Sherlock Holmes: The Unfortunate Tobacconist 04/30/1945

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives: Sherlock Holmes – "The Unfortunate Tobacconist" (Aired 04/30/1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Theme: A trio of murders in a single London tobacconist shop attract the attention of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Inspector Lestrade as espionage, inheritance, and familial intrigue intertwine in a tense East End mystery.
Date Summarized: November 7, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode revisits the Golden Age detective tales, presenting a new (for 1945) adventure of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as told to the audience by Dr. Watson himself. Called "The Unfortunate Tobacconist," the story revolves around a series of mysterious murders in a single London tobacconist's shop. Holmes, Watson, and Inspector Lestrade investigate the grisly pattern, uncovering smuggling, espionage, and family secrets along the way.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. Holmes' Curiosity Sparked by Unusual Murders

• Setting: Early 20th-century London, Baker Street; summer evening, 1906 (03:15)
• Background:
  • Dr. Watson returns to Baker Street after a pleasant walk.
  • Holmes muses on the rarity of certain murders, then zeroes in on tobacconists: “No less than three tobacconists have been murdered in the past six months, in the same small shop at the East End of London.” (Holmes, 04:19)
• Speculation:
  • Watson proposes smuggling as the underlying motive (04:47).
  • Holmes praises Watson’s imaginative theory, setting a lighter tone.

2. Inspector Lestrade's Visit and the Case Details

• Entrance: Lestrade brings firsthand details of the case (05:39).
• Case Summary:
  • The tobacconist shop experienced three murders each time a new proprietor moved in.
  • Tenants: George Grillet (initial tenant, father of Lily Grillet), followed by an Italian and a Scotsman (both murdered), then finally a Hindu, Mukherjee (also murdered).
  • Motive appears as robbery, but the specifics differ (08:17); strangulation with a silk scarf, knife, etc.
  • Lestrade is worried because George Grillet and his daughter Lily have moved back in, and Jack Longworth, the landlord (and Lily’s love interest), is concerned for their safety (09:04).

3. Holmes, Watson, & Lestrade Visit the Shop

• First Impressions:
  • Holmes observes a “bearded Hindu skulking off around the corner,” drawing a connection to the recent murdered proprietor (11:08).
• Introductions:
  • They meet Lily Grillet and Jack Longworth.
  • Lily expresses her dislike for the shop and mentions a mysterious bearded man (13:24).
• Holmes’ Plan:
  • Holmes orchestrates a ruse—Lily, Jack, and Lestrade leave, while Holmes and Watson hide to wait for the lurking threat (14:13).
  • Suspense builds as the bearded stranger enters; Holmes quickly reveals he is an undercover agent from the Foreign Office, instructed by Mycroft Holmes (16:06).

4. Foreign Office Involvement & Renewed Investigation

• Mycroft’s Role:
  • Mycroft Holmes’ indirect involvement hints at a more serious, possibly international element—espionage. “Occasionally, Mycroft is the British government.” (Holmes, 10:30)
• Pattern Recognition:
  • Holmes dismisses simple robbery as the motive. “Don’t let the theft of a few pounds from the till blind you to the real motive.” (Holmes, 18:00)

5. Confrontation with Grillet & The Clue of the Fake Attack

• Evening at the Shop:
  • Lily leaves for the evening, asking them not to go into the backroom—a key clue (18:36).
  • Grillet confides in Holmes, suspects Jack Longworth is driving out property owners to buy the shops cheaply, and presents a threatening note (20:16).
  • The men hide in the back room, awaiting the attack (21:29).
• Turning Point:
  • They hear the signal (double knock), then a staged commotion (22:28).
  • Upon rushing in, they find Grillet apparently slashed—Holmes instantly discerns the ruse.

6. Holmes Unmasks the Culprit

• Revelation:
  • Holmes explains that Grillet faked the attack:
    • The threatening note was self-written (24:06).
    • The sound of the opening shop door, which should ring a bell, was actually made by the counter flap (24:17).
  • The pattern: All murdered shopkeepers were not Grillet; the attacks targeted any non-Grillet tobacconists.
  • Holmes deduces Lily knows more than she lets on—her odd caution about the back room signals a secret (25:11).
  • Secret passage to the waterfront discovered—used for espionage or smuggling (25:21).
• Motivation:
  • The ultimate motive is tied to espionage, with the shop serving as headquarters for a spy ring (25:34).

