Dr Gideon Fell 19xx-xx-xx Below Suspicion

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Dr Gideon Fell 19xx-xx-xx Below Suspicion

Episode Information:

• Title: Dr Gideon Fell 19xx-xx-xx Below Suspicion
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Release Date: July 30, 2025
• Description: Relive the Golden Age of Radio with classic radio shows featuring iconic series such as The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more.

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Introduction and Setting (00:01 - 01:27)

The episode opens with protagonist Patrick Butler, a barrister known as the "Great Defender," preparing to city court alongside Dr. Gideon Fell, portrayed by Donald Sinden. Their destination is Holloway, where Joyce Wallace stands accused of murder.

Notable Quote:

• Patrick Butler (00:05): “Oh, I hate women's prisons. Almost as much as I love women.”

The Charge Against Joyce Wallace (01:27 - 06:12)

The narrative delves into the case against Joyce Wallace, who is accused of murdering Mrs. Mildred Taylor. Patrick Butler meets Joyce, who contends her innocence, claiming she never intended harm despite inheriting £500 from her employer’s will—a potential motive.

Notable Quotes:

• Joyce Wallace (02:02): “Oh, that doesn't matter at all. I'm here to help you.”
• Patrick Butler (06:12): “But Alice Griffin says she never saw you touch the tin containing antimony.”

Courtroom Trial (07:03 - 11:29)

In the courtroom at the Old Bailey, the prosecution's case hinges on witness testimony from Mrs. Alice Griffin, who reveals discrepancies in Joyce’s alibi regarding the Epsom salts tin used as poison. Despite Butler's confidence, Dr. Fell remains skeptical of Joyce’s innocence.

Notable Quotes:

• Patrick Butler (07:12): “The truth, naturally.”
• Chief Superintendent Hadley (08:07): “And no wonder Mr. Lowndes looks thunderstruck.”

Eventually, Butler successfully defends Joyce Wallace, securing a not guilty verdict after only 20 minutes, much to the surprise of Dr. Fell.

Aftermath and New Developments (11:27 - 37:00)

Post-trial, Joyce Wallace expresses gratitude but hints at deeper secrets. The plot thickens when Dick Renshaw, Mrs. Taylor’s nephew, is poisoned, raising suspicions on Lucia Renshaw. Patrick Butler begins investigating the connections between the unsolved poisoning cases and uncovers links to a possible murder syndicate.

Notable Quotes:

• Chief Superintendent Hadley (13:26): “There have been nine unsolved deaths by poison...”
• Dr. Gideon Fell (18:22): “... there have been nine unsolved poisoning cases recently.”

Butler's pursuit leads him into the seedy underbelly of Soho, where he confronts thugs and discovers the existence of a clandestine "Murder Club."

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Gideon Fell (37:05): “This cloak for devilry which you call a racket is as old as sin.”

Investigation Deepens (37:05 - 47:00)

Patrick Butler intensifies his investigation, collaborating with Dr. Fell and Chief Superintendent Hadley. They uncover the involvement of Luke Parsons, a private detective, and George “Goldie” Grice, both implicated in the murder organization. Their pursuit leads them to a chapel, the hub of the cult's activities, where they face violent resistance.

Notable Quotes:

• Patrick Butler (27:25): “There's a fact firm called Smith and Smith, a detective agency.”
• Dr. Gideon Fell (40:03): “...this is the genius new device... used by a Satanist cult in 1746.”

During a climactic confrontation in the chapel’s crypt, Butler engages in a physical altercation with Goldie, resulting in Butler retrieving crucial papers that further implicate Joyce Wallace.

Conflicts and Confrontations (47:05 - 55:00)

As tensions escalate, Joyce Wallace returns with revelations. She admits to orchestrating the murders to assume control of the witch cult, manipulating events to frame Joyce for the initial murder. Butler confronts her with the evidence, leading to a final showdown where Wallace attempts to eliminate Butler but fails.

Notable Quotes:

• Joyce Wallace (50:56): “I killed Dick Renshaw. I am the head of the witch cult.”
• Patrick Butler (53:42): “You had him killed.”

Conclusion and Twist (55:00 - End)

Dr. Fell provides Butler with a letter revealing their narrow escape from death and highlights Joyce Wallace's true nature. The episode concludes with Butler having thwarted Wallace's plans, ensuring justice is served, and hinting at the ongoing battle against the Murder Club.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Gideon Fell (56:23): “You should be grateful to gallantry, my dear fellow...”
• Patrick Butler (55:26): “I am never wrong.”

Final Notes: The episode intricately weaves elements of mystery, deception, and suspense, staying true to the classic radio drama format. Through sharp dialogue and unexpected twists, it captivates listeners, offering a rich and engaging narrative that resonates with fans of the Golden Age of Radio.

Production Details:

• Cast:
  • Donald Sinden as Dr. Gideon Fell
  • John Hartley as Chief Superintendent Hadley
  • James Fleet as Patrick Butler
  • Connie Walker as Joyce Wallace
  • Becky Hindley as Lucia Renshaw
  • Supporting roles include Rachanda Carey, Luke Parsons, Terence Edmond, Henry Lord, Mark Holloway, George Goldie Grice, and Christopher Brennan.
• Dramatization: Adapted for radio by Peter Ling
• Director: Enid Williams

Episode Duration: Approximately 50 minutes

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, highlighting pivotal moments, character dynamics, and the unfolding mystery. For those who haven't listened, it provides a clear and engaging overview of the thrilling events in Below Suspicion.

Transcript

[Patrick Butler]

Ah, Islington already? We're nearly there.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Yes. Next stop, Holloway.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, I hate women's prisons. Almost as much as I love women.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Yes, I like. I should warn you, Joyce Wallace is a very pretty girl. Perhaps as well, I shall be with you to give you moral support.

[Patrick Butler]

Thank you. I prefer to see her on my own.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But she's bound to be shy about meeting you. Patrick Butler, KC Known to his admirers as the Great Defender.

[Patrick Butler]

And known to others as that damned Irish. No, I need to take her emotional temperature, so to speak. Give me 10 minutes alone with her.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Very well.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But don't forget one important point.

[Patrick Butler]

What might that be?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The charge against her is murder.

[Patrick Butler]

We present Donald Sinden as Dr. Gideon fell in Below Suspicion by John Dixon Carr.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Notes made by me Gideon Fell on November 8, 1937, concerning the murder of Mrs. Mildred Taylor. When Patrick Butler met Joyce Wallace, he saw I had not exaggerated. Although she was very frightened. She was also very attractive.

[Joyce Wallace]

Who are you?

[Patrick Butler]

Please don't be alarmed, Ms. Wallace. My name is Patrick Butler. I shall be your counsel to defend you in court.

[Joyce Wallace]

But there must be some mistake. I couldn't possibly. I mean, I haven't any money.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, that doesn't matter at all. I'm here to help you. But if it makes you feel any better, I'll take my fear to the next wealthy racketeer who really is guilty.

[Joyce Wallace]

So you believe I didn't do it? Oh, you don't know how much that means to me. Thank you.

[Patrick Butler]

Just let me ask you a few questions. How old are you? How long had you been with Mrs. Taylor? That sort of thing?

[Joyce Wallace]

I'm 28. I'd been with Mrs. Taylor for nearly two years as a sort of companion, Secretary, nurse.

[Patrick Butler]

Nurse? Ah, yes. Yes, I gather she was a rich widow. Nearly 70 and a bit of a hypochondriac.

