(43) Escape - Beau Geste

Summary

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Harold’s Old Time Radio – Episode 43: Escape – Beau Geste

Date: August 9, 2026

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Harold’s Old Time Radio features a radio drama adaptation of Percival Christopher Wren’s classic adventure novel Beau Geste. Presented as an episode of CBS’s “Escape,” the story transports listeners to the African desert for a tale of honor, sacrifice, and mystery centered around the famed Blue Water sapphire and the brothers who become embroiled in its disappearance. Drawing on the rich traditions of radio dramas, the episode blends suspense, intrigue, and poignant moments, inviting a new generation to experience the golden age of storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Arrival at the Desert Fortress

• [01:14] The episode opens with a dramatic narration describing the approach to a silent desert fortress, hinting at unseen dangers and a sense of impending doom.
  • “You are stealthily stalking into a silent desert fortress, walking into what you know may be a trap. Around you stand a legion of dead men, and over you an unseen menace hangs in the African night.”
• [02:22-03:13] Major John Jest and a cavalry squad discover the fort mysteriously staffed by lifeless legionnaires propped up as if defending the walls.
  • Quote: “The Arabs were gone and the draggolor of France still waved overhead. It was then two shots of welcome were fired from the fort and the bullets kicked up spats of dust off to one side of me.”
• [03:13-04:26] The shocking realization that the defenders are dead and questions arise—who fired the shots?

2. The Mystery Deepens

• [04:39-06:12] Exploration reveals all the defenders dead at their posts except for a young man with a wound (Beau) and the fort's commandant, murdered by a bayonet in the heart.
  • Notable moment: Discovery of a confession note claiming responsibility for the theft of the Blue Water sapphire.
  • Quote: “To the High Commissioner of Scotland Yard, I hereby confess fully and freely that I and I alone stole the great sapphire known as Blue Water. Signed, Beau Geste.” ([06:23])

3. Flashback to England – The Sapphire Disappears

• [09:21-13:00] The story shifts to the brothers’ childhood and a crucial evening at Brandon Abbas.
  • The family admires the valuable Blue Water sapphire, but during a blackout, it's stolen.
  • Tensions and suspicions arise, with Aunt Patricia urging the “prankster” to return it.
  • Each brother, out of loyalty and suspicion, secretly leaves home.

4. Enlistment in the French Foreign Legion

• [13:37-15:39] The brothers, Bo, Digby, and John, are reunited in the Legion, each believing the others have the sapphire.
  • Quote (on joining): “Well, there was no need for all of us running away. After all, I stole the Blue Water.” – Bo ([14:14])
  • The harsh realities of Legion life are introduced by the brutal Sergeant Lejeune.

5. Life and Strife in the Legion

• [16:46-18:42] They meet Francisco Blondin, a recurring, dubious advisor, and Guantayo, who warns them not to trust Blondin or Lejeune.
  • Guantayo’s warning: “Do not trust that man, Blondin. He's a thief, a liar. He's a little bloodhound who works for Sergeant Lejeune.” ([18:04])
• The tension grows as the brothers struggle to protect the sapphire and navigate the treacherous environment.

6. Desert Campaign and Mutiny

• [19:20-22:02] The Legion faces brutal conditions and internal strife. Madness and mutiny brew under Sergeant Lejeune’s command.
  • Guantayo hints at imminent mutiny and warns the brothers of a plot against them for the sapphire.
  • “It may take a lot of butchers to kill that pig.” – Beau, alluding to an assassination plot against Lejeune ([21:16])

7. Arab Siege and Final Stand

• [23:04-25:16] Arab forces attack. The brothers and Legionnaires mount a desperate defense, and one by one, the garrison falls.
  • “Through the whole of that long, hot day, we fought the Arab mob, met their fierce charges...our tiny garrison melted away.” ([24:19])
  • Lejeune’s brutality peaks, and the fort's defense becomes increasingly hopeless.

