Sherlock Holmes: Uneasy Chair 05/13/1946 (Rathbone & Bruce)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Sherlock Holmes – "The Uneasy Chair" (May 13, 1946)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Sherlock Holmes: Uneasy Chair (Rathbone & Bruce)
Date of Original Broadcast: May 13, 1946
Summary Date: April 3, 2026
Summary by: Choice Classic Radio

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Main Theme

This classic Sherlock Holmes radio drama, starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, features a tricky locked-room murder dubbed the "Uneasy Chair" affair. Holmes is drawn into the case to prove the innocence of a young secretary accused of killing his employer, only to discover a deadly mechanism and a web of motives.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Case Introduction (03:00–05:00)

• Foggy, atmospheric London morning at Baker Street.
• Holmes and Watson are approached by a young, wealthy woman, Miss Harriet Irving, desperate to prove her fiancé Robert Binion did not murder her father, Sir Edward Irving.
• Holmes demonstrates his trademark deduction skills, immediately identifying both the young woman and her situation before she says a word.
  • Holmes (04:05):
    "You’re wearing very new and extremely expensive mourning, presumably for the first time... you are Miss Harriet Irving and that you come to me to elicit my aid in proving that Mr. Binion did not murder your father."

2. Background & Evidence (05:00–09:00)

• Sir Edward was found stabbed to death in his study—a classic “locked room” scenario, with Binion the only apparent suspect.
• The only entrance to the room was past Binion.
• Binion maintains his innocence, supported by Miss Irving.
  • Miss Irving (05:17):
    "We were in love. We were going to be married. I don’t care what the police say, a woman knows these things. Robert Binion did not kill my father."
• Holmes agrees to investigate, joining Inspector Lestrade at Scotland Yard.

3. Interviewing Binion, Scene of the Crime (08:26–12:00)

• Binion recounts discovering Sir Edward’s body.
• Impossible for anyone else to have entered the study—windows locked, no secret entrances, Binion at his desk the whole time.
  • Binion (09:13):
    "No, Mr. Holmes. I never left my desk. And there was no other entrance to the room save through my office."
• Autopsy reveals a very specific, needle-like wound to the base of the skull—a sign of a specialized murder weapon.
• Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade visit the crime scene, discovering a notably sinister butler and the imposing study.

4. A New Murder – The Deadly Chair (13:37–15:40)

• Shock twist: the police constable guarding the murder room is found dead—killed in exactly the same way as Sir Edward, in the same chair.
  • Watson (14:03):
    "Fit the description of the one that killed Sir Edward... A wound like this might be caused by one of those long steel hat pins that women wear."
• Holmes recognizes a new layer to the mystery: the murder weapon might not be handheld, but part of the chair itself. They confirm an old, intricately carved armchair was added to the study just before the murder.

5. The Investigation Moves to the Antique Shop (15:41–17:35)

• Holmes and Watson trace the chair to Silberschwartz’s Antique Shop on Bond Street.
• The armchair, one of a rare "Malipiero" pair, is proven to have a built-in deadly mechanism: a spring-loaded spike triggered by the armrest.
  • Silberschwartz (17:08):
    "If anyone were to sit in it... a hand will press on this hidden spring in the arm here and death will strike."
• Only one of the two chairs is lethal—the other harmless. Holmes realizes someone switched the arm cords before delivery, making murder by proxy possible.

6. Suspect List and Major Clues (19:12–20:54)

• Holmes narrows suspects to four: Harriet Irving, Binion, the butler Trevors, and Sir Edward’s estranged brother, Peregrine.
  • Anyone who had visited the antique shop after the chair's purchase could have arranged the swap.
• Holmes suspects the murderer needed a foolproof alibi, pointing to Peregrine as a chief suspect due to his remote residence.

7. Setting the Trap: The False Lead and Revelation (21:02–23:47)

• Holmes and Watson, disguised as delivery men, attempt to bait Peregrine with the chair, but he shows no guilt or knowledge of its capabilities, proving to Holmes that the real murderer was more sophisticated.
  • Holmes (23:33):
    "But the murderer were deported people. I’ve slipped up in my reasoning somehow."

