose of arsenic...It was he who tried to send you to your death by pushing you through those railings." (25:08, Holmes)

• Holmes, on justice:
  "British justice may be slow, as indeed it was in the Dangerfield case, but in the long run it is sure. You’ll find that out, Mr. Markham, on the gallows." (26:12, Holmes)

• Watson, on the story’s aftermath:
  "Mr. Markham finally ended on the gallows…Mrs. Markham and Dennis Romney were married." (26:38, Dr. Watson)

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Noteworthy Characters

• Sherlock Holmes: Cool under fire, master of deduction, uses showmanship (faking collapse) for investigative advantage.
• Dr. Watson: Loyal, slightly bumbling observer, acts as Holmes’ proxy investigator.
• Alice Markham/Mrs. Dangerfield: Femme fatale, wrongly suspected, object of jealousy and victim of her husband’s plot.
• Geoffrey Markham: The real murderer, obsessed with control and prone to violence beneath polite veneer.
• Dennis Romney: Aspiring actor, Alice’s confidant and eventual romantic partner.
• Key Minor: Various humorous side remarks and “bickering” over acting skill and Shakespeare.

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 03:46: Holmes expresses desire to retire in the countryside.
• 05:18: Holmes is shot; Markhams claim accident.
• 08:00: Holmes reveals to Watson he faked fainting—suspects Mrs. Markham.
• 09:44–13:17: Watson observes household dynamics and hints at deeper secrets.
• 17:10–17:30: Holmes presents the two-bullet clue.
• 18:31–19:16: Near-drowning incident with Geoffrey in the river.
• 20:12–20:33: Life insurance policies revealed.
• 21:00–22:24: Holmes reveals he knows Alice’s past.
• 24:12–24:32: The "banister accident" is foiled; Holmes surprises all.
• 25:08–25:15: Holmes exposes Geoffrey as the culprit.
• 26:12: Holmes predicts British justice for Geoffrey.

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Overall Tone and Style

• Classic radio drama: Rich with period detail, literary references, and heightened dialogue.
• Character-driven: Focuses on relationships, suspicions, and reversals of fortune.
• Dialogues are witty: Frequent friendly banter (especially Holmes and Watson), some comic relief.
• Atmosphere: A mix of cozy English countryside serenity and underlying menace.

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Conclusion

“The Accidental Murderess” delivers a quintessential Sherlock Holmes mystery — a blend of country charm and dark secrets, with a strong buildup of suspense, a web of red herrings, and a dramatic climax. The episode’s clever misdirection keeps listeners guessing until Holmes reveals the surprisingly twisted truth — that the prime suspect was actually the intended victim, and her manipulative husband was the true villain all along.

The episode is a fine showcase of period radio drama, Holmesian deduction, and satisfying plot twists, wrapped up with vintage charm and panache.

Transcript

[Harry Bartel]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Announcer]

This episode from the Life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by shortwave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Holmes.

[Announcer]

The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to spend the next half hour listening to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, the world famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. As for me, I'd like to leave you with one thought. Namely, the best way to begin a good meal is is to start it off with a glass of Petri California sherry. While you're waiting for dinner to be ready, just sit back, take it easy and sip some of that wonderful Petri sherry. Now there's a wine. Hold that Petri sherry to the light. And look at that rich amber color. Smells good too, doesn't it? And just wait for that first sip. What a flavor. No kidding. You'll find that Petri sherry can turn the usual before dinner low into a real event. Petri sherry is the best beginning a good meal ever had. Try it and say if you like your sherry dry, you know, not sweet, just ask for Petree California pale dry sherry. But no matter how you like it, you're sure to like it if the label says Petri. See for yourself. And now for the weekly visit with our good friend and host, Dr. Watson. Tonight we find him on the stage of the Paramount Theatre in Hollywood. Good evening, Doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

Good evening, Mr. Bartel. If you've bought a victory bond, you're welcome.

