Sherlock Holmes: Baconian Cipher 05/27/1946 (Rathbone & Bruce)

Summary

Sherlock Holmes: "Baconian Cipher" (05/27/1946)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Starring: Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes) & Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson)
Date: April 10, 2026 (Rebroadcast)
Summary By: Choice Classic Radio

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Overview

This episode of The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes finds the great detective, with Dr. Watson and guest French detective Monsieur Levia, drawn into a mystery by a ciphered message in the Agony Column of the Times. What at first appears to be a practical joke leads to a tense investigation of impersonation and attempted murder, centered around the reclusive Baconian scholar, Mr. Quilter, at a country house called The Elms in Penge.

At its heart, this is a classic Holmes tale of clever code-breaking, family intrigue, and rapid logical deductions, as Holmes finds himself racing against time to save a life—and reveal the real danger hiding beneath an innocent inquiry.

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Key Discussion Points, Plot Breakdowns & Insights

1. Opening and Setup

• Setting: Dr. Watson recounts the tale to host Harry Bartell, recalling how a French detective, Monsieur Levia, visited Sherlock Holmes in 1889 to discuss translating Holmes’s monographs.
• Banter: The story opens with friendly ribbing between Holmes, Watson, and Levia about the superiority (or lack thereof) of English criminals vs. French ones.
  • [04:53-05:09] Levia: “I will yield to no one in my admiration of your knowledge and skill… But, what can happen to interest you in this land of gray frogs, boiled potatoes and pots of tea?”
  • [05:34] Watson: “You’re not very flattering.”

2. The Agony Column and Codebreaking

• The trio spots a strange, badly-printed ad in the paper: "Will any gentleman interested in discussing cryptography and cipher writing please communicate with box XQL696..."
• Holmes quickly realizes the inconsistent use of capitals and lowercase letters is a Baconian cipher—a code using typesetting to represent letters.
  • [07:55–08:46] Holmes: "This is undoubtedly a code message. The Baconian bilateral cipher depends upon the use of two sizes of type..."
  • The message reads: “HELP QUILTER ELMS PENGE”
  • Watson’s deduction: "Presumably there’s a man named Quilter who lives at a house called the Elms in the village of Penge. Needs help." [09:03]

3. Arrival at The Elms, Penge

• Holmes, Watson, and Levia immediately travel to The Elms. Ominous events occur as they approach: they hear revolver shots.
  • [11:03] Holmes: “You see, Levia? The English have more imagination than you give them credit for.”
  • Holmes dismisses the shots as casual target practice, not murder—a detail that unsettles Levia.

4. The Eccentric Household

• The trio meets:

  • Doris Faversham, the niece, an adept markswoman.
  • Mr. Quilter, supposedly paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.
  • Mr. Davis, an alleged Australian relation.

• Suspicious details:

  • Mr. Quilter seems dismissive and unfazed by their presence, revealing he sent the message not for help, but to lure a brilliant mind to help prove his theory that Bacon wrote Shakespeare’s plays. He offers Holmes a “handsome fee.”
  • [15:12] Quilter: "I was sure that anyone who was able to decipher my message was the man I needed... Name your fee."
  • Holmes politely refuses: "An interesting subject... but I’m much too busy to undertake such an assignment." [15:44]

5. Holmes’s Doubts and Realization

• As they prepare to leave, Holmes expresses grave concern:
  • [17:06] “He’s in desperate danger... I’m only afraid I may be too late to save him.”
  • He points out an observational detail: “Did neither of you notice the traces of fresh loam on the boots of that supposedly paralyzed man?” [17:12]
  • Holmes deduces impersonation and possible murder: “Gentlemen, I fear the Agony Column has led us to murder.” [17:33]

6. Investigating the Grounds

• Interviews with the gardener corroborate that Mr. Quilter smuggled out the coded message via the gardener, under nervous circumstances. No one has entered or left since the morning; thus, the real Quilter must still be in the house.

  • [21:11–21:35] Gardener: “He told me to take [the message] to the village office of the Times and to tell them to print it just the way it was. He looked kind of worried when he gave me the message...”

7. Holmes’s Ruse: The Shooting Match

• Holmes leverages Doris’s vanity—accepting a pistol match to gain access to the house and grounds.
• In the middle of the shooting match, Holmes turns the tables, brandishing the gun and demanding Doris and her cohort surrender:
  • [23:54] Doris: “Then why are you pointing it at me?”
    Holmes: “Because I want you to raise your hands above your head...”