7. Aftermath and Denouement

• Grillet’s Fate:
  • Before trial, Grillet dies of a second stroke (26:16).
  • His daughter Lily later marries Jack Longworth; Watson reminisces about dancing at the wedding (26:30).
• Holmes’ Humility:
  • Holmes admits some of the final answers must be supplied by Mycroft—a rare note of modesty from the detective (25:47).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Holmes’ dry wit about Mycroft:
  “You must bear in mind, old fellow, that occasionally Mycroft is the British government.” (10:30)

• Holmes (on Watson’s theorizing):
  “Watson, my dear fellow, you’re doing splendidly. You must walk in the park more frequently. You’re positively scintillating.” (05:00)

• On Lestrade’s police perks:
  “Observe the five cigars peering out of Lestrade’s breast pocket... Obviously the scene of his latest investigation has proffered certain, well, shall we say, professional perquisites.” (Holmes, 06:11)

• Key clue from Holmes:
  “Whenever the shop door opens, there’s a bell that jangles... there was no bell jangle when we were in the back room.” (24:18)

• Dr. Watson’s closing summation:
  “The shop had been the headquarters of a spy ring operated by Grillet. Many international criminals had been smuggled into England on foreign ships moored up the river.” (26:03)

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:00–03:15: Dr. Watson’s introduction & invitation to tell the story
• 03:15–05:25: Holmes introduces the tobacconist murder mystery
• 05:39–10:30: Inspector Lestrade details the three murders
• 11:01–14:13: Arrival at the shop, meeting Lily and Jack, Holmes' plan
• 14:13–16:11: The bearded Hindu, Foreign Office intervention, Mycroft connection
• 18:00–21:29: Holmes, Watson, Lestrade update; Lily departs, Grillet warns of the threat
• 22:28–24:36: The fake attack is staged; Holmes reveals the truth
• 25:01–26:16: Secret passage and spy ring unveiled
• 26:16–26:30: Story’s coda; Grillet’s death, Lily and Longworth’s marriage

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Tone & Style

The episode blends the cerebral, playful banter of Holmes and Watson with the determined, occasionally exasperated Lestrade. The intrigue of espionage and Victorian crime is balanced with warm doses of camaraderie and a touch of romance between Lily and Longworth. The classic radio drama style brings suspenseful pacing, lively dialogue, and a sense of period authenticity from London’s East End.

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Summary for New Listeners

This tightly plotted episode exemplifies Sherlock Holmes’ deductive brilliance as he exposes not simply a series of robberies and murders, but an elaborate cover for an international spy ring. With clever misdirection, secret passages, false attacks, and the intervention of Holmes’ enigmatic brother Mycroft, the story keeps listeners guessing to the end. The episode concludes with justice overtaking the true mastermind, a touch of romance, and the typical Holmesian humility—reminding us that sometimes even Holmes must defer to the mysterious workings of the British government.

Transcript

[A]

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] this episode from the Life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by shortwave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri Wine brings you 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 about another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And say, before another second passes, I want to tell you that if you've written in for your petri recipe calendar and haven't yet received it, please, please don't get mad at us. We never saw anything like it. The letters have been coming in by the tens of thousands. Honest. But you'll get your calendar, you can be sure of that. And we'll send it to you fast as we can. And say if you want one of these swell recipe calendars free and you haven't yet written us, well, if you hurry up, I'm sure we can still take care of you. But hurry, because this is the last time we can make this offer. You know, these calendars are really something. They're good through 1946 and they've got dozens of recipes and hints and ideas for cooking with wine. With this petri recipe calendar hanging in your kitchen, you'll be able to turn out dishes that will contain the secrets of some world famous chefs. To get your free calendar, just write to Petri Wine P E T R I Petri wine San Francisco 26 California. San Francisco, 26, California. But as I said before, hurry. Huh? And now let's knock on the door of the good Dr. Watson's library and see if he's expecting us. Don't say he's forgotten his appointment. That's odd. I think I'll look inside. There's the answer. He's asleep. Doctor.