[Announcer]

I have, Doctor. Now, what's the recipe for tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure?

[Dr. Watson]

Well now, let me see. Take equal parts of beautiful English countryside and black villainy. Mix them, add a dash of romance, a. A sprinkling of danger season. Well, with the usual theatrical condiments. And you have the case of the accidental murderess.

[Announcer]

Sounds like a tasty dish. How did the story begin, Doctor?

[Dr. Watson]

On a beautiful summer day in 1895, Holmes had just concluded his famous investigation of the sudden death of Cardinal Tosca. An inquiry which was carried out at the express desire of his Holiness the Pope. And in consequence, the great man felt that a couple of weeks rest in the heart of Warwickshire would be a pleasant change after our rather strenuous adventures in Italy. And so Mr. Bartell, we went to Stratford on Avon.

[Announcer]

Oh, the home of Shakespeare, huh?

[Dr. Watson]

Quite right, my boy. As a matter of fact, that was the reason that decided us to go there. Holmes was a great lover of the drama, you know. And at the time my story begins, the Shakespearean festival was in full swing. For the first week, our life there was calm and peaceful. During the daytime we visited the local places of interest, such as Anne Hathaway's cottage and Shakespeare's birthplace, and the evenings found us at the theatre. It was on a Tuesday. I remember during our second week's stay that the trouble began. Holmes and I had gone for a walk through the nearby Forest of Avon. He was in unusually good spirits that morning, and there was a distant, distinct, I mean, twinkle in his eye as he. As he said, Watson, for once I.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Begin to wish that I were a man of wealth.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, and what makes you say that, Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

The beauty of this place, old fellow. I'm perfectly certain I'd be happy in retirement here. Rather depressing to think that in a week or two the sordid necessity of making money will demand my return to Baker street in a world of criminals.

[Dr. Watson]

No, I must say that in an environment like this it is a little hard to think of crime. Old saying, go where every prospect pleases and only man is vile.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, but Shakespeare puts it even better, old chap.

[Dr. Watson]

What's he say, sir?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, surely you remember the speech. And as you like it, we saw the production two nights ago.

[Dr. Watson]

I don't remember the speech. How did it go?

[Sherlock Holmes]

In this setting it's really remarkably apposite. Are not these woods more free from peril than the envious court. Here feel we but the penalty of Adam. The season's difference. Don't you remember? Sweet are the uses of adversity, which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head. And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything. I would not change it.

[Dr. Watson]

Upon my soul. You read that much better than the fellow on the stage the other night.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Don't tell me I adopted the wrong profession, Watson. Oh, dear me, wait a minute. Path seems to end here. Nothing but dense trees ahead of us.

[Dr. Watson]

There's another path over there. I think it leads down to the river.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, let's follow it. The eveners always.

[Dr. Watson]

Great Scott, that was a. Ah. Holmes. Holmes. You hurt?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Ah, yes, I think I am. Bullet hit my shoulder. I think it's only grazed it.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, get off your coat quickly. Let's have a look.

[Sherlock Holmes]

It's only a scratch. First let's find out where it was fired from. I heard the third thud of a bullet in the tree behind me. Yes, here we are. Give me a pen knife, old fellow, will you? Thanks.

[Dr. Watson]

Do you suppose that that shot was deliberate?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, I can't imagine someone mistaking me for a rabbit, Watson. By the way, there was a curious echo to that shot. I don't know whether you noticed it. Huh. Here's the bullet. Now let me see. I was standing there. A line from this bullet hole in the tree through the spot where I was standing would indicate that the shot was fired from that cluster of trees over there. Come on, Watson, let's see what a search discloses.

[Dr. Watson]

I wish you'd let me look at that shoulder before you start galloping all over the countryside. Holmes. You're bleeding quite profusely.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Plenty of time to look at it when we. Hello. Look over there.

[Dr. Watson]

A man and woman running towards us across the clearing.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, and carrying guns.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, it looks as if it was an accident after all.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Was anyone hurt?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, sir. My friend was hit in the shoulder.

