A Journey to the Center of the Earth xx-xx-xx BBC (7 of 8) The Mysterious Dagger

Summary

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Harold’s Old Time Radio: A Journey to the Center of the Earth (Part 7 of 8) – "The Mysterious Dagger"

Original Airdate: February 12, 2026
Adapted for Radio by: Howard Jones
Cast: Bernard Horsfall (Harry Lawson), Jeffrey Banks (Professor von Hardwig)
Producer: Trevor Hill

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Episode Overview

In the seventh episode of the BBC radio adaptation of Jules Verne’s A Journey to the Center of the Earth, Harry Lawson recounts the perilous and awe-inspiring continuation of their subterranean voyage. After surviving a furious storm at sea, Harry, his uncle Professor von Hardwig, and their guide Hans find themselves unexpectedly returned to familiar shores. Amidst mounting tension and trepidation, the party uncovers ancient fossils and a mysterious steel dagger – evidence of a predecessor. Their journey drives forward with discoveries, existential questions, and a daunting new barrier ahead.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Return to Familiar Shores after Disaster

• Summary: The group is cast ashore after a tempest, realizing the storm has delivered them back to Port Gretchen rather than carrying them forward.

  • "Do you realize what this means? ...We've been carried back to the shores of Port Gretchen." (Professor von Hardwig, 02:22)

• Tension: Harry expresses frustration and concerns about the prospect of setting out once more across the treacherous subterranean sea, but his uncle remains relentless in his pursuit.

  • "It's an act of sheer lunacy to take risks for a second time on this treacherous sea." (Harry Lawson, 03:35)

2. Reluctant Repairs and Preparation

• Summary: Professor von Hardwig insists on repairing the raft with Hans’s help, undeterred by setbacks, while Harry is sullenly resigned to further adventure.
• Notable quote: "We shall see who is going to triumph in this immortal contest, man or nature? Forward. Forward, I say. To the center of the earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 03:02)

3. Exploration of the Ancient Shoreline

• Summary: Before leaving, the Professor insists on a thorough exploration. They traverse a landscape marked by colossal prehistoric shells and, shockingly, a graveyard of ancient bones.
  • "It is a symmetry. It is bones, bones, all bones." (Professor von Hardwig, 06:55)
• Discovery: A perfectly preserved human skull among the fossils raises existential questions about past subterranean life.

4. The Forest of Time and the Giant Shepherd

• Summary: Their path leads into a vast primordial forest, home to ancient flora and, astonishingly, living mastodons – and a humanoid giant herding them.

  • "Look, you're not; there is a human being. ...A man like ourselves." (Professor von Hardwig, 11:51)
  • Harry details the titanic figure: "His height I judged to be above 12ft. His head, as big as that of a buffalo..." (Harry Lawson, 12:10)

• Philosophical Doubt: Harry doubts the giant is truly human, instead suggesting a prehistoric hominid.

  • "I don't believe he was a man like us. Not Homo sapiens. ...That was a man-like creature. But it wasn't a man. A gigantic monkey of some sort." (Harry Lawson, 14:02)

5. Discovery of the Mysterious Dagger

• Summary: While retracing their steps, they stumble upon a steel dagger of 16th-century Spanish make – not belonging to any of the party.
• Investigative Dialogue:
  • "Oh, rusty old dagger. Why did you bring that thing with you?" (Professor von Hardwig, 16:10)
  • "It's not mine... it's not Hans's. Could it be the weapon of some ancient warrior? Or of some living creature?" (Harry Lawson, 16:41)
  • The Professor deduces its origin: "This weapon is a true dagger, such as was carried by gentlemen in their belts during the 16th century. ...Clearly, this one is of Spanish workmanship." (Professor von Hardwig, 17:01)

6. Evidence of Arnus Saknussem and Renewed Purpose

• Summary: The dagger is connected to the legendary Icelandic alchemist Arnus Saknussem. They discover Saknussem’s initials carved on a rock, confirming he had passed through and left clues for future explorers.
  • "A man has been here before us. A man who has tried once more to indicate the right road to the center of the earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 18:13)
  • "Yes, I was right. I was right. Arnus Sacnussen. Always the great Al Sacnussem." (Professor von Hardwig, 19:15)
  • "Your name, carved at every important stage of your journey, leads the hopeful traveler direct to the great discovery to which you devoted such energy and courage." (Professor von Hardwig, 20:15)

