Sherlock Holmes: Man with the Twisted Lip 05/06/1946 (Rathbone & Bruce)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes – "The Man with the Twisted Lip" (Original Air Date: 05/06/1946)

Episode Overview

This classic old-time radio episode, presented by Choice Classic Radio, features Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson in "The Man with the Twisted Lip." The story explores the mysterious disappearance of Neville St. Clair, a respectable family man, and Holmes' unravelling of a perplexing case involving double lives, deception, and the underbelly of Victorian London. The atmosphere is rich with suspense, keen deduction, and the charming interplay between Holmes and Watson, immersing listeners in the golden age of detective fiction.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Unexpected Visitor and the Opium Den (02:11 – 05:29)

• Dr. Watson recounts a peaceful evening at home, disrupted by Mrs. Isa Whitney seeking help for her missing husband, known to be addicted to opium:
  • "She was convinced that he was lying, drugged and stupefied in some foul den amid the London waterfronts." – Dr. Watson (02:32)
• Watson ventures to the notorious Bar of Gold in Upper Swandam Lane to find Isa Whitney, describing the bleak scene of addicts lost in opium-induced stupor.
• In the course of finding Whitney, Watson unexpectedly encounters Holmes—disguised, as is his habit when on a case.

2. Holmes Reveals the Case: The Disappearance of Neville St. Clair (05:33 – 13:48)

• Holmes enlists Watson’s aid to investigate Neville St. Clair’s baffling disappearance. He recounts the facts:
  • St. Clair left home as usual, promising to bring his son toy bricks—seen later by his wife at the window of an opium den, appearing agitated, then suddenly vanishing.
  • Mrs. St. Clair, after failing to reach her husband in the building, and with help from police, finds only a deformed beggar named Hugh Boone in the room where her husband was last seen.
  • The beggar is arrested after St. Clair's clothes and fresh blood are found, suggesting foul play.
• The emotional toll on Mrs. St. Clair is palpable:
  • "She described his face as being terribly agitated. He waved his hand frantically and then vanished so suddenly." – Holmes (08:45)

3. Gathering Evidence and Theories (13:58 – 16:40)

• The mystery deepens as Holmes and Watson review evidence with Mrs. St. Clair, including the surprising arrival of a letter:
  • The letter, in Neville's handwriting and enclosing his signet ring, claims he is safe but cannot explain his departure. This raises hope, but Holmes warns it could be a ruse.
  • "If your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you?" – Holmes (15:57)

4. Holmes’ Nocturnal Deduction (18:16 – 19:33)

• Holmes spends the night deep in thought, chain-smoking and constructing a divan from pillows while Watson sleeps.
• The classic image of Holmes’s restless genius is painted vividly:
  • "The pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze." – Dr. Watson (19:12)

5. The Prison Visit and The Great Reveal (19:34 – 23:29)

• Holmes and Watson visit the prison where the deformed beggar, Hugh Boone, is held.
• In a memorable, cinematic moment, Holmes scrubs Boone's face with a sponge and pulls off his wig, revealing Boone is, in fact, Neville St. Clair himself!
  • (22:16) “What are you doing to me now?” – Hugh Boone (Neville St. Clair)
  • (22:28) “Let me introduce you to Mr. Neville St. Clair of Lee in the county of Kent.” – Holmes

6. The Truth Behind the Disguise (23:30 – 26:08)

• Neville St. Clair confesses: as a former actor and newspaper reporter, he found begging under disguise more lucrative than honest work.
  • “On that first day I sat in the London streets I found to my amazement that I received no less than 26 shillings and fourpence.” – Neville St. Clair (23:57)
• He never told his wife, unable to bear the shame. The entire disappearance stemmed from his efforts to hide his double life after his wife spotted him at the window, prompting the elaborate cover-up.
• Holmes admonishes him:
  • “You would have done better to have trusted your wife.” – Holmes (22:54)