[Alice Markham]

Oh, how dreadful. It's not a bad wound, is it?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, it's only a scratch, madam, I hope.

[Alice Markham]

But look at the blood on your coat.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, just how did this. Well, this accident happen, sir?

[Dr. Watson]

Well, we were.

[Geoffrey Markham]

We were out rabbit shooting. I was teaching my wife to use a rifle.

[Alice Markham]

I saw a rabbit scurry across the clearing. I raised the rifle and fired. It seemed to me, Geoffrey, that as I did so, you jolted my arm.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Yes, I'm afraid I did, Alice. I was going to fire too, but as I raised my rifle I jolted your elbow and sent your shot wild. I can't tell you how sorry I am, sir. Here's my card. Of course, we'll take care of any expenses that may be entailed.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, the first thing to do is to find out how much damage has been done. You'd better take your coat off, old fellow.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Aye, I. I don't think I can.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, he.

[Geoffrey Markham]

He's badly hurt.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, it's just that.

[Alice Markham]

The man's fainted.

[Geoffrey Markham]

This is dreadful. I have a horse and trap down the road.

[Dr. Watson]

Excellent. Give me a hand with him, will it? I must get him to a hospital as. As fast. Holmes. Holmes, you feeling any better?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Has the nurse gone?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, yes, yes. She's bringing the house surgeon and the.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Man and his wife.

[Dr. Watson]

They're down in the hospital waiting room. Oh, I found out their name. It's. It's Markham.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Then we're alone.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, yes, yes, old fellow.

[Sherlock Holmes]

In that case I can stop behaving as if I were at death's door.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, you mean that you. You shammed that collapse just now?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, yes I did, Watson. Spare me a little pity old chap. My shoulder's confoundedly painful, I assure you.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, I'm sure it. But what made you pretend to faint?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I recognized this Mrs. Markham and I think she recognized me. It's important she assume I'm out of action for a while. Oh, Mrs. Markham. Well, Mrs. Markham is in reality the notorious Mrs. Dangerfield. You remember the Dangerfield case?

[Dr. Watson]

Dangerfield? Great Scott, yes. She was tried for the murder of her husband by poisoning, wasn't she?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes she was old fellow. She was acquitted when the jury decided she was an habitual arsenic addict who happened to take an accidental overdose.

[Dr. Watson]

Didn't you have some connection with the case?

[Sherlock Holmes]

It was I who tracked down the sale of the arsenic she claimed to have bought for cosmetic purposes.

[Dr. Watson]

Well if you ask me, that shot at you was no accident.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Of course it wasn't. I'm certain that I was recognized. In any case her record is a bad one. Prior to her husband's death there was an episode in which her uncle was killed in a shooting accident on a grouse moor in Scotland. An uncle who left her a large fortune on his death.

[Dr. Watson]

And I suppose Mrs. Dangerfield was a member of the shooting party when the accident happened?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, she was. She's something of a femme fatale. Watson, I must plan my actions very cautiously. I'm up against a dangerous opponent.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, you'll have to stay in the hospital until your wounds being examined and.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Dressed as to, old fellow. And while the local staff are taking care of that I want you to shadow the Markhams.

[Dr. Watson]

Of course I will Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Stick close to them. O fellow, make them believe that I'm going to be kept here for some days. Find out as much as you can and then report to me.

[Dr. Watson]

Right. I'll do my best. It's awfully kind of you, Mrs. Markham to insist on having me back to your house for lunch.

[Alice Markham]

My dear Dr. Watson, after injuring the famous Mr. Holmes it's the least I could do.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Of course it is.

[Alice Markham]

Geoffrey dear, will you bring us some sherry? It's Ada's day off, you know very well.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Alice. Is anyone else coming to lunch?

[Alice Markham]

Only Dennis Romney.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Oh Lord, that fellow seems to live here. Well, I'll go and get the sherry.

