Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes – "The Purloined Ruby" (05/07/1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Sherlock Holmes: The Purloined Ruby
Featuring: Basil Rathbone (Holmes), Nigel Bruce (Watson)
Air Date: May 7, 1945
Summary Date: November 14, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode blends meta-theatre and mystery, as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are drawn from their “real” world into a case involving a play about their own exploits. At the heart of the affair is a valuable ruby, missing Egyptian treasure, a frightened young woman, and the ever-looming threat of Holmes’ nemesis, Professor Moriarty. The episode highlights the interplay between reality and fiction and classic Holmesian deduction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reunion and the Theatre Invitation (03:06–06:40)

• Holmes leaves his Sussex bee farm and reunites with Watson in London.
• Holmes proposes they attend a performance at the Savoy Theatre—specifically, a play about Sherlock Holmes himself.
• The actor Sir Claude Horton, starring as Holmes on stage, has insisted Holmes attend, alluding to "strange developments."

2. Meta-Theatre and Gathering of Characters (06:41–08:00)

• They're greeted by Frank Ferrars, who plays Professor Moriarty in the play.
  • Quote: “I've done it nightly now for 137 performances.” – Frank Ferrars [05:44]
• Holmes and Watson receive a mysterious note from Sir Claude about unusual events and are told to observe the occupant of the box opposite theirs during the play.

3. A Mystery Unveiled – Alicia Henshaw's Story (08:31–11:28)

• Holmes and Watson introduce themselves to Alicia Henshaw, a young woman shadowed by a mysterious man.
• Alicia narrates her tale:
  • Her brother received a ruby as a reward in Egypt but it was later replaced with a fake—likely stolen by an “expert,” possibly Professor Moriarty.
  • She’s been stalked since, leading Sir Claude to involve Holmes.
  • Quote: “Miss Henshaw, you say you have been shadowed for some weeks?” – Holmes [11:31]

4. After the Play – Investigation Deepens (12:10–13:16)

• In Sir Claude's dressing room, Holmes, Watson, and Alicia discuss the mystery of the ruby and Moriarty.
• Watson is critical of his on-stage portrayal:
  • Quote: "He mumbles so much I couldn't understand a word he said." – Dr. Watson [12:40]
• Plans are made to regroup at the Diogenes Club after Alicia returns home.

5. Street Pursuit and the Egyptian Rival (17:00–19:07)

• Holmes and Watson follow up on the man shadowing Alicia—a member of the Arabi family sworn to recover the stolen “treasure of Asyut” (the ruby).
• The man denies ill intent toward Alicia:
  • Quote: “My life is dedicated to only one problem. Miss Honshaw now says the jewel was stolen from her. I do not believe it. That is why I watch her.” – Egyptian Man [18:16]

6. Sir Claude’s Death and the Key Clue (19:08–20:39)

• Back at the Diogenes Club, Sir Claude collapses and, dying, mutters clues: "The ruby. Moriarty. The answer's in the book. And the book."
• Holmes notices Sir Claude died clutching Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, his thumb marking "The Purloined Letter."
  • Quote: "The answer's in the book. And the book." – Sir Claude [19:41]

7. Holmes’ Deduction: Hiding in Plain Sight (20:40–21:25)

• Holmes realizes: the purloined ruby was hiding in plain sight, used as a prop on stage in the Sherlock Holmes play, emulating Poe’s principle that the best hiding place is the most obvious one.

8. Confrontation at the Theatre (21:26–24:03)

• Holmes and Watson return to the theatre and discover the real ruby among the stage props.
• They are ambushed by gunfire (an air rifle), nearly shot, and engage in a shootout in the dark.
• The true Moriarty escapes, but the Egyptian is injured by Watson in the confusion.

9. The Villain Revealed (24:04–25:12)

• Holmes reveals that Frank Ferrars, the actor playing Moriarty, is in fact the real Moriarty, hiding behind his stage persona, drawing a clever parallel with The Purloined Letter.
  • Quote: "Moriarty is Moriarty." – Holmes [24:15]
• Sir Claude was killed for knowing too much and intending to expose Moriarty.

10. Aftermath & Final Reflections (25:53–26:37)

• Holmes laments Moriarty’s escape, despite recovering the ruby:
  • Quote: “Yet this lovely bauble has cost Sir Claude his life.” – Holmes [26:05]
• The Egyptian rival, wounded, admits the recovered ruby is not the fabled jewel he seeks; his quest must continue.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Meta-Reflection:

  • “In time no doubt we shall be portrayed on the cinematograph as well.” – Holmes, humorously foreseeing film adaptations [04:15]
  • “Nonsense Holmes, that newfangled thing's only a toy.” – Watson [04:26]

• On Stage Characterizations:

  • “As for the actor portraying me, my friends tell me it’s a travesty. He makes me nothing but a bumbling old fool.” – Watson [03:33]

• Dying Clue:

  • “The answer’s in the book. And the book.” – Sir Claude, clutching Tales of Edgar Allan Poe [19:41]

• Theatre/Reality Blend:

  • “How better can you hide a stolen ruby than by exhibiting it night after night as a stolen ruby before the eyes of thousands?” – Holmes [21:11]

• Moriarty revealed:

  • “How better could Moriarty conceal himself than by announcing nightly to the theater going public that he was Professor Moriarty…” – Holmes [24:36]

Key Segment Timestamps

• Holmes and Watson attend the theatre: 03:06–05:57
• Interaction with Frank Ferrars and receiving Sir Claude's note: 05:07–06:09
• Alicia Henshaw’s story: 08:31–11:28
• Sir Claude’s dressing room / group discussion: 12:10–13:16
• Holmes and Watson confront the Egyptian rival: 17:00–19:07
• Sir Claude’s murder and clue: 19:23–20:39
• Deduction of the hiding place: 20:58–21:25
• Showdown at the theatre: 21:25–24:03
• Moriarty’s identity and escape revealed: 24:04–25:12
• Holmes' final reflection: 26:05–26:37

Tone and Style

• Atmospheric and witty: Holmes and Watson exchange barbs about their stage versions.
• Meta-literary: The story frequently references itself and the growing legend of Holmes, even alluding to adaptations across media.
• Classic detective intrigue: Intricate plot, clever hiding of clues, theatrical danger, and the ever-present mysterious Moriarty.

Conclusion

“The Purloined Ruby” weaves together theatre and reality, taking listeners on a layered mystery where Sherlock Holmes confronts his own myth, outwits Moriarty’s theatrical disguise, and, with Watson, navigates both literal and figurative spotlights. The case is ultimately solved—with the ruby recovered and the culprit unmasked—yet Moriarty remains at large, the threat ever present.

Holmes’ closing words foreshadow the endless chase:
“But one day, Watson, and may the day come soon, I shall meet Moriarty again. And when that happens and I finally bring him to justice, then and only then, can you write Finis to the character of Sherlock Holmes.” [26:11]

This summary covers the unfolding drama, key deductions, and the interplay between fiction and reality that makes this episode a standout in the classic radio detective canon.