Father Brown 86-10-18 (10) The Mistake of the Machine

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Father Brown – "The Mistake of the Machine"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Father Brown 86-10-18 (10) The Mistake of the Machine
Date: January 22, 2026
Adapted by: John Scottney
Father Brown Played By: Andrew Sachs

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Episode Overview

This episode features a faithful radio drama adaptation of G.K. Chesterton's classic Father Brown story, The Mistake of the Machine. The plot revolves around mystery, identity confusion, the limitations of technology in justice, and human nature. Set in early 20th-century America, the tale explores the interplay of science, character judgment, and the ingenuity of Father Brown as he unravels a case of mistaken identity and murder.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Escape and Initial Suspicion (00:50–08:05)

• The episode opens with a tense pursuit: a fugitive is apprehended on the edge of Pilgrim’s Pond by Governor Greywood Usher of the local prison.
• The man is suspected to be Oscar Ryan, who recently escaped from Cequa Convict Settlement.
• Governor Usher explains to Father O’Connor and visiting Father Brown about the escape, the convict’s supposed motive, and the presence of a threatening note:

  “I’ve taken the gun, but will use it only for self-defense. I mean no harm to any man but one. I’m keeping the bullet for Pilgrim’s Pond.” (07:03 – C)

• Usher is proud of using the “scientific method” in police work, highlighting early 20th-century faith in forensic advancements and gadgets.

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2. Social Intrigue & The Slum Dinner (08:05–12:47)

• Newspaper gossip and social satire are woven into backstory, introducing the wealthy Todd family, their daughter's inheritance, her childhood Irish sweetheart, and the expected arrival of Lord Falconroy, a British aristocrat.
• The “slum dinner” is described: a themed party where guests dress as tramps and convicts.
• Usher's theory: Ryan’s true target is Ireton Todd, who supposedly ruined Ryan’s life by separating him from Etta Todd.
• At Pilgrim’s Pond, the household is in confusion as Lord Falconroy (the English guest) has gone missing, and there is suspicion of murder.

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3. Science vs. Human Judgment: The Lie Detector Scene (13:43–17:45)

• Usher demonstrates his prized “psychometric detector” (early polygraph), which he insists can scientifically identify guilt via pulse reactions to verbal cues:

  “It’s a pulsometer strapped to a man’s wrist. It measures the heartbeats. The variations in pulse rate tell me if he’s lying.” (13:57 - C)

• Father Brown remains skeptical:

  “No machine can lie, Mr. Usher, nor can it tell the truth... Your reliable machine has to be worked by an unreliable machine.” (17:34 - B)

• During the test, mention of "Falcon" causes the needle to jump, convincing Usher of the man’s guilt.

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4. Unraveling Identities and the Limits of Technology (17:45–26:38)

• Investigation uncovers the criminal past of “Drugger Doyle,” a manipulative conman with a pattern of deceit and drugging.
• Father Brown argues the psychological profile of Doyle/Ryan doesn’t match that of a desperate, violent escapee.
• A pivotal moment:

  “Is that the kind of man who would dare to attack an armed warder, though unarmed himself…Would a man whose whole life is deception and lies leave a note to the police telling them where to look for him?” (21:24 - B)

• Father O’Connor brings in a “hobo” who is revealed to be none other than Mr. Todd—in disguise after the slum party.
• Through shrewd deduction, Father Brown reveals that the man in cell 25—arrested as Ryan—was actually Lord Falconroy (mistaken for the convict because of his slum party costume).
• The "machine" made no mistake—but Usher, the human operator, did:

  “You assumed that the man in rags jumped at the name of Lord Falconroy because he was Lord Falconroy’s murderer. He jumped at the name because he himself was Lord Falconroy.” (24:23 - B)

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5. Resolution: Love, Deception, and Escape (26:38–End)

• As the dust settles, the real Oscar Ryan is revealed to have eloped with Etta Todd under the cover of the party, escaping justice and societal expectations.
• The “missing” Lord Falconroy is exposed as the infamous Drugger Doyle—demonstrating that respectability can be merely a mask for criminality.
• Father Brown brings the story full circle, reflecting on social climbing and disguise:

  “Imagine Lord High Falconroy being a fake.” (27:34 - C)
  “Oh, he’s no fake…he’s a perfectly genuine peer of the realm. Mr. Usher, you don’t do justice to the…climbing power of our more remarkable citizens.” (27:37 - B)