8. Climax: Discovery of the Real Quilter

• The plot unravels quickly:

  • Holmes confronts Doris and Davis, insisting they return to the study where the “paralyzed” Quilter sits.
  • Holmes realizes, prompted by Watson, that the real Quilter—drugged and unconscious—sits in his own wheelchair, cleverly hidden in plain sight; Davis had impersonated Quilter earlier.
  • [26:03] Holmes: “Listen to the breathing of that man in the chair. He’s been drugged. There sits the real Mr. Quilter...”

• Doris and Davis are implicated in a plot to seize his estate, reveal their mutual guilt in a heated exchange.

  • [26:38] Doris: “It was Jeffrey’s idea, not mine!...”
    Davis: “That’s a dirty lie. You were in this as much as I am.”
  • [26:51] Holmes: “If Mr. Quilter revives under Dr. Watson’s ministrations, you’ll be charged, I have no doubt, with attempted murder, abduction, sequestration, duress, and probably several other counts...”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmes on the English criminal:
  “Let me see. Oh, yes, yes, of course... the Agony Column. This should convince you of the color and variety of English life.” [05:56]

• Holmes deciphers the cipher:
  “If we group the letters in units of 5, the arrangements of small and capital letters within the group should give us the message…” [08:04]

• Holmes, on being ‘fooled’:
  “He's in desperate danger. I’m only afraid I may be too late to save him.” [17:06]

• Watson humorously to Holmes:
  “Holmes, old fellow, you’re losing your touch. You’d never have made a blunder like this if I’d still been with you.” [16:43]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Agony column code found: [06:45–08:46]
• Message decoded: [08:33–09:10]
• Travel to The Elms / Shots fired: [10:32–12:13]
• Meeting Doris & 'Quilter': [12:35–16:07]
• Holmes’s suspicion & dramatic twist: [17:02–17:33]
• Interview with gardener: [20:13–21:35]
• Pistol match/Confrontation: [22:22–24:20]
• Discovery of the real Quilter: [25:17–26:13]
• Doris and Davis confronted: [26:30–26:51]

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Epilogue and Future Stories

• The episode closes in the familiar, warm banter between Dr. Watson, his friend Gregory Hood (introduced as a guest for the summer series), and Harry Bartell. Listeners are encouraged to tune in for more detective adventures from Gregory Hood while Dr. Watson is away in England.

  • [28:54] Dr. Watson: “Meanwhile, I’ve asked Mr. Gregory Hood to get together with you at this time every week and tell you some of his experiences…”

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Tone and Atmosphere

• The episode is filled with the genteel, witty, and slightly droll manner characteristic of mid-century Sherlock Holmes radio. Holmes is dry and incisive, Watson warm and earnest, and the interplay with Levia adds a touch of international rivalry and charm.

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Takeaway

This tightly plotted radio mystery delivers everything classic Holmes fans love: cryptography, sudden action, keen observation, and the satisfaction of justice properly served. The playful arguments over Anglo-French criminality and the layers of impersonation are especially rewarding for listeners who relish both puzzles and character-driven banter.

As Holmes himself quips:
"The game's afoot." [10:12]

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Listen to the next episode for the introduction of Gregory Hood’s detective exploits!

Transcript

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[Harry Bartell]

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And I want to ask you something. You know, every now and then I've told you about the good old American custom of serving a glass of sherry before dinner. Particularly Petri California sherry. And I wonder if you've tried that Petri sherry. Really, a glass of Petri sherry is the best beginning a good meal ever had. Petri sherry is clear, fragrant and truly delicious. It's a wonderful wine whose flavor is the essence of luscious sun ripened grapes. And Petri makes two kinds of sherry wine. A regular sherry and Petri pale, dry. If you don't know which you prefer, try them both. Don't buy one, buy two. But remember, always buy Petri because Petri wine is always good wine. Well, I'm sure Dr. Watson's ready for us. Let's go in and join him, shall we?

[Dr. Watson]

Good evening, Mr. Bing.

[Harry Bartell]

Doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

Quiet, Willie. Quite well here.

[Harry Bartell]

The dogs seem very pleased with themselves tonight. Did they have a good day?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, the three of us did, mate. Run off out on the patio. I took a seven iron and some old golf balls on the beach this afternoon. I improved my game, I think. And the dogs had a great time chasing the golf balls. On the way home, the little rascals had a furious battle with an elderly pelican, so their day was complete.

[Harry Bartell]

I'll have to join you on one of your afternoon strolls, doctor. You and the dog seem to have so much fun.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, I'll be glad of your company, Mr. Bartell. Well, draw up your usual Chair. And I'll get on with tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure.