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes, she was always taking pills and patent medicines.

[Patrick Butler]

Living in Balham in an old fashioned house on the edge of the common. Were you the only other person who slept in the house?

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes. She had a cook, housekeeper. Alice Griffin, married to Bill Griffin, the coachman. They had the coach house at the back. When Mrs. Taylor wanted to go out, he drove her in the landau. There was a horse in the stable and that's where.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, you were about to say that's where the poison came from.

[Joyce Wallace]

Bill had an old Epsom salts tin full of antimony in the stable. He said it kept the horse's coat nice and glossy.

[Patrick Butler]

Ah, and it does look very much like Epsom salts. A white crystalline powder soluble in Water.

[Joyce Wallace]

But I didn't kill her. I swear I didn't.

[Patrick Butler]

Of course not. Tell me everything you can remember. What happened on the afternoon before she died.

[Joyce Wallace]

She had visitors. Mr. Renshaw, he's her nephew, and his wife, Lucia. They came to tea. I was quite surprised.

[Patrick Butler]

No, why was that?

[Joyce Wallace]

They live in Hampstead, on the other side of London. They didn't often venture as far as Balham.

[Patrick Butler]

Ah.

[Joyce Wallace]

Anyway, they had tea and I went to my room. About an hour later the bell rang and it went on ringing and ringing.

[Patrick Butler]

The doorbell?

[Joyce Wallace]

No. There was an electric bell in my room in case Mrs. Taylor needed me during the night. It's going to hang me.

[Patrick Butler]

No, no, no, no. I'm quite sure.

[Joyce Wallace]

Please let me finish. When I went to her room, the Renshaws had gone and I found she was sitting up in bed holding the bell push, the kind they have in hospitals, on a long cord. She'd gone into her bathroom and found her tin of Epsom salts was empty. She said it was my fault. By the time Alice came to fetch the tea things, Mrs. Taylor had worked herself up screaming. I know a young woman who get no bequest. Now. I'll ring my solicitor and make sure of that.

[Patrick Butler]

What bequest?

[Joyce Wallace]

She'd left me £500 in her will. I know it's a lot of money, but please believe me, I'd never kill anyone, no matter how much.

[Patrick Butler]

I'm sure you wouldn't. And what happened after that?

[Joyce Wallace]

She calmed down eventually. Alice made the supper and I remade the bed and settled her for the night. Then I went round the house making sure the doors and windows were locked. I turned the key in the back door and went up to bed. I slept soundly and I'm certain the bell in my room didn't ring. Only.

[Patrick Butler]

Go on.

[Joyce Wallace]

Everyone thinks I'm lying. They say she must have rung the bell when that terrible pain began. But she didn't.

[Patrick Butler]

Yes, I know. Just tell me what happened.

[Joyce Wallace]

Next morning I got up at 8 as usual and went down to unlock the back door and let Alice in. Then, while I was getting washed and dressed, I heard the bell ringing. I thought it was Mrs. Taylor getting angry all over again, so I rushed to her room. Alice had the bell push. Mrs. Taylor was lying on her side in a tangle of bad clothes. Somehow I knew at once she was dead.

[Patrick Butler]

Please tell me everything you can remember.

[Joyce Wallace]

On the bedside table was a tumbler with a teaspoon in it and some white sediment at the bottom of the glass. And there was an open tin of Epsom salts. I found out later that Mrs. Taylor's fingerprints were on it and so were mine.

[Patrick Butler]

And had you touched the tin?

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes. I picked it up and looked inside. It was half full. I couldn't think where it had come from.

[Patrick Butler]

But Alice Griffin says she never saw you touch the tip.

[Joyce Wallace]

She's mistaken. I know she wouldn't lie about a thing like that. But sometimes people forget.

[Patrick Butler]

Of course. In fact, you may have forgotten something yourself when you went down and unlocked the back door to let her in. I feel sure the key wasn't in the lock.

[Joyce Wallace]

I don't understand.

[Patrick Butler]

I think you found the key lying on the floor and you had to pick it up to unlock the door. Am I right?

[Joyce Wallace]

No. The key was where I left it, in the lock.

[Patrick Butler]

Think about it. I assure you, I am never wrong. I'll see you again in a day or two. Perhaps you'll remember it by then.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

As arranged, Patrick came and joined me in a nearby pub where there was a drink waiting for him.

[Patrick Butler]

Your very good health, Doctor.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

And the continuing health of your client. What did you make of her? Do you believe she's innocent?

[Patrick Butler]

You're the truth or the barrister's usual pretence?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The truth, naturally.

[Patrick Butler]

In that case, she's as guilty as hell, you know.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

What makes you say that?

[Patrick Butler]

Part of the evidence. Partly instinct. I always go by instinct and I am never wrong. But don't worry, I prefer my clients to be guilty. Where's the fun in defending someone who's innocent? Besides, guilty or innocent, every person within the law is entitled to a defense.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

An honest defense, not a fake one.

[Patrick Butler]

Put your mind at rest, Doctor. I promise you the jury will bring in a verdict of not guilty within 20 minutes.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The case had created some interest in the press and courtroom number one at the Old Bailey was quite crowded when my colleague, Chief Superintendent Hadley, and I took our places. And Mr. Lowndes, the counsel for the prosecution, questioned his key witness, Mrs. Alice Griffin.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Mrs. Griffin, I understand that you and your husband occupy the coach house above the stable.

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Was it your custom every morning at 8am to go from the coach house to the back door and be admitted by the prisoner who unlocked the door?

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Lowndes]

And she did so on the morning in question, as usual?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Yes, sir. Well, no, not exactly. It was a bit different.

[Patrick Butler]

Different?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Yes, sir. The key wasn't in the lock. It was lying on the mat inside. Joyce had to pick it up and put it in the lock to open the door.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Afraid? You better realize what she's saying. I doubt it. Butler would prove that someone Else could have entered the house with a spare key. No wonder he's smiling.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

And no wonder Mr. Lowndes looks thunderstruck.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Yes. Well, why didn't you mention this earlier when you were questioned by the police?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Well, sir, nobody asked me. It's only when I thought about it. Since I remembered I heard the key go into the lock. We sighed. The door swung open during the night and me and Bill, Mr. Griffin, we heard it bang. The wind caught it and slammed it shut. Shook the whole house, it did.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Hey, look at Butler. Now that surprised him.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

It did indeed. But after a moment of sheer astonishment, Patrick Butler, KC looked delighted when he cross examined the witness. He was still smiling.

[Patrick Butler]

Mrs. Griffin, you told the court Ms. Wallace never touched the tin of Epsom salts in the bedroom at any time.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Well, that's right, sir, she didn't.

[Patrick Butler]

And you said that when you first entered Mrs. Taylor's bedroom, you thought that she had had a heart attack.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, yes. I couldn't think of anything else.

[Patrick Butler]

And you weren't in any way suspicious of the Epsom salts tin on the table?

[Lucia Renshaw]

No, sir. Why should I be? I hardly noticed it.

[Patrick Butler]

Quite so, you hardly noticed it. In fact, it would be untrue to say that you watched the tin carefully, wouldn't it?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I don't know what you mean.

[Patrick Butler]

Well, let me put it another way. Did you watch the tin?

[Lucia Renshaw]

No, sir.