[B]

Dr. Watson.

[C]

Wake up. Holmes. Holmes. Look out for that bearded Hindu. He's right behind you. And I think he's got a knife.

[D]

Wake up, Doctor.

[A]

It's only me.

[C]

You? Foreman. I take a little nap.

[A]

You were talking in your sleep, Doctor. Something about Sherlock Holmes and a bearded Hindu with a knife. Didn't you tell us last week that one of the characters in tonight's adventure was a bearded Hindu?

[C]

Yes, of course. Yes, that's right, Mr. Foreman, I did. But settle Yourself down and I'll tell you the whole story. It began on a summer evening in 1906. I'd been for a long walk in the park. I remember. When I returned to Baker street and entered our rooms, Holmes looked up at me with a twinkle and spoke.

[B]

You look positively glowing with health, Watson.

[C]

Well, I had a splendid walk. My dear fellow, you should have come with me. The park was looking particularly beautiful.

[B]

Well, chap, during your absence I've decided to write another monograph.

[C]

Oh? What's the subject this time?

[B]

Occupational liability to murder, for instance. The mortality rate is naturally high among policemen and detectives. Physicians are murdered with fair regularity, but the murder of a dentist is rare. And who ever heard of a murdered veterinary surgeon?

[C]

It's quite true. But what's the occasion for this little homily?

[B]

I've been browsing over my newspaper clippings. You recall ever hearing of a murdered tobacconist, Watson?

[C]

No, no, I can't say that I do, do I?

[B]

And yet my clippings inform me that no less than three tobacconists have been murdered in the past six months. And all the murders have occurred in the same small shop at the east end of London. Now, why do you suppose three tobacconists would be murdered in the same shop? Come now, old fellow, give me a logical solution to the problem, will you?

[C]

Well, let me see. You say that the shop's in the east end.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Is it near the river?

[B]

As it happens, it's on the water's edge.

[C]

Then supposing the tobacconist shop was the headquarters of a smuggling ring. Perhaps boxes of cigars were unloaded from the drops and brought to the shop. Cigars containing pearls or opium or something.

[B]

Watson, my dear fellow, you're doing splendidly. You must walk in the park more frequently. You're positively scintillating.

[C]

Oh, no, you're. You're making fun of me.

[B]

I assure you I'm not.

[C]

You're expecting anyone, huh?

[B]

No, no. Probably a visitor from Mrs. Hudson. Go on with your fascinating theory. Now, why are three tobacconists murdered?

[C]

Well, because they. They know too much, perhaps. They demand a share on the profits, so the head of the ring decides to kill them.

[B]

Plausible enough. Watson, I really must congratulate you. I can see that I'm very lucky in having a biographer with such a lively imagination.

[C]

Thanks very much. Come in, imagination. Oh. Oh, hello, Stroud.

[B]

I'm glad to see you.

[D]

I hope I'm not intruding.

[B]

Not at all, my dear fellow. Come along, sit down.

[D]

Thank you, Miss Holmes.

[B]

Anything remarkable on hand?

[D]

No, no Miss Holmes, nothing very particular.

[B]

Ah, then tell me all about it, Lestrade.

[D]

Can't hide anything from you, can I, sir? Yes, there is something on my mind.

[B]

And no mistake and it occurs and it concerns the three murdered tobacconists.

[A]

I see. Splendid.

[D]

Now how the blazes did you know that?

[C]

Yes Holmes, that's pure magic.

[B]

Not at all, Milly Watson. It's simple deduction. Observe the five cigars peering out of Lestrade's breast pocket. They are of a far superior quality to his usual brand. Obviously the scene of his latest investigation has proffered certain, well, shall we say professional perquisites. Am I right Lestrade?

[D]

Of course you are. Careful one, Mr. Holmes.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Or I'll stick to my pipe.

[D]

Well, how about you Doctor?

[C]

Oh, thank you, Lestrade.

[B]

About you Coronas and no Inspector. Tell me about the murdered tobacconists.

[D]

Well, how much do you know about the case?

