Sherlock Holmes: Murder Beyond the Mountains

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Airdate: January 14, 1946 (Original), Podcast Release: February 6, 2026
Starring: Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes), Nigel Bruce (Dr. Watson)
Summary by: [Your Assistant]

Episode Overview

In “Murder Beyond the Mountains,” Sherlock Holmes recounts to Dr. Watson an adventure set during the three years when Holmes was presumed dead after the Reichenbach Falls incident. Holmes, disguised as a Norwegian explorer, finds himself stranded in the Tibetan mountains and drawn into an international web of intrigue and murder at a remote monastery. The story is rich with suspense, atmosphere, and classic Holmesian deduction—a murder mystery with diplomatic tension and secrets amidst the snowbound Himalayas.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage in Tibet [(02:00)-(05:20)]

• Holmes’ Disguise and Situation:
  Holmes, believed dead by the world, has traveled through Persia, Egypt, and France, settling two years in Tibet under the alias "Sigerson," a Norwegian explorer.

  “At the time the story happened, the whole world, including myself, believed that my old friend had been dead three years.”
  – Dr. Watson (02:17)

• Peril in the Mountains:
  Holmes insists on pressing forward up the dangerous mountain, defying fearful Tibetan guides who warn of an angry mountain goddess. An avalanche strikes, leaving Holmes the lone survivor, forced to forge on alone.

2. Rescue and Arrival at the Monastery [(05:20)-(09:38)]

• Holmes’ Delirium and Rescue:
  Holmes collapses in the elements, hallucinating, before awakening in a cart tended by Eileen Farley, an American medical missionary.

  “My name is Eileen Farley. I’m a medical missionary. I found you wandering out of your mind two days ago…”
  – Eileen Farley (06:19)

• New Companions:
  The pair are joined by Peter Dmitrievich Borodin, a brash Russian diplomat. All three travel together to the ancient monastery of Panchapushpa, which lies in the shadow of a sacred mountain.

3. An International Gathering and a Closed Door [(09:38)-(13:58)]

• At the Monastery:
  The travelers—Eileen (American), Borodin (Russian), Sir Harvey Forrester (British), and Holmes in disguise—each state their purposes to the wise old abbot in hopes of gaining permission to travel to the forbidden city of Lhasa.

• Political Obstacles:
  The Chinese regional overlord, Wah Tsun, arrives. Only the British and Russian are considered eligible for travel due to treaties; Holmes and Eileen are barred.

  “American lady and Norwegian will not be allowed. Only Great Britain and Russia have treaties with my country.”
  – Wah Tsun (13:16)

• Mounting Danger:
  Holmes senses rising tension and remarks ominously:

  “I have rarely seen more clearly exemplified that emotional tension which leads to one thing. Murder.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (13:58)

4. The Murder and Investigation [(14:14)-(21:08)]

• Murder of Wah Tsun:
  Holmes and the abbot discover Wah Tsun has been strangled with his own queue (hair braid). The abbot at first assumes suicide, but Holmes notes the telltale marks on the victim’s shoulder.

  “He is dead? ... Strangled with his own cue.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (16:11, 16:15)

• The Deal:
  Holmes proposes: If he solves the murder, will the abbot grant him passage to Lhasa? The abbot agrees.

  “If I were to produce the murderer for you with certain proof... would you authorize my going to Lhasa?”
  – Sherlock Holmes (16:28)

5. Clues and Deduction [(18:40)-(21:54)]

• Cigarette Ash:
  In the dead man’s cell, Holmes finds a cigarette ash with cardboard—pointing to a Russian cigarette. The suspects are narrowed to the Russian (Borodin) and the Briton (Sir Harvey), who both smoke, but Borodin’s left hand is artificial—a crucial clue.

  “Only a Russian cigarette has a cardboard mouthpiece.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (21:08)

• Holmes’ Deductive Leap:
  The implication is that the incriminating Russian cigarette was planted. Only someone who knew Holmes’ real identity and his methods would have thought to do this.

6. Unmasking the True Killer [(22:18)-(24:10)]

• Holmes Explains:
  To the abbot and monastery scribe, Holmes reveals that Eileen Farley, the missionary, is the murderer—a secret service agent with her own hidden agenda, who tried to frame the Russian.

  “The murderer was the one person who knew my true identity: Miss Eileen Farley, a supposed missionary.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (23:41)

  • Farley confesses, revealing she wasn't a true American missionary, but a German-origin secret agent working undercover.

7. Holmes’ Departure [(24:10)-(25:28)]

• Reflection and Farewell:
  The wise abbot invites Holmes to remain, offering peace and shelter, but Holmes declines.

  “Three great gifts, sir, but I cannot take them. My work is not done. I must go on.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (24:42)

  • Holmes maintains his secret identity even as he leaves, the abbot respecting his wish, with mutual respect and sadness at their parting.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmes’ Foresight

  “I have rarely seen more clearly exemplified that emotional tension which leads to one thing. Murder.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (13:58)

• Holmes Unmasks the Murderer

  “The murderer was the one person who knew my true identity: Miss Eileen Farley, a supposed missionary.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (23:41)

• Holmes Rejects a Life of Peace

  “Three great gifts, sir, but I cannot take them. My work is not done. I must go on.”
  – Sherlock Holmes to the abbot (24:42)

• Holmes on Keeping Secrets

  “I cannot tell even you the answer to that question. One day perhaps, but not now.”
  – Sherlock Holmes (25:03)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Holmes recounts his travels and the avalanche: 02:13 – 05:20
• Holmes’ delirium and rescue by Eileen Farley: 05:20 – 06:46
• Arrival at monastery, meeting multi-national characters: 09:38 – 10:56
• Abbott questions travelers’ motives: 10:56 – 12:57
• Political confrontation and Holmes’ prediction: 13:08 – 13:58
• Discovery of the murder: 15:48 – 16:25
• Holmes articulates his plan/deal: 16:25 – 16:38
• Holmes finds evidence of planted cigarette: 19:35 – 20:01
• Holmes eliminates suspects and explains deduction: 22:42 – 23:47
• Holmes refuses the abbot’s offer and departs: 24:30 – 25:28

Tone & Atmosphere

The story maintains the suspenseful, cosmopolitan intrigue of classic Holmes, blending exotic settings, cross-cultural tensions, and the signature wit of the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce era. Holmes is both compassionate and analytical, maintaining his mystique and sense of justice.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

“Murder Beyond the Mountains” is a tightly woven, atmospheric mystery placing Holmes far from London and even Watson, proving his legendary skills are undiminished by setting or isolation. The episode captures Holmes’ ability to unmask deception through logic and subtle clues, even when facing international intrigue and surrounded by secrets.

If you want a Sherlock story with a unique backdrop, moments of humor, and razor-sharp deduction, this one is not to be missed.