[Patrick Butler]

So from the moment Ms. Wallace entered the room, could you swear she never once touched the tin containing antimony? Can you swear to that?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Well, no, sir, I'm not really that sure about it.

[Patrick Butler]

Not really sure? Let me ask you one more question. When you found the deceased and rang the bell to get help, was the bell push close to Mrs. Taylor's hand?

[Lucia Renshaw]

No, sir, it wasn't. Otherwise when she was took bad, she'd have run for Joyce, Ms. Wallace wouldn't she?

[Patrick Butler]

Stands to reason, sir. Where exactly did you find the bell.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Push what was hanging down behind the bed head? She must have been in such pain she couldn't reach it, poor soul.

[Patrick Butler]

Thank you, Mrs. Griffin. I have no further questions.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Patrick had been over optimistic when he prophesied that the jury would reach a verdict in 20 minutes. In the event, we had to wait for nearly three quarters of an hour before they returned.

[Patrick Butler]

Members of the jury, are you agreed upon a verdict?

[Mr. Lowndes]

We are.

[Patrick Butler]

Do you find the prisoner, Joyce Leslie Wallace, guilty of or not guilty of murder? Not guilty.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

There's a particular coffee house almost opposite the Bailey where all the lawyers go. And when Patrick called in half an hour later for some much needed Refreshment. Joyce was waiting for him.

[Joyce Wallace]

I've been hoping I'd see you. I wanted to thank you.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, there's really no need.

[Joyce Wallace]

I must thank you so much for rescuing me. Why are you smiling like that?

[Patrick Butler]

Tell me, what are your future plans?

[Joyce Wallace]

I don't know. I haven't dared to think that far ahead.

[Patrick Butler]

You're out of a job now. You'll need money. Of course, there's the legacy from Mrs. Taylor.

[Joyce Wallace]

I couldn't touch that. I'd see her face every time I hear Joyce.

[Patrick Butler]

Let me help you. It's the least I can do.

[Joyce Wallace]

No, please. I watched you in court. Sometimes I thought you believed me. But you were only acting. When I first met you, you tried to make me lie about the back door.

[Patrick Butler]

No. No. You heard Alice Griffin's testimony about it slamming. She heard that? She said so on oath.

[Joyce Wallace]

It was probably next door. She made another mistake, that's all.

[Patrick Butler]

You should be grateful. Her evidence served you very well.

[Joyce Wallace]

So you don't believe I'm innocent? You never did.

[Patrick Butler]

Let's be honest, shall we? I'll tell you exactly what I told Dr. Fell. You are as guilty as hell.

[Joyce Wallace]

I worshiped you. I still do. But one day you're going to admit you were wrong. And for God's sake, don't say you're never wrong.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

And with that, according to Patrick, she brushed past him and fled into the street. Meanwhile, Hadley, who had stopped off to telephone his office, join me in the nearest pub.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Ah, you must be a mind reader. Cheers.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

We can be thankful the case is over and Joyce Wallace is free.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Well, we're no nearer finding out who killed Mrs. Taylor. But I've just heard some startling news. Last night, while Joyce Wallace was still in custody, something else happened. You remember Mrs. Taylor's nephew, Dick Renshaw?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Yeah, of course. He and his wife were always the last people to see Mrs. Taylor alive.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Yes, and Renshaw was poisoned last night. What with another heavy dose of antimony.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Do the police suspect anyone?

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Oh, yes. Mrs. Lucia Renshaw. They say the evidence looks fairly damning. But that's not the end of it. Apparently, in the past three months, there have been nine unsolved deaths by poison in different parts of the country. And in not one of those cases has the Yard traced the purchase of poison to any suspects.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But what has this got to do with Mrs. Taylor's murder? And why is Mrs. Renshaw under suspicion?

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

It seems to have been a very unhappy marriage. And they say she's the only person who could have done it. I wonder who she'll get to defend her.

[Patrick Butler]

Good morning, Mrs. Renshaw.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Mr. Butler. How kind of you to come all this way.

[Patrick Butler]

Sorry I'm rather late, but I don't know Hampstead very well. Almost. Strangely enough, this house looked vaguely familiar. Almost as if I'd been here before.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Of course, you've been to Mrs. Taylor's in Balham. The two houses were built at the same time by Rich's great grandfather in the 1870s. The same builder, the same architect, same doors and windows.

[Patrick Butler]

And the same locks? Perhaps.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Possibly. I've really no idea. But what was I saying? Oh, yes, I wanted to apologize. I know I should have come to your chambers, but after everything that's happened, I really don't feel up to it. You must forgive me for entertaining you in my boudoir and in my dressing gown.

[Patrick Butler]

Believe me, I feel extremely honored.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What nonsense. Now you've made me smile. Thank you. I haven't smiled much lately.

[Patrick Butler]

Of course, I was sorry to hear of your husband's death.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Yes, but I won't be a hypocrite, I must tell you. Two nights ago, in this room, I asked Richard to give me a divorce. And an hour later he was dead.

[Patrick Butler]

I see. Tell me about your husband. What was he like?

[Lucia Renshaw]

As a matter of fact, he wasn't unlike you. It's not just a slight physical resemblance. But your smile, your gestures. There are similarities.

[Patrick Butler]

Really? Let's talk about the night before last. Do you mind telling me why did you want a divorce?

[Lucia Renshaw]

So many reasons, of course. He was away from home a lot. He travelled a good deal on business, often for weeks at a time. But I was quite glad about that. And it's not because he'd been unfaithful. It was humiliating, but I'd almost got used to that too. No. We'd fallen out of love and there was no future for us.

[Patrick Butler]

And when you asked for a divorce, what was his reaction?

[Lucia Renshaw]

He looked at me with absolute hatred. Then, without a word, he took a drink of water from that carafe on the table. It was a habit of his. Every night before he went to bed, he drank some water straight from the carafe. Then he began to get undressed. He was very angry. He suddenly said, unless you can find evidence against me, which you can't, you'll never get a divorce. Remember what happened last time you tried it? A few minutes later, a strange look came over his face. He went into the bathroom and I heard him being violently ill. When he came back, he collapsed onto the bed. He looked ghastly. Then he said, I can't tell you what he said.

[Patrick Butler]

I'm afraid you must. It's very important.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Well, he said, you've poisoned me, you bitch. Then he rolled over and I rang for the doctor, but it was too late.

[Patrick Butler]

It was antimony, I understand, in the water carafe.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Yes. The police were here for hours last night. Asking questions, taking fingerprints. They seem to think I'm the only one who could have put it there. Can you help me?

[Patrick Butler]

I'll do more than that. I shall save you.

[Lucia Renshaw]

I believe you will.

[Patrick Butler]

Thank you, Mrs. Renshaw.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Do you think you could possibly call me Lucia?

[Patrick Butler]

Of course. I'd be happy to.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, I'd forgotten. That will be Dr. Fell. He telephoned earlier to ask if he could have a few words with me. I'm afraid I said yes. I better make myself respectable. Could you be an angel and go down to make my apologies? Tell him I'll join you in a few minutes. Would you mind?

[Patrick Butler]

Not in the least. Dr. Fell and I are old friends.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

My dear chap, this is a pleasant surprise.

[Patrick Butler]

I've been having a preliminary session with my client. Shall we? Down in a moment. Are you here officially on behalf of Superintendent Hadley?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Certainly not. At present I'm in disgrace because I said that the trial of Joyce Wallace was a muddle from start to finish.