[Alice Markham]

Sit down, won't you Dr. Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

Thank you, madam. Thank you.

[Alice Markham]

You. You say that you think Mr. Holmes will be in the hospital for some day.

[Dr. Watson]

I'm afraid so. The wound wasn't serious. He lost quite a bit of blood.

[Alice Markham]

I feel perfectly dreadful about it.

[Dr. Watson]

You mustn't blame yourself too much, madam. It was an accident.

[Alice Markham]

Yes, but I might so easily have killed him.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, you haven't, and that's all that matters. Did you say that dennis romney was coming to lunch? Is that the actor fellow from the memorial theatre?

[Alice Markham]

Yes. Have you seen him on the stage?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, several times. Holmes and I have been going to the festival regularly since we came down here.

[Alice Markham]

A fine actor, isn't he? A shame they give him such poor parts. Imagine them letting that frightful basil grant play hamlet last night While dennis only played laertes. Dennis is three times a better actor.

[Dr. Watson]

I suppose he is.

[Alice Markham]

He. He's coaching me in acting.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, coaching you really, isn't he?

[Alice Markham]

Yes. He thinks that I may be able to get small parts here next season. I've always had a great urge to go on the stage, but no one's ever encouraged me before. Oh, here's jeffrey.

[Geoffrey Markham]

This sherry's rather special, doctor. Harry's de la frontera. Only a few bottles left.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, that's very nice of you, sir.

[Alice Markham]

Oh, that must be dennis. I'll go let him in.

[Geoffrey Markham]

We might as well have a drink. You'll find it'll help making this actor fellow more tolerable.

[Dr. Watson]

I take it, Mr. Markham, that you're not an admirer of Mr. Dennis Romney's.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Can't bear him. He's always quoting shakespeare and behaving generally as if he were another irving. He's got alice completely fooled. Here's a glass, doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.

[Alice Markham]

Dennis, I want to introduce you to Dr. Watson.

[Dr. Watson]

How do you do, Mr. Romney?

[Dennis Romney]

How do you do, sir? Hello, geoffrey.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Want a glass of sherry?

[Dennis Romney]

Thanks, that'd be very nice. Are you a disciple of the theatre, Dr. Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

Well, hardly a disciple, sir, But I've been attending the festival during the last week. I enjoyed your performances immensely, if I may say, sir.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Oh, you may say so, doctor. Here's your sherry, dennis.

[Alice Markham]

Oh, don't be crotchety, geoffrey. And please remember that dennis is our guest.

[Dennis Romney]

Oh, it's all right, alice. I know that geoffrey's bark is a good deal worse than his bike.

[Dr. Watson]

And what play are you appearing in tonight, Mr. Romney?

[Dennis Romney]

King Lear. I shall once again portray the thankless role of the king of france While that incredibly bad actor basil grant Tears a multitude of passions to tatters in his rendition of lear. Oh, horrible, horrible. Most horrible.

[Alice Markham]

I thought his hammet was atrocious last night, Dennis, Wasn't it?

[Dennis Romney]

When he came to his final line. The rest is silence. It was as much as I could do to prevent cheering.

[Geoffrey Markham]

I felt rather the same way when you were killed in the duel, Dennis.

[Alice Markham]

Oh, Geoffrey, you're being intolerably rude. Why don't you take Dr. Watson upstairs and show him your butterfly collection? Then at least you'll know what you're talking about.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Are you interested in butterflies, doctor? I have quite a rare collection.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, really? I'd like to see them very much.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Come on then. I think we just got time before lunch.

[Alice Markham]

Try and bring yourself down with a few better manners, Geoffrey dear.

[Geoffrey Markham]

I'm really quite an easy going man, doctor, but the arrogance of that fellow Romney infuriates me.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, I must say he does seem to have rather a good opinion of himself.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Don't. Don't put too much weight on that balcony rail. It's absolutely full of wormholes. Part of the attraction of an old house, my wife tells me. But I regard it as confoundedly dangerous. And this is my little museum. In these cases, I think you'll find some of the finest specimens of lepidoptera you've ever seen. It's my hobby. And I may say that with the exception of the Natural History Museum, I doubt if you'll find a finer collection.