[B]

Just what I've read in the papers.

[C]

Curiously enough we were discussing the affair as you walked in, Lestrade.

[D]

It's a strange business, gentlemen. I only got hold of the old story today when I had a long talk to young Jack Longworth. He's the owner of the shop in.

[B]

Relation to Gerald Longworth, the taller member of Parliament who battled so successfully against the slum clearance bill.

[D]

His son, Mr. Holmes. Nice young fellow too. When his father died he inherited this shop along with a lot of other property in the East End.

[C]

Well how big a shop is it, Lestrade?

[D]

Gorgeous. Old in the wall, Doctor, like all the other shops in that part of London. Young Mr. Longworth tells me he first rents it to a man by the name of George Grillet. He lives there with his daughter Lily and made it quite a nice go.

[B]

Out of the shop.

[D]

Six months ago when Jack Longworth was abroad, George Grillett has a stroke and nearly kicks the bucket.

[C]

Kicks the bucket?

[D]

He nearly dies, Doctor.

[C]

Oh, kicks the bucket. That's very good. I remember that.

[B]

And then what happened last Friday?

[D]

Well, while he's in the hospital his daughter gives up the lease on the shop. A few days later an Italian takes it over and a couple of weeks later he's found with his throat cut.

[B]

Did you investigate that first murder yourself?

[D]

No, Mr. Holmes. Seemed like any of a dozen killings we get in that part of London. A shopkeeper cut up his till emptied. No clues.

[C]

Who was the next tenant?

[D]

A Scotchman bloke by the name of Mackintosh. A few weeks after he moved in. The same thing happened to him that time. I did go down there but I couldn't Find out nothing.

[B]

Was robbery again the apparent motive?

[D]

Yes sir, but the killing wasn't the same. Evil was strangled with a silk scarf.

[B]

Silk scarf, eh? And who was the third tenant? The man who was murdered yesterday?

[D]

A Hindu fellow, a man by the name of Mukherjee. He takes it over a week last Friday and yesterday we finds him knife through the back and his money gone. Course I was down there before you could say Crystal palace, but once again I didn't find out nothing. No knife, no fingerprints on the till, no footprints. Just a very dead Hindu.

[B]

Was young Mr. Longworth a landlord in England when these murders occurred?

[D]

Yes, that's the funny thing about it, Mr. Holmes. He docked at Tilbury yesterday morning. He didn't know nothing about what had been going on.

[C]

I imagine he'll have difficulty in renting the shop after three murders.

[D]

Well that's just it, Doctor. That's why he comes to me at the Yard. George Grillett, his first tenant of the shop, moved back there today with his daughter Lily and young Mr. Longworth's worried about them. If you ask me he's more worried about the daughter than he is about old man Grillet.

[B]

So, the original tenants of the shop back in residence again, Dave. And what do you want me to do?

[D]

Well, I thought perhaps you'd be interested enough to come along with me and.

[B]

Look at the shop, Mr. Evans. I shall be very glad to, my dear fellow. Get your coat and hat, Watson.

[C]

All right.

[B]

I'll answer it. Hello, Mike graft.

[C]

How are you?

[B]

1 yes, yes, he, he's here now. Why of course. I'll do everything I can.

[A]

Certainly.

[B]

Let's have dinner together soon, shall we? Splendid idea. All right.

[C]

Goodbye. Was that your brother, Holmes?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Lestrade, I do think you might have told me the whole truth.

[D]

Well how do you mean, sir?

[B]

I thought your visit was prompted by a need for friendly assistance. I didn't realize that you came here virtually on a government order.

[D]

Well it, it wasn't just quite like that, Mr. Holmes.

[C]

Has the government got to do with the case? And how does your brother micro fit into the picture?

[B]

Not sure yet. But of one thing we may be certain. There's obviously a great deal more in this case than Lestrade would have us believe.

[C]

Why do you say that, Holmes?

[B]

You must bear in mind, old fellow, that occasionally Mycroft is the British government.

[D]

Nice part of London. Take a walk in on a foggy night, ain't it gentlemen? All our policemen work down here in pairs, you know.

[C]

Yes, I don't blame them. It's a vile neighborhood.