[Patrick Butler]

Because Lowndes didn't consider the evidence carefully.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Frankly, nobody considered the evidence carefully.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, not even the counsel for the defense?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Not even the great defender? You were seeking a clever solution rather than the true explanation. Do you realize that there have been nine unsolved poisoning cases recently?

[Patrick Butler]

Surely. I don't think they're all connected.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Well, thunder, I do. And all of them with just two aims in mind. Profit and pleasure.

[Patrick Butler]

You mean some kind of murder syndicate, hired assassin?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

No, no, no, no. Nothing like that. But what sort of group could exist undercover and in silence? How could so many people obtain poison without leaving any record of the transaction? Oh, Lord. Oh, Bacchus.

[Patrick Butler]

What's the matter?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

This. This candlestick. Just look at it. What's wrong with it?

[Patrick Butler]

Handsome silver candelabra with seven candles.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Look inside the sockets, the black with dust.

[Patrick Butler]

Any cleaning? That's all.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Perhaps. But what about the man who died in this house the night before last? The man who drank from a poisoned water carafe in the presence of his wife.

[Patrick Butler]

Who told you that?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I did, when he telephoned me. I'm so glad you know each other. I'm sure you'll both be able to help me.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Let me ask you, Mrs. Renshaw, do you have any ant money in your Possession?

[Lucia Renshaw]

No, of course not.

[Patrick Butler]

Excellent. I'm confident I can get you acquitted.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

And if you succeed? I'm sorry to have to say this, but the police might lay another charge against her.

[Patrick Butler]

What other charge?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The murder of Mrs. Mildred Taylor.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But that's ridiculous now.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

I'm afraid not. After Joyce Wallace, you were the principal suspect. As soon as she was acquitted, the police turned their attention to you.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Mr. Butler proved that the locked house wasn't really locked. An outsider could have got in. And your husband was Mrs. Taylor's only relative. On his death, you became an heiress. You inherited Mrs. Taylor's house, the Priory, this house, Abbott's Lodge. And I understand there's a third property called the Chapel. Curious choice of names.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What are you saying? Surely you don't really think that on.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The afternoon preceding Mrs. Taylor's death, you paid an unexpected call on her. That was when she mentioned her craving for Epsom salts and became angry because there were none in the house. Did you know about the antimony kept in the stable?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Of course I knew, but Bill Griffin told everybody to warn them.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

We also know the back door key was not in the lock. As Mr. Butler pointed out, anyone with a spare key could have got in. It was a Grierson lock. Is there a Grierson lock to this house?

[Lucia Renshaw]

There might be. I have no idea.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Bill Griffin testified that more than 4 tablespoons of antimony were taken from the tin, which is twice the amount Mrs. Taylor swallowed. The murderer was keeping another heavy dose in reserve.

[Patrick Butler]

Mrs. Renshaw, a little while ago you told me your husband said you'll never get a divorce. Remember what happened the last time you tried it? What did he mean by that?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I'd hired a firm of private detectives to follow him. A week later, they had to give up the case. One of their operatives was so badly beaten up, he finished up in hospital.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

So you thought you'd never get free from your husband.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But if you're suggesting something.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

I'm not suggesting anything. I'm simply putting the case against you as the police would see it.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.

[Patrick Butler]

Listen, Lucia.

[Lucia Renshaw]

And thank you too, Mr. Butler. I'd be glad if you didn't interfere in my affairs any longer.

[Patrick Butler]

There isn't a shred of direct evidence. The case against you may look bad, but it's.

[Lucia Renshaw]

You made it look so bad. Just get out, both of you. Get out of my house.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

We left with as much dignity as we could muster. I expected Patrick to be angry, but he seemed rather preoccupied. The following morning, at his bachelor apartment in a cul de sac off Pall Mall. He had two callers. The first by telephone.

[Patrick Butler]

Patrick Butler.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, Patrick.

[Patrick Butler]

Can you forgive me, Lucia? I was just thinking of ringing you to apologize.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But you did nothing wrong. I was a beast and an ungrateful wretch.

[Patrick Butler]

Don't say another word. Naturally, you were upset.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Yes, I was. But how can I ever make it up to you?

[Patrick Butler]

Very easily. You can have lunch with me today.

[Lucia Renshaw]

I can't. I shouldn't so soon after Richard's death.

[Patrick Butler]

Meet me in the restaurant at the Royal Park Hotel at one o', clock, please.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Well, perhaps I could.

[Patrick Butler]

Thank you. And one more thing. That firm of private detectives you mentioned. I'd like very much to have a word with them. Can you give me their name and address?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I don't remember the address. It's somewhere off Shaftesbury Avenue. But the name is Smith and Smith. Discretion guaranteed. You'll find it in the phone book.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, damn. Someone at the door. The postman, probably. I'll have to go. Don't forget the Royal park, one o'. Clock. I'm looking forward to it.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, yes, so am I.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But when Patrick opened the front door, it wasn't the postman.

[Patrick Butler]

Good morning, Miss Wallace.

[Joyce Wallace]

May I come in?

[Patrick Butler]

Well, as a matter of fact.

[Joyce Wallace]

Thank you. I expect I'm being a nuisance, but this really is important. Through here. Oh, what a lovely room. It's like a library.

[Patrick Butler]

Would you mind telling me what this is all about?

[Joyce Wallace]

In last night's paper, I read about Mr. Renshaw being poisoned. Are you going to defend Mrs. Renshaw?

[Patrick Butler]

Well, yes, but I thought so, and.

[Joyce Wallace]

I believe I can help you.

[Patrick Butler]

How do you propose to do that?

[Joyce Wallace]

You want to know the motive for those two murders?

[Patrick Butler]

Of course. But I don't see why.

[Joyce Wallace]

I worked for Mrs. Taylor for nearly two years and I couldn't help noticing things. Little things. You see, Mr. Butler, your trouble is you're not very observant.

[Patrick Butler]

Really?

[Joyce Wallace]

Really. Of course. You see things, but you don't always understand what you see. If you know what I mean.

[Patrick Butler]

Yes, I think so. But I can only say that no one else has ever accused me of being unobservant.

[Joyce Wallace]

It might have been better if they had. And another thing.

[Patrick Butler]

Thank you. I really don't have time.

[Joyce Wallace]

This case involves women. That's where I have the advantage over you. You don't really understand women, do you?

[Patrick Butler]

What?

[Joyce Wallace]

It's only my opinion, of course.

[Patrick Butler]

But I feel sure your opinion really doesn't interest me.

[Joyce Wallace]

I see. I'm just wasting my Breath, am I?

[Patrick Butler]

You're also wasting my time. And I do have a number of.

[Joyce Wallace]

Appointments this morning, so I don't know why I bothered. You needn't see me out. I know the way.

[Patrick Butler]

Perhaps some other time we could have dinner one evening.

[Joyce Wallace]

You won't see me again, Mr. Butler, until I can tell you the name of the real murderer.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, you think you'll find a solution before I do?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I can try.

[Joyce Wallace]

Good morning.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

At lunchtime, Lucia Renshaw met Patrick at the restaurant, but her mood had changed.

[Lucia Renshaw]

I keep thinking about Dr. Fell. Those strange questions he asked me last night. About the poison and the keys.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, yes. He got quite excited about the candelabra in your drawing room. Said it needed cleaning.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What nonsense. My maid polishes it regularly. She keeps it spotless.

