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Sherlock Holmes: His Last Bow (Hobbs & Shelley)
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- [00:00]
Podcast Host
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- [01:01]
Narrator
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 donating@ChoiceClassicRadio.com Sherlock Holmes we present the picks and last play in our series based on the short stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dramatized by Michael Hardwick, with Carlton Hobbs as Sherlock Holmes and Norman Shelley as Dr. Watson. And now here is Dr. Watson to introduce his last bow. It was nine o' clock on the 2nd of August 1940, the most terrible August in the history of the world. One might have thought already that God's curse hung heavy over a degenerate world, but there was an awesome hush and a feeling of vague expectancy in the sultry and stagnant air. The sun had long set, but one blood red gash like an open wound lay low in the distant west. The stars were shining brightly, the lights of the shipping glimmered in arid harbor, and two Germans stood beside the stone parapet of the garden walk with the heavily gabled house behind them, and they looked down on the broad sweep of beach at the foot of the great chalk cliff. From below, the two glowing ends of their cigars might have been the smouldering eyes of some malignant field looking down in the darkness. Well, Van Valk, so far as I can judge, is a trend of events. You will be back in Berlin within the week. After four years in England it will be almost strange. You will be no stranger to our people. I can tell you, as chief secretary of our embassy in London, I happen to know what is thought at the highest quarters of the work that you have done. Mate Von Herling, you flatter me if you believe that. I think you will be surprised at the welcome you will receive for so little. These peoples have not been hard to deceive, you know. A more docile, simple folk than the English could not be imagined. I don't know about that. One first impression is they are entirely soft. Then one suddenly comes upon something very hard and you know you've reached the limit and not adapt yourself to the fact. True, true. Have another cigar. Thank you. I shall miss this view. You know, those are the lights of heritage over there. Really? But as I was saying. Oh, and so saw him in the chat? Not at all. I was referring to British prejudice in all its strange manifestations. For example, one of my own worst blunders. Blunder? You. One of the Kaiser's most devoted agents. I can afford to talk of my blunders because I'm well enough aware of my successes. However, this happened soon after my arrival in London. I was invited to a weekend gathering at the country house of a certain cabinet minister. I know him. I've been there. The conversation was amazingly indiscreet, as always. Exactly. Well, I naturally sent early in the resume of what I heard. Unfortunately, our good chancellor is a little heavy handed in these matters and he made a remark somewhere which gave away the fact that he knew what our cabinet minister friend had said. Difficult. This, of course took the trail straight up to me. No idea what harm it did me and Bach. There was nothing soft about our British hosts on that occasion. I was two years living at barn. Now you with this sporting pose of yours. Well, don't call it a pose. A pose is artificial. This is quite natural. I'm a born sportsman, so I enjoy it. Well, of course that makes it more effective. You yacht against them. You hunt with them, you play polo. And my four in hand took the prize at Olympia this year. Did you see? Indeed. They even tell me. And is it true, Van Gogh, that you go to the length of boxing with young officers? Quite true, my dear Von Herring. And what is the result, my quite magnificent figure? The result, the true result is that nobody takes you serious. You are a good sport. Quite a decent fellow for a job. You're a hard drinking nightclub, knockabout town. Devil may care, young fellow. And all the time this country house of yours is a center of heart and mischief in England. And the sporting squire, the most astute secret serviceman in Europe. Genius, my dear Van Dark. Genius. You flatter me too much, Baron. Still, I may admit that my four years in this country have not been unproductive. Unproductive? I've never shown you my little store a secret, have I? No. Well, there will never be another chance. Shall we go inside? Please lead the way. Some of my papers have gone already with my wife and the household when they left yesterday. Very shrewd. You have the embassy's protection for the rest. And yourself, of course. Your name has been filed as one of the personal feet. Excellent. If you will come this way, I will just draw these curtains behind them. Of course. It is just possible that we may not have to go at all. England may leave France to her fate. You think so? We're sure there is no