8. The Final Confrontation (23:49–26:12)

• Holmes organizes a demonstration with all suspects, switching in the harmless chair, to see who reacts most suspiciously.
• Binion panics as Holmes mimics triggering the chair’s mechanism, revealing his guilty knowledge.
  • Binion (25:44):
    "For heaven’s sakes, Mr. Holmes, you’re trying to kill me."
• The truth: Binion had engineered the entire scheme, using Holmes’ own investigative abilities as a cover, deliberately making himself look guilty to then be “cleared.”
• Miss Irving is heartbroken by the revelation.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Holmes’ Logical Mastery (04:05):
  • "I deduced it. Miss Irving, you’re wearing very new and extremely expensive mourning..."
• Watson’s dry wit (03:08):
  • "Another London pea-souper, huh, Doctor?"
• Binion’s breakdown (25:44):
  • "For heaven’s sakes, Mr. Holmes, you’re trying to kill me."
• Holmes on the criminal method (17:35):
  • "He sat in it, accidentally pressed the spring and drove the fatal needle into his brain, just as that poor constable did today."
• Holmes reflects on being outwitted (26:41):
  • "I’m afraid this whole case is a rather humiliating experience for me."
• Watson’s bittersweet conclusion (27:41):
  • "When you bring the guilty to justice, you very often cause the innocent to suffer too. Believe me, never become a detective."

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Important Timestamps

• Intro & Case Setup: 03:00–05:00
• Scene at Scotland Yard and the First Interview: 08:26–09:42
• Discovery of Second Murder (The Chair’s Secret): 13:37–15:41
• Solution Revealed at Antique Shop: 15:58–18:08
• Suspect List & Clues Discussed: 19:12–20:54
• Trap for Peregrine: 21:02–23:47
• Final Reveal & Binion Exposed: 24:15–26:12
• Aftermath & Holmes’ Reflection: 26:15–27:56

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Language & Tone

• The episode captures classic Golden Age radio drama flair: clipped British tones, witty banter, and vivid narrative.
• Holmes is cerebral and razor-sharp; Watson is bluff and ever-sympathetic.
• The mood is both suspenseful and playful, with scenes of dry humor amid tension.

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Conclusion

Holmes untangles a fiendishly clever murder involving a lethal antique chair, ultimately exposing the secretary Binion—not through the evidence, but through psychological cunning. Both Holmes and Watson reflect on the Pyrrhic nature of justice when those close to the crime are left bereft.

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Next Episode Tease:
Dr. Watson previews "The Haunting of Sherlock Holmes," involving a mysterious concert and a beautiful contralto who sang two days after her execution—promising another enigmatic adventure.

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This summary preserves the memorable dialogue and atmosphere of the episode, structuring the key moments and revelations for easy reference.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting story about his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. As for me, instead of telling you something, I'd like to ask you something. Do you like chicken? How do you like it best? Roasted, fried or in a stew with dump? Well, whatever your favorite may be, you like that chicken infinitely better when it's served with a glass of Petri California Sauter. Ah, now there's a combination chicken and Petri Sauterne. Petri Sauternes is a white wine, pale golden in color, delicately fragrant and clear as crystal. And what a flavor that Petri Sauternes had. I'm telling you, Petri Sauternes is just about the last word in dinner wine. For one more tip, remember to serve Petri Sauternes with fish or any kind of seafood. Good. It's great. To be sure you have a glass of good wine, be sure it's Petri wine. And now I'm sure our good friend Dr. Watson is expecting us. Let's go and enjoy it. Good evening, Doctor.

[C]

Good evening, Mr. Bartel. Punctual to the minutes as usual. Drop a chair and settle down, my boy.

[B]

Well, I won't settle down too far, doctor. You have a habit of keeping me on the edge of my chair during most of your story.

[C]

Just as should be, Mr. Bartel. I hope tonight will prove no exception. So light up your pipe and I'll get on with my story.

[B]

Doctor, from the hints you gave us last week, it sounded like quite a thriller. How did it begin?

[C]

On a cold Winter morning in 1897, Holmes and I, our breakfast just concluded, sat on either side of a cheery fire in our Baker street lodging thick fog rolled down between the line of dun colored houses and the opposite windows loomed like dark shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreath.