[Harry Bartell]

From the hints you gave us last week, I guess a Frenchman played a prominent part in the story.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, Indeed he did, Mr. Bartel. His name was Francois Laville and he was a detective of some note in his own country. The time my story begins, it was in 1889 to be exact. Levia had come over to London to discuss with Holmes the difficulties of translating some of his monographs into the French language. At this particular time I was in the early days of my marriage, Mr. Bartel, and this fact combined with a busy practice meant that I saw very little of my old friend.

[Harry Bartell]

He must have missed you, Doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, he did? Well, of course he admit the fact. But to get on with my story, one cloudless June afternoon I found myself in the neighborhood of Baker street and I couldn't resist paying a Visit to Holmes. Mrs. Hudson was out, but having retained my old latchkey, I let myself in and mounted the familiar stairs. It gave me a strange feeling as I raised my hand to knock on what once had been my own living room door.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Come in, come in.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, hello, Holmes. Holmes. Oh, I beg your pardon, I didn't know you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Watson, my dear fellow, how very nice

[Dr. Watson]

to see you again. It's great to see you, Holmes. I. I'm sorry I interrupted you, I. No, I didn't know that you had company.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Not at all, my de fellow. We're delighted, aren't we? Leviatt, Watson, this is Monsieur Levillard.

[Dr. Watson]

How do you do, sir? How do you do?

[Monsieur Levia]

I have often wished to meet the so charming Dr. Watson. Holmes has told me a great deal about you.

[Dr. Watson]

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

[Sherlock Holmes]

Marriage suits you, Watson. You're a splendid old fellow. Gained a little weight, haven't you?

[Dr. Watson]

Oh yes, a few pounds, I mean.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Here comes you. Sit down, won't you?

[Dr. Watson]

You sure that I'm not interrupting you in some important discussion?

[Monsieur Levia]

Oh, no, no, no, no, Monsieur Doctor, we were having a good natured argument on of the French criminal compared to the English.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You must lend me your support, Watson. Monsieur Levia is convinced that the English criminal is a very dull dog indeed.

[Dr. Watson]

We've met some far from dull ones in our time, I assure you, Monsieur Levia.

[Monsieur Levia]

Ah, the exceptions rather than the rule I fear, Monsieur. Doctor.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You're stubborn, aren't you, Leviatt?

[Monsieur Levia]

Believe me, my dear friend, that I will yield to no one in my admiration of your knowledge and skill. That is why I wish I could persuade you to practice in Paris. Ah, there you would find Opponents really worthy of your steel. What can happen to interest you in this land of gray frogs, boiled potatoes and pots of tea?

[Dr. Watson]

You're not very flattering.

[Monsieur Levia]

I meant no offence, my friend.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, you say that the English criminal is dull. Perhaps if you were to read a published story of mine called a A Study in Scarlet, you'd think differently. It tells of a very exciting adventure that Holmes and I had.

[Monsieur Levia]

I have read it, my friend.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, hell.

[Monsieur Levia]

An extremely gripping story. But surely you will admit that the crime was essentially of American origin.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He's right, Watson, he's perfectly right. Dear me, what can I do to vindicate the dishonor of the London criminal? Let me see. Oh, yes, yes, of course. A copy of today's Times. That's fine. I shall introduce you to a section known as the Agony Column. Where is it now? Oh yes, here we are. This should convince you of the color and variety of English life.

[Monsieur Levia]

The Agony Column. It sounds most painful. What is it, Blake?

[Dr. Watson]

A personal column is liable to contain anything from a lover's frantic appeal to his lady love to a ransom note.

[Sherlock Holmes]

In my profession I have frequently found it an invaluable medium for contacting the underworld. Uh huh, yes. Now, here we are. Here's something. Dear me. Oh dear, no. Today's column seems rather uninspired, I'm afraid.

[Monsieur Levia]

May I examine it?

[Harry Bartell]

Of course.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Here you are.

[Monsieur Levia]

Merci. If the lady who helped my little boy across the road at the corner of Threadwell street and High Auburn Last Wednesday at 4 will get in touch with Box 845-she will learn of something to her advantage. We can be more colorful than that in Paris, my friends.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I think we can do better than that too.

[Doris Faversham]

Yeah.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Look at this, William.

[Dr. Watson]

Printer must have been half asleep when he set up the type for this advertisement. Will any gentleman interested in discussing cryptography and cipher writing please communicate with box XQL696 the time.

[Monsieur Levia]

Oh, I failed to find this message any more stirring than the proceeding one.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You notice the execrable printing, don't you?