[Dr. Watson]

It must have taken you years to collect them. It has.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Many years, many disappointments and a great deal of patience. Look at this fellow. He's my prize specimen. A North American monarch.

[Dr. Watson]

North American monarch. Beautiful.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Beautiful, isn't he? And this is an admiral. And this is a perfect Beehawk moth. And here's an emperor. Ever see more exquisite markings?

[Dr. Watson]

Never. Tell me, Mr. Markham, when you captured a butterfly, how do you kill it without marking it in any way?

[Geoffrey Markham]

With poison. Oh, what poison? Cyanide.

[Dr. Watson]

Not arsenic.

[Geoffrey Markham]

You heard me say cyanide, Doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

The only reason I mention it is that a friend of mine collected butterflies once and I'm certain that he always used arsenic to kill them.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Why do you keep talking of arsenic? You're trying to hint at something.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, no, no, my dear fellow. I was just curious, that's all.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Yes, too curious perhaps. There's the luncheon gong. Let's go downstairs again.

[Dr. Watson]

Zoom in. I didn't mean to offend you.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Of course you didn't. But my nerves are a little on edge today. Must be that accident to your friend that's upset him. I really must get that balcony rail mended.

[Dr. Watson]

Shh.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Shh.

[Dr. Watson]

What is it, sir.

[Announcer]

My wife and young Romney, they're going into lunch.

[Dr. Watson]

Listen, darling, why won't he understand?

[Alice Markham]

Are the youth sick? Jeffrey has no imagination. He's never understood me.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Well, Doctor, they say that listeners never hear good of themselves. You know, sometimes I wonder if my wife wouldn't like me out of the way. Let's go down to lunch, shall we?

[Dr. Watson]

And so, Holmes, that's the story up to now.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Very interesting one too, Watson. So you think that Mrs. Markham is planning to kill her husband, eh?

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, it's obvious. She's in love with the actor fellow, Dennis Romney. Her husband's in the way. And if she doesn't want to use poison this time. There's a perfect setting for murder in that crumbling balustrade on the landing. One push when he wasn't looking and it'd be the end of him. And no one could prove that she did it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

A charming household. And Mr. Markham became very evasive. You say when you mentioned arsenic?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, I said it deliberately, of course, to see how he'd react. If you ask me, he knows that his wife has arsenic of the house. He was trying to protect her.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You've exerted your charm sufficiently to arrange to see them again, I trust?

[Dr. Watson]

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I have. Taking a picnic tea and going boating on the Avon this afternoon. They asked me to join them. Of course, I agreed. I just rushed back here to the hospital to report to you first.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You've done splendidly, Watson, splendidly.

[Dr. Watson]

Thanks so much. But I've been so busy telling you what I found out that I. I haven't asked you about you. How you feeling?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, I'm fine, Othello, fine.

[Dr. Watson]

What did the house surgeon discover?

[Sherlock Holmes]

A very interesting fact. Look in the drawer beside my bed, will you?

[Dr. Watson]

Great Scott, it's a bullet.

[Sherlock Holmes]

A bullet that the house surgeon removed from my shoulder.

[Dr. Watson]

But we found a bullet in the tree also.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Precisely. Therefore two bullets were fired.

[Dr. Watson]

But. Good Lord, that means.

[Sherlock Holmes]

It means, old chap, that we have a dangerous task ahead of us. Not to solve a murder, but to prevent one.