[B]

Another London pea super, huh Doctor?

[C]

Exactly, Mr. Bartel. Our gas was lit and shone its flickering light on the white cloth and glimmer of china, for the breakfast table had not been cleared. Holmes was busy cross indexing his record of crime while I was engrossed in one of Clark Russell's fine sea stories. Our morning was not destined, however, to be a quiet one. Shortly after 11 o', clock, Mrs. Hudson ushered a young lady into our room. A young lady? Young lady. I'm. I'm Dr. Watson and this is Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

[D]

How do you do? Gentlemen? I must apologize for not giving my name to your housekeeper, but I have to be so careful.

[C]

We quite understand, my dear.

[D]

Of course you're wondering who I am and what's brought me here.

[E]

My own theory would be that you are Ms. Harriet Irving and that you come to me to elicit my aid in proving that Mr. Binion did not murder your father.

[C]

Holmes, what on earth are you talking about?

[D]

You're absolutely correct, Mr. Holmes. But how did you know?

[E]

I deduced it. Ms. Irving, you're wearing very new and extremely expensive mourning, presumably for the first time since a few basting threads are still in evidence. You wear no rings. However, evidently you're not in mourning for a husband. The only man whose death the papers announced in the past few days and who left a young daughter wealthy enough to purchase such garments, is Sir Edward Irvine. And since the police have already made an arrest, obviously wish me to disprove the police theory and intercede for young vinyl.

[D]

Mr. Holmes, you're wonderful. That's just what I want you to do. You will, won't you?

[E]

Ms. Evan, I've studied the newspaper reports very carefully. It would seem to me that Scotland Yard has arrested the right man.

[C]

Well, I'm very sorry, but I didn't read the newspaper reports. I haven't the faintest idea what you're both talking about.

[E]

Then let me bring you up to date, my dear Ferran. And please correct me Ms. Irving, if I make any mistakes. 3 days ago Sir Edward Irvine, the father of this young lady, was found stabbed to death in his study. The only entrance to the study is through an anteroom, but where his secretary had been sitting ever since Sir Edward was last seen alive and the secretary swore that no one had entered or left the study.

[C]

Secretary's name being Binion Asworth?

[E]

Yes. Under the circumstances it's hard to see that any other arrest was possible and

[D]

yet I know he's innocent. Mr. Holmes.

[C]

How do you know that?

[D]

We were in love. We were going to be married. I don't care what the police say, a woman knows these things. Robert Binion did not kill my father.

[C]

Did your father approve of the engagement?

[D]

Well, no, not exactly.

[E]

If one were to be exact, Ms. Irvin, wouldn't one say that your father absolutely forbade the marriage?

[D]

Yes, he did.

[E]

And Inspector Lestrade assumed that was the motive for the murder.

[C]

Well, sounds logical, I must say.

[E]

Does your father have any other relatives living, Ms. Irving?

[D]

His brother, my Uncle Peregrine. He lives a hermit's life in the country. We've seen very little of him in the last few years.

[E]

Was he left anything under your father's will?

[D]

No, I was the sole beneficiary. Please help me, Mr. Holmes. If you'll just talk to Robert you'll know he's not guilty.

[C]

There's no harm in talking to him, Holmes. After all, our old friend Lestrade handled the case and he's made a good many mistakes in the past.

[E]

Haven't we all, old chap? Well, Miss Evan, I'll do what I can, but I promise nothing. Where is your fiance being held?

[D]

That's Gotland Yard. I talked to him there just before I came to you.

[E]

Scotland Yard, eh? Splendid. We can talk to Stroud at the same time. Watson, your hat.

[C]

My hat and coat.

[E]

Precisely, old fellow, your hat and coat. So Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Want them. Think they know more than the Yard, eh? Come over here to teach us our business I suppose.

[C]

Nothing of the sort, Lestrade. We came over here to make a few inquiries.