7. A New Obstacle: The Blocked Gallery

• Summary: The team reaches a newly revealed tunnel – this "proper road" to the earth’s center – only to find it blocked by a massive granite boulder, likely the result of a past earthquake.
• Sense of Urgency and Resolve:
  • "If we don't smash it down somehow or other, we're not worthy to follow Saknussem. ... We don't even deserve to reach the center of the Earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 25:52)
  • The only solution: blasting through with explosives. "There is another way: we can blast the rock to smithereens." (Professor von Hardwig, 26:10)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Forward, forward, I say. To the center of the earth." (Professor von Hardwig, 03:02)
• "It is bones, bones, all bones." (Professor von Hardwig, 06:55)
• "Who knows? Who knows? It may not be a laughing matter. Uncle, if there are men still here, how are they going to receive us?" (Harry Lawson, 09:29)
• "There is a human being. ...A man like ourselves." (Professor von Hardwig, 11:51)
• "This weapon is a true dagger ... Clearly, this one is of Spanish workmanship." (Professor von Hardwig, 17:01)
• "A man has been here before us. ...Somebody has been here before us." (Harry Lawson, 18:04)
• "Let this cape be known for all time as Cape Saknussm." (Professor von Hardwig, 21:11)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Recap and return to Port Gretchen: 00:33–04:20
• Exploring prehistoric shoreline (bones and skulls): 06:17–08:48
• Encountering the primordial forest and the giant shepherd: 09:45–14:29
• Discussion about the giant’s humanity: 14:02–14:29
• Finding the mysterious steel dagger: 16:10–17:31
• Discovery of Saknussem’s initials and legacy: 18:04–21:15
• Blocked passage and plan to use explosives: 24:40–26:14

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Tone & Style

The episode is steeped in awe and scientific curiosity, fueled by Professor von Hardwig's relentless optimism and Harry’s more measured, skeptical perspective. The tone oscillates between wonder, desperation, and resourceful resolve, culminating in a sense of historic discovery and looming peril.

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Conclusion

This installment expertly blends suspense, scientific marvel, and existential questioning. The unearthing of the ancient dagger and Saknussem’s mark intensifies the mission’s urgency and connects the explorers to a lineage of subterranean adventurers. Yet, the newly discovered way ahead is now blocked by a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, setting a dramatic cliffhanger for the final episode. The team’s resolve is undimmed: "Forward – to the center of the earth!"

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Transcript

[American Express Narrator]

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[Harry Lawson]

We present Bernard Horsefall as Harry Lawson and Jeffrey Banks as Professor von Hardwig in A Journey to the center of the Earth, the novel by Jules Ram. Adapted to Radio in 8 Parts by Howard Jones Part 7 the Mysterious Dagger no doubt you will recall much of what I have told you already at our earlier meetings. But in case you have forgotten, let me remind you that my name is Harry Lawson and that my uncle is that famous learned eccentric gentleman, professor von Hardwig of Hamburg. It seems only yesterday that my uncle brought to his house in the Konigstrasse a book in which I discovered an ancient parchment covered with runic characters. It had been written by a certain Arnus Saknusson, an Icelandic alchemist of the 16th century who claimed to have made a journey to the center of the earth. My uncle insisted that we followed in the footsteps of this great man. So he and I and our faithful guide Hans Bjelke descended the crater of Snaefels, an extinct volcano in Iceland, and found ourselves in a maze of subterranean passages and caverns. There we all but died of thirst. And there I was lost in impenetrable darkness and for a little while became demented. Later we sailed on a raft over a mighty sea. The Central Sea, the professor named it. We witnessed a battle to the death between prehistoric monsters and then were overwhelmed by a fearful hurricane. It was the ever faithful hunts who saved our lives. When we were tossed up on some rocks, where were we? That was the question we had to decide. My uncle consulted the compass.

[Professor von Hardwig]

No, no. The needle is pointing to the shore. The shore is north, the sea is south. Do you realize what this means? Yes.

[Harry Lawson]

There must have been a slant of wind during the storm. We've been carried back to the shores of Port Gretchen.

[Professor von Hardwig]

The shores we left apparently forever, so many days ago. Every hour, every minute on the raft has been so much time lost. So.

[Harry Lawson]

So fate place me this vile tricks.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Air, fire, water. All combined against me. Well, now they shall learn what the will of a determined man can do. I will not yield. I will not retreat. When is we shall See who is going to triumph in this immortal contest, man or nature? Forward. Forward, I say. To the center of the earth.

[Harry Lawson]

Uncle, listen to me.

[Professor von Hardwig]

To the raft. To the raft. We sail again.