[Announcer]

We'll hear the rest of Dr. Watson's unusual story in just a moment. Meanwhile, I'd like to remind you that good cooking becomes wonderful cooking if you serve your good food with a Petri wine. If you like a red wine, say with meat or any meat dish, try Petri California Burgundy. If white wine's your favorite, then you'll love Petri, California Sauternes, it's wonderful. But Burgundy or Sauterne, whichever you prefer. It's just Bound to be good if you see the letters P, E, T R I on the bottle. Because Petri wine is always good wine. And now, Dr. Watson, what happened next? We left you at Sherlock Holmes bedside in the hospital. Did the picnic with Mr. And Mrs. Markham prove an exciting one?

[Dr. Watson]

No, no, it was rather unpleasant, as a matter of fact. The three of them kept squabbling all the time. And just as we were coming home, something unforeseen occurred. Mr. Markham fell into the river.

[Announcer]

Pardon the old question, doctor, but did he fall or was he pushed?

[Dr. Watson]

It was hard for me to say. I had my back to him when he fell. Of course, we fished him out and rattled him back home in a trap as fast as we could. He changed his clothes at once, and as we sat round the fire a little later, I could see that he'd caught a chill. In fact, I recommended that he go to bed and stay there. Mrs. Markham agreed with me.

[Alice Markham]

Geoffrey, dear, I. I do wish you'd follow Dr. Watson's advice and go to bed.

[Geoffrey Markham]

For the fifth time, Alice, I will not go to bed. I'm perfectly all right. It's no thanks to you and Dennis.

[Dennis Romney]

What do you mean by that remark?

[Geoffrey Markham]

Geoffrey, you know perfectly well what I mean. It wasn't an accident that I fell in the river just now. One of you two pushed me when I was struggling with the punt pole in the long reed.

[Alice Markham]

Geoffrey, you're talking rubbish.

[Announcer]

Am I?

[Geoffrey Markham]

You were in the boat, Dr. Watson. Didn't you see what happened?

[Dr. Watson]

No, I didn't see you. My back was turned to you when you fell in.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Well, then we'll call it an accident. An accident that happened by a curious coincidence, just where the river is deepest and the reeds thickest.

[Dennis Romney]

Geoffrey, I don't like your tone. You can accuse me of anything you like, but when you start suggesting that.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Alice, if you don't like the way I talk to my wife, I suggest that you don't come to my house. I'm going to get a scarf. I'm chilly.

[Alice Markham]

Dr. Watson, I. I must apologize for my husband's behavior. I don't know what's come over.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, that's quite all right, Mrs. Malcolm. I quite understand.

[Dennis Romney]

Well, I wish I did. I. I don't mind him yelling at me, but he's being so abominably rude to you, Alice. The last couple of weeks it's been getting worse than ever.

[Alice Markham]

I know. Ever since we had that argument about the insurance policies, he's been unbearable.

[Dr. Watson]

Insurance?

[Alice Markham]

Yes, doctor. We took out quite large policies on each other's. Lives recently.

[Dennis Romney]

You, you didn't tell me that, Alice.

[Alice Markham]

Well it, it was his idea. And yet when the insurance man came here you'd have thought I was forcing him into taking out the policy.

[Dr. Watson]

Insurance? Great Scott. I, I.

[Alice Markham]

You what doctor?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I.

[Dr. Watson]

You. Oh nothing Mr. Markham, nothing at all.

[Dennis Romney]

Sounds as if you don't approve of insurance, sir.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, it's not that Romney, it's just that I.

[Alice Markham]

Who can that be? I wasn't expecting anyone. Answer the door Dennis, will you?

[Announcer]

Yes.

[Dennis Romney]

Sounds as if Geoffrey has already done so.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Oh Alice, we have a visitor.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, you shouldn't be up.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good evening, Mrs. Markham. Hello Watson.

[Alice Markham]

Well, I'm delighted to see you Mr. Holmes. Though I understood from your friend that you'd be in the hospital for several days.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The constitution of an ox and the obstinacy of a mule. Two characteristics of mine have combined in making possible an early departure from the hospital. How do you do Mr. Romney? I think I've seen you at the theatre. My name is Sherlock Holmes.

[Dennis Romney]

How do you do sir?