[E]

I tell you gentlemen that you're wasting your time. Young Binion is guilty, whatever his young lady may say. Lestrade. Yes, Ms. Rome. What did the autopsy prove? Well, got a report of it here on my desk but it won't tell you nothing you don't know. Death was instantaneous, caused by some weapon like a long needle, a fine stiletto or an ice pick penetrating the brain at the base of the skull. And no such weapon was found in the room or on Mr. Binion? True, sir. Then he had the chance of disposing

[C]

of it just the same. The murder weapon hasn't been found, has it?

[E]

No Doctor, but we'll find it, don't

[C]

you worry about that.

[E]

I should like to talk to the prisoner, if you don't mind. Of course I don't mind. He's in the detention cell just down the corridors from Here, Follow me, gentlemen.

[C]

Has he given you any trouble, Lestrade?

[E]

Trouble? If all our prisoners were as quiet as him, we wouldn't need no guards, Doctor. Nice, quiet young fellow. Hard to realize he's a murderer. A fact that still has to be proven in court, Lestrade. A fact that is going to be proved in court, Mr. Holmes. Well, here we are at this cell. You've got visitors, Bennion. Very distinguished visitors. Hello, gentlemen. My name is Holmes, Sherlock Holmes. And this is my colleague, Dr. Watson.

[C]

I'm sorry to see you in this

[B]

sight, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Then Harriet did come and see you when she left here.

[E]

I'm so glad.

[B]

You'll get me out of this mess,

[E]

I know you will. Even Mr. Sherlock Holmes can't get you out of this one, young fellow. My man. I promised your fiance that I'd try and help you. My obvious course is to go to Sir Edward's house and examine the room in which the tragedy occurred. But before I do that, I'd like to ask you a question or two.

[B]

Ask me any question you want to, sir.

[E]

It was you who discovered the body, I understand.

[B]

Yes, Mr. Holmes.

[E]

Please describe the circumstances.

[B]

Sir Edward was in his study. I had been working in the anteroom adjoining. At five o' clock I went in to say goodnight to him and I found him slumped in his chair, dead, with blood streaming down the back of his head. Of course, I sent the butler for the police at once.

[E]

Could anyone have entered that room without your knowledge?

[B]

No, Mr. Holmes. I never left my desk. And there was no other entrance to the room save through my office.

[C]

How about the windows in Sedwitroo?

[B]

They were locked from the inside, Doctor.

[E]

Oh, you don't need to worry. We examine the window ledges. Not a mark. No one came in that way. What is your theory of the murder, Mr. Binion?

[B]

I haven't won, Mr. Holmes. I'm completely baffled. I'm certain that no one entered that room yet. I swear to you that I didn't stab him. I can understand the police believing I did.

[E]

Lestrade, I should like to examine the room in which Sir Edward was murdered. Well, easiest thing in the world, Mr. Holmes. I'll drive over with you if you like. He's out his enlightenment.

[C]

Oh, you needn't bother, Lestrade. We can quite well go by ourselves.

[E]

Not a bit of it, Doctor. I'd like to come with you. Oh, wireless guard. You're. You're convinced Mr. Binion is guilty, are you? Won't you. Won't you be wasting your time? Not Me? For once I know you're on the wrong side of a case, Mr. Holmes and I want to be there and see your faces when you find it out. This is the house, Mr. Holmes.

[C]

Yes. Imposing looking place I must say. I imagine, Lestrade, that you still have a police guard inside.

[E]

Oh yes Doctor. There's been a sergeant guarding the dead man's room day and night. We still haven't found the missing weapon, you know. Yes, gentlemen, I'm Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. We wish to examine the house. I must see your identification, sir. What are you talking about? I've been in and out of this house half a dozen times. I have my orders, sir. Oh, very well. Is Ms. Irvine at home? Ms. Irvine is not receiving, sir.

[C]

Scotland. Can't you give us any information?

[E]

There's been tragedy in this house, sir, and the truth of it's not known yet. I'm not answering any questions but I don't have to here. Now. Does this police guard satisfy you, Inspector Lestrade? Very good, Inspector. You may come in. May I direct you gentlemen? No thank you. I know this house nearly as well as you do. I think not, Inspector. I've served here for 27 years. Well gentlemen, if you're not needing me, I'll return to my quarters.

[D]

Bless myself.

[C]

That's the sinister looking chap if I ever saw one.