[Harry Lawson]

Listen to reason.

[Professor von Hardwig]

What is it, Harry?

[Harry Lawson]

Uncle, there must be some limit to our ambition. We can't achieve the impossible. You know as well as I do that we are quite unready for another sea voyage. It's absolute madness to contemplate a second voyage. A 500 leagues on a wretched pile of beams with another bedseet for a sail, a stick for a mast and probably a tempest to contend with. We can't steer our raft adequately, so we shall be at the mercy of any foul weather we run up against. I tell you, uncle, it's an act of sheer lunacy to take risks for a second time on this treacherous sea.

[Professor von Hardwig]

What do you say? You've not heard a single word I've been saying. No, I have not. Harry. Come. Come to the raft.

[Harry Lawson]

This time, uncle, you must listen. You must hear me. The raft isn't even seaworthy.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Then we must make it seaworthy again. I will instruct Hans.

[Harry Lawson]

If you say so. But it's going to take time to repair.

[Professor von Hardwig]

They have plenty of cordage. It will take hands no time at all. Yes, yes. We shall see who is going to try it, man or nature.

[Harry Lawson]

Such was the result of my attempts to overcome the professors stubborn will. I tried again, I begged, I implored him. But all to no purpose. Meanwhile, Hans set about repairing the raft. And before long he had raised a new mast and a new sail which snapped merrily in the breeze. The professor spoke a few words to Hans, who nodded calmly and immediately began to stow our baggage on board and to prepare for our departure. A mood of stolid and sullen resignation. I was ready to board the raft when my uncle put his hand on my shoulder.

[Professor von Hardwig]

There's no hurry, my boy. We shall not embark until tomorrow. Now, since fate has cast us cruelly back on these shores, I think we should not leave them without making a thorough inspection of them.

[Harry Lawson]

Very well, uncle. Let us see. Set out on another journey of discovery.

[Professor von Hardwig]

That is the spirit. We can leave Hans here. He is quite enough to get on with, I imagine. Port great seem to lie somewhere to the rest of this place. These sewers in fact are new to us. There should be a lot to interest us here.

[Harry Lawson]

The distance between the high water mark on the foreshore and the foot of the rocks was considerable. As we trudged along, our feet crushed innumerable shells of every shape and Size shells that had been the homes of animals in the early period of creation. I particularly noticed some truly enormous shells, carapaces of turtles and tortoises more than 15ft in diameter. For a full mile we followed the curvings of the central sea, advancing, sometimes with great difficulty, over broken masses of granite mixed with flint courts and alluvial deposits. Suddenly my uncle stopped.

[Professor von Hardwig]

It is a symmetry. It is bones, bones, all bones.

[Harry Lawson]

On that spot, some three square miles in extent, was accumulated the whole history of animal life. When we moved, our feet crushed with a dry, cracking sound, the remains of countless prehistoric fossils. I was quite bewildered. And my uncle, for his part, stood with his arms raised towards the granite vault which served us for a sky. His mouth wide open, his eyes gleaming behind his spectacles. For some minutes he stood thus literally agape at the magnitude of this discovery. And then suddenly he darted forward, caught up an object and cried in excitement.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Holly. You see what this is? A human skull.

[Harry Lawson]

It was indeed a human skull, perfectly recognizable. Had the peculiar nature of the soil preserved it through countless ages? I couldn't say, nor for that matter, could my uncle. But this head, with its tight stretched and parchment like skin, with the teeth whole, the hair abundant, was before our eyes, almost as if in life. Soon we found more human skulls and then complete skeletons. My uncle could scarcely believe his eyes.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Oh, is it not marvelous to contemplate? And does it not raise a great question? Were these human bodies dragged down to these steps by some convulsion of nature? Or did they exist here? Were they born, did they live, did they die here as we are born, live and die on the surface of the earth? Well, what is the answer to that, my boy?

[Harry Lawson]

I don't know, uncle, but one thing strikes me.

[Professor von Hardwig]

What strikes you? Come on now, out with it.

[Harry Lawson]

Are any men of this ancient race still alive? Are they still wandering about on the shores of this subterranean sea?

[Professor von Hardwig]

A very good question.

[Harry Lawson]

Who knows? Who knows? It may not be a laughing matter. Uncle, if there are men still here, how are they going to receive us?

[Professor von Hardwig]

Another good question. I will get my mind to it. Meanwhile, let us explore further.