binding treaty between and Belgium. Belgium too. I don't see how that could be. There is a definite treaty with Belgium. England could never recover from the humiliation. If she let Belgium down for a little longer at peace. It would mean trading her honor. My dear fellow, honor is a medieval conception. We live in a utilitarian age. Besides, England simply isn't ready. It's an inconceivable thing to us. But even our special war tax of 50 million hasn't aroused these people from their slumber. And you'd think that made our purpose as clear as if we'd taken the front page of the Times to advertise it. Depend on it. What with our lack of preparations for meeting submarine attack, making explosives and so forth. Not to mention the devil's brew we have stirred up to keep her busy in Ireland. England cannot come in yet, you know she will. I agree. It is a question of when. I should think they would be wiser to fight with allies than without them. This is John Bull's week of destiny. And you, my dear Van Bock, will be found to have influenced that destiny more than any other than Kazea. Now, the paper, of course, here is quite a simple safe. You see. You only hide it behind a curtain. Who should suspect such a good sport? There. Quite an ordinary combination. And Vasistou gottin so many pigeonholes. Harbor defenses, aircraft, Portsmouth, forts. Recite Scapa Flow. Not such a bad four years work by the Hard drinking, hard riding. Country squire, eh, Baron? But the gem of the collection is coming tonight. And there's the setting for it. Naval signals. But there's a thick, dusty out there already. Waste paper. Somehow the admiralty got the alarm and Every code has been changed. It was a blow, Baron. The worst setback in my whole campaign. But thanks to my checkbook and the good Altamont. Altamont. Look at this. Televan. We'll come without fail tonight and bring new sparking plugs. Altamont sparking plugs. He poses as a motor expert. And I have many motor cars. In our code everything likely to come up is named after some spare part. If he talks of a radiator, he means a battleship. An oil pump is a cruiser and starting plug Naval signals. The new admiralty code book. Worth how much? 500 pounds. Of course, I give him a salary as well. Greedy devil. They're useful ill traitors. But I grudge them their blood money. I grudge ultimate nothing. He's a wonderful worker and he delivers value for money. Besides, he's not a traitor, I assure you. Our most pan Germanic junka is a sucking dove in his feelings towards England compared with our ill bitter eyes. Irish American. An Irish American? You should hear him speak. I can hardly understand him at times. He seems to have declared war on the King's English as well as on the English King. Very good, Vanport, very good. Well, I must be going, monsieur. As you can imagine how things are moving just now at Garden House. I must be back to my post. We shall expect you there tomorrow morning then. Give it Von Bachelor. When you bring that code book through the little bar on the Duke of York steps, you can write Finish the record in England. So now you've seen my fragrance. Bottle of Tokai. May I offer you a glass before you drive? No, thanks. Well, all the more for Altamont. He has a nice taste in wine. And he took a fancy to my Tokay. The cheek of the fellow, Sepace. He needs humoring in small things. So let us go into the garden again. You can get your car that way. Well in, Baron. Still and peaceful it all seems. But it may be less tranquil this time next week. If all the good Ciplide promises us comes through a light shut. Come on in that room. Ah, that will be Martha, master. My only remaining servant. I always tell her to retire early when Altman's coming. She'd hardly approve of his type. Well, a pleasant rise, my dear Van Heling. I'll be with. I'll meet us on until tomorrow.
- [11:18]
Podcast Host
This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. You know, when you're really stressed or not feeling so great about your life or about yourself, talking to someone who understands can really help. But who is that person? How do you find them? Where do you Even start Talkspace. Talkspace makes it easy to get the support you need. With Talkspace, you can go online, answer a few questions about your preferences, and be matched with a therapist. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule wherever you feel most at ease. If you're depressed, stressed, struggling with a relationship, or if you want some counseling for you and your partner or just need a little extra one on one support, Talkspace is here for you. Plus, Talkspace works with most major insurers and most insured members have a zero dollar copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get $80 off of your first month with promo code space80 when you go to talkspace.com, match with a licensed therapist today at talkspace.com save $80 with code space80@talkspace.com plantas, plantas y mas plantas.