[Monsieur Levia]

Indeed I do. It is all mixed up. The first word, will, starts with a capital W and a capital I. The second word, any, starts with a small A and then has a capital N and Y. It is a shocking example of typography.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And when it occurs in a paper noted for its excellence in typesetting, one realizes that this is no mistake.

[Dr. Watson]

What do you mean? Huh?

[Sherlock Holmes]

This is undoubtedly a code message.

[Monsieur Levia]

Come now, my friend. I defy even you to make a mystery out of a printer's negligence.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I accept Your challenge, my dear Leviar. If you recall, the Baconian bilateral cipher depends upon the use of two sizes of type. If we group the letters in units of 5, the arrangements of small and capital letters within the group should give us the message. Now, let's see. Two capitals followed by three small gives us the letter H. Then two capitals, one small, two more. That gives us E. H. I still

[Monsieur Levia]

think you are trying to make an adventure out of a mere printing accident.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No mere printing accident could so readily fall into one of the great traditional ciphers. Now, let's see. This message reads H, E, L. Help. Q. Too small. Q, U, I. Quilter.

[Monsieur Levia]

Help.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quilter. L, L. Too small and large.

[Dr. Watson]

Elms.

[Harry Bartell]

Help.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quilter. Elms. There it is. Yes.

[Harry Bartell]

Penge.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Help.

[Dr. Watson]

Quilter Elms.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Penge.

[Monsieur Levia]

Help. Quilter. Elms. Pench. What does that mean?

[Dr. Watson]

Presumably there's a man named Quilter who lives at a house called the Elms in the village of Penge. Needs help.

[Monsieur Levia]

Ah, I see it now. A helpless victim held prisoner. He smuggles out this message as a. As a harmless personnel with strict instructions that it be printed on this art form. He knows that the amateurs of cryptography to whom it is addressed will decipher this call for help.

[Dr. Watson]

Et voila, Monsieur Villa, you seem ready to grant that adventure can exist in London after all.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The advantage, my dear Watson, of a more mercurial temperament than we Englishmen possess. Well, Leviar, what about it? Shall we set off for Penge and rescue the ingenious Mr. Quilter from whatever dire fate awaits him in the Elms?

[Monsieur Levia]

I'm all in patience.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Splendid, Watson. I suppose you're too busy to join us.

[Dr. Watson]

Too busy?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, I'm in your practice. I'm sure that you have patience to do.

[Dr. Watson]

Of course you, sir. As a matter of fact, I have two further visits to make today. One to a peppery old miser who has gout, and the other to a wealthy society woman who has acute attack of hypercontam. Try hyp, as they call it, to place us with to help both. I'm coming with you, Holmes, if you want me.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Bravo, Watson. And grab your hat and coat. The game's a foot.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Here you are, gents. The Helms pinch. Nice afternoon for a drive, wasn't it? Afraid It'll cost you 15 bob, though.

[Sherlock Holmes]

There's a sovereign for you. You can keep the change.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Thank you, Governor. Top of the evening to you, gents.

[Dr. Watson]

So this is the Elms, eh? Quite a bit of land for such a modest neighborhood.

[Monsieur Levia]

To call it the Elms seem Remarkably inappropo. I cannot see an elm tree in sight.

[Sherlock Holmes]

So you see, Levia, the English have more imagination than you give them credit for.

[Dr. Watson]

Are you just going to walk up to the front door and knock?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Why not? The direct approach is often the most satisfactory.

[Monsieur Levia]

Oh, you disappoint me. I had hoped that perhaps you would adopt one of the disguises in which you are so adept, I am told.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, since it's unlikely that these people know me by sight, that's hardly necessary, is it? However, I trust that this little problem may reward you with some colorful highlights before we're through.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, great Scott. Vulva shots. They came from the house.

[Monsieur Levia]

Ah, we are too late. Mr. Quilter has been murdered.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, I think not. You will observe that the next door neighbor to the elms was mowing his front lawn as we drove up. He is still engaged in the same occupation. Obviously, revolver shots attract little attention this vicinity.

[Monsieur Levia]

Mon dieu. You mean that violence and sudden death are so common that they do not attract even the passing interest?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Ah, no, we are even. The British are not as phlegmatic as that.

[Dr. Watson]

Then what is the answer to those shots? Her.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Some member of this house is addicted to pistol practice. The fact that a shooting target is nailed to the back of that fence over there would further support the theory.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, that's rather ominous, in my opinion.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, hear me out. The front door. Let's keep our wits about us anyway.

[Monsieur Levia]

Are you carrying a revolver, Dr. Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

No. No stethoscope, I'm afraid. I was prepared for sickness when I left the house today, and not for crime.