8. Climax and Aftermath

• [26:09-27:00] Lejeune is killed in a struggle; both Bo and Digby are gravely wounded or dead.
  • Notable quote: “Nice work, Johnny. I'm glad I could help, Bo.” ([26:19])
• John escapes, the fort burns—Digby gives Beau a Viking funeral, referencing their childhood traditions.
  • “Did you start the fire, Beau? Always wanted a Viking funeral. I had to give it to him, you know.” – Digby ([28:08])

9. Revelation and Return Home

• [29:03-30:24] John returns to England, recounts all to Aunt Patricia. The mystery of the sapphire is resolved through a letter from Bo.
  • The sapphire was an imitation; the real one was sold for the estate’s tenants.
  • “I knew about that. You wanted the money for the tenants on the estate. I approve,” – Bo’s letter ([29:59])
• Themes of self-sacrifice, familial love, and the tragic futility of their ordeal take center stage.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• [04:25] “They are all dead.” – Sergeant Lejeune, on discovering the whole garrison is dead at their posts.
• [06:23] “To the High Commissioner of Scotland Yard, I hereby confess fully and freely that I and I alone stole the great sapphire known as Blue Water. Signed, Beau Geste.”
• [18:04] “Do not trust that man, Blondin. He's a thief, a liar. He's a little bloodhound who works for Sergeant Lejeune.” – Guantayo
• [24:19] “The men streamed up the ladders onto the ramp, loading their rifles as they ran. They were soldiers, first and last, legionnaires.”
• [28:08] “Did you start the fire, Beau?...Always wanted a Viking funeral. I had to give it to him, you know.” – Digby Smith
• [29:59] “I knew about that. You wanted the money for the tenants on the estate. I approve.” – From Beau’s posthumous letter

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• [00:54] Introduction to “Escape” and scene setting
• [03:13] Discovery of the dead garrison at the fort
• [06:23] The confession note about the Blue Water sapphire
• [09:21-11:17] Childhood memories and the sapphire’s disappearance
• [13:37] Reunited in the Legion
• [18:04] Guantayo’s warning
• [23:04-25:16] Arab siege and fall of the garrison
• [26:09-27:00] Killing of Lejeune and the fort’s burning
• [29:03-30:24] Revelation of the sapphire’s fate and return home

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Tone and Style

• The episode captures the dramatic, atmospheric tone typical of classic radio dramas—dynamic narration, sharply drawn characters, and heightened suspense.
• Dialogue is crisp, with period-appropriate expressions and touches of dry humor, especially in the camaraderie between the brothers.

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Final Thoughts

This adaptation of Beau Geste is a quintessential entry in radio’s adventure genre—full of personal sacrifice, mystery, and poignant reflection on the cost of honor. The episode blends high tension with emotional depth. Even for new listeners unfamiliar with the story or the era, Escape’s approach is engaging, leaving the listener with both answers and lingering questions.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

tired out from a strenuous weekend? Get a little too much sunburn? Want to get away from it all?

[Narrator/Announcer]

We offer you escape.

[Narrator]

You are stealthily stalking into a silent desert fortress, walking into what you know may be a trap. Around you stand a legion of dead men, and over you an unseen menace hangs in the African night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Escape designed to free you from the four walls of today for a half hour of high adventure.

[Narrator]

Tonight we escape to Africa, to the Sah, to an earlier day in one of the greatest adventure mysteries of all time. Percival Christopher Wren's beau geste.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

The report had been brought to my headquarters in Tokotu three days before, and I'd had the squadron on horse and ready to leave within 10 minutes. We'd been on continuous forced march ever since the camel scout had reported that the Zendernow outpost was under attack from a force of at least 2,000 Arabs and that the tiny garrison had little chance of survival. As we came up to the last crest of sand dunes, shutting off our view of the lonely mud fort, I ordered my sergeant major to dismount the men and form skirmish lines while I rode on ahead to reconnoitre at the top of the ridge, I reined in my horse and sat staring in amazement

[Narrator]

over the 200 yards of bare sand stretching up to the walls of the fort. Nothing moved. There was no sound, no sign of life. The oasis off to my left was deserted.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

The Arabs were gone and the dragolor of France still waved overhead. It was then two shots of welcome were fired from the fort and the bullets kicked up spats of dust off to one side of me. I rode in under the walls and stopped in front of the tall wooden gate. I could see now that every gauntlet above me was manned by a grim faced legionnaire holding his rifle leveled and ready.