- [12:21]
Narrator
And country, farm and garden A key mismo in Yakima and la Venida, Washington Des de los mimientos mas picantes del mundo asta las flores mace hermosas lotanemos todo calantisado, jalapeno roma y super chile en existencia todo los dias un paquete de cuatro vegetales cuestas solo tres doles conventin, nueve Santabos vena country farm and garden para todo tus vegetales, tomates, sebollas, pimientos y pepinos siempre en existencia and country farm and garden in avenida Watson and Yakima. Okay, driver, we see it. Thank you, Arthur. Good evening, Helterman. Well, you can give me the glad hand tonight, mister. I'm bringing home the bacon. At last. You've got the codes? All of them? Every last one. Semaphore lamp, Marcon. How about that, huh? Come in, come in. Sure. Hey, you making ready to move or something? No, no, no. I'm just rearranging the furniture a little. Uh huh. Gee whiz. What now? That's safe. Now you don't tell me you keep your papers in that. Why not? In a wide open contraption like that, it's usually concealed behind a little curtain. No one would think to look. And if they did, what would they find? What? Just a tin box that any Yankee crook would be into with a can opener. And they reckon you to be some. Why, if I'd known that anything in my handwriting was going to lie loose in the thing like that, I'd have been a Mug to hand it over to my dear Edmond. No crook in the world is going to force that safe. That tin, as you call it. It is a metal that cannot be cut with any tool. Is that so? And lock is a double combination. A double? How is that? You don't know? What is a combination lock? I haven't a notion. And I thought you were some spy. Come. I assure you. And you can see me put away the sparking plugs. There are two dials, you see. One has letters, the other has numbers. You adjust the lock so it can only be opened by certain combination of those letters and numbers. A word and some figures to follow. You select them on this dial and hit my stove. Is that so? Would you care to try to open it now? Sure, sure. Now, wait a minute. I don't know the goddamn code. Exactly. So now, do you think any Yankee crook could find his way to our secret Altamont? Ah, I guess I give you best, Mr. Bronbach. Ah, but you will have to give me better still. In a moment, my dear fellow. How's that? I had this safe installed four years ago, and I arrived here. What do you think was the combination I chose for its lock? Gee, I don't know. Well, as we worked so closely together, Ultimo, I will admit that you are right. I am preparing to leave tomorrow, in fact, to Mer. Then I guess I know what that means. Exactly. Therefore, I see no harm in telling you the combination of words and figures. That alone will open this safe. It is August, 1914. My, but that was smart. Four years ago. You knew that. Yes. Even then there were a few of us who could prophesy the date. And here we are, August 1914. And I am shutting down tomorrow morning. Within 48 hours, I shall be in Berlin. You will, huh? And how about me? You? Sure, I guess you'll have to fix me up too. I'm not staying in this goddamn country all on me, lonesome. From what I see, in a week or less, old John Bull will be up on his hind legs and fair rampant. And believe me, I'd sooner watch him from over the water. But you are an American citizen. Edmonton. So what? So, Jack James was an American citizen, but he's doing time in Portland now. He cuts no ice for the British cop to tell him you're an American citizen. It was James's own fault. He almost asked them to catch him. Oh, James with a bonehead, I give you that. But what about Hollis? The man was mad. Sure, a guy can go that way when he has to act Apart from morning to night. But now there's Steiner. Steiner? What about him? You didn't know? They got him, that's all. Dick raided his car last night. He's in Portsmouth jail. Say, it seems to me you don't do much to cover your men, Von Bork. What do you mean by that? You'll go off tomorrow and Stein has left to stand the rapid. He'll be lucky if he gets off with his life, and you know it. But I don't understand how they could have got onto him. Ah, it's the worst blow. Yes, sure, but you nearly had a worse one. What was that? I believe they're not far off. Me what? They were making some inquiries of me landing. Soon as I heard of it, I guessed it was time to hustle. What I don't understand, Von Bork, is how the cops get to know these things. Stein is the best man you've lost since I signed on with you. And I know the name of Number Six. If I don't get a move on. Now, just how would you explain that? How dare you speak to me in such a way. If I didn't dare things, mister, I wouldn't be in your service. I've heard some things about the way you Germans treat an agent when he's finished his work. Do you dare to suggest that I have done such things? All I say, I'm taking no more chances. No, sir. It's me for little Holland, and the sooner the better. Look here, my dear Altamon. We have been allies too long to quarrel. Now at the very hour. Victory. You have done