[Patrick Butler]

Never mind. I have two pieces of good news for you. One, you're having dinner with me tonight.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, but you've just given me this wonderful lunch.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, this place is too crowded. I want to take you somewhere quiet. How about it?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I'd love to, but I was hoping I might take you somewhere this evening. Somewhere interesting.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh? Where's that?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I warn you, it's quite a long way off. We'll need a taxi.

[Patrick Butler]

No, we won't. I'll bring the car to Hampstead.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

What time should we say?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Eight o'. Clock. Oh, did you say there was another piece of good news?

[Patrick Butler]

Yes. I know how to prove you're innocent.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

I wish you'd tell me about that, Mr. Butler.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, he made me jump.

[Patrick Butler]

Lucia, may I introduce Chief Superintendent Hadley?

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Mrs. Renshaw and I have already met, madam.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Good afternoon, Mr. Hadley.

[Patrick Butler]

Surprise me, Superintendent. I didn't realize a man in your position would descend to following suspects.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

No, I'm not on duty. I was lunching here myself, as it happens. May I join you?

[Patrick Butler]

Please. After all, we're all working together, aren't we, to get to the truth? According to Dr. Fell, there's some kind of murder organization which operates with poison and never leaves a single clue.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Could you lower your voice a little? We don't want to attract attention.

[Patrick Butler]

I. And I think I can tell you who was the head of the whole system.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Oh, yes.

[Patrick Butler]

So who is it I said was the head? The chief organizer who was poisoned so someone else could take his place was Richard Renshaw.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, I'm sorry. So clumsy of me. But Richard a criminal? I can't believe that.

[Patrick Butler]

Exactly. Which is why Dr. Fell asked Mrs. Renshaw a lot of bizarre questions last night to prove that she knew nothing about it. But now you only have to Find out who's taken Richard's place as the head of the murder gang and we'll have our poisoner. What do you say, Superintendent?

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

We collect information, Mr. Butler. We don't distribute it. But I'll tell you this much. Renshaw kept three separate bank accounts in three different names. It seems you could become a very rich woman, Mrs. Renshaw, provided Mr. Butler can prove your innocence.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, for pity's sake. You've only got to follow up the lead I've just given you.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

And how do you suggest we should set about that?

[Patrick Butler]

There's a fact firm called Smith and Smith, a detective agency. One of their men was beaten up by some thugs clearly hired by Renshaw. Find out who was involved, follow the trailback and you'll uncover the Murder Club.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Oddly enough, we already tried that. But Smith and Smith, whose real name is Luke Parsons, won't talk. We couldn't get a word out of him.

[Patrick Butler]

Do you want to bet? I can't. I've had a good deal of professional experience with villains, Superintendent.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Oh, yes. And when were you last in a rough house, Patrick?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Newbies?

[Patrick Butler]

Thanks for your concern, Hadley, but I'll worry about that when the time comes. More coffee, Lucha?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

An hour later, Patrick climbed two dingy flights of stairs in a Soho back street and entered the office of Mr. Luke Parsons.

[Patrick Butler]

Mr. Parsons, I'd like to have a few words with you on a rather.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Didn't my secretary tell you I don't see anyone without an appointment?

[Patrick Butler]

Yes, yes, she did mention something of the sort, but I said I was sure he'd want to see me. My name is Renshaw.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Oh, my God.

[Patrick Butler]

What's the matter? Oh, you didn't mistake me for my brother, did you? He died two days ago, poor chap. I've been living in the States for the past few years, but as soon as I heard of his death, I took the first plane over.

[Mr. Lowndes]

You do look a little bit like him. But I didn't even know he had a brother. In the States, you say? Lucky man. Now that's a place where firms like mine have got rights. How do the police treat private investigators over here? Like dirt, that's how.

[Patrick Butler]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have a little business of a strictly private nature.

[Mr. Lowndes]

My dear sir. Sit down. Make yourself comfortable. If you just give me the facts.

[Patrick Butler]

Well, it's rather hard to know where to begin.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Generally is there's a lady involved, perhaps?

[Patrick Butler]

In a way, yes. Very understandable.

[Mr. Lowndes]

But you know our motto, Discretion guaranteed. Just look on me as a sympathetic friend.

[Patrick Butler]

Yes, I'll try. The fact is I run quite a flourishing business in the States.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Oh, yes?

[Patrick Butler]

Yeah.

[Mr. Lowndes]

May I make so bold as to ask the nature of it?

[Patrick Butler]

It's the same business Dick directed over here, except I like to think our cloak is better organized.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Excuse me.

[Mr. Lowndes]

I don't want nothing to do with that.

[Patrick Butler]

No, no, no. I don't want to interrupt, involve you in my business. But you may remember some time ago my brother had a little problem concerning his wife. Oh, did he? Dick? Got a couple of enterprising lads to. What should I say? Get to work on one of your staff. I want to find those two lads and take them back to the States, that's all.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Sorry, don't know nothing about that. Can't help you.

[Patrick Butler]

It would be worth your while. Would you a hundred pounds help to persuade you?

[Mr. Lowndes]

I could. I could tell you where you might find two certain people. I can't promise anything. I need your assurance that my name would never be mentioned.

[Patrick Butler]

What do you take me for? There you are. Now tell me their names.

[Mr. Lowndes]

I can only give you one of the names. Henry Lord. You'll most likely find him at the pool hole in Bellman's Yard off of Dane Street. Not a word to anyone, mind.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Bellman's Yard was at the heart of Soho, the wicked square mile. Behind an iron railing and down three steps in a shallow area there was a grimy window with the word Billiards in enamel letters. A few men were playing poo. One looked up as Patrick entered. Hello.

[Patrick Butler]

Do I know you? I don't think so. My name is Renshaw. Bob Renshaw, I believe. My brother used to come here sometimes and I was hoping I might meet a friend of his. Henry Lord. Sorry, he's not here. Bob sort of took his place and you're welcome to stay in case he turns up. How about a game while you wait? I don't know much about pool. I've played snooker. Oh, you'll soon pick it up. Here, take my cue. Getting a bit of practice. Thank you.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Very aware that he was being watched, Patrick obeyed. He wasn't trying to play, just putting at anything on the table. Slowly he became aware of a silence behind him. The room had emptied. Looking back, he saw he was almost alone, except for the man who had spoken to him and one other. Raw boned and with a broken nose and built like a prize fighter. When he spoke, Patrick saw he had two gold teeth which gleamed under the lights.

[Lucia Renshaw]

He ain't much good at game, is he, Henry?

[Patrick Butler]

Nah, he's not much good. I mean, he Ain't no good at that game at all. I think you must be the two men I was hoping to see. He says he wants to see us, Henry.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Now why would he want to do that?

[Patrick Butler]

I reckon we better find out.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

As he spoke, Henry drew a heavy pair of brass knuckles from his pocket, fitting them on his right hand.

[Patrick Butler]

I wonder what he'd do if you was to stroke him with those. I don't expect he'd like it.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Nah, but he couldn't do nothing about it, could he?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Fear crawled through Patrick Butler. He studied the balls on the pool table. But with a throw of, say, 25ft, they could smash a skull to pulp.

[Patrick Butler]

We don't want him to start calling us names, do we? I don't think he'll be able to call us names.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Boy, do you think he might call us if he could still talk?

[Patrick Butler]

I call you a pair of bastards. What are you perverse to do about that?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

You're gonna get it now.