[Francisco Blondin]

Congratulations, mes amis. Rose and I are proud to salute you. Come now, why so grim? You are victorious. Inform your commandant that I'm major of the spies. Awaits his pleasure. Pleasure. Near you up there with a pipe in your mouth. Go inform your commandant. You hear me?

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Is everything in order, mon Commandant?

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

I'm not sure.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Bugle.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Sound the regimental call.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

They do not answer, mon officier.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Believe me, certain, when I get inside this fortress.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Look, mon capitan.

The man over the gate, he has been shot in the forehead.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Jacques Bleu.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

You're right, Sergeant.

[Francisco Blondin]

He's dead.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

And the one next to him also.

[Francisco Blondin]

Wait. All along these walls.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

They are all dead.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Impossible. Then who fired the shots when I rode up? Sergeant, get a volunteer. Have him climb up the wall and open this gate from the inside.

[Digby Smith]

If you will pardon me, mon Commandant. Yes, I will volunteer.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

All right, bugle, go ahead.

[Digby Smith]

Oui, mon Commandant.

[Beau Smith]

Saddened. This could be a trap.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Have the men take open order at 50 yards and wait and watch the gun slits there along the wall. And wait. We did. Five minutes. Ten. The men began to look at one another and to stir uneasily. The fort was silent. Nothing moved. Fifteen minutes passed. The gate was not opened and the bugler did not come back. Finally, my sergeant and I climbed the wall ourselves and we searched the eerie outpost room by room. But we could find no sign of our bugler, nor of any other living soul. The bodies of the entire garrison were on the battle ramp at the top of the wall. Their heads and shoulders jammed grotesquely into the gun slates where someone had robbed them while their dead hands clutched the rifles. They would never fire again. Only two bodies were not so placed. One was that of a light haired young man who lay peacefully on his back, his hands crossed over the rifle wound in his chest. And the other body?

[Sergeant Lejeune]

This one was the Commandant. See? He was a gold star.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

So he does, Sergeant. But he also has a French bayonet in his heart. He was murdered by one of his own men.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Rifles fired from an empty ford. The bugler has disappeared. I do not like this place.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

How in the name of heaven did they stab him? His revolver is still in his right hand.

[Narrator]

In the other scrap of paper.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Perhaps the paper explains all of this

[Narrator]

perhaps, to the High Commissioner of Scotland Yard, I hereby confess fully and freely that I and I alone stole the great sapphire known as Blue Water. Signed, Beau Geste.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

What's this all about? What does this mean?

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Mon Commandant, These things are impossible. But they have happened.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

They do not make sense.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Why do we not go outside?

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

This was not to be the end of it. Shortly after dark, a tongue of flame flared suddenly in the heart of the silent fort. And in a matter of moments, the who interior was ablaze, throwing a great pillar of fire up into the black desert night. We sat and watched it burn. There was nothing else to do. And as I stared at the leaping flames kindled by some unseen and unknown hand, I realized suddenly that neither I nor any man alive would ever know what strange things had really happened here at the lonely fort of Zinterneuf.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

My name is John Jest, and I am the only person alive who knows all that happened at Syndanerf.