splendid work and taken risks I cannot forget. By all means, go to Holland. You can get a boat from Rotterdam to New York. I promise you, no other shipping line will be safe a week from now. Well, okay. Good. Now give me the coachbook and I will put it where it will be safe. Alderman, what about the dough? The what? The boot. The reward? The £500? You don't seem to have a very high opinion of my honor. Haven't I always paid? Sure. Is it this time you want the money before you give up the book? It's a business transaction, David. All right, have your way. My check is here. Already made out yet? Since we are to be on such terms, I don't see why I should trust you any more than you trust me. So there's my check on the table. I claim the right to examine that parcel before you pick the money up. Okay, then. Yeah, yeah. Nicely bound, don't you think? What is this? A practical handbook of bee culture with some I can't. What are you calling. What is the ring of. And you too, my dear Von Bork will be nicely bound. Another glass, Watson? Certainly. I say, this is a good wine, Holmes. A remarkable wine, Watson. An imperial tokai, which our friend upon the sofa has assured me often enough. Comes from the Emperor Franz Joseph's special seller at the Schoenbrunn Palace. Oh, might I trouble you to open the window? My dear fellow, chloroform vapor doesn't help the palace. You haven't changed. I say, you really put him under. All the same, I'm relieved to see him securely bound. He's a resourceful fellow. You think any of his cronies may turn up homes? I fancy not. He allows very few of them to visit him here in case they're followed and lead the authorities to him. No, there's only one person likely to interrupt us now, and that. Excuse me, Mr. Holmes. I wondered. Ah, Malthusa. Come in and greet an old friend. Why, it's Mrs. Hudson. Hudson. Oh, how are you, Mrs. Hudson? Well, bless my soul, you don't look a million. Oh, go on, will you, sir? My, but you're looking well yourself, sir. Well, I can't grumble, you know. A retirement can do a man a world of good if he's got his interests. That's what Mr. Holmes is always saying, isn't it, sir? Quite so. Oh, dear me. Oh, I hope you didn't have to hurt him, Mr. Holmes. Not at all. Well, I'm glad. He's been a good master according to his like. He wanted me to go off with his wife to Germany yesterday where he said I would be safer. But that would hardly have suited your plans, would it, sir? No, indeed. So long as you were here. I was easy in my mind. When your lamp came on. As you saw his visitor leaving, I knew that all would be well. It was the secretary of the embassy, sir. Baron von Herling. I know his car, Partha. I thought he would never go. I knew you wouldn't want to find him here. No, indeed. Well, I suppose you have everything ready to leave? All packed, sir. Capital. You can report to me in London tomorrow then at Claridge's. Help you. Very good, sir. Well, I won't interrupt you any longer. Good night, Dr. Watson, sir. I hope we shall meet again, Mrs. Hudson, my dear. Something assures me that we have many, many more meetings to come. I'm sure, sir. Well, good night, gentlemen. Good night, Martha. Good night, Mrs. Hudson. Another glass, my dear Watt. Thank you, Holmes. Now, as for the papers in this safe which our friend so kindly instructed me how to open, they will at least show our people what is known to the Germans and what is not. I may say that a good many of these papers have come through me and I need not add, are thoroughly untrustworthy. I never pictured you in the espionage business. It would brighten my declining years to see a German cruiser navigating the Solent according to the minefield plans I have furnished. But now, my dear Watson, how about you? Why, I've hardly seen you in the light yet. How have the years used you? You look the same blithe boy as ever seen. Hardly. Boy, Holmes. Well, I feel 20 years younger tonight. I've seldom felt so happy as when I got your wire asking me to meet you at Harrods with the car. Thank you, Watson. But you know you, Holmes, you've changed very little too. You save me that horrible little beard. This is one of the sacrifices one makes for one's country. Tomorrow the beard will be but a dreadful memory. With my hair cut and a few other superficial changes, I shall no doubt reappear as terrorist as I was before this American stunt. Oh, I beg your pardon, Watson. My well of English seems to be permanently defiled. I meant as I was before this Hibernian American job came my way. But you had retired, Holmes, living the life of a hermit among your bees. And books on that small farm on the south town. Exactly. Here is the fruit of my legerdis. What's this? What is? The magnum opus of my latter year. Practical Handbook of Bee Culture with some observations upon the segregation of the queen. Great heavens, Holmes. Alone I did it. Behold, the fruit of pensive nights and laborious days when I watched the little working gangs as once I watched the criminal world of London. But how on earth did you get back to work again? I've often