[Monsieur Levia]

I, too am unarmed. How about you, Monsieur Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Only a magnifying glass, I'm afraid. Hardly a very lethal weapon.

[Doris Faversham]

Yes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

My friends and I were calling on Mr. Quilter.

[Doris Faversham]

Oh, who are you?

[Sherlock Holmes]

My name is Sherlock Holmes, and these are my friends, Dr. Watson and Monsieur Leviathan.

[Dr. Watson]

How do you do, madam?

[Doris Faversham]

How do you do, Mr. Quilter? Expect.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I don't know. We read his advertisement in the agony column of the Times today and came down here at once. Are you a relation of his?

[Doris Faversham]

I'm his niece.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh.

[Doris Faversham]

My name is Doris Sturvisham. Come in, won't you?

[Dr. Watson]

Miss Faversham, I suppose it is.

[Doris Faversham]

Yes, Doctor. It's Miss Faversham.

[Dr. Watson]

We heard three revolver shots as we were walking up the driveway. They gave us quite a start.

[Monsieur Levia]

Yes, mademoiselle. We were afraid that we might have arrived at the time of tragedy.

[Doris Faversham]

Yes, indeed, tragedy. My hobby is revolver shooting. I was doing some target practice in the back garden and you arrived.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Revolver shooting Ms. FaviCheau, how very interesting. I flatter myself that I'm something of a marksman myself.

[Doris Faversham]

Oh really? Perhaps we can have a match. Won't you sit down?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Your challenge intrigues me, Miss Faversham. But before I accept it, I should like to see Mr. Quilter.

[Doris Faversham]

Well, Uncle George is paralyzed, you know. Spends all his time in a wheel chair. I'm not at all sure he'll see you.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, at least you can ask him, can't you, Miss Faversham?

[Doris Faversham]

It is his custom at this time of the day to take a little nap. Perhaps tomorrow he's still awake. Yes, Uncle. Some men have come to see you, Uncle.

[Dr. Watson]

Bring them in.

[Doris Faversham]

Bring him in. Follow me, gentlemen. Uncle, this is Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and monsieur. Monsieur Levia and Monsieur Leviathan.

[Mr. Quilter]

It took you long enough to decipher my message and get here, didn't it? Your brother's a much faster worker, isn't he?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, what makes you say that? Mr. Quilter.

[Mr. Quilter]

Receive this telegram from him at 11

[Sherlock Holmes]

o' clock this morning.

[Mr. Quilter]

Read it for yourself.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, what do you say, huh?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Suggest you consult my brother Sherlock. And it's signed mycroft Holmes. Yes, Mr. Croton, my brother is a much faster worker. Or shall we say that he suffers from the unfortunate habit of early rising. He undoubtedly read the agony column three hours before I did today.

[Mr. Quilter]

Don't know about, but I've been expecting you all day. I imagine you know why I inserted that advertisement.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, I had the impression that you were under some form of restraint. That you were in need of a rescue party as it were.

[Monsieur Levia]

Rubbish.

[Mr. Quilter]

My advertisement was a piece of subtle bait. The only person that could decipher the message would obviously be someone who knew the Baconian cipher.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Very logical deduction, Mr. Quilter.

[Mr. Quilter]

You see, I'm convinced, as any sensible man should be, that the so called Shakespearean plays were written by Sir Francis Bacon.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, I see.

[Mr. Quilter]

But I felt that he needed a clever man to prove the fact. I was sure that anyone who was able to decipher my message was the man I needed. What did it take Mr. Holmes to do the job? I'm a rich man. Name your fee.

[Dr. Watson]

Do you mean to say that you inveigled Mr. Holmes down here just to do some research on the origin of Shakespeare's work?

[Doris Faversham]

You needn't look so shocked, Dr. Watson. My uncle has offered to pay him a handsome fee.

[Mr. Quilter]

Well, what do you say, Mr. Sherlock Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

An interesting subject for research. I'll concede that Ignatius Donelli and others have proved almost beyond doubt that William Shakespeare of Stratford did not write the plays, but I greatly doubt that Lord Bacon did. I may devote my leisure and later years to some investigation on the subject, but in the meanwhile, Mr. Quilter, I'm afraid I'm much too busy to undertake such an assignment.

[Mr. Quilter]

Please yourself. Show the gentleman out, Doris.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Goodbye, sir.

[Dr. Watson]

Good day, sir.

[Doris Faversham]

Too bad you had this long drive down here for nothing, Jenny.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, I heard. I quite agree on it.

[Monsieur Levia]

It would seem to me that your uncle has a distinct talent for practical jerking, mademoiselle.