[Alice Markham]

You stay to supper I hope?

[Sherlock Holmes]

If it's not inconvenient, Mrs. Markham.

[Alice Markham]

Of course it. I'll go in and arrange for him.

[Dr. Watson]

Upon my soul, Holmes, I'm glad to see you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And are you all.

[Dr. Watson]

Fellow.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Let's take a stroll on the terrace, shall we? It's rather warm inside this evening.

[Geoffrey Markham]

You can go out through the french windows.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, thank you Mr. Markham.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, are you quite sure that you're well enough to go walking about?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Of course I am. You must tell me Watson, what the latest developments are in the meantime. I myself have not been idle. Yes, Watson, I think our stage is set. And I have a feeling that I may contribute to a rather dramatic curtain.

[Dr. Watson]

A delightful meal, Mrs. Markham.

[Alice Markham]

Thank you, Doctor. Mr. Holmes, you're not eating very much.

[Sherlock Holmes]

My appetite is a trifle jaded. The mental fencing that we have indulged in during the meal has been somewhat disturbing.

[Alice Markham]

I don't understand you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh come now madam. I know that you were once Mrs. Dangerfield and you know that I know it. Why keep up the pretence any longer?

[Alice Markham]

Very well, Mr. Holmes. But we needn't converse in lowered voices. I'm sure that you've told Dr. Watson whatever there is to know and perhaps more.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I admire your courage, madam.

[Alice Markham]

Geoffrey Dennis.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes.

[Alice Markham]

I want you to listen to this. Mr. Sherlock Holmes knows that I was once Mrs. Dangerfield. He's apparently under the impression that this is a dark secret of mine. Mr. Holmes. Geoffrey knew and loved me before I ever married Mr. Dangerfield.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Of course I did, Holmes.

[Alice Markham]

He stood by me during the horrible trial after my first husband's death. And I told Dennis about the whole miserable business months ago. So I really don't see that you've uncovered any great secret.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Not yet, Mrs. Markham. But I have a feeling that it's only a matter of moments.

[Geoffrey Markham]

So you haven't got any secrets from Dennis either, eh?

[Alice Markham]

There's no need to shout, Geoffrey.

[Geoffrey Markham]

And there's no need for Dennis to be in my house. Get out, Romney, and stay out. This business between you and Alice has gone far enough.

[Dennis Romney]

I'll go when Alice tells me to.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Well, if you won't go, then I'm not going to sit here.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm.

[Geoffrey Markham]

I'm going upstairs.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You're shaking like a leaf, sir. You've got a fever. Don't you think you'd better go to bed?

[Geoffrey Markham]

Mind your own business and leave me alone.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mrs. Markham, I really think you should persuade your husband to go upstairs and lie down.

[Alice Markham]

Don't worry, Mr. Holmes. I know how to handle him. I'll take him up. Put an arm around my shoulder. Jeffrey, come along.

[Dr. Watson]

We should follow them, Holmes. They have to pass that crumbling banister on the landing. With him in that state, she. She might try to.

[Dennis Romney]

What are you suggesting, doctor?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Come and watch, both of you. We can observe them both from the foot of the stairs here. They're on the landing.

[Dr. Watson]

She's on the outside. Look, look, look, look. Malcolm stumbled against her. He's pushed against the railings. Look out. Come on, upstairs.

[Dennis Romney]

Alice, are you all right?

[Alice Markham]

Yes, but Jeffrey tried to push me through the railing.

[Sherlock Holmes]

That's a lot. No, it isn't, sir. The three of us were watching you from below.

[Dr. Watson]

But the railing held. I don't understand.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I can explain that, Watson. This afternoon, while you were all at your picnic, I came here with a local carpenter. You had informed me, old fellow, that it was the maid's day off. And I took the liberty of reinforcing that decaying woodwork.

[Geoffrey Markham]

What the blazes do you think you've been up to, Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Preventing murder, sir, and finding the true solution to the Dangerfield case.