[Patrick Butler]

All right.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Patrick's arm whipped forward and he threw to kill. The ball struck the man's shoulder and spun him sideways, falling back into the rack of cubes. For several seconds, Patrick fired at the thugs as fast as he could snatch up the pool balls. Yellow, red and blue missiles streaking across the room. Then he made a dive for the door and escaped. At 8 o' clock that evening, he collected Lucia. And as they drove across the river into South London, he gave her a brief outline of his adventures at the pool hall. He felt he should warn her about the kind of people they were up against.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, Patrick. Suppose they come after you next time? You could be badly hurt.

[Patrick Butler]

Don't worry. I rang Hadley with a description of both men. He'll have them in for questioning by now. And he'll beaver away until he finds out who's running this Murder Club.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Do you think those thugs know who's running it? Do we even know if it really exists?

[Patrick Butler]

Thanks to a rat faced man called Luke Parsons. I believe they were expecting me at the pool hall.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But why would he let two criminals know he's just betrayed them? He'd never do that.

[Patrick Butler]

No, but he might have warned the head of the Murder Club. Whoever he is, he might have warned the thugs.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, I wish you'd never got involved in this if anything happened. Do you?

[Patrick Butler]

Nothing's going to happen to me. Let's change the subject. Where's this special place we're going to? What's so special about it?

[Lucia Renshaw]

It's called the Chapel. Not far from the priory where Mrs. Taylor lived.

[Patrick Butler]

Ah, yes, the third house. Who lives there?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Nobody. And it isn't a house. You'll see.

[Patrick Butler]

I recognize this. Isn't this the road?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Yes, that's the priory on the right.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What's the matter? Why are we stopping?

[Patrick Butler]

Well, there's no one living in the house now, is there?

[Lucia Renshaw]

No, of course not.

[Patrick Butler]

I saw a light in the first floor window.

[Lucia Renshaw]

There.

[Patrick Butler]

There it is again.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But who on earth? Oh, Patrick, I'm frightened.

[Patrick Butler]

I'm gonna find out what's going on. Stay here.

[Lucia Renshaw]

No, I'm not staying in the car by myself. I'm coming. This is the drawing room. There's no sign of anyone. Perhaps it was a trick of the light. The headlamps reflected on the window, Something like that.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, I saw a light moving around. Probably a torch. Please, Lucia, I wish you'd go back to the car.

[Lucia Renshaw]

I wish you'd stop all this detective nonsense.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

And I wish you both clear out and leave me in peace.

[Patrick Butler]

Doctor, what the devil are you doing here?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

An apt choice of words. I came here to investigate. And my investigation has already uncovered some devilish secrets.

[Patrick Butler]

If I may say so, your cryptic remarks sometimes sound very much like sheer hocus pocus. I don't suppose you're going to tell us what you found.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Certainly I am. I searched Mrs. Taylor's dressing table and found two very interesting items. A silver cross on a chain and a pair of garters.

[Patrick Butler]

Now I know you're teasing us. Women don't wear garters nowadays, or so I'm told. Do they, Lucia?

[Lucia Renshaw]

I know Aunt Mildred was a little old fashioned, but no, I don't think so.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Perhaps I should add that there was something strange about both these items. The cross was hanging upside down on his chain and the garters were bright scarlet.

[Patrick Butler]

And does that bring us any closer to the Murder Club and the person who runs it?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Oh, yes.

[Patrick Butler]

Can you?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Will you tell us how I can and will. You deserve to know the deadliness of the enemy you're fighting. Oh, by the way, Hadley told me about your escapade this afternoon. But I'm afraid the police raid on the pool hall was a fiasco.

[Patrick Butler]

What do you mean?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

One of your adversaries, Henry Lord, is now in hospital with a fractured shoulder. But the other, George Grice, known as Goldie because of his gold teeth, got away before the squad car arrived and is still at large. Do you have a firearms license?

[Patrick Butler]

No.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

You should. Hadley can arrange that for you.

[Patrick Butler]

Do you really think I'd waste a bullet on a thug like that?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

For pity's Sake, be sensible. This afternoon Goldie thought you were a fool. But he doesn't think so now. He won't give you a chance. He'll sneak up on you when you least expect.

[Lucia Renshaw]

He might be looking for you now, at this very moment.

[Patrick Butler]

What if he is? Doctor, are you or are you not going to tell us what you know about the Murder Club? I take it this gang have developed some new kind of racket?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Well, it isn't new. This cloak for devilry which you call a racket is as old as sin. Ever since the Middle Ages, the Red Garter has been the badge of the witch, the worshipper of Satan.

[Patrick Butler]

Well, you're not suggesting Mrs. Taylor was the leader of some garden?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

She also wore an inverted cross, another mark of Satanism. No, she was not the leader, but she was very close to him. Tell me, Mrs. Renshaw, did you never suspect that your husband was the head of a witch cult?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Not until lunchtime today. When Mr. Butler started to explain. I knew he had some strange secret, but I never dreamed. I mean, witchcraft and Satan nowadays.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Nowadays more than ever, because the world is in chaos, this evil flourishes doubly dangerous since it attracts not only morbid sensation seekers but also potential murderers.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Murderers?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Of course, the witch cult has always been the cloak for the wholesale poisoner. Last night at your house I talked about an organization which distributed poison. But I couldn't think how it worked so successfully undercover. And there and then in your drawing room I saw a large silver candelabra and I understood, as you pointed out.

[Patrick Butler]

That it needed dusting. The candle holders were black.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Yes, black with wax, my friend, not with dust. Wax from black candles to celebrate a black mass. Not at this house, but in a building not far from here. A building that now belongs to you, Mrs. Renshaw.

[Lucia Renshaw]

The chapel. I knew Richard visited it sometimes. That's why I wanted to take you there, Pat. I was too scared to go on my own.

[Patrick Butler]

We were on our way there when we saw your light in the window.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Splendid. I've already arranged to meet Hadley at the chapel. You can give me a lift. Ah, he must be here already.

[Patrick Butler]

Unless someone else has a key.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

When I have a torch, I'll lead the way.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, it's quite an ordinary chapel. Some of the pews are broken and it needs cleaning, but otherwise it's just ordinary.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

It may appear to be ordinary, but we are looking for extraordinary evidence. You see. Now imagine you're a member of the cult. A hen picked husband who wishes his wife dead. And you come here to achieve your heart's desire. You go to a city where you're unknown, let's say Bristol. You're given the address of a certain chemist who sells you a poison called aconitine. You return home, and after a suitable interval, your wife is poisoned with aconitine. No, no, no, no, no. She's poisoned with arsenic. Previously, a desperate woman from Birmingham bought arsenic in Leeds. And at the next meeting these purchases were exchanged. So when your wife dies of arsenic in London, how could anyone trace it to you buying aconitine in Bristol? So that's the ingenious new device, my dear sir. It was used by a Satanist cult in 1746.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But what are you looking for here?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Records. Dates, names, addresses.

[Patrick Butler]

You think those records exist?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Richard Renshaw was running a very complex organization. He must have had enough records to fill a fighting cabinet. Had this men searched your house, Mrs. Renwell, and your husband's office in the city without success. So we reached the conclusion that the paperwork must be here in this chapel.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But there's nowhere to. Oh.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

I thought I heard voices. Come down here and see for yourselves.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Just ahead of us, a section of the floor had opened up and Hadley's head and shoulders emerged through a large trap door. We followed him down some wooden steps with some difficulty on my part and found ourselves in the crypto, a very different place of worship.