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[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

My two brothers and I grew up at Brandon Abbots south of London. Burr was the oldest, then Digby, and finally myself, two years younger. I can remember very little of those days as I look back, except that we were happy as only young boys can be. We read thrilling tales of the French Foreign Legion, sailed toy boats on the pond and gave flaming Viking funerals for the tin soldiers who fell in our battles, burning them on funeral pyres of kindling wood with toy dogs and horses at their feet, while Digby blew taps on his trumpet. Our only queen was cool and lovely. Aunt Patricia, with whom we lived, her husband, Sir Hector, was seldom in England. And if the hurt in Aunt Patricia's eyes grew deeper with the years where the great estate fell slowly into ruin, then we children knew nothing of it. There were the two girls, of course, our cousins. Only girls didn't count at that age. But those days are far away now and gone forever. And I can remember clearly only that one last night when the three of us came home from Oxford. Our cousins were there and we were all together for the holidays. It was on that night the story

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

of Zindernoff rarely began. We finished dinner and played games.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

For a while now, we just sat in the library, talking.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Gradually our attention became focused more and more on the small black satin box

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

standing in the center of the table.

[Claudia]

Please, Aunt Patricia, can't we open the case now and look at it? You've had it sitting there for half an hour.

[Aunt Patricia]

Claudia, dear, I thought you always liked to draw out the suspense as long as possible.

[Francisco Blondin]

Well, it's been long enough.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

You must say I agree with her, Aunt Patricia.

[Aunt Patricia]

Why, Beau, you do umbrella.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Come on, let's have our semi annual look at the family jewel, shall we?

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Well, all right then.

[Digby Smith]

I should have my trumpet and blow a fanfare. There we are, ladies and gentlemen. One of the six largest and most perfect sapphires in the world.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The Blue Water.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Oh, it's beautiful, rather. And I've seen it half a dozen

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

times a year all my life.

[Beau Smith]

Go ahead, Claudia, pick it up.

[Claudia]

Oh, no. It's nice to look at, Bo, but when you touch it, it always feels cold.

[Digby Smith]

What about you, John? Would you like to juggle a stone worth £50,000?

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I think I'll just look for a while. Dig.

[Narrator/Announcer]

After all.

[Aunt Patricia]

What's happened to the lights?

[Digby Smith]

Sorry, it must be a fuse. Burden will have them back on again in a minute.

[Aunt Patricia]

Please don't move about and bump into things. I'm quite sure everything will be all right in a moment.

[Claudia]

Sort of ghostly. Makes you think of skeleton hands and cobwebs.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Oh, don't be afraid, Claudia. They're among friends.

[Claudia]

You know, I could swear I felt something touch me.

[Aunt Patricia]

I can't understand why. Burdened. Oh, there we are.

[Digby Smith]

Not a soul got lost in the dark. We're probably all a lot of.

[Aunt Patricia]

Look, please, ladies and gentlemen, and I think all of us are, who decided to play this joke.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

The sapphire's gone.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

The next hour became a nightmare.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

None of us present would admit having taken the sapphire. And if the thing had been done as a joke, then already it had been carried too far. Aunt Patricia went to bed, finally telling us that the library would be left

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

open all night, so the prankster, we

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

should not use the word thief, could return the Blue Water to its case in secret. The rest of us drifted off to

[Narrator/John Eliot]

our rooms, and an hour before midnight,

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Digby came in to tell me quietly that our brother Bo had packed a bag and left Brandon Abbas.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I turned out my light and sat in the darkness, listening to the ticking of the clock. I was not surprised when two hours after midnight, I heard a sound below my window. Looked out to see Digby slipping off down the drive.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I was fairly certain that neither of

[Narrator/John Eliot]

my brothers had stolen the sapphire, but

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I understood what they were doing. Gallant as always, Beau had run away

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

to draw suspicion from those innocent ones who might be hurt.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

And Digby had followed in order to split up the search for Bo.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I could only guess where they'd gone. But long before dawn, I decided where

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I must go and what I had to do. And so it was that five days later, I walked into the Fort Therese, into the recruit barracks of the French

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Foreign Legion in Algeria.

[Digby Smith]

And if they refer to this cattle barn as a barracks, heaven knows what the output.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Digby, look who just came in the door.

[Digby Smith]

Good Lord, Bo, it's John. Hey, John, my youngster.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Come here, Digby.

[Aunt Patricia]

Bo.

[Francisco Blondin]

Hello.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I'd have wagered 10 to 1 I'd

[Narrator/John Eliot]

find you in the Legion.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

You brainless young idiot. Both of you.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Why, what's wrong, Bo?