7. Resolution and Reflection (26:09 – 27:00)

• The authorities are satisfied with the explanation and, with Holmes and Inspector Bradstreet’s discretion, Neville avoids further legal trouble on condition he abandons his dual existence.
  • "You must tell your wife the truth at once. If you'd done that a long time ago you'd have saved both of yourselves a very great deal of misery." – Dr. Watson (25:59)
• Holmes closes with characteristic dry wit:
  • “I reached [my conclusion] by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag tobacco.” – Holmes (26:15)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmes's disguised entrance: (05:33)
  "Your disguise is wonderful. I'd never recognized you if you hadn't spoke to me just now." – Watson

• Discovery of the signet ring and the hope it brings: (15:15)
  "Yes, there was a ring. His signet ring." – Mrs. Sinclair

• Holmes's humorous final deduction method: (26:15)
  "In this case, my dear Inspector, I, I reached them by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag tobacco." – Holmes

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 02:11 | Dr. Watson meets Mrs. Isa Whitney | | 05:33 | Holmes reveals his disguise to Watson | | 07:20 | Holmes narrates the case facts | | 09:51 | Police investigate the opium den and suspect Boone | | 15:00 | Mrs. St. Clair presents letter from Neville | | 19:12 | Holmes’s nocturnal meditation | | 21:03 | Holmes and Watson arrive at the prison | | 22:16 | Holmes unmasks Hugh Boone as Neville St. Clair | | 23:40 | Neville confesses his double life | | 25:59 | Watson urges honesty with family | | 26:15 | Holmes’s whimsical explanation of his deduction |

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Tone and Language

The episode is imbued with Holmes’s keen, almost playful intellect, Watson’s warm empathy, and the period-appropriate dialogue of Victorian England. Sarcasm, dry wit, and earnest compassion stand alongside a sense of urgency and intrigue. The interplay between Holmes and Watson is affectionate and respectful, reflecting their enduring partnership.

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For New Listeners

This superb radio mystery delivers classic Sherlock Holmes atmosphere: clever deception, dramatic revelations, and the emotional stakes of secret lives. With distinctive period flavor, expert performances, and an ingenious plot twist, it’s a treasure from the golden age of radio drama, faithfully adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original story.

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] Petri wine brings you Basil

Rathbone and Nigel Bruce and 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 another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. Before he starts, I can tell you something. It's really worth knowing simply this. The best beginning a good meal ever had is a glass of Petri California Sherry. Petri Sherry is the perfect before dinner wine. While you're waiting for dinner to be put on the table, pour yourself a glass of that clear amber colored Petri sherry. Now just sit back and sip it slowly. Take your time so you can thoroughly enjoy every single drop of that wonderful Petri flavor. And what a flavor that sherry has. It comes right from the sun ripened heart of wonderful California grapes. You may be a real wine expert and know all about sherry wine, but believe me, until you've tried a Petri sherry, you're really missing something. Serve Petri sherry alone or serve it with canopies or appetizers. And by all means, serve it proudly. You can, because the letters P, E, T, R I spell the proudest name in the history of American wines. Petri. And now let's visit our good friend and host, Dr. Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good evening, doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

Good evening, Mr. Bartel. Draw up your usual chair and make yourself at home. How about a glass of sherry?

[Harry Bartel]

That'd be very nice. All ready for tonight's story, Doctor?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, my boy? Here. Here's your sherry.

[Harry Bartel]

Thank you, sir.

[Dr. Watson]

My story begins on a June night in 1889. My wife and I had spent a quiet evening at home. I remember it was just about the hour that a man gives his first yawn and glances at the clock when the tranquility of the scene was broken by the discordant jangling of our front doorbell.

[Harry Bartel]

An emergency call for you, I suppose, doctor?

[Dr. Watson]

Not exactly, Mr. Bartel. It turned out to be a certain Mrs. Isa Whitney, an old friend of my wife's who'd come to us in trouble. Her husband, she told us, had been missing for 48 hours. And knowing him to be the victim of the shocking habit of taking opium, she was convinced that he was lying, drugged and stupefied in some foul den amid the London waterfronts.