marveled at it myself. The Foreign Minister alone I could have withstood. But when the Premier also deigned to visit my humble roof. The Premier? The fact is, Watson, that this gentleman on the sofa was a bit too good for our people. He was in a class by himself coming to Good. You see, Watson, things were going wrong. Agents were suspected or even caught. But there was evidence of some strong and secret central force. It was absolutely necessary to expose it. So they gave to you. Strong pressure was brought on me to look into the matter. True, I have missed two years of contented retirement. But they have not been devoid of excitement. Waiter. They haven't. You'll be around in a Moment you will realize how complex the matter was when I say that I started my pilgrimage at Chicago, graduated in an Irish secret society at Buffalo, gave serious trouble to the constabulary at Skibbereen, and so eventually caught the eye of a subordinate agent of Von Bork, who recommended me as a likely man. A likely man. Since then I've been honored by his confidence, which has not prevented most of his plans going subtly wrong and five of his best agents being in prison. I watch them, Watson, and I pick them if they ripen. Well, sir, I hope you're none the worse. Though unmusical German is the most expressive of all languages. Watson. Mr. Von Borg, you have a lot to answer for. I shall get level with you, Alfamus, if you text me all my life, I shall get level with you. The old sweets song, how often have I heard it? In days gone by it was a favorite ditty of the late lamented Professor Moriarty. Colonel Sebastian Moran has also been known to warble it. And yet I live and keep bees on the South Star. As my speech shows you, Mr. Alamon had no existence. In fact, I used him. And he is gone. I remain then. But then. But then. Who are you? It is really immaterial who I am. But since the matter seems to interest you, I may say that this is not my first acquaintance with your family. It was I who brought about the separation between Irene Adler and the late King of Bohemia when your cousin Heinrich was the imperial envoy Himmer. It was I also who saved from murder Count von Uno Grafenstein, who was your mother's elder brother. It was I. But did you? There is only one man who Exactly. Oh. Oh. Most of that information came through you. Oh, it may ruin forever. You have done your best for your country and I have done my best for mine. What could be more natural? Besides, it is surely better to fall to me than to some more ignoble sir. I trust you're as comfortable as your bonds will allow. Should I be guilty of a liberty if I lit a cigar and placed it between your lips? You may go to the devil. Sherlock Holmes. I suppose you realize that you are a private individual and that this whole proceeding is illegal and outrageous. Absolutely. Kidnapping a German subject and stealing his private paper. Watson, I think we'd best make ready to start for London at once. I have a cheque for £500 here which should be cashed early, but something tells me the drawer is quite capable of stopping it if he can. Right, Holmes. Get all the papers out of that safe. Watson. The combination is August 1914 you too, sir. You are equally guilty of his accomplice. If I were to shout for help as we pass through the rain. My dear sir, if you did anything so foolish, you would probably enlarge the two limited titles of our village inn by giving us the Dangling Prussian as a sign board. The Englishman von Bork is a patient creature, but at present his temper is a little inflamed and it would be as well not to try him too far. No, Mr. Vonborg, you will go with us to Scotland Yard from where you can send for your friend, Baron von Herling and see if even now you may not fill that place which he has reserved for you in the ambassadorial suite already. Then, Holmes. Watson, step out onto the terrace with me for a moment, will you? Who knows? This may be the last quiet talk we shall ever have. Oh, don't say such a thing. There's an east wind coming, Watson. Oh, I think not, Holmes. That's very warm. Good earl one. You are the 1/6th point in a changing age. There's an east wind coming all the same. Such a wind has never blew on England yet. It'll be cold and bitter, Watson, and a good many of us may wither before its blast. But it's God's own wind nonetheless. And a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared. Well, let's pray it will. His Last Bow by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was adapted for radio by Michael Hardwick and was the last program in the series. The part of Sherlock Holmes was played by Carlton Hobbs and Dr. Watson by Norman Shelley, Von Herling, Francis de Wolf von Bork, Dennis Goethe, Mrs. Hudson, Janet Morrison. The production was by Graham Gold.
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Podcast Host
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- [31:47]
Narrator
A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, I tried this once.
- [31:55]
Podcast Host
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