[D]

There's the shop just ahead of us with a sign hanging out.

[A]

Hello. Hello.

[D]

There he is again.

[B]

Who?

[D]

See that bearded indoor skulking off around the corner there?

[A]

Oh, yes.

[D]

He's been haunting the place ever since I came down here.

[B]

So a bearded Hindu haunts the place, eh?

[C]

Yes, and yesterday, Holmes, the Hindu proprietor of the shop was murdered.

[B]

Exactly. Well, here we are.

[D]

I'll go in first.

[C]

Depressing looking place, huh?

[E]

I'll be at you, Jiffy.

[D]

That's Lily, George Grillet's daughter. Helps him with the shop.

[E]

Sorry to keep you wet.

[B]

Oh.

[E]

Oh, it's you, Inspector Lestrade.

[D]

Yes, Miss Lily. I brought some gentlemen to see your father. This is Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

[E]

Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.

[B]

Ms. Grillet.

[C]

How do you do, young lady?

[D]

Is your dad home?

[E]

No, Inspector, he won't be in till after dinner. Went down at the docks he did, to see about some cigar shipments. Mr. Longworth's here if you want to see him. We were just having some tea in the back room.

[D]

Yes, I'd like these gentlemen to meet him.

[E]

Jack, Come out in the shop. Jack.

[B]

What is it, Lily? Oh, Inspector Lestrade. And this must be Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, I'm sure.

[C]

How do you do, sir?

[B]

How are you, Mr. Longworth? I'm very glad the Inspector was able to persuade you to come down here. Mr. Holmes. I'm dreadfully worried about this business, particularly since Lily's father insisted on coming back here. I'm afraid they're in great danger, but I can't make Mr. Grillet see it. Young lady, I wonder if I might ask you a few questions.

[E]

Why, of course.

[B]

Mr. Holmes, before your father had his stroke, did he receive any threats concerning his occupancy at the shop?

[E]

Well, if he did, he never told me about him. But it wouldn't surprise me. I often told him his biggest enemy is himself, if you know what I mean.

[B]

Yes, I think I do. Ms. Grillet, when your father had his illness, who decided to give up the lease on the shop?

[E]

I did. No money was coming in and, well, it looked like dad might be an invalid for life. Of course, I couldn't run the shop by myself anyhow. I never did like this part of London. It wasn't the right business for Father.

[B]

What was his reaction when you told him that you'd given up the lease?

[E]

Oh, he was awful angry with me. Said I'd no right to do it without asking him.

[D]

By the way, we saw that bearded indoor again as we walked up just now.

[E]

He's Been hanging around ever since we came back here, Inspector.

[C]

Has he actually come into the shop, Ms. Grillet?

[E]

No, but he keeps walking by and looking in the window. I'm sure if we both went into the bedroom or left the shop for a little while he'd come right in.

[B]

Then I suggest we give him the opportunity he's seeking. Ms. Grillet, I wonder if you and Mr. Longworth would mind leaving the shop for a while. Of course not, Mr. Holmes. Make your departure rather ostentatious, shall we say, so that he can't help noticing it. Give us half an hour or so and then come back. Perhaps you wouldn't mind going with them, Lestrade.

[D]

Mr. Holmes, this is my case.

[B]

I know, I know, but in a situation like this Watson and I work much better alone. We may have to do a little. Well, we may have to go a little outside the law and your presence might embarrass us.

[D]

You'd never think I was a detective too, would you?

[B]

We'll be back in half an hour.

[A]

Poor.

[C]

Poor old Lestrade. He gets very touchy as the years roll by.

[B]

See, I blame him. I'm leaving him completely in the dark. Come on, Watson, behind the counter. No, no, no, no, my dear fellow, not under it, not under it, old chap. We lift the flap. So now I suggest we crouch down behind here. Come on. That's it. Have you got your revolver, Watson?

[C]

Yes, it's in my pocket.

[F]

Good.

[B]

Meantime, make yourself as comfortable as these cramped quarters will permit. We may have quite a wait ahead of us. Look, Holmes, there's the Hindu now, peering through the window. Did you have all the handy. Yes, yes, sir. Here he comes. All right, Watson, put your hands up.