[Harry Bartel]

And I suppose you went out to try to find him?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, Mr. Bartel. I did. She told me that her husband had mentioned frequenting a place called the Bar of Gold in Upper Swandam Lane, so naturally that's where I began my search. I quickly located it and after ordering my cab to wait, I entered the place. A strange sight met my eyes. Through the smoke ridden gloom I could catch a glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses as they smoked the pipes of death. Most of the unhappy creatures lay silently, but some muttered to themselves and others talked together in strange low monotonous voices, their conversation coming in gushes and then trailing off into silence, each mumbling his own thoughts and paying little attention or heed to the words of his neighbor. As I entered an attendant hurried up to me with an opium pipe and a supply of the drug and beckoned me to an empty.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Master may lie here.

[Dr. Watson]

I haven't come to stay here, my good man. I'm looking for a friend, Mr. Isa Whitney.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No one by that name here, master.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, I'm going to search this place just the same.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Please not to make trouble.

[Dr. Watson]

Master

[Neville St. Clair]

Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

Is that you Watson? Whitney. Thank heavens I've found you man.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What time is it?

[Dr. Watson]

It's nearly 11 of what day? What day? Friday, June 19th.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good Lord, I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. You're trying to confuse me.

[Dr. Watson]

I tell you it's Friday. Your wife has been waiting two days for you. You're mixed up on your dates, Watson. I've only been here a few hours.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Three pipes, four pipes, I forget how many. I'll go home with you.

[Hugh Boone]

Here, I'll give you a hand.

[Dr. Watson]

Sit. I have a cab waiting.

[Harry Bartel]

I must owe some money.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Will you settle up for me?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, of course. Here, wait here for me. Stop calling at my steam, my good fellow. Who are you and what do you want? A word in your ear, please.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh very well.

[Dr. Watson]

What is it?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Get rid of your friend and join me outside. Holmes, what on earth are you doing here in the stand your cab waiting?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Then please use it to send your befuddled friend home in. And if you feel up to it, I should also recommend that you send a note to the cabman telling your wife that you have thrown in your lot with me. I'd be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, of course, Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Spend it, then conclude your business. Here old chap, I'll meet you outside in about 10 minutes.

[Dr. Watson]

Where on earth is he? It's, it's nearly. Is that you Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes Watson, it's me.

[Dr. Watson]

Your disguise is wonderful. I'd never recognized you if you haven't spoke to me just now.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Disposed of your friend? Yes, yes, good, splendid. Let's start walking. I have a horse and chap waiting for me in the next street.

[Dr. Watson]

What on earth were you doing in the Bar of Gold, Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Trying to get news of a missing man. You Simon? I'm in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry and I'd hope to get a clue from the incoherent ramblings of those poor devils back there. Ah, there's the horse and trap under the street lamp on the corner. You'll come with me Watson.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, of course, if I can be of any use.

[Sherlock Holmes]

A trusty comrade is always of use. My room at The Cedars has two beds in it.

[Dr. Watson]

The Cedars?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, that's Mr. Neville St. Clair's house and our present destination? It's near Lee in Kent, about seven miles from here. I'm using it as a headquarters while I conduct my inquiries.

[Harry Bartel]

Evening Mr. Holmes.

[Dr. Watson]

Everything all right?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes thank you John. Get in Watson. Right John, I shan't need you anymore tonight. John, here's half a crown for you. Look out for me tomorrow about 11.

[Harry Bartel]

Right you are Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good night gentlemen. Good night John. Go on, get up.

[Dr. Watson]

Well Holmes, if we have a seven mile drive ahead of us perhaps you'll tell me about the case that you're working on.

[Sherlock Holmes]

With pleasure, old chap. But first take the reins for a few minutes will you? I want to remove my makeup and take off my wig and be comfortable. After that I'll tell you why. We are headed for the Kentish countryside at this hour of the night. Watson, you have a grand gift of silence. It makes you invaluable as a companion. We've driven four miles and you haven't uttered a word.

[Dr. Watson]

It wasn't easy Holmes. I've been dying to question you but I could see that you were preoccupied.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Then I shall reward you with a clear and concise statement of my problem. Mr. Neville St Clair, aged 37, the father of two children and an affectionate husband is missing. He left his house at the Cedars near Lee, our present destination. Last Monday.

[Dr. Watson]

Four days ago, eh?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes. Now why should an affectionate husband of a happy father disappear?

[Dr. Watson]

Any, any money trouble?