[E]

Yes, and he knows something. You see Lestrade, there is a possibility that Binion is innocent. Yes, I began to see that sir, when you were talking to the butler.

[C]

You're being very cryptic. What other possibility are you talking about?

[E]

The possibility that Binion, the arrested man, is shielding the real murderer. And whom would he be most certain to shield?

[C]

You mean his fiance, Ms. Urwin?

[E]

That's right, old fellow.

[C]

What?

[E]

Here we are. This is the anteroom where young Binion worked. And that door there leads into the study where Sir Edward was found. Nothing in touch to course since the discovery of the crime. Oh no, Mr. Holmes. That's why we've had a constable on duty in there night and day. Before the trial we're bringing experts in to test the room. Secret panels or anything of that kind. Let's examine the dead man's room, shall we? Right you are, Mr. Holmes. Webster. Webster, get out of that chair and stand up, can't you? You're on duty.

[C]

Just leave.

[A]

This week with digital coupons at Safeway and Albertsons get beef rib roast for $7.97 per pound. Member price with minimum purchase of dollar in a single transaction. Exclusions apply. See store for details and broccoli, cauliflower or russet potatoes are 97 cents per pound. Member price limit 6 pounds plus. Selected sizes and varieties of Lucerne butter cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese are 197 each member price. Visit safeway or albertsons.com for more deals and ways to save.

[E]

Yes, the trickle of blood oozing out from the base of his skull. Well, strike me pink. He's being killed the same way as Sir Edward was. I presume you'll agree that Mr. Binion didn't commit this murder, Lestrade? Of course not, Mr. Holmes. He couldn't have done it. He's locked up at the Yard. Well what are we going to do? Ask the butler to come here, will you? All right you are, sir. What do you make of their wound up here?

[C]

Fit the description of the one that killed Sir Edward. There's a fine puncture here at the base of the skull. By Joh Holmes. They mentioned a stiletto or an ice pick. A wound like this might be caused by one of those long steel hat pins that women wear.

[E]

Yes, it's a possibility, Watson, a distinct possibility. And Ms. Irvine was wearing a long hat pin this morning, if you remember. Plastered walls, little chance of secret panels here I should say.

[C]

The window's locked from the inside, eh?

[E]

Here he is, Mr. Holmes. Yes, and by the way, what's your name? Trevor, sir. You see what's happened, Trevor? Yes sir, I see. The constable's been killed just like my master. Tell me, Trevors, is this room exactly as it was in Sir Edward's lifetime? Yes sir. Except that my master was not in the habit of keeping the corpses of policemen in here. Don't try to be funny, Travers. Don't you realize you're mixed up in a murder case? I meant no offense, gentlemen. The point of my question, Trevors, was to find out if any of the furniture in here had been moved lately. Not moved, sir, but there has been a piece of furniture added. That armchair the dead man's lying in. The same chair in which Sir Edward's body was found.

[B]

Of course.

[E]

That's the answer. When was that chair delivered? And who delivered it? It was delivered the day before Sir Edward died. It came from Silver Schwartz's antique shop in Bonds. Aha. Sir, the game's afoot. Restraint. See to the removal of this poor man's body. Seal the room and for heaven's sake, keep this latest death a secret for a day at least. Within that time I hope to have your murderer for you.

[C]

Then we're going.

[E]

We're going. My dear chap, to Silver Schwantz's antique shop in Bond Street.

[C]

Those old music boxes are quite charming, Holmes, aren't they?

[E]

Yes, but where's Mr. Silberschwantz?

[C]

This is probably him. What a fine looking old fellow.

[E]

Or Mr. Silverschwantz. Yes. Gentlemen, you are interested in musical books? No, sir, in chairs. Particularly in the handsomely carved chair you delivered to Sir Edward Irvine a few days ago.

[B]

Ah, yeah.

[E]

Magnificent specimen. He's peace, is it?

[C]

He was found dead in it, Mr. Silverstone.

[E]

And half an hour ago someone else was found dead in it also. That chair was one of a pair, wasn't it? Yes, fully gotten. Himmel. That's impossible. Please, please to follow me. I will show you. It's not possible. Look, look at the chair.