[C]

I got you covered with this revolver. Now, my man. What are you doing here? Who, who are you? Never mind who I am. Just answer my question. I do not speak very good English. No, no, no you don't, my man. Just you stay where you are.

[B]

It's all right, Watson, let him go. He's on our side.

[C]

I wish you'd tell me what in thunder's going on, who that man was and why you let him go.

[B]

He's an investigator from the Foreign Office, old chap. Given his instructions by my brother, Mycroft.

[C]

Mycroft?

[B]

Yes, old fellow. Wilmington. My brother fails to tell me all the facts concerning this case. I begin to think that these triple murders have far greater ramifications than we ever dreamed of.

[A]

Dr. Watson's story will continue in just a second. Just about time enough for me to mention that any meal becomes a better Meal when you serve it with Petri wine and say you'll find that Petri California Burgundy and Petri California Sauterne are just made to go with food. That Petri Burgundy is a rich red wine that bosom pals with any meat or meat dish. Boy, what a flavor. And that Petri Sauternes is the delicate white wine that's just perfect with chicken or with fish. Yes sir, with food you just can't beat a good Petri wine. And now back to tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure. A puzzling case is occupying the attentions of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Three murders have taken place in a small tobacconist shop in the East End of London. As we rejoin our story. It's late at night and Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson accompanied by Inspector Lestrade are once again walking toward the ill fated shop.

[D]

Well, I don't see that you've accomplished much, Mr. Holmes, except that you've just bought me a nice dinner.

[B]

I'm making progress Lestrade, if only by the elimination of obvious suspects. But there's a pattern to this case that should give us a clue.

[C]

How do you mean, Holmes?

[B]

My dear fellow, consider the obvious motive of these murders and particularly observe the results they've obtained.

[D]

Well the motive was the same in all three killings. Robbery.

[B]

Oh no, Lestrade. Don't let the theft of a few pounds from the till blind you to the real motive. Look, look, look, look.

[C]

Here's Ms. Grillet now, just coming out of the shop.

[B]

Good evening, Miss Griddlet.

[E]

Hello Mr. Holmes.

[B]

Is your father home yet?

[E]

Yes he is, Mr. Holmes. And I can't tell you how anxious I am for you to talk to him. I'm going to meet Mr. Longworth. He's taken me to the music hall. I should be home just after 10. I hope you'll be able to stay with dad until then.

[D]

Oh, don't you worry Ms. Grinnett.

[B]

I.

[D]

We'll keep an eye on him.

[E]

Oh, thanks ever so much. Oh. Oh, Mr. Holmes?

[B]

Yes, Ms. Grillet?

[E]

Please don't go into our rooms in the back, will you? I've left things in a frightful mess.

[B]

I quite understand, Ms. Grillet.

[E]

Well, ta ta. See you later.

[B]

Let's go into the shop.

[F]

Who is that? Oh, it's you Inspector.

[D]

Yeah. These gentlemen, Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watts.

[C]

Good evening. Good evening.

[F]

Did you meet young Lily just now?

[C]

Yes.

[D]

She told us she was going out to the Music hall with Mr. Longworth.

[F]

Yes, I'm afraid we had quite a set to about that. A very strong willed girl, Lily Very strong willed.

[B]

I'd have assumed that you disapprove of your daughter's association with Mr. Along with.

[F]

Course I do. He's a top. He's got lots of money. Lily's so blanch he can't see that.

[C]

He'S up to no good.

[F]

I'm pretty sure he's afraid I might find out what's really at the back of these here murders.

[C]

And what is your theory, sir?

[F]

Well, I'll tell you this in confidence. Got nothing to back it up now, you understand there's been talk of widening the docks around here. That'd make property values go up. You see. Of course young Longworth's been trying to buy up all the other shops along the waterfront here, but they wouldn't sell. If you ask me, he's had these murders done just to frighten people away so that he could buy cheap. I'm not saying that he did the murders himself, you understand, but he planned them. Why, in these parts it's easy enough any night to get a throat cut for a couple of quid. That's why. I'm glad you're here, gents. You see I. I just got another warning.

[C]

Warning? What do you mean, sir? Warning.