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, I think not. His entire debts at the moment amount to £88 while he has £220 standing to his credit at the Capitol and Counties Bank.

[Dr. Watson]

Who was the last person to see him on Monday?

[Sherlock Holmes]

His wife. But let me tell you the story. He left his house for London rather earlier than usual.

[Dr. Watson]

He was a businessman then?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, he has an interest in several companies in London, but his wife doesn't know exactly what he does. But to continue he left for London saying that he would bring his little boy home a box of toy bricks. Now by the merest chance his wife received a telegram shortly after his departure saying that a parcel of considerable value was waiting for her at the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company.

[Dr. Watson]

Aberdeen Shipping? Why are their offices in Fresno Street? I drove by them tonight.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Exactly. And Fresno street branches out of Upper Swandam Lane where the Bar of Gold is situated.

[Dr. Watson]

Now I'm beginning to understand. Go on, holmes, go on.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mrs. St Clair took a train for London and at exactly 4:35 on Monday last found herself walking past the Bar of Gold. Suddenly she heard a cry and looking up, was horrified to see her husband beckoning to her from a second story window.

[Dr. Watson]

Great Scott. Was he a prisoner or was he there of his own free will, do you suppose?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Undoubtedly he was a prisoner. The window was open and she distinctly saw his face which she described as being terribly agitated.

[Dr. Watson]

Really?

[Sherlock Holmes]

He waved his hand to her frantically and then vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he had been dragged back by some irresistible force from behind.

[Dr. Watson]

It's just me.

[Sherlock Holmes]

One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that although he wore the coat he had left for London in, he wore neither collar nor tie.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, what did she do?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Rushed down the steps into the Bar of Gold and attempted to go up the staircase leading to the second floor.

[Dr. Watson]

I suppose that Oriental fellow that I talked to tonight stopped her.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Exactly. In fact he pushed her out of the door and slammed it after her. She rushed down the lane and a few moments later was lucky enough to meet a sergeant and two constables.

[Dr. Watson]

She took them back with her to the Bar of Gold. Of course.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes. They went with her to the room in which Neville St. Clair had last been seen. Of course there was no sign of him. In fact, on the whole floor there was no one to be found except a hideous deformed beggar who seemed to live there. From what Mrs. St. Clair told me, it appears that the sergeant conducted the examination quite intelligently.

[Sergeant]

You saw your asthma at this window, Mrs. St. Clair?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

I'm positive, Sergeant.

[Sergeant]

And Alaska swears no one's been upstairs this afternoon. He's probably lying, but let's see what this crippled fellow has to say for himself.

[Dr. Watson]

Here you.

[Hugh Boone]

What do you want with me? I ain't done not.

[Sergeant]

You heard what this lady said. Did you see her husband go in this room a few minutes ago?

[Hugh Boone]

I didn't see nobody and I've been here all the afternoon.

[Sergeant]

You live here?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes.

[Sergeant]

And you swear on oath that no one's been in this room for the last few hours?

[Hugh Boone]

Yes, I do.

[Sergeant]

Mrs. Sinclair, I know that you think you saw your husband, but don't you suppose.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Look.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Look on the table.

[Sergeant]

Just a wooden box, mum.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

But I know what's inside it. There, see?

[Sergeant]

It's a lot of wooden bricks. Like kids paper.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

My husband came to London today especially to buy them for our son. You can't disbelieve me now, Sergeant.

[Sergeant]

Don't think I can, mama. Take another look round. Where does this door lead?

[Dr. Watson]

To my bedroom.

[Hugh Boone]

You won't find nothing in there.

[Sergeant]

Oh, we'll look just the same.

[Neville St. Clair]

Hello.

[Sergeant]

There's blood stains on this window ledge. Fresh blood stains. How do you account for that?

[Hugh Boone]

Well, I don't know nothing about it.

[Sergeant]

And the window overlooks the river. Just where the water's good and deep too. Nice place to tip a body out. Here, come here you.

[Hugh Boone]

Yeah, I ain't done nothing.

[Sergeant]

You got blood stains on your right sleeve. What do you got to say about that?

[Hugh Boone]

Well, I cut my finger, see, and

[Sherlock Holmes]

then I went and opened the window later.