[Lucia Renshaw]

There's a strange smell.

[Patrick Butler]

Incense. Something else. I can't quite.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Marijuana. A drug used to remove inhibitions.

[Patrick Butler]

No, it's something more mundane than that.

[Lucia Renshaw]

I know what it is. It's paraffin oil, isn't it?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

There's probably a stove somewhere to keep the place warm.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What are those two boxes side by side? Almost like telephone kiosks.

[Patrick Butler]

Looks very much like a confessional. Yes.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

He said the worshipers don't come here to confess their sins. They come to confess their desires and have them granted as a price.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

We can't waste time talking. We've got to examine every inch of this place to find those confounded records.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The low roof, held up by a dozen pillars, was dimly lit by a single electric globe, which gave just enough light to reveal the heavy curtains that covered the walls. And at the far end, a statue of Satan on the altar. And a silver candelabra holding seven black candles.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Look. It's exactly like mine.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

We're going to need all the light we can get. Has anyone got a match?

[Patrick Butler]

Ah, here you are.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Thanks.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Where do we start our search? How about behind those curtains? There could be a cupboard hidden away.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

No, nothing but the walls. Solid concrete. But the papers have got to be here somewhere.

[Patrick Butler]

For my money, I'd say they're probably inside the confessional box.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Well, any luck?

[Patrick Butler]

No. Nothing here but a hassock to kneel on and the grill. You whisper through to whoever's on the other side.

[Lucia Renshaw]

There are all these cushions on the floor. The papers could be hidden in there. Inside the cushion covers, perhaps.

[Patrick Butler]

Good idea.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Lucky I've got a pen knife.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

We worked hard, but as midnight approached, our task seemed to be hopeless. We were tired, dusty, and we had found nothing at all.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

It's no good. The records aren't here. They ought to be, but they aren't.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What was that?

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

What was what?

[Lucia Renshaw]

A shadow. I saw it in the corner of my eye. It seemed to vanish behind one of those pillars. It's gone now.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

There's no one else here. The candles are throwing our own shadow shadows onto the curtains. Now I'm afraid we must admit defeat and get some fresh air.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, please. I hate all this black magic.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Let's go.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Did you see magic? Yes. Why?

[Patrick Butler]

Listen, you three go on up, Wait for me in the car. I'll join you in exactly three minutes.

[Lucia Renshaw]

What's wrong? Why do you want to stay down here?

[Patrick Butler]

Because I know where the papers are hidden. Now it's my turn for the little hocus pocus. I promise to put those papers in your hands in three minutes. All right.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Patrick told me later that it was the word magic that sparked him off. It suddenly struck him that the confessional box looked rather like the magic cabinets used by conjurers. Inside the box, he discovered the ceiling was made of plywood. And as he ran his fingers around the edge, it dropped down, but there was nothing inside. And at that moment, through the mesh of the griddle, he saw the gleam of gold teeth.

[Patrick Butler]

You're too late, mister. I've been there already. Is this what you're looking for? Hand them over. Come and get him.

[Mr. Lowndes]

Right.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Patrick burst out of the confessional like a jack in the box. But Goldie was equally quick on his feet. And as they stood face to face, his teeth gleamed in a reminiscent smile.

[Lucia Renshaw]

You knocked me down.

[Patrick Butler]

I did, and I'm ready to do it again.

[Lucia Renshaw]

But you done it like an amateur. You never done much fighting, did you, mister?

[Patrick Butler]

No, I never bothered to learn. Never bothered. Don't worry. I'll learn. You all right? Fine. What are you waiting for?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

And with that, Patrick launched himself on goalie lead him with a right hook that would have been murderous if it had landed. The next few minutes, he seemed to become a punch Bag. As he fell on, he was vaguely aware that he had knocked over the candelabra. Colored lights exploded around him. Or were those tongues of flame licking along the edge of the curtains?

[Patrick Butler]

Blimey.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Look out.

[Patrick Butler]

Put your hands up. You come off it. We can't stay here. Why not?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Because we'll be burned alive, that's why.

[Patrick Butler]

We gotta get out.

[Mr. Lowndes]

You're not leaving here till you give me those papers.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

And that was when the paraffin vapor went up in a shit of flame. Goldie tried to make a dash for the stairs, but Patrick was too quick for him.

[Patrick Butler]

Are you Falming?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Get your hands off me.

[Patrick Butler]

Give me those papers and I'll let you go. Here, take your bleeding papers.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

All right, you fought back.

[Patrick Butler]

Withdraw all charges.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

God. Goldie stumbled up the stairs and Patrick grabbed the scattered papers from the carpet as the flames crept closer. Then, choking in the thick smoke, he too made his escape. Next day, Patrick cancelled all his appointments. And when I called on him that evening, he was still bearing some signs of the punishment he'd taken.

[Patrick Butler]

Please sit down. Make yourself comfortable.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Thank you. And are you fairly comfortable?

[Patrick Butler]

Frankly, no. It even hurts me to talk.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

No job. I'm sure nothing will ever stop you talking. Have you spoken to Mrs. Renshaw today?

[Patrick Butler]

No, not yet.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But my dear chap shall be so worried. You were in a terrible state when she last saw you.

[Patrick Butler]

What do you mean by that?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

We've been sitting in the car waiting for you. We didn't know what was going on in the crypt. Suddenly a smoky faced man staggered out of the chapel and ran off down the road. A few minutes later you appeared, handed me a bundle of papers, made an elaborate apology for keeping us waiting more than three minutes, then collapsed in a dead faint.

[Patrick Butler]

I have never fainted in my life.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Well, let's say that you were momentarily indisposed. Mrs. Renshaw took one look at you and the papers, then got out of the car and walked off into the night. I haven't seen her since. Finally I understand from Hadley that you do not wish to prefer charges against your assailant.

[Patrick Butler]

Goldie. George Grice?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Yes. I just found this piece of paper stuck to the windscreen of your car. I don't know how long it had been there. All day, I imagine.

[Patrick Butler]

You and me haven't finished yet, G.G.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Incidentally, have you seen the evening paper?

[Patrick Butler]

No. Why?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

PRIVATE INQUIRY AGENT FOUND strangled shortly after six o' clock last night. The body of Mr. Luke Parsons was found by a charwoman cleaning the detective agency offices. The victim who had been first Stunned by a blow to the head, was found seated at his desk, strangled with a scarlet cord looped round his neck and slowly tightened.

[Patrick Butler]

I see. So this is the showdown. The third and final round.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

Did you do as I suggested? Get yourself a gun?

[Patrick Butler]

No, and I shan't.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But don't you understand? You now have two sets of enemies. Goalie and his cronies, perhaps. And the new leader of the witch cult. Don't you see that?

[Patrick Butler]

I see we now have three murders and one murderer.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

There are also three servants. One is Alice Griffin, Mrs. Taylor's housekeeper. The second is Joyce Wallace, Mrs. Taylor's companion nurse. Secret. Now, I know Alice Griffin was telling the truth. And I know Joyce Wallace did not kill Mrs. Taylor. But we all overlooked Mrs. Renshaw's servant, a girl called Kitty Owen, who was responsible for cleaning the candelabra, a conventional domestic, and as such, she was below suspicion.

[Patrick Butler]

Below suspicion? What do you mean by that?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

In a detective story, no one is above suspicion, but certain people are assumed to be below it. Any minor role, like a servant is merely a cardboard character, which is what misdead is all. May I try to explain?