[Harry Lawson]

For a long and weary hour, we tramped over the great bed of bones. Presently the shores of the central sea were lost behind hills. These hills and the rocks and what appeared to be far off forests all had a weird and mysterious aspect. Under the steady glare of some form of electric illumination, the imprudent and enthusiastic professor, who did not care whether he lost himself or not, hurried me forward. And after about a mile we came to the edge of A vast forest. Here stood huge palms. Yonder were pines, yews and cypresses, all seemingly bound together by a carpet of creeping plants. The professor was in. Ecstasies.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Do you observe? Do you recognize. Do you realize this is an immense forest of the Tertiary period, going as it grew in days of old. Wonderful, wonderful. Look at those superb Palmatites. A genus of fossil palms of the Carboniferous. Magnificent. Truly magnificent. And over here, see? See trees that a modern child might recognize. Oak, poplar, Norwegian pine. And that surely, is an Australian eucalyptus. And there's a New Zealand cowry. Uncle. Come along. Don't let us dawdle. There's still so much to see here. A common maple. But did you ever see a maple of such gigantic proportion? What's that? I cannot hear anything. Do come along now. Elephants. Living elephants. Look, a great herd of them. No, not elephants. Not our modern elephants, dear boy. Mastodons. Mammoths. Alive and thriving, eating the foliage of this great forest. Marvelous. Come, we must take a closer look of them. Stop.

[Harry Lawson]

If those beasts stampede, what chance shall we have?

[Professor von Hardwig]

No human creature could possibly withstand. No human creature, did you say? You're mistaken, my dear boy. Look, you're not. There is a human being. Kai. A man like ourselves.

[Harry Lawson]

I looked not more than a quarter of a mile off. Leaning against the trunk of an enormous tree was a human being, a Proteus of the underworld. A new son of Neptune, tending this great herd of mastodons. His height I judged to be above 12ft. His head, as big as that of a buffalo, was lost in a mane of matted hair, and in his hand he held the branch of a tree, serving him as a shepherd's crook. For some minutes we neither moved nor spoke. And then I realized that if this giant but turned his head, he might very easily see us. Panic seized me. Grasping my uncle by the arm, I dragged him back, and for the first time, he did not resist me.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Stop. Stop it. I can run no further. Yes, I. I think we're safe here.

[Harry Lawson]

Sit down. Get our breath back.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Thank you. Thank you, my boy. Here sits better. I am reminded of a phrase in the Latin. Immanis pecoris custos emanis ipse.

[Harry Lawson]

The keeper of gigantic cattle. Himself. A giant?

[Professor von Hardwig]

Precisely. What a man. What power. What strength. I just don't believe it. You don't believe it? You don't believe the evidence of your senses, of your own eyes.

[Harry Lawson]

The giant was real enough, I grant you, Uncle. But I don't believe he was a man like us. Not Homo sapiens. It stands to Reason that no generation of men such as we are can inhabit this subterranean world.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Why not? Why not? Please?

[Harry Lawson]

Because if they did, they would all know about us who live on the surface. They would have communicated with us.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Possibly.

[Harry Lawson]

But that was a man like creature. But it wasn't a man. A gigantic monkey of some sort.

[Professor von Hardwig]

I will think over your views and opinions. And now that I am quite recovered, my boy, let us continue with our explorations.

[Harry Lawson]

We made our way towards the central sea. Though this was new territory to us, I noticed every now and then certain rocks which in shape and formation reminded me forcibly of the rocks at Port Gretchen. There were also streams and cascades tumbling from above the rocks. And this seemed to confirm the puzzling compass reading and our extraordinary and involuntary return to the north shore of the central sea. Then, as we pushed on, the unrecognized appearance of a stream or the profile of a rock threw me into doubt. I said, have we ever come this way before, Uncle?

[Professor von Hardwig]

I'm just wondering this myself. I wish I could be sure.

[Harry Lawson]

Well, we were not cast ashore exactly at the spot we sailed from. That's quite certain. I think the storm must have driven us above our starting point. Therefore, if we follow this coast, we shall come to Port Gretchen.

[Professor von Hardwig]

In that case, it is useless to continue our exploration. The best thing we can do is to return to Hans and the raft. Yes. You're quite sure of our bearings?

[Harry Lawson]

Well, not quite sure, Uncle. These rocks are so much alike. All the same, I seem to recognize this cape as the place where Hans built our raft. I fancy we must be very close to Port Gretchen, even if we haven't reached it already.

[Professor von Hardwig]

My dear Harry, if this were Port Gretchen, we should find traces of our footsteps or at least some signs that.