[Alice Markham]

What do you mean, Mr. Holmes? The true solution?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Surely it's obvious to you, Mrs. Markham. You have told us that your present husband loved you before you married Mr. Dangerfield. It was he who accidentally killed your uncle so that you might inherit a fortune. It was he who accidentally gave your first husband an overdose of arsenic. Arsenic that he obtained for the purpose of destroying butterflies.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, dear sister, it was he who tried to send you to Your death by pushing you through those railings. And all the time, Mrs. Markham, I thought that you were the potential murderer.

[Geoffrey Markham]

You fellows have got hold of the wrong end of the stick. All I've been trying to do is to conceal the fact that my wife was a murderess.

[Alice Markham]

Jeffrey, how can you say that, Markham?

[Sherlock Holmes]

If you wait just a moment, Mr. Romney. I'm not through with him yet.

[Geoffrey Markham]

This talk is all very dramatic, Mr. Holmes, but I wonder how you're going to be able to prove it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Dr. Watson, Mr. Romney and I will testify to the attempt that you've just made on Mrs. Markham's life.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, and what about the attempt on your life, Holmes? Obviously it was Markham who fired at you in the woods.

[Geoffrey Markham]

But my wife has already admitted firing the shot.

[Sherlock Holmes]

True, sir, but two shots were fired. The one that your wife fired we found in the tree. The one that you fired was extracted from my shoulder in the hospital.

[Dr. Watson]

Then the two shots were fired simultaneously.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You remember Watson, that I commented at the time on a curious echo. Mrs. Markham told us that her arm was jolted as she pulled the trigger. That was when the other rifle was fired. Mr. Markham didn't want me on the scene when he staged his latest accident and so he tried to kill me.

[Alice Markham]

What kind of a devil have I been living with all these years?

[Dennis Romney]

I think I'm going to kill you.

[Geoffrey Markham]

Don't come near me. Keep him away from me.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Leave him to the law courts, Mr. Romney. British justice may be slow, as indeed it was in the Dangerfield case, but in the long run it is. Sure you'll find that out, Mr. Markham, on the gallows.

[Announcer]

Well, tell me, doctor, did Mr. Markham finally end on the gallus?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, he did. And it might interest you to know that Mrs. Markham and Dennis Romney were married. A nice chap and a fine actor, that boy.

[Dennis Romney]

Hmm.

[Announcer]

Maybe that's what I should have been. An actor. To be or not to be, that is the question. Whether it is nobler in the mind to suffer. What's the matter, Doctor? Don't you like it?

[Dr. Watson]

The words are beautiful, but your delivery of them.

[Announcer]

Not good, huh?

[Dr. Watson]

No, not good, Mr. Bartel.

[Announcer]

Okay. I'd rather talk about Petri wine anyway. Now there's something to really talk about. Petri wine. A wine with generations of winemaking behind it. That's a fact. You know, the Petri family started making Petri wine generations ago, way back in the 1800s. So they've had the time to develop the art of winemaking and they've been able to hand down that art from Father to son, from father to son. Yes, the Petri family really knows how to turn luscious sun ripened California grapes into clear, fragrant, delicious wine. And those letters, P, E, T, R, I on the bottle are the personal assurance of the Petrie family that every drop of Petri wine is good wine. It's got to be, because don't forget, Petri took time to bring you good wine. Well, Dr. Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next week?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, I never.

[Dr. Watson]

See you next week, Mr. Bartel. I'm going to tell you an exciting adventure Holmes and I had in North Africa. It begins at the headquarters of the Foreign Legion and ends with a strange death in the Cafe of a Thousand Sighs. I call the story Murder in the Casper.

[Announcer]

Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, the Adventure of Black Peter. Music is by Dean Fostler. Mr. Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer and Mr. Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California, invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. This program originated in the Paramount Theater in Hollywood for an audience of victory. Bon buyers. This is the mutual broadcasting system.

[Sherlock Holmes]

It.