[C]

Exactly like the same one as Sir Edward's house.

[E]

Oh, my friend, but we're such a difference. Fifteenth century Italian, isn't it? Yeah.

[B]

This is one of a pair of

[E]

the famous Malipiero armchairs. There are only three pairs in the world, my friends, of this pair. One, the one I delivered with the aid foot, is simply a great specimen of the carver's art. This one it's made looks exactly like it. Does it? Not exactly.

[C]

I can't see any difference.

[E]

You would if you sat in it, old chap.

[C]

Precisely.

[B]

That is why I have these cords

[E]

stretched from one arm of the chair to the other. If anyone were to sit in it. Well, sometimes nothing will happen, but sooner or later a hand will press on this hidden spring in the arm here and death will strike.

[C]

But nothing happened when you pressed the spring then, Mr. Silver, sir?

[E]

No, I. I don't understand. I do. This is the harmless chair. The lethal one was sent to Sir Edward. He sat in it, accidentally pressed the spring and drove the fatal needle into

[C]

his brain, just as that poor constable did today.

[E]

Sir Edward bought both chairs, I presume? Yeah. I would not sell it.

[C]

And why didn't you deliver both at the same time?

[E]

He was afraid of the deadlift. He asked me to keep it here until he found a safe place for it in his home. Some devil switched the arm cord from the fatal chair to the harmless one so that you delivered death to Sir Edward. There's a subtlety in this crime worthy of the fiendish maker of the chairs himself. Silversch, once. Ja, meinhei. Didn't Malapieri die of being tricked into seating himself in one of his own chairs?

[B]

Yeah, yeah he did.

[E]

Ah, poetic justice. I much obliged you, Silver, Schwartz. Now I think I know how to trap Our killer,

[B]

Doctor Watson will bring you the rest of his story in just a second. So I'm just going to tell you that after a good dinner there's nothing quite like a glass of good Petri California port. Petri Port is really a wonderful wine. A deep, hearty red in color and rich and truly delicious in flavor. You know, port wine is actually America's favorite wine. Try a glass of Petri Port and you'll know why. Petri Port is not only fine after dinner, it's perfect. Whenever good friends get together, just keep in mind the name Petrie because Petri wines are good wine. Well Dr. Watson, this is quite a story you're telling us tonight. So you found out how the murders had been committed but not who'd been responsible for it?

[C]

That's quite right, Mr. Bartel. Holmes spent a long time cross examining Mr. SilverSchwantz, the owner of the antique store, as to who might have had the opportunity of switching the telltale cord from the fatal chair.

[B]

And who did have that opportunity?

[C]

Dr. Bartelli. Transport. That four people might have been responsible. Sir Edward's daughter, the secretary, Mr. Binion had both been in the shop with him at various times. So at the butler Trevors, the fourth suspect was Sir Edward's eccentric brother Peregrine, who it appeared had dropped into the shop the day after the purchase had been made. With this last information Holmes became very excited and launched into eager preparations which ended a few hours later when we found ourselves disguised as furniture removers driving a van along a quiet country lane near Dorking as we approach the house of Sir Edward's brother.

[E]

How's the house Watson? Ramshackle looking place, isn't it?

[C]

Yes, extremely sir.

[E]

Why are you so morose? My dear chap? Hardly spoken a word on our drive down here.

[C]

You never told me anything. Why are we trundling off into the wilds of the country disguised as furniture removers, carrying the harmless chair with us?

[E]

Surely the reason is transparent, old chap.

[C]

Just about as transparent as Gough stocking full of hot tripe.

[E]

My dear Watson, surely it's obvious that we're up against an extremely cunning murderer. Now what advantage accrues to him in using the Malapiero chair?

[C]

An alibi, of course. He's nowhere near the place where the murder happens.

[E]

Precisely. Apply your logic a little further. Three of the suspects, the daughter, Mr. Binion, and Trevors the butler, live in the house and would almost certainly have been present at the time of death. Therefore, who gains most by such an alibi?

[C]

Well the brother Peregrine.

[E]

Elementary, my dear Watson. Now you see why we trundled off into the wilds of Dorking.

[C]

That must be Peregrine standing up at the porch. He seems a funny looking fellow.