[Harry Lawson]

We have been here.

[Professor von Hardwig]

But there's nothing. Nothing.

[Harry Lawson]

Just a moment.

[Professor von Hardwig]

I can see something.

[Harry Lawson]

Yes, I was right after all, Uncle.

[Professor von Hardwig]

And what have you found? Oh, rusty old dagger. Why did you bring that thing with you?

[Harry Lawson]

That's no good.

[Professor von Hardwig]

No good at all.

[Harry Lawson]

I've never set eyes on it before.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Isn't it yours? Mine? I don't recognize it at all. I am sure it was never mine.

[Harry Lawson]

That's very puzzling.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Not in the least. Explanation is simple. Icelanders like these old ration weapons. Obviously this knife belongs to Hans. He must have dropped it without knowing.

[Harry Lawson]

No, uncle, this doesn't belong to Hans. I know him and his habits too well.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Could it.

[Harry Lawson]

Could it be the weapon of some ancient warrior? Or of some living creature? Like that gigantic shepherd with his mastodons?

[Professor von Hardwig]

And yet such a Creature, if he.

[Harry Lawson]

Carried a knife at all, would be armed with a stone knife, flint, or just possibly bronze. But this knife is steel.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Steel, I tell you. Steel, certainly. But calm yourself, Harry. This weapon is a true dagger, such as was carried by gentlemen in their belts during the 16th century. Clearly, this one is of Spanish workmanship. It does not belong to you, or to me, or to our worthy hands. Not to any living creature in the interior of the earth. Then look close her, Naimoi. The blade was never blunted like this? With fair wear and tear. No.

[Harry Lawson]

Observe.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Now it is thick with rust. And this rust is not merely a day old, not a year old, not even a century older. Listen. I see we are now on the verge of a great discovery. This dagger, a wonderful and fortunate find, my boy, has lain on the sands of this shore for more than a hundred years. More than 200, more than 300 years. And it was used, or so I firmly believe, by someone endeavoring to carve an inscription on these rocks.

[Harry Lawson]

Well, if your theory is right, someone brought the knife here. Someone used it here. In a word, somebody has been here before us.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Yes, yes. Now you know the importance of your find. A man has been here before us. A man who has tried once more to indicate the right road to the center of the earth. Let us look around. Let us see what we can find. Forward.

[Harry Lawson]

Forward we walked along the wall of rock, looking into every tiny fissure which might widen out and prove to be the road to the center of the earth. Presently, we reached a spot where the beach narrowed and the sea almost overlapped the base of the rocks, which here were very steep. At last, beneath a huge overhanging rock, we discovered the entrance of a dark and gloomy tunnel. And here, on a tablet of granite which had been smoothed by rubbing it with another stone, we could see two mysterious and much worn letters. The initials of the bold and extraordinary traveler who had preceded us on our great adventure.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Yes, I was right. I was right. Arnus Sacnussen. Always the great Al Sacnussem.

[Harry Lawson]

Since the start, as part of our journey, I had experienced many surprises and suffered many disappointments. Indeed, I believe that I was hardened against all further surprises, that I would neither see nor hear anything to astonish me again. When, however, I saw those two letters carved in the rock, when I held in my hands the very dagger which had carved them more than 300 years.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Before.

[Harry Lawson]

I was struck dumb with wonder. My uncle, on the other hand, was seized with a sort of poetical ecstasy.

[Professor von Hardwig]

You great and glorious genius, you have left no Stone unturned to show other men the road to the center of this mighty globe. Your fellow creatures can now follow the trail made by Your illustrious footsteps 300 years ago. Your name, carved at every important stage of your journey, leads the hopeful traveler direct to the great discovery to which you devoted such energy and courage. And doubtless the audacious traveler who follows your footsteps to their destination will find the same initials carved at the very center of the earth. I will be that audacious traveler. I too will carve my name on the same spot, but in just to your devotion, to your courage, and to your being the first man to indicate this road. Let this cape, seen first by you on the shores of the sea, discovered by you. Let this cape be known for all time as Cape Sacnism.

[Harry Lawson]

I confess I was roused to a pitch of wild enthusiasm by my uncle's stirring words. What another man had done in ages past could, I felt, be done again. And I was determined to do it myself. Forward, forward. I cried, using the professor's watchword. And I started in the direction of the sombre gallery. The road we had to take.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Stop, boy, stop. Let us not lose our heads in this wonderful moment. Before anything else, we should return to our good friend Hans, and then we can bring the raft round to this point. Oh, very well. But don't let's waste time, uncle. Come along.