[Digby Smith]

Oh, Bo wanted to be the only noble one in the family. John, pay no attention to him.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Well, there was no need for all

[Beau Smith]

of us running away.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

After all, I stole the Blue Water.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Don't really say how you could have bowed, since I brought it with me. Had a deuce of a time getting it through customs.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Oh, you didn't, teacher.

[Digby Smith]

Now, look, you two. I've had that sapphire all the time, and if either of you would like to take a look at it, I

[Narrator/John Eliot]

wonder who did steal it.

[Beau Smith]

What's the difference?

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

It's driven all three of Us into the Foreign Legion. Now, we've been in for five years,

[Beau Smith]

whether we like it or not.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Fine.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

What do we do?

[Digby Smith]

Well, we haven't done anything yet. It's supposed to be some kind of an inspection any minute.

[Beau Smith]

You know, you shouldn't have come, either of you. But. Well, I'm.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

I'm glad you're both here.

[Digby Smith]

Thanks, Bo.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

So am I. I can't say exactly

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

what we're in for, lads, but bring it together.

[Narrator]

Oh, Lord.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I think we're supposed to stand up.

[Digby Smith]

What is it, a man or a gorilla?

[Beau Smith]

I think it's Sergeant Lejeune.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

The other men say he's a nice, dirty little dogs. Three sniveling little purse snatches if I ever saw one.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Oh, I say.

[Francisco Blondin]

Now shut up.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

One more remark and I will be most happy to kick your teeth out of your head. Put out your hands. All three of you bums up. Never done a day's work in your lives. Well, we are going to change all that, my little pigs. Sacre bluff. We are not going to change it. I shall march you through the sand until you drop on your faces. When that happens, I shall kick you until you get up or die. If you choose to die. Perhaps I shall go on kicking you after you are dead. You are in the leisure now, my little dogs, and I shall give you cause to know it. You will curse salt and lotion 10,000 times if you live long enough. And each time, you will wish you had stayed in England to be hanged as you no doubt properly should. Is all of that perfectly clear?

[Beau Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Yes, sir. Well, that is much better.

[Francisco Blondin]

Recruit, report in full kit to the

[Sergeant Lejeune]

parade ground in 10 minutes.

[Francisco Blondin]

Meanwhile, fall out and clean up this pigsty. Yes, miss.

[Digby Smith]

If anybody want him, I'll sell my share.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Are we in for five years of that? He's not even human.

[Beau Smith]

Well, he's part of the Legion, lads. And after all, they didn't ask us to come over here and join, did they?

[Francisco Blondin]

If you will pardon me, gentlemen, I would like to take the liberty of introducing myself. Francisco Blondin at your service.

[Digby Smith]

Well, we're the Smith brothers, Monsieur Blondin. Baudin. John Eliot Digby.

[Francisco Blondin]

This is my third enlistment with the Legion, so I know what I am saying and I can tell you. Maison fort. You have started off on the wrong foot. You should not have antagonized him.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

How did we antagonize the good sergeant, Monsieur Blondin?

[Francisco Blondin]

Well, who knows? Perhaps your hands were too clean.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

But no matter.

[Francisco Blondin]

For now you have Francisco Blondin as your advisor.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

We Are honored.

[Francisco Blondin]

I stand in very well with Sergeant Legend. There are reasons. And I have other contacts, too. I know all the ins and outs of this business. And I can be most useful to anyone who has something very valuable to hide. These men here, they are all thieves, of course.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Oh, good heavens, not really.

[Francisco Blondin]

Ah, there is no time to talk now. But after drill, we will meet in the canteen for a bottle of wine. And I think we shall become very good friends. Au revoir, mes amis.

[Beau Smith]

Au revoir. Chaps, I can't quite see Mr. Oily as one of our close friends. He overheard us talking about the sapphire.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Of course, between him and Sergeant Lejeune.

[Guantayo]

Hey, signory, pay no attention to me. Pretend I'm only polishing this boot. But listen carefully.