[Hugh Boone]

That's how the blood got there.

[Sergeant]

Don't you think I was born yesterday? Let's have a look in this chest of drawers.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Hello.

[Sergeant]

Hello. Whose clothes are these? Pair of trousers, socks, shoes, hat. Everything except the coat, eh? Mrs. Sinclair, will you come in here please?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Mum. What have you found, Sergeant?

[Sergeant]

These clothes, are they your husbands?

[Dr. Watson]

Mum?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Yes. Yes they are. What's happened to him, Sergeant?

[Sergeant]

I'm afraid he's met with foul play, Mum. And this man knows what happened and he won't talk.

[Hugh Boone]

I don't know nothing I tell you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Don't you?

[Sergeant]

Well, I arrest you in the name

[Dr. Watson]

of the law and I warn you that anything you say.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And Sir Watson, the sergeant arrested this crippled beggar.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, I'm not surprised. What have they been able to find out about him?

[Hugh Boone]

Surprisingly little.

[Sherlock Holmes]

His name is Hugh Boone and he's a professional beggar. Quite a successful one I gather. His pathetic appearance attracts great sympathy. There's a shock of orange hair and a pale face that is disfigured by a horrible scar which has twisted the outer edge of his upper lip.

[Dr. Watson]

He was the last man to see Nevelson Kerr alive, eh?

[Sherlock Holmes]

So it would seem. The Laska downstairs has been cross examined relentlessly. But he that he has no knowledge of the crime.

[Dr. Watson]

Have there been any any further divers?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh yes, old chap. Yes indeed there have. The Ebbing tide gave a fresh clue.

[Dr. Watson]

You mean Sinclair's body was washed out?

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, his coat. What with every pocket stuffed with pennies and halfpennies.421 pennies and270 half pennies to be exact. There's no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide.

[Dr. Watson]

But a human body was a different matter.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, there's a strong eddy between the house and the wharf. It seems likely that the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been carried away into the river.

[Dr. Watson]

The other clothes were found in the room. Why would the body be dressed in a coat alone?

[Sherlock Holmes]

We can only summarize old chap. But supposing that this man Boone had thrust Neville Sinclair through the window and into the river, what would he do then?

[Dr. Watson]

Try and dispose of the tell tale garments?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, that would be logical wouldn't it? He would seize the coat and be in the act of throwing it out of the window when it would occur to him that it would float and not sink.

[Dr. Watson]

So he loaded the pockets with coins to make it sink.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quite so. Of course it is. But he has little time for he has hurt the scuffle downstairs. When Mrs. St Clair tried to force her way up he only succeeded in getting as far as throwing the coat out when the police arrived on the scene.

[Dr. Watson]

Well that seems perfectly feasible.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well it'll do as a working hypothesis anyway.

[Dr. Watson]

Neville St. Clair disappeared on Monday and yet we still don't know what he was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when he got there or where he is now.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, what Hugh Boone, the beggar with a twisted lip had to do with his disappearance. Now here we are at our destination.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Hello.

[Dr. Watson]

There's a light burning. Mrs. Sinclair must be waiting up for you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, poor woman. I hate to return here with no news of her husband. But she's being brave Watson, extremely brave. We must do everything we can to comfort her.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Doctor Watson, I'm so grateful that you were able to come down and help your friend.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh I only hope that I can be of some help Mrs. Sinclair.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

I see that you have no good news for me Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm afraid not, no.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Bad?

[Sherlock Holmes]

No.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Thank heaven for that. Mr. Holmes, tell me honestly, do you think that Neville is still alive? Well I frankly no.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Frankly then I don't.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

You think he's murdered?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I don't say that but perhaps you say.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

And on what day did he meet his death?

[Sherlock Holmes]

On Monday.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Then perhaps Mr. Holmes you can explain how I received a letter from him today.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What?

[Dr. Watson]

Where is the letter madam?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Here, let Me see it. This is very crude writing on the envelope. Surely it's not your husband's hand.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

No, but the writing in the letter is.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Uh huh. This letter contained an enclosure.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Yes, there was a ring. His signet ring.