[Dr. Watson]

Uncle?

[Doris Faversham]

Uncle never made a joke in his life. Mr. Holmes, now that you're here, perhaps you'd like to indulge in a little shooting match.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you, Miss Faversham, but as I told your uncle, I'm a busy man. Good evening to you.

[Doris Faversham]

Goodbye, gentlemen.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Goodbye.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, old fellow, you're losing your touch. You'd never have made a blunder like this if I'd still been with you.

[Monsieur Levia]

It is comforting for an aspiring detective like myself to know that the great Sherlock Holmes is fallible.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Then am I to assume that I must continue the case alone?

[Dr. Watson]

What do you mean, continue the case? There isn't one. Quilter's in no danger.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He's in desperate danger.

[Dr. Watson]

What?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm only afraid I may be too late to save him.

[Monsieur Levia]

What? We have just spoken to the men.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, no. Did neither of you notice the traces of fresh loam on the boots of that supposedly paralyzed man? Gentlemen, I fear the agony column has led us to murder.

[Harry Bartell]

You'll hear the rest of Dr. Watson's story in just a second time. Enough for me to mention that any meal is a better meal when it's served with a Petri dinner wine. If you're having chicken or fish, use Petri California Sauterne. Petri Sauterne is a subtle, delicately flavored white wine that looks and tastes like captured sunshine. If you're having a roast or chops or any kind of meat or meat dish, then by all means serve Petri California Burgundy. Petri Burgundy is a hearty, full flavored red wine. One of the most delicious red wines you ever poured from a bottle. Why not get a bottle of each Petri Burgundy and Petri Sauternes? Then no matter what you have for dinner, you'll surely have the right wine. A Petri wine. Well, Doctor, why did you have to break off your story there?

[Dr. Watson]

Well, I had to break it off somewhere, Mr. Bartel, and that seemed to be the most exciting spot.

[Harry Bartell]

It certainly was. I was convinced that the great Sherlock Holmes had been fooled for once. What Happened next.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, I need this to remark. We did not get into a cab and go back to London. But let me pick up the story at the same place that I broke it off. As Holmes said,

[Sherlock Holmes]

gentlemen, I fear the agony. Colin has led us to murder.

[Dr. Watson]

Murder?

[Monsieur Levia]

There was fresh earth on the soles of his boots, you say?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Distinct traces proving that the man in the wheelchair was not paralyzed.

[Dr. Watson]

That man, whoever he is, was impersonating Quilter to put us off the track.

[Monsieur Levia]

And the real Quilter may have been killed?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm afraid so. Let's stop here for a moment, shall we, while we make our plans? This hedge will hide us from the house in case they're watching from the windows. Now, this isn't a hard picture to reconstruct. There undoubtedly is or was, a paralyzed Baconian scholar named Quilter. He managed to smuggle out that ingenious plea for help, but Mycroft's unfortunate telegram gave the game away.

[Monsieur Levia]

Mm, I see it now. The people in there holding him prisoner forced him to reveal what he has done.

[Dr. Watson]

What they may have done to him. Heaven alone knows.

[Sherlock Holmes]

One of the criminals, guessing from the telegram that I might appear on the case, posed as the crippled Quilter.

[Dr. Watson]

What's our next move? Her.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Remember that singularly unattractive young lady skilled with a revolver. We must search the grounds as unobtrusively as we can.

[Dr. Watson]

Search the grounds for what?

[Monsieur Levia]

I can answer that question, M. Doctor. We search for signs of the freshly turned earth of a grave.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, we didn't find any traces of the poor devil's corpse, thank heavens.

[Monsieur Levia]

No. A great disappointment.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Jeremy, you're very bloodthirsty to be on. Hello. Look at the old fellow trimming the hedge over there.

[Dr. Watson]

Must be the gardener.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Let's have a chat with him, shall we? May be able to give us some information. Good evening to you.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Evening to you, gentlemen.

[Dr. Watson]

Good evening.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You work for Mr. Quilter?

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

That I do, sir. That I do.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Very fine work, too. I've seldom seen a better kept garden.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Why, thank you, sir. I do pride myself in my work.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I wonder if you can help me.

[Monsieur Levia]

Be glad to.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

If I can, sir.

[Dr. Watson]

Did you see a.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Did you telegraph boy deliver a message here this morning?

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

That I did, sir. The boy came here about 10 o' clock this morning. I was a clipping the front edge at the time.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And you've been working here ever since?

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Yes, sir. Brought my lunch with me today and ate it in the garden.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Has anyone entered or left the house since that telegram was delivered?