[F]

Found this note slipped under that door there not three quarters of an hour ago.

[A]

You see it please?

[C]

What does it say, Holmes?

[B]

I shall call on you at 8:30 tonight. If you know what's good for you. You'll be waiting for me alone. Try any funny tricks, you'll go where I sent the rest of them.

[D]

Well, that's obviously been the killer.

[B]

Possibly. What's the time now?

[C]

Look, it's 20 past 8.

[F]

I was hoping you gentlemen would wait in our rooms, back of the shop. You can hear what's going on in here and if he tries any rough stuff you can pop in and nab him.

[B]

Just what I was about to suggest myself. Mr. Grett. Either way, will you?

[D]

Oh yes.

[F]

Just step behind the counter gents, through here. Ah, here we are.

[A]

Tight?

[F]

Exactly. Buckingham palace back here. But you can make yourselves comfortable, can't you gents?

[C]

Oh, don't you worry about us, Grillet.

[F]

Oh, I better turn out the gas. If this bloke spots a light under the door in here, he might smell a rat. There we are. Now as soon as I see him coming in the shop I'll knock twice on the door like this and that'll give you the signal that he's here. Is that right?

[D]

Right, Yar grit.

[F]

All right. Now keep your ears open gents. I may need your Help.

[C]

Where are you, Holmes? I can't see a thing.

[B]

Over here, Watson.

[C]

You know, I've got another theory. Why Jack Longworth might be at the back of all this. You listening home?

[B]

Yes, I'm listening, old fellow. What is your theory?

[C]

Longworth knows that Grillet doesn't approve of his having anything to do with Lily. So when he goes abroad, he leaves instructions to murder the tobacconist. The assassins don't know about Gillette having a stroke of course, so they keep murdering the the wrong fellow.

[D]

Well, that makes very good sense, doctor. What do you say, Mr. Holmes?

[C]

Holmes. Holmes, where are you?

[B]

Bless my silly, he's disappeared. No, I haven't.

[D]

I was just exploring.

[E]

Shh.

[B]

That's the signal. There goes the front door. Somebody's come in.

[D]

We'd better go in.

[C]

We've got to get in there at once. Open the door.

[B]

Well, it's locked. Never mind that. Get your shoulders into it. Come on. Come on, help me.

[C]

Come on, one more. Poor devil. He's been slashed with a knife. Gillette. Grillet. What?

[B]

The killer got away. I ain't going to. Conserve your energy. Your murderer lies there.

[D]

But that's Grillet.

[B]

Of course it is. Search his pockets, Watson. I think you'll find a bloodstained knife.

[C]

Let's have a look. Good Lord. He has a razor in his pocket. It's covered with blood. You mean to say that he slashed himself?

[B]

Just up the handcuffs on him, Lestrade, while he's still play acting, he may be more difficult to handle when he realizes the game's up.

[F]

Take your hands off.

[A]

Come on, quick.

[D]

Come on.

[F]

Yes.

[B]

Very nick, Lestrade.

[D]

Yeah, well, now that I've knocked a wounded man out, Cole, perhaps you'll tell me what's going on, Mr. Holmes.

[C]

Yes, I'm completely in the dark too.

[B]

Oh, it's very simple really. Grillett has just staged a fake attack on himself to fool us into believing that someone else is the murderer.

[D]

Yeah, but the threatening note he received.

[B]

Composed by himself for the occasion.

[C]

Yes, but we heard voices, we heard.

[B]

The shop door open, we heard Grillet talking to himself. And as for the shop door, well that's. That's how he gave himself away.

[D]

Well, how do you mean, Mr. Holmes?

[B]

Whenever the shop door opens, there's a bell that jangles, you will notice so.

[C]

That's right, there is.

[B]

There was no bell jangle when we were in the back room. Riddick got us in there, locked the door on us unobtrusively and staged his little drama.

[D]

Yes, but we heard the door creak open and close, Mr. Oh, the creak.

[B]

Of this flap in the counter would sound exactly the same, my dear fellow. Now listen.

[C]

Yes, but why, Holmes? How did you spot that Grillet was a man?