[Beau Smith]

Yes?

[Guantayo]

Do not trust that man, Blondin. He's a thief, a liar. He's a little bloodhound who works for Sergeant Lejeune. When you wish to know something, you come to me, Guantayo.

[Digby Smith]

I will take good care of you. Huh?

[Beau Smith]

I bet you would at that.

[Guantayo]

Soon we find a chance to talk. I, Guantayo, will fix everything. Do not let anyone steal it. I go now. You be very careful.

[Beau Smith]

Well, along with Le Jean, we now

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

have a bunch of thieves who probably

[Beau Smith]

tried to steal the sapphire.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ho.

[Beau Smith]

Ho.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Come along, lads. Let's find out how they march on the legion.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

And march we did hours in the burning sun and the dust. Day after day, we wondered how much

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

worse it would be on the desert. We grew hard and tough, and we learned the ways of the legion and the ways of the legionnaires.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Some we liked and some we hated. But either way, we learned to live

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

with them, talk with them, drink with them. We became soldiers, legionnaires.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

We long for active duty, and we

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

got it even sooner than we hoped.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

We marched out of Sidi Belabaisse to the south, and we learned how beastly

[Narrator/John Eliot]

cruel the desert is. The kaffar broke out the second week. That madness that comes in the brain is cooked by the sun.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

And men became gibbering idiots and died At Togour. Some of the men were detached and

[Narrator/John Eliot]

sent to Tokoto for cavalry training.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Among them, my brother Digby and the

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

rest of us marched on. Two days later, our commandant went mad and shot himself. And the detachment's command pass to Sergeant Lejeune.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

And southward we marched to the last

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

southern outpost, straight into the mouth of hell. The fort at Zindenuf. If we'd hoped for action, we didn't

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

find it at Zindenuf. Day after day went by with no

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

sight of the Arab forces. Nothing but eternal sentry duty.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

And each dull day was like the

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

one before, in full command. Now Lejeune became more brutal than ever,

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

and the men glowered and growled under

[Narrator/John Eliot]

their breath and whispered together in small groups.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

In a month, the fort was seething under the surface with madness, hate, and even worse.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Off duty.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

For the moment. Beau and I were sitting at the oasis and talking one afternoon.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

But we heard someone coming toward us across the sand.

[Beau Smith]

Uh oh. Hold on to your watch, Johnny. Here comes that little weasel. Guantayo.

[Guantayo]

Buonaser, signore. You haven't seen no one around, huh?

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Not a cell, my little puppy.

[Beau Smith]

Goodbye.

[Guantayo]

No, no, no, no, no. I must talk with you. You shouldn't know what is going to happen.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

It must be good. It couldn't be any worse.

[Guantayo]

You, of course. Another legionnaire named Schwartz. The one who was once a butcher.

[Beau Smith]

I know him. What about him?

[Guantayo]

Perhaps he's going to become a butcher again very soon, signore. Perhaps he's going to kill a pig.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

There are no pigs here.

[Guantayo]

But there is one. A great fat pig. A real commandanti of a pig.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Le Jour.

[Guantayo]

I did not say that.

[Beau Smith]

Mutiny, huh? It may take a lot of butchers to kill that pig.

[Guantayo]

There are a lot of butchers. But for you, too, the question is whether to be pigs or butchers, huh?

[Beau Smith]

We shouldn't like to be butchered, of course, but neither would we like to be eaten by the pigs.

[Guantayo]

It's very difficult. But you must decide. It will happen soon.

[Beau Smith]

Suppose the butchers did kill the pig

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

and started across the desert?

[Beau Smith]

They'd be dead in three days of thirst or from the Arabs.

[Guantayo]

One must take a chance. It's besides this La Jeune. He plans to kill you for the great jewel which you have. I heard him tell Blondin.

[Beau Smith]

I see. Well, we'll let you know. Guantayo.

[Guantayo]

Decide quickly if you wish to leave. I must go now. Say nothing to anyone.

[Beau Smith]

No.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Rather think we're going to die one way or another.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Glad Digby's out of it.