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

No, sir. No one, except yourselves.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I see, I see. I Suppose you occasionally run errands for Mr. Coulter?

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Not much these days, sir. The poor old gentleman keeps his chair in the house pretty much all the time, sir. I did run a message for him yesterday, though. You did?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Where to?

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Well, sir, I was pruning the rose bushes under his study windows when the window opens and his hand comes out with a message. He told me to take it to the village office of the Times and to tell him to print it just the way it was. He looked kind of worried when he gave me the message and he. He whispered to me just as if he was afraid in his own house.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm much obliged to you. Here's five shillings for your trouble.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Oh, thank you, sir. Much obliged to you, I'm sure.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good evening.

[Gardener/Taxi Driver]

Good evening to you, gentlemen.

[Dr. Watson]

So that's how the message was smuggled out.

[Monsieur Levia]

And no one has come to the house or left it since that telegram was delivered.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Therefore, Kulteror, his body must still be inside that house.

[Monsieur Levia]

We are going to search the house.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, we are.

[Dr. Watson]

But we're not armed. They certainly are. They probably won't even let us in.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, they will. We have an infallible key to entry. A woman's vanity. Come on.

[Doris Faversham]

Oh, so you came back. I thought you wouldn't be able to resist my challenge to a pistol match, Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Exactly, Ms. Babisham. We had difficulty in finding a cab and decided to take a train back to London. It was an hour's wait, so I. Well, I thought I'd accept your challenge.

[Doris Faversham]

Good. Come in. We'll go into the back garden.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you.

[Doris Faversham]

Don't talk loudly. I think Uncle's asleep in the next room. Don't bring anybody in here, Doris. I want to sleep. All right, Uncle. This way, gentlemen, if your uncle wants to sleep.

[Dr. Watson]

Seems a funny sort of alibi.

[Doris Faversham]

Oh, well, he's used to that, Doctor. Here we are. This is the 50 yard range, Mr. Holmes. Three shots. Best aggregate score wins. Homs. Do you want a bit?

[Dr. Watson]

You.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Name Mistake. Name. Mistakes. Miss Faversham. Satin, you take the first three shots.

[Doris Faversham]

Very well. I'll just check that it's loaded. Yes. Six bullets. All right. Here I go.

[Dr. Watson]

Bravo, Miss Faversham. Splendid.

[Doris Faversham]

Will die. And two winners. I can do better. Your turn, Mr. Holmes.

[Mr. Quilter]

Doris.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Who are these men?

[Doris Faversham]

Friends of mine. I'll introduce you in a minute. Geoffrey, we're in the middle of a match at the moment. Your turn, Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The revolver, please.

[Doris Faversham]

Here you are.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you.

[Doris Faversham]

You. You're sure you know how to handle a revolver?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quite sure, thanks.

[Doris Faversham]

Then why are you pointing it at me?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Because I want you to raise your hands above your head. You too, whatever your name is.

[Dr. Watson]

Doris. Who are these men?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Put up your hands. I shan't hesitate to shoot I ass.

[Harry Bartell]

Come on.

[Sherlock Holmes]

That's it.

[Doris Faversham]

What in heaven's name do you think you're up to?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Finding out what became of the real Mr. Quilter. Search the man, Watson.

[Dr. Watson]

Search your Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

VR go into the house, will you, and search it.

[Monsieur Levia]

Oh, yes, but of course.

[Dr. Watson]

Hello. This man had a revolver on his hip.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Keep him covered with it.

[Dr. Watson]

He'll stand still.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You. Now, sir, who are you? From your resemblance to the man in the wheelchair that we saw earlier, I should say that you're a member of the same family.

[Doris Faversham]

We're both relatives of Mr. Quilter.

[Mr. Quilter]

That's right.

[Sherlock Holmes]

My name's Davis.

[Mr. Quilter]

I'm from the Australian branch of the relatives.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, and doubtless you stood to inherit his estate in the event of Kultur's death. You moved in on this defenseless old man, terrorized him, lived off him and finally found it necessary to destroy him.

[Doris Faversham]

You're talking absolute rubbish.

[Dr. Watson]

Telling the truth, and you know it. I can tell by your expressions.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Move back into the house, both of you. Come on. And keep your hands raised. All right, that's it. Come on. Lead the way into the study. The man posing as Mr. Coulter is still there. We heard him call out as we came in.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, we might as well confront the three of them together. Yes, he's still seated in the chair. He seems to be asleep.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Did you find anything?

[Monsieur Levia]

Not a trace of the missing men, Monsieur Holmes, there is.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What did you do with Mr. Quilter? I didn't do anything with him.