[B]

It was obvious from the beginning that since nothing had changed about the shop except the ownership, that the attackers were directed against any tobacconist who was not Grillet himself. Of course. His daughter Lily obviously knew what was going on.

[D]

Well, I don't see how you figured that one out, Mr. Holmes.

[B]

Every remark that she made showed that although she loved her father, she knew his failings. In any case, she gave me the final clue.

[C]

Oh, what clue was that?

[B]

In very pointedly asking me not to go into the back room of the shop. Of course, she meant the reverse of what she said. I followed her advice. When you were explaining your theory to Lestrade.

[D]

Well, what did you find, Mr. Holmes?

[B]

Ms. Grillet had obligingly left a secret door open. A door leading to a passageway that seemed to go down to the waterfront. We'll examine it more thoroughly in a minute.

[C]

Yes, but I still don't understand Gillette's motive, Holmes.

[B]

Neither do I, old chap. No, I suspect that from the interest of the Foreign Office in the case, this shop has been the headquarters of a. Of an espionage ring. I'm afraid the final answer to that question will have to be given by someone else.

[C]

Oh, who, Holmes?

[B]

By my elder brother, Mycroft. Humiliating, isn't it, Watson?

[A]

And what was the final answer to the question, Dr. Watson?

[C]

Well, Holmes is right as usual, Mr. Foreman. The shop had been the headquarters of a spy ring operated by Grillet. Many international criminals had been smuggled in England or foreign ships moored up the river.

[A]

And did Mr. Grillet hang for his crime?

[C]

No, no, no, he didn't, my boy. Before he came to trial, he. He had another stroke and he died.

[A]

Probably just as well for his daughter's sake.

[C]

Oh, his daughter. Lovely girl.

[A]

Did she marry Longworth?

[C]

Indeed she did. As a matter of fact, I danced at her wedding. It was a very wonderful wedding reception. See, you ought to be in there yourself, Mr. Foreman. In fact, you'd have liked it very much. They. They served a pretty good wine.

[A]

Was it a Petri wine by any chance?

[C]

Well, it was so good and easy it might have been.

[A]

You mean because Petri wine is the kind of a wine you can't forget?

[C]

That's exactly what I.

[A]

Well, that's because the Petri family really knows all there is to know about the fine art of turning luscious sun ripened grapes into fragrant, delicious wine. You See, the Petri family's been making wine ever since they started the Petri business way back in the 1800s. And they've been able to hand on down in the family from father to son, from father to son, every bit of their skill and experience. That's why Petri wine is so good today, because Petri took time to bring you good wine. And say, don't forget to take a moment yourself and send for your free recipe calendar. Remember, send to Petri Wine. Petri wine, San Francisco 26. San Francisco 26, California. This offer is intended to apply only in those states and other localities where its acceptance is permissible by law and regulation. And now, Doctor, do you feel like giving us a hint about next week's story?

[C]

Yes, I do. Next week, Mr. Foreman, I'm going to tell you a strange adventure that happened to Holmes and me in the West End of London. It concerns the death of a famous actor who is portraying the part of an equally famous man, Sherlock Holmes.

[A]

Thank you, Doctor. See you next week. And say, from the news we've had so far today, maybe by next week at this time we'll hear some really good news from Europe.

[C]

I certainly hope so, Mr. Foreman. But let us remember, the war won't be over when Germany quits. We've still got to lick Japan. That's going to take a long time. So instead of celebrating when VE Day comes along, let's just strengthen our resolve to support the war more than ever here at home. Keep that war job. Don't leave it until you're released. Keep on buying more and more and more world bonds and keep them, don't turn them in. Help all you can with all home front activities and observe all our wartime regulations, such as price ceilings. That's the real way to celebrate a victory in Europe by working harder to end the war in the Pacific.

[A]

Tonight, Sherlock Holmes Adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and is based on an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, the adventure of the six Napoleons. 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, invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Meanwhile, don't forget to take advantage of our offer of a free recipe calendar. Oh, the Petri family took the time to bring you such good wine.

[C]

So when you eat and when you.

[A]

Cook, remember Petri wine to make good food taste better. Remember Petri. Wow. This is Bill Foreman saying good night for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.