[Patrick Butler]

I should be extremely grateful.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The explanation took quite a while. By the time I'd finished, it was dark outside and I suggested we should close the curtains in case of any passersby.

[Patrick Butler]

This is a cul de sac. We don't have any passersby. Or were you thinking of an uninvited guest?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

The documents you found last night proved without any question that Renshaw was the former head of the cult and Mrs. Taylor the second in command, with a third person to assist both of them.

[Patrick Butler]

Therefore, I. Forgive me, but it's getting late. If you'll excuse me.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

I shall take.

[Patrick Butler]

My leave of you and I shall see you out.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

When he opened the front door, the little cul de sac seemed very dark. It was impossible to tell who might be lurking in the shadows.

[Patrick Butler]

I'll walk to the end with you. You'll be able to pick up a cab pretty easily.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

I'm sure I shall. I found this book at Mrs. Taylor's on the history of witchcraft. Might interest you.

[Chief Superintendent Hadley]

Thank you.

[Patrick Butler]

I wonder if her spirit is hovering tonight.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

I don't know, but I think someone else maybe.

[Patrick Butler]

Then you'd better not hang about. Get home safely.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

I shall say good night to you, sir. To a man whom, despite certain eccentricities, I admire very much.

[Patrick Butler]

Good night. Doctor, if you're there, if you can hear me, why don't you come out of the shadows and face me?

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

But no one answered him. Taking a last look round, Patrick returned to his flat. As he entered his study, he realized he had been foolish to leave the front door open. When he caught the whiff of perfume, he knew he was not alone.

[Joyce Wallace]

Good evening.

[Patrick Butler]

Good evening, Ms. Wallace.

[Joyce Wallace]

The last time we met, you called me Joyce.

[Patrick Butler]

Last time we met, you said I wouldn't see you again until you could prove the identity of the murderer.

[Joyce Wallace]

And now I brought you my proof. I didn't poison Mrs. Taylor. I can prove that now.

[Patrick Butler]

Oh, I know that, my dear. It was an accident, wasn't it? But what else have you got to tell me?

[Joyce Wallace]

I killed Dick Renshaw. I am the head of the witch cult.

[Patrick Butler]

Yes, I knew that too.

[Joyce Wallace]

Oh, yes, I'm sure you did. May I sit down?

[Patrick Butler]

Why don't we both sit down? That's better. Shall I tell you what happened on the night Mrs. Taylor died? You went to Hampstead to poison your lover, Dick Renshaw.

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh.

[Joyce Wallace]

And why would I do a dreadful thing like that?

[Patrick Butler]

Because he'd thrown you over, as he'd thrown over so many women. And once he was dead, you would take control of the witch cult. It was highly profitable. You already had an informer in the Renshaw household, the maid, Kitty Owen, who tipped you off about everything that went on there. You knew Dick was away on business and Lucia was out to dinner with friends, so Kitty let you in and you poisoned his water carafe. That was your little secret, and it nearly hanged you for the wrong death.

[Joyce Wallace]

Go on.

[Patrick Butler]

When you left Mrs. Taylor's house, you dared not use the back door. The Griffins lived at the back and they might have seen you. So you went out by the front door, and when you returned, you carelessly let it slam. It was the front door. The Griffins heard. You also forgot to replace the key in the back door. Am I right so far?

[Lucia Renshaw]

Oh, please don't stop.

[Joyce Wallace]

This is fascinating.

[Patrick Butler]

But while you were out, Mrs. Taylor had been fretting and fuming about her Epsom salts. She couldn't sleep, so she got up and went to your room, where she found the Epsom salts tin which contained antimony. It must have been quite a shock when you returned and found her dead.

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes, a horrible shock.

[Patrick Butler]

And you realized, with Mrs. Taylor out of the way and Renshaw due to die when he returned from his travels, you'd achieved your heart's desire. And then you were arrested for a murder you hadn't committed. I imagine that before they took you away, you must have telephoned your helpful friend Kitty.

[Joyce Wallace]

Of course, at first she absolutely Adored Dick Renshaw. But when he chucked her as well, she soon changed her mind. I told her whatever happened, she mustn't touch the water carafe.

[Patrick Butler]

So she was, in effect, your accomplice. As for you, I was right when I said you were as guilty as hell.

[Joyce Wallace]

Yes, and you attracted me like hell. I hope you knew that you were.

[Patrick Butler]

Cleared in court for murdering Mrs. Taylor. And it seemed you couldn't possibly be responsible for Renshaw's death since you were still in custody when it happened. But when you left the courtroom free at last, I suppose you got in touch with Luke Parsons and Goldie.

[Joyce Wallace]

Oh, you mean George. I phoned them both, of course.

[Patrick Butler]

And after I called on Parsons and he told me where to find Goldie. No doubt he rang you and you killed him.

[Joyce Wallace]

A man who betrays you in the smallest thing will betray you in everything. It had to be done. Just like Goldie.

[Patrick Butler]

What do you mean?

[Joyce Wallace]

I was very angry when he let you have those papers. I gave him this address. I made him stick that note on your car. Then I gave him a revolver and told him to finish you off properly this time. But he wouldn't do it.

[Patrick Butler]

What?

[Joyce Wallace]

That made me furious. He kept saying things like. He said I fought fair. He said he wouldn't make no charges against me. And he kept his word. I won't do it. Except, naturally, he had to die. Darling, what's wrong?

[Patrick Butler]

You are what is wrong. Through and through. If he were alive, I'd be proud to shake his hand. And you had him killed.

[Joyce Wallace]

Oh, no. I shot him myself. He wouldn't use the gun, so it seemed like poetic justice.

[Patrick Butler]

You'll soon find out what justice is. Do you suppose I'm the only one who knows the evidence against you? Dr. Fell knows. Superintendent Hadley knows. I don't have your precious papers. Scotland Yard is those. Kitty Owen will be taken in for questioning and you will be taken back to Holloway. And there you will hang.

[Joyce Wallace]

I don't think so. Don't move. You see, I still have the gun. So you knew I was a murderer all the time.

[Patrick Butler]

As I believe I mentioned, I am never wrong.

[Dr. Gideon Fell]

My dear Patrick, now that the trial of Joyce Wallace is over, I venture to answer your letter. The girl is a fanatic, and I think the jury realized that. I believe the verdict of guilty but insane was both merciful and sensible. I do wish to congratulate you on your engagement to Lucia Renshaw. She is as charming as you are gallant. And I am sure that you will both be very happy. You should be grateful to gallantry, my dear fellow. After all, if you had not bowed gracefully to Joyce Wallace when she fired at you, that bullet would have entered your heart instead of striking your collarbone. That you would live a long while to enliven this dull world is the hope of yours. Sincerely, Gideon Fell.

[Patrick Butler]

In Below Suspicion by John Dixon Carr. Dr. Gideon Fell was played by Donald Sinden, Chief Superintendent Hadley, John Hartley, Patrick Butler, James Fleet, Joyce Wallace, Connie Walker, Lucia Renshaw, Becky Hindley, Alice Griffin, Rachanda Carey, Luke Parsons, Terence Edmond, Henry Lord, Mark Holloway, George Goldie Grice, Christopher Brennan. Other parts were played by members of the cast. Below Suspicion was dramatized for radio by Peter Ling and directed by Enid Williams.