[E]

Follow my lead, Watson. Good afternoon, Governor. You fellows must have come to the wrong house. You were Mr. Petty Griner the thine, ain't you, Governor? Yeah, and we cut the right ass. All right, all right, all right. Come on, birdie, give us a hand.

[C]

Right to you or our feet.

[E]

What the devil are you unloading? An arm chair. Come on, get out of there, Charlie. But you drop it on my foot, buddy. Look out. Easy does it. Come on, Bert. That's right, I got it. Let her down easy now. On the porch here. There you go, Fancy, give me crickets and a pretty chair. Governor. Betty and me was admiring it on our way down here.

[C]

Plummet in half. A nice chair. But who told you to bring it here?

[E]

Orders, Governor. Mr. Silver, snitch, whatever his name is, tell us your brother didn't want the chair and said as our we was to bring it to you. But my brother's dead. Mr. Silversnitch said he gave the order before he died. Why don't I sit down, Andy? Governor. Cool, lummy bit of all right, isn't it?

[C]

Look at him laughing.

[E]

Who wish me old trouble and strife could see me now Trouble and strife.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[E]

Trouble and strife. That's me wife, guv'. Nor. Here, sit down yourself, sir. Come on. Go on, sit down. Try it.

[B]

Go on.

[E]

Go on, gov'.

[B]

Nor.

[E]

Take the weight off your plates of meat. What barbaric jargon do you speak of?

[C]

What on earth are plates of meat? Plates of meat is feet, Governor. That's rhyming slang.

[E]

That's right. That's right. Rhymin slang. Go on, sit down in it.

[D]

Go on.

[E]

Well, I be. Well, ain't that comfortable? Go on, run your aunt over the arms. Governor, ain't that carbon pretty? Ain't it just ducky? Yes, yes, it is. But. But I don't want the wretched thing.

[C]

It means a mistake.

[E]

So you'd better take it back to London and tell them to sell it. I don't want anything of my brother. Jump in, Joseph. Fancy where you don't want to sit in a nice chair like this, Governor. But you, you're the one that gives the audit around here. Come on, buddy.

[D]

Come on.

[E]

Get your bag into it. All right, let's go back in the van.

[C]

All right, Come on. Way to go.

[E]

Oh, you're our governor. We don't worry about that sort of thing, do we Birdie?

[C]

Of course not, Alfie. We had a nice drive in the country anyhow. Did we?

[E]

That's right. Let's get these old horses going. Good day, Governor.

[C]

Good day, Governor. Good. That was a false trail, Holmes. Obviously he knew nothing about the chair. He thought it was perfectly harmless and

[E]

as indeed it was. But the murderer were deported people. I've slipped up in my reasoning somehow. Confound. Oh, but of course. Oh what a fool I am. We must get back to London as fast as these tired nags can take us. Come on, get up there.

[C]

Get up. What's the next move, Holmes?

[E]

Back to Edward's house and the staging of a little drama that I'm sure will give us the final answer to this problem. You made all the arrangements, Lestrade? Yes, Mr. Holmes. I've got Ms. Irving, young Binion and the butler waiting outside and no one knows we switched the chairs. Splendid.

[C]

You're sure that this is the harmless chair?

[E]

Of course I am. Look here, I sit in it so run my hands over the arms. Yes, this chair is harmless as every person save one will know. Show them in Lestrade. All at once, Mr. Holmes? No, I think we'll take Ms. Irvine and Mr. Binion first. Well, right yours

[C]

Mr. Irving.

[E]

Mr. Binion, come in please.

[D]

Very well. Oh, Mr. Holmes.

[E]

What's the matter? Ms. Irving?

[D]

It's just so horrible seeing you there in the same chair where I saw Father.

[B]

Oh, Mr. Holmes, it's a trifle too macabre before you to assume the position of the corpse. Please get up.

[E]

But it seems to be the most comfortable chair in the room and I do like my comfort when I interrogate witnesses. However, it's hardly chivalrous, is it Ms. Irvin? Please sit down, won't you?

[D]

I don't like to sit down in the chair in which father died.

[C]

Ms. Irvin, we couldn't bear to see you standing.