[Dr. Watson]

What does the letter say, Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Dearest, do not be frightened.

[Harry Bartel]

All will come.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, there is a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Wait in patience. And it's signed Neville, written in pencil on the fly leaf of a notebook. No watermark. Posted today in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. The flap has been gummed, if I'm not mistaken, by a man who has been chewing tobacco.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

My husband must be alive. Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

This might be a clever forgery to put us off, put us off the track.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

But the signet ring.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, it may have been taken from him.

[Dr. Watson]

But the handwriting and then the postmark

[Sherlock Holmes]

might have been written on Monday and only posted today.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

I won't be discouraged, Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I have no wish to discourage you. I'm just trying to be practical. If your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away from you?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

I. I can't imagine.

[Dr. Watson]

He made no special remarks before leaving on Monday?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

No, none. Except to say that he was going to buy the wooden blocks.

[Sherlock Holmes]

When you saw him at the Bar of Gold in Swandam Lane. Was the window open?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Yes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Then he might have called you.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

He might.

[Sherlock Holmes]

As I understand it, he gave an inarticulate cry. A call for help you thought? Yes.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

He waved his hands but it might

[Sherlock Holmes]

have been a cry of surprise, Astonishment at the unexpected sight of you. Might have caused him to throw up his hands.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

I suppose so.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And you thought that he was pulled back from the window?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

Yes. Because he disappeared so abruptly he might

[Sherlock Holmes]

have leaped back Monday.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

He might have, though I can't think why.

[Sherlock Holmes]

One last question. Had your husband error shown signs of taking opium?

[Mrs. Sinclair]

No, never, Mr. Holmes. I'm certain the idea would have revolted him.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you, Mrs. Sinclair. Those were the principal points I wanted to be clear on. And now, Watson, I suggest we retire for the night. We may have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow.

[Mrs. Sinclair]

I hope you both sleep well. Good night, Mr. Holmes. Dr. Watson.

[Dr. Watson]

Good night, Mrs. And turn.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Keep up your courage. Good night, Mrs. Sinclair. We must hope for the best. The clouds seem lighter, though I should not venture to say that danger is over.

[Harry Bartel]

You'll hear the rest of Dr. Watson's story in just a second. So I'm just going to remind you that when you buy Petri California Sherry you have a choice of two Kinds of sherry? You can choose Petri regular sherry or if you prefer your sherry dry. You know, not sweet. Ask for Petri Pale dry sherry. They're both fine wines and if you don't know which you'd prefer, don't buy one, buy two. Buy them both and try them both. And remember this Petri Sherry is the perfect all round, all occasion wine. It's good before dinner, after dinner, at cocktail time and anytime. Just be sure you get Petri. Petri Sherry. Dr. Watson, you and the great Sherlock Holmes certainly deserved a good night's rest. Did you get it?

[Dr. Watson]

I did Mr. Bartel. But Holmes made no attempt to sleep. As soon as we retired upstairs he donned a blue silk dressing gown and then wandered about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the sofa and the armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Eastern divan on which he pursed himself cross legged with an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of him.

[Harry Bartel]

He was all set for a session of thinking I guess.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes my boy. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe clenched in his teeth. His eyes fixed vacantly on a corner of the ceiling. The blue smoke curling up from him, silent, motionless. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep. And so he sat. When I wakened in the morning to find the summer sun shining into the room the pipe was still between his lips, the smoke still curled upward and the room was full of a dense tobacco haze. But nothing remained of the heap of shag which I had seen on the previous night.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Watson? Awake. Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

What time is it?

[Sherlock Holmes]

20 minutes past four.

[Dr. Watson]

Lord. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You haven't been to bed old chap. I had to think. I couldn't allow my brain the luxury of sleeping. You game for a morning drive?

[Dr. Watson]

Certainly. I'll get rest.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good. No I'm stirring yet but I know where the stable boy sleeps. I'll have the horse and trap up in no time at all.

[Dr. Watson]

Where are we going?

[Sherlock Holmes]

To prison to visit Hugh Boone, the man with a twisted lip.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh Monsieur, you're unusually excited. What's on your mind?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I want to test a little theory. I think Watson, that you are now standing in the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to be kicked from here to Charing Cross but I think I have the key to the affair.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, where is it?