[Beau Smith]

So am I. Well, we'll wait and see what happens, shall we?

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

We were not forced to wait any

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

longer than that same night.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I was awakened an hour before dawn by someone whispering in my ear.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

It was Lejeune, and he held a pistol in his.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

If you make one sound, I shall blow your brains out.

[Commandant]

Follow me.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I followed him quietly out of the barrack room with its rows of sleeping men, and we stood beside the oil lamp that burned in the casson.

[Commandant]

I've been informed of a Plate to mutiny. And I've been told that you and your brother have not joined it. I'm going to nip that little skimmy the bird. Do you understand?

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Eh bien.

[Commandant]

You will go back in there and wake your brother while I keep you covered from the door. I have two rifles here. Your brother will take one of them and kill any man who tries to leave his bed. You will take the other and come with me. We are going to disarm the guard.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Whatever you say, mon Commandant.

[Commandant]

Fabian. Come on.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

We left Beau on guard at the barrack room door and made our way through the sleeping fort up the ladder to the battle ramp.

[Francisco Blondin]

Everything is very quiet up here, Mont Commandant. I have just ordered this entry into the guard house and the arsenal is locked.

[Commandant]

Bien Bien. Go down to the guard house and take their guns. Tell them two rifles are covering the door, and any man who steps into the light will bear shot.

[Francisco Blondin]

Oui, Mont Commandant. Portez vous, Pierre.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

We stood there on the ramp, our rifles aimed at the square of light in the doorway, and we waited. I watched the first gray light of dawn filter over the walls and wondered if Le Jeune was going to get away with it.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I was given no chance to find out.

[Francisco Blondin]

Lejon.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Look outside the fort.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Arabs. Thousands. Sacre nom du cosson. We are under attack.

[Francisco Blondin]

London. Turn out the guard, open the arsenal and pass up the gun Bugler. Found us on.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Look at the little pigs out there. S CR Blue. But they'll find before they're done.

[Francisco Blondin]

Explosion. They're fighting. Come on, soldier. Fire that gun.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

The men streamed up the ladders onto the ramp, loading the rifles as they ran. They were soldiers, first and last, legionnaires. And in the face of battle, all thoughts of the mutiny were swept aside. Through the whole of that long, hot day, we fought the Arab mob, met their fierce charges, reloaded smoking guns and fought them off again. All through the night, the snipers crept in close and poured deadly fire into the guns. And slowly but surely, our tiny garrison melted away. Lejeune was everywhere, cursing and firing spittles, grabbing bodies as they fell and jamming them back into the ramparts. So the Arabs could have no way of knowing how few we were. As the ghastly night drew to a close, only four of us were left. Beau and I, Lejeune and Blantin. And before dawn, Blontin was. And then, as the first red rays of the sun swept over the sand.

[Aunt Patricia]

Bull.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

Never mind, soldier. Get below and bring up a pail of soup. The devil seemed to be letting up for the moment.

[Guantayo]

But my brother.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Perhaps he's only wounded.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

I said.

[Francisco Blondin]

Get below.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

I'll take care of him.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I propped my rifle against the wall and went down the ladder. At the bottom, I stopped suddenly.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Leon would take care of him. He was not going to take care of Bird the way he did the others, by making a grotesque dummy out of his dead body.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I climbed back up to the ramp. Lejeune was bending over Beau's body.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

He'd torn open his tunic and was pawing over some papers he'd taken from it.

[Francisco Blondin]

I thought I sent you below, you beastly thief. Take your filthy hands off. There you are.

[Sergeant Lejeune]

There is no reason why I should not shoot you. You have disobeyed orders. I have no need of you now. I sent off a rano when I heard of the mutiny. There should be a relief force here in an hour or two. Perhaps two or three bullets in the stomach would be.

[Francisco Blondin]

Johnny. I've got his ankle, Johnny. Take it.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I punched forward, whipping my bayonet out of its cabin, and I drove it into his house.

[Beau Smith]

Nice work, Johnny. I'm glad I could help, Bo.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Then you're all right? You weren't dead.