[Harry Lawson]

When you come to think of it, everything has worked out for the best.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Uncle, not quite so fast.

[Harry Lawson]

Please.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Hold for the best.

[Harry Lawson]

Hurry.

[Professor von Hardwig]

So she'll begin to realize that now. Yes, uncle.

[Harry Lawson]

Even that fearful hurricane was our friend. It put us on the right road.

[Professor von Hardwig]

I agree. There's something providential in the way they were blown back here. And to make the great discovery of Cape Sacnas. It's almost beyond belief. I beg you not to go quite so fast, Harry. It's only that I'm anxious not to waste time, uncle.

[Harry Lawson]

I can see exactly how things are working out for us. We shall take a northern route. We shall pass under the northern regions of Europe, Sweden, Russia, Siberia, and who knows where. Instead of burying ourselves under the burning plains and deserts of Africa, let us go on as we're going, and heaven will be our guide.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Yes, Harry, yes. We shall leave the flat sea behind us and we shall descend. Descend forever. Descend. Do you know, my dear boy, that to reach the center of the earth, we have only another 5,000 miles to travel. 5,000. It's scarcely worth talking about.

[Harry Lawson]

The thing is to get going.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Yes, yes, to get going. Forward to the center of the earth.

[Harry Lawson]

Thus Our wild speeches continued until we rejoined our patient and phlegmatic guide. All was ready for our departure. Every single package and parcel was stowed in its allotted place. We boarded the raft and hoisted the sail and hence guided our frail craft towards the newly named Cape stuck Nissan. About 6 o' clock in the evening, we cited a suitable place to land. I was the first to leap ashore. My uncle and Hans followed more sedately. I was still terribly excited and anxious to make a start without any further delay. For once, in a way, my uncle was more prudent.

[Professor von Hardwig]

My dear boy, I am as anxious as you are to make a start. But before we do anything else, let us survey the mysterious gallery which marked the beginning of our road. Then we can decide if we need to prepare and mend our ladders.

[Harry Lawson]

The professor set about testing our Ruhmkov's coil, which would soon be needed to provide us with lights in the galleries. While he was doing so, Hans hitched the raft to a projecting rock scarcely 20 paces distant from the gallery. At length, my uncle declared that he was ready and we advanced in single file, myself in the lead. The opening to the gallery was circular, about 5ft in diameter. The floor was roughly at water level and we were able to enter it without hindrance. As we went forward, I counted my steps into the tunnel. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Go on, Harry. What's stopping you? I can't go on. Why not? Why not? The way is blocked. This confounded stone. Solid granite. A block of solid granite. Is there no way around it? None. Or beneath? No. Or above? No. Is there no sign of another opening to right or left? Nothing, Uncle. Nothing at all. This is intolerable. Intolerable. Why? Why is the stone here? It is no business here. This is our proper road. I am convinced. I do not understand this. What?

[Harry Lawson]

What about Arna Sakhonusam?

[Professor von Hardwig]

Uncle, what about Arna Saknussem? Do you imagine? You're right, my boy. Sarknussam penetrated to the center of the earth. He can never have been checked by a block of stone. Of course he wasn't.

[Harry Lawson]

No.

[Professor von Hardwig]

At one time this passage was quite clear. You can tell that by the smoothness of the walls. But sometime or other there's been an earthquake which brought down this solid granite wall.

[Harry Lawson]

I'll wager it wasn't here when Sakina Sen passed this way.

[Professor von Hardwig]

And what I say is, if we don't smash it down, somehow or other.

[Harry Lawson]

We'Re not worthy to follow Sakina Sen.

[Professor von Hardwig]

We don't even deserve to reach the.

[Harry Lawson]

Center of the Earth.

[Professor von Hardwig]

Hurry. Let us get to work with pickaxes and crowbars. Hans, the tools. Fetch the tools from the rock. A moment. If we work a thousand years, we shall never shift this rock with pickaxes. What then? There is another way we can blast the rock to Slytherins. Composer. Yes.

[Harry Lawson]

To work.

[Professor von Hardwig]

To work. That was the seventh installment of A Journey to the center of the Earth, adapted by Howard Jones from the novel by Jules Verne. The cast was as follows. Harry Lawson was played by Bernard Horsfall and Professor Von Hartvik by Jeffrey Banks. And it was produced in the north of England by Trevor Hill. We invite you to listen to the eighth and the final installment of this serial next Thursday at 5:25 on this service, Radio 4.