[Sherlock Holmes]

In the bathroom.

[Dr. Watson]

You're joking Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, I've just been there and removed it. It's in my coat pocket. Now hurry and get dressed old chap. Then we'll drive over to the prison and see whether my key fits the loc. Well. Good morning Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson.

[Dr. Watson]

Good morning. I'll say good morning.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You're a couple of early birds and no mistake. Yes Constable? We are searching for the proverbial worm. Who's on duty? Inspector Bright street sir. Oh, oh here he is now. Good morning Bradstreet.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Oh hello Mr. Holmes. Good morning Doctor.

[Dr. Watson]

Good morning Inspector.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

What can I do for you gentlemen?

[Sherlock Holmes]

We called about Hugh Boone, the beggar man who is charged with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Clair. You have him here?

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Yes Mr. Holmes, he's in the cells. I'll take you to him. Follow me will you gentlemen?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you.

[Dr. Watson]

What kind of a prisoner has he been Inspector?

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Oh he hasn't given us any trouble but he's a dirty devil. It's as much as we can do to make him wash his hands. His face is as black as a

[Sherlock Holmes]

tinker's though he has an aversion to washing. Has he?

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Yes Mr. Holmes. Well once his case has been settled he'll have a regular prison bath and when you see him I think you'll agree with me that he needs it. Well here we are. This is his cell. He's still asleep.

[Dr. Watson]

Good Lord, what a filthy repulsive we're looking for.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Yes, he's a beauty isn't he?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Want to go in Mr. Holmes? Please inspect her.

[Dr. Watson]

Well he certainly needs a wash.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, I had an idea that he might. That's why I brought this sponge along in my pocket.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, so that was the key that you found in the bathroom.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

You're a funny one Mr. Holmes, and no mistake. What did you bring a sponge along for?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'll show you. Is there any water in this cell?

[Inspector Bradstreet]

In the jug on the table there.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, yes, I soak the sponge in the water so and then applied to the prisoner's face so

[Dr. Watson]

great Scottish complexion's three shades lighter underneath and the scar on his lip has disappeared.

[Hugh Boone]

What are you doing to me now?

[Sherlock Holmes]

A tug on this mop of red hair and I think we'll find it's a wig. Yes, come on. That's right. Ah, let me introduce you to Mr. Neville St. Clair of Lee in the county of Kent.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Good Lord, Mr. Holmes, it's the missing man all right. I recognize him from the photographs all right.

[Neville St. Clair]

I'm Neville Sinclair. What am I charged with?

[Inspector Bradstreet]

With making away with Mr. Neville Sa. Oh no, you, you can't be charged with that unless we make a case of attempted Suicide of it.

[Neville St. Clair]

Well since I'm the missing man then it's obvious that no crime has been committed and therefore I'm illegally detained.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No crime but a very great error has been committed. You would have done better to have trusted your wife.

[Neville St. Clair]

It wasn't only my wife, it was the children. I couldn't bear to have them know that their father was a common beggar. Now you've exposed me, what can I do?

[Dr. Watson]

Well if you leave it to court of law to clear this matter up sir, you can hardly avoid newspaper publicity. But if you're perfectly honest with us now I'm sure that the inspector and Mr. Holmes won't be too hard on you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No Mr. St. Clair. Inspector Bradstreet will, I'm sure make notes on the information that you give us and submit them to the proper authorities. But now sir, your story please. Why have you been posing as Hugh Boone, a crippled beggar with a twisted lip?

[Neville St. Clair]

Well it's a simple enough story. Some years ago I was a newspaper reporter. One day my editor wanted an article on begging in the London metropolis.

[Dr. Watson]

I suppose you thought the best way to get your facts was to disguise yourself as a beggar.

[Neville St. Clair]

Yes. I'd been an actor in my youth and it wasn't hard for me to adopt a convincing disguise. But that was the point where all my trouble started. On that first day I sat in the London streets I found to my amazement that I received no less than 26 shillings and fourpence.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Almost as much as your weekly salary as a reporter. Imagine. Yes Mr. Holmes.