[Beau Smith]

That's what you think, youngster. Deliver those letters. Be sure. Confession's made. Be sure,

[Francisco Blondin]

Bo.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

He gathered up the letters, closed his eyes, crossed his hands over his chest. There's nothing else to do.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Then.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I filled a knapsack with bread, water and ammunition, prepared to slip out of the dead fort. At that moment, an officer on the relief force rode over the ridge to the north. I wasn't sure whether the Arabs were still in ambush, so I fired two shots to warn him, then slid over the wall on the far side and sprinted for the nearest sand dune. 100 yards. I must have dropped there and fallen asleep immediately. When I woke up, it was dark and the moon was just rising behind

[Narrator/John Eliot]

the black walls of the fort. And even as I watched it, a

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

tongue of flame shot up, and in a moment, the whole interior of the fort was ablaze.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

But why?

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Why was the relief force burning Sindernuf?

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Just then, the figure of a man

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

slid over the wall nearest me and

[Narrator/John Eliot]

came running in my direction, raised my rifle.

[Francisco Blondin]

Halt. You're covered.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Huh?

[Beau Smith]

Oh, hello, old boy.

[Digby Smith]

I thought you'd be out here somewhere.

[Aunt Patricia]

Digby.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

How did you get here?

[Digby Smith]

I was bugler with a relief force, Johnny. They sent me to open the gate. I hid instead. Things are pretty rough.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Fairly so.

[Digby Smith]

Digby.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

They killed Bo.

[Digby Smith]

Yes, I. I know. I. I saw it. Did you start the fire, Beau? Always wanted a Viking funeral. I had to give it to him, you know.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Yes, I remember.

[Digby Smith]

I piled all the furniture together and I covered it with sheets, poured lamp oil around. It was the best I could do.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

He'd have liked it.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

Digby.

[Digby Smith]

I didn't have a horse or a spear, but I did find a dog to burn at his feet.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

A dog?

[Digby Smith]

Yes, Johnny. A dirty rotten dog I found on the battle ramp. It used to call itself Le Jeune.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Of what came afterwards. How we fled southward for many weary miles across the desert, fought bandits, starved and thirsted. All those things matter very little now. It suffices to say that the day did come when I sat once again

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

in the great library at Brandon Avis. In the same room where it all began on that other night long before.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

And I told the story to Aunt Patricia.

[Aunt Patricia]

Oh, it was all so completely horrible and so useless. John, why did Boast heal the sapphire? Why did he have to do such a thing?

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I couldn't say, Aunt Patricia.

[Aunt Patricia]

So useless.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I have a letter here that he left for you.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I haven't opened it, of course.

[Aunt Patricia]

Please do so at once, John.

[Beau Smith]

Very well.

[Aunt Patricia]

Read it to me.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

He says, my beloved Aunt Patricia. If I may still call you that when you read this.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I should be dead. I took the Blue Water, of course.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Or rather the imitation which you had

[Narrator/John Eliot]

made after you sold the real stone.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

Oh, yes, Aunt.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I knew about that.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

You wanted the money for the tenants on the estate.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I approve.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

But I also knew how much you feared Sir Hector would find out.

[Narrator/John Eliot]

I thought that stealing it might help

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

you if I was wrong.

[John Eliot (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

I only hope that you may forgive me.

[Aunt Patricia]

Oh, dearest Beau.

[John Jest (Narrator/One of the Smith Brothers)]

For my part, I remain affectionately, as

[Narrator/John Eliot]

always, your own Beau Gest.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Escape is produced and directed by norman mcdonnell and tonight brought to you beau gest by PC wren. Adapted for radio by les crutchfield. Featuring barry kroger, wilms herbert jay no and ben wright. With ramsey hill, lillian bff and peggy weber. Music was conceived by lucian marowak and conducted by wilbur hatch. Roy Rowan speaking. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[John Jest (Major/Commander)]

Queen Carvania stood haloed by the morning sun. An army hung on her every word.

[Carvana Advertiser]

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