[Doris Faversham]

Of course not. He's sitting there in that chair.

[Dr. Watson]

It's not a good lying to us. We know that that man's an imposter.

[Sherlock Holmes]

This is a fantastic situation. Nobody has left this house since the telegram arrived and nobody has come to it. And yet Mr. Quilter has vanished.

[Dr. Watson]

Good Lord. How can he sleep through all this talk? You'd think he'd been drugged.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The pr. We're idiots. You are unquestionably the most promising detective in France. And some people have been kind enough to grant me a similar status in England. And yet my old Watson has just solved the case.

[Dr. Watson]

Nothing too happy to. What? Solved it how?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Listen to the breathing of that man in the chair. He's been drugged. There sits the real Mr. Quilter, the persecuted victim who sent a cipher message for help.

[Dr. Watson]

The man we spoke to earlier was

[Sherlock Holmes]

you, Mr. Davies, impersonating Quilter. After you'd received us, you took off your disguise, adopted an Australian accent, and then hid your drug victim by placing him in his own wheelchair, knowing that would be the last place we'd look for him.

[Monsieur Levia]

And they would have kept him here until we had gone and then murdered him.

[Dr. Watson]

What a devilish plot.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, what have you got to save yourselves?

[Doris Faversham]

It was Jeffrey's idea, not mine. I didn't have anything to do with it.

[Mr. Quilter]

That's a dirty lie. You were in this as much as I am.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, this is splendid. Simply splendid. Please continue the argument. It'll make interesting evidence in court.

[Doris Faversham]

You can't take us into court.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Of course you can't.

[Mr. Quilter]

What's the charge? Quilter's still alive, isn't he?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mr. Quilter revives under Dr. Watson's ministrations. You will be charged, I have no doubt, with attempted murder, abduction, sequestration, duress, and probably several other counts. Monsieur V, if you will find us a cab, we'll take these miscreants to Scotland Yard. Our work is done.

[Harry Bartell]

Well, Doctor, that was a fine story ever. What are you fidgeting for?

[Dr. Watson]

Fidgeting? Me? I'm expecting a guest. I thought I heard him just out the the front door.

[Harry Bartell]

A guest? Now you're being as mysterious as Mr. Holmes.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, not quite. You see, I. Aha. Come in. Dr. Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

How are you, you old rest?

[Dr. Watson]

Gregory, my boys. It's great to see you again. Mr. Bartell, meet my friend, Mr. Gregory Hood.

[Harry Bartell]

Not the Gregory Hood, Mr. Bartel. I like the way you say that.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, Mr. Bartel, this is the Gregory Hood.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mr. Bartel, if you listen to Dr. Watson, he'll lead you to believe I'm much more important than I am. I'm quite a simple person, really. I'm kind to dogs, just love little children and always help old ladies cross the street. I also know how to make a fire by rubbing two sticks together.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, and unlike my old friend Holmes, you pretend to know very little about criminals and crime. And yet you're one of America's outstanding criminologists.

[Harry Bartell]

So I've heard.

[Sherlock Holmes]

A hobby, Mr. Bartel, a hobby. My real business is importing. Headquarters San Francisco. Need any old masters? Perhaps I can sell you a nice piece of jade.

[Harry Bartell]

Or would you rather have a bit

[Sherlock Holmes]

of old Balinese sculpture?

[Harry Bartell]

Wait a minute. This is all a little too fast for me.

[Dr. Watson]

You learn that Gregory is a little too fast for everybody but Mr. Bartel. Well, I'm sure you'll get to know Mr. Hood a good deal better. You see, as I've told you I've always wanted to take a trip back to England. And now I have a chance to do so.

[Harry Bartell]

But, doctor, won't I see you again? What about our stories?

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, I shall be back in the fall. But Meanwhile, I've asked Mr. Gregory Hood to get together with you at this time every week and tell you some

[Sherlock Holmes]

of his experiences, which, of course, makes me feel very important.

[Dr. Watson]

Mr. Hood, as you know, has been involved in many famous cases dealing in crime. His importing business and his hobby, criminology, are a strange combination. I learned that he keeps a diary of these cases and it's a fascinating book. The Casebook of Gregory Hood.

[Harry Bartell]

The Casebook of Gregory Hood. Sounds intriguing.

[Dr. Watson]

Intriguing. It certainly is.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you.

[Harry Bartell]

Well, then I can tell all our friends. Be sure to listen next week at the same time and every Monday night through the summer to the Casebook of Gregory Hood. Tonight, Sherlock Holmes Adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story The sign of four music is by Dean Fossler. 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, invite you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petri family. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

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