[D]

Very well then.

[B]

Don't sit down, Harry.

[E]

Why not, Binion? What's the matter? Isn't the chair safe? And perhaps you care to sit in it to prove that the chair is safe? No, no, I sit down Very well. There. Splendid. Curious chair, isn't it Mr. Binion? I wonder about these carvings on the arms. They look almost as if they might activate concealed springs. I wonder what would happen if I. No.

[B]

For heaven's sakes, Mr. Hunt, you're trying to kill me.

[C]

Then you know how Sir Edward and the policeman were murdered, eh?

[B]

I, I, I knew it must have

[E]

something to do with the chair.

[D]

You knew more than that, Robert. You planned it. I remember now that when we went to the shop.

[E]

No, no, no, Watson, don't go after them. The Strat will stop him. In any case, the police are at the door. Oh, I'm tired. I think I'll sit in this rather fateful armchair.

[C]

So it was young Binion all the time, eh?

[E]

Yes, and he all but outsmarted me. I reasoned that somehow the murderer must have intended the device of this chair to clear him. And suddenly I saw the real motivation. How better establish his innocence than seeming to be obviously guilty and yet leaving a trail whereby an astute deduction could seem to clear him.

[C]

Yes, his idea that Mr. Vyn came to you. He used you as a catch for him.

[E]

That's right, Watson. I'm afraid this whole case is a rather humiliating experience for me. Why do you think Lestrade had arrested the right man in the first.

[B]

Oh.

[E]

Oh, my dear Watson, I shall never hear the end of this. Never.

[B]

As usual, Doctor, that was a swell story. Imagine Lestrade accidentally arresting the right man.

[C]

Well, he had that one coming to him. Poor fellow. He'd been outwitted by Holmes so many times he was beginning to get an inferiority company.

[B]

What about Ms. Ervin? How did she take it when her boyfriend Bennion had proved guilty?

[C]

Well, when she realized that her sweetheart had actually murdered her father, as they say in the penny thrillers, her love turned to hate. But at first he took it pretty badly.

[B]

I could imagine so, Mr. Bartell.

[C]

My boy, that's one of the disadvantages of being a detective. When you bring the guilty to justice, you very often cause the innocent to suffer too. Believe me, never become a detective. Stick to being a wine expert.

[B]

You calling me a wine expert? Now wait a minute, Doctor. All I know about wine is that it either tastes good or it doesn't. And I know that Petri wine always does taste good. And I know why too. It's because the Petri family has been making wine for generations. The art of turning luscious sun ripened grapes into fragrant, delicious wine is their heritage. A heritage handed down within the Petri family from father to son. From father to son. What particular type wine you prefer is of course a matter of your personal taste. But let me assure you of this. Whatever type wine you desire for any occasion, you can depend on any wine that bears the Petri label. Petri took time to bring you good wine. And today that name, Petri is the proudest name in the long history of America's wine. Well, Doctor, Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes adventure are you planning to tell us next week?

[C]

Next week, Mr. Bartel? Now, let me see. Next week. Next week I'm going to tell you a strange story that took place in one of the smaller states of middle Europe. Concerns a young prince, a most unusual concert, and a beautiful contralto who sang two days after we'd seen her die at the hands of the firing squad. I call the story the Haunting of Sherlock Holmes.

[B]

Doctor, that's one I've got to listen to.

[C]

Yes, Mr. Bartell, and everyone should also listen to what Secretary of Agriculture Anderson says about saving used kitchen fat. We've all got to keep turning in every bit of used fat. Take it to your meat dealer. The shortage of fats is worse now than ever it was. And unless we help, and we all help, we'll all be faced with a serious shortage of soap. Yes, and a serious shortage of paint, lubricating oils, drugs and many other things that require fat in their manufacture. It's up to us. Keep turning in every bit of used kitchen fat.

[B]

Tonight's Sherlock Holmes Adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Bodger and was suggested by an insp. Incident in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story the Musgrove Ritual. Music is by Dean Faustler. 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 studio. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petri family for a solid hour of exciting mystery dramas. Listen every Monday on most of these Same stations at 8 o' clock to Michael Shane, followed immediately by Sherlock Holme. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.