[Neville St. Clair]

Well you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous work at £2 a week when I knew that I could earn as much in a couple of days by smearing my face with paint, laying my cap on the ground and sitting still. Only one man knew my secret.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Alaska. At the bar of Golden Upper Swandam lane eh? Yes Mr. Holmes.

[Neville St. Clair]

Every morning I would emerge from there dressed as a beggar and in the evenings I'd return and transform myself into a well dressed man about town. The fellow was well paid for his rooms and I knew that my secret was safe in his possession.

[Dr. Watson]

When you got married you couldn't bring yourself to confide in your wife I suppose?

[Neville St. Clair]

No I couldn't. My wife knew that I had a business in the city. She little knew what?

[Sherlock Holmes]

When you saw your wife from the window last Monday you quickly changed back into the character of the beggar I suppose? Yes Mr. Holmes, of course.

[Neville St. Clair]

And then weighted my coat and threw

[Sherlock Holmes]

it into the river?

[Neville St. Clair]

Well I Don't think there's anything else I need explain, is there?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Gentlemen? One point. The signet ring that you sent your wife.

[Neville St. Clair]

Well, I knew that she'd be worrying so I gave it to the lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me. Together with a hastily scribbled note.

[Dr. Watson]

That note only reached her last night, Mr. Sinclair.

[Neville St. Clair]

Last night? Poor Catherine, What a dreadful week she must have spent.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

The police have been watching that lasker. He probably found it difficult to post the letter for you without being spotted.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, I would surmise he gave it to a sailor customer of his to post. A sailor who chewed tobacco and had a dirty thumb. Yes, I think all the ends are tied off very neatly. Now one last question, Mr. Sinclair. Have you ever been prosecuted for begging?

[Neville St. Clair]

Many times. But what was a fine to me?

[Inspector Bradstreet]

It's got to stop here and now, Mr. Sinclair. If the police had asked this thing up, there must be no more of

[Neville St. Clair]

you, Boone the beggar, I swear it.

[Dr. Watson]

You must tell your wife the truth at once. If you'd done that a long time ago you'd have saved both of yourselves a very great deal of misery.

[Neville St. Clair]

Sir, I shall tell her everything.

[Inspector Bradstreet]

Well, Mr. Holmes, we're very much obliged to you for having cleared this matter up. I wish I knew how you reached your results though.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, in this case, my dear Inspector, I, I reached them by sitting upon five pillows and consuming an ounce of shag tobacco. I only wish that all my problems might be solved so comfortably.

[Harry Bartel]

Well, Doctor, that was some story. Imagine arresting a man for committing a murder and then finding out that he's the fellow who's supposed to be dead.

[Dr. Watson]

It is a bit bewildering, isn't it?

[Harry Bartel]

You said it, boy. Being a detective sure has its surprises. Nothing like that ever happens to me.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, come, come, come, come, come. One would believe to hear you talk that you lead a very uneventful life.

[Harry Bartel]

Oh, but I do, doctor, I do. Why, I never get any surprises. Look, I tell our friends that Petri wine is always good wine and what happens?

[Dr. Watson]

What does happen?

[Harry Bartel]

Everybody agrees it's good wine and that's that. Well, it's just got to be. After all, the Petrie family has been making wine for generations. Winemaking is their heritage. A heritage passed on down from father to son, from father to son, from generation to generation. The Petri family knows full well the art of turning luscious sun ripened grapes into fragrant, delicious wine. And because the making of Petri wine is a family affair, you can be sure that the name Petri on a bottle of wine really stands for something. It's your assurance that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine. No matter what type wine you prefer. You'll never go wrong with a Petri wine because Petri took time to bring you good wine. Well, Dr. Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes adventure are you planning to tell us next week?

[Dr. Watson]

Well, now, let me see.

[Sergeant]

Next week.

[Dr. Watson]

Next week, Mr. Bartell, I'm going to tell you a weird story of violence and of sudden death that struck without warning. I call it the Strange Adventure, the Uneasy Easy Chair.

[Harry Bartel]

Tonight, Sherlock Holmes Adventure was adapted by Dennis Green and Anthony from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story the man with the Twisted Lip. 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, 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 goodnight for the Petrie family.