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Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• On Faith in Gadgets:
  “He has all these ideas about the application of scientific method to the detection and prevention of crime. Oh, yes, and the gadgets…they make the good St. Thomas’s ontological proof of God’s existence seem simple.” (02:19 - D)
• On Social Satire:
  “Now, you see a good-looking gray-haired man in evening dress and you don’t realize that ten years ago he might have been in a tenement or in jail.” (09:44 - C)
• On Human Nature:
  “Human beings are so unreliable. Your reliable machine has to be worked by an unreliable machine.” (17:34 - B)

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Important Timestamps

• [00:50] – The escape and capture of the suspect
• [07:03] – Discovery of the letter, and the introduction of Pilgrim’s Pond as a clue
• [09:44] – Usher reveals Todd’s humble origins and motives
• [13:57] – Introduction of the psychometric detector
• [17:34] – Father Brown’s critique of scientific machines in justice
• [24:23] – The twist: the man in jail is actually Lord Falconroy
• [27:37] – Final reflection on class, disguise, and identity

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Tone & Style

The episode is filled with dry wit, period touches, and Chesterton’s philosophical questioning of science, justice, and social status. Father Brown’s quiet incisiveness and Usher’s proud American bombast are nicely contrasted.

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Who Should Listen?

Fans of classic mysteries, old-time radio drama, social satire, and G.K. Chesterton will enjoy this clever, well-executed audio play brimming with twists, period atmosphere, and philosophical depth.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

We present the mistake of the machine. Adapted by john scottney with andrew sachs as father brown.

[C]

Hey.

[D]

What? What?

[C]

Entire nation. Where's my flashlight? Hey. Who's there? Hey, you.

[D]

Come here.

[C]

You. Come here.

[D]

Stop. Stop. Leave me. Leave me.

[C]

Please. Come here. Now. I got a gun. I don't mind using it.

[D]

Don't shoot me.

[C]

I didn't. Oh, Jesus.

[D]

Oh, well.

[C]

Well, I just wonder where you're running from, friend. At this time of night too?

[D]

That's it.

[C]

Now slowly does it into the light of my flashlight here. Let's have a look at you. Look.

[D]

Don't, don't.

[C]

Keep your hands high. Say, you sure are one very unlucky Irishman to run into me this time of night.

[D]

Who the devil are you?

[C]

The name's Greywood Usher. I'm governor of the jail here. And I guess I got a pretty fair idea who the devil you are, stranger. Come on now. This way. And I strongly advise you don't try anything funny.

[D]

Help yourself to sugar, John. Oh, thank you.

[B]

Yes. Do you know, this is the first proper cup of tea I've had since I arrived in America. Ah, Well, well, it's good to see you again, old friend. Tell me, how does the life of a prison chaplain suit you?

[D]

Well, not so bad, John. Not so bad. Apart from the difficulty in getting hold of decent tea. Yes, and the Governor's theories.

[B]

The governor's theories? How do you mean?

[D]

Oh, he's a decent enough body, sure enough fellow name of Greywood Usher. But he has all these ideas about the application of scientific method to the detection and prevention of crime. Oh, yes, and the gadgets. Huh? The gadgets. Yeah. See, he's got this place full of gadgets. All designed to demonstrate these theories of his. I can tell you they make the good St. Thomas's ontological proof of God's existence seem simple.

[B]

Yes, Good old Aquinas. I wonder how many times at the seminary we sat up half the night arguing about him.

[D]

Yes. Setting the world and Mother Church to rights grandees. Grande that they were.

[B]

How on earth did you know I was in Chicago?

[D]

Jim, I read it in the pink press. The pink, the terrible so called society papers. I have here. The famous Father John Brown is visiting our city. Really? Yes. And I thought to myself, can that be the little stubby English fella I knew all those years ago when we were both studying for the priesthood?

[B]

Dear, oh dear, all this facet terribly embarrassing.

[D]

Not to worry. You've been eclipsed by another visitor from over the water. Come to grace our fair city. As they say here. Seek yourself.

[B]

Good heavens. The newspaper really is pink, huh? Last trick, Todd. Last trick, Todd. Society's brightest widower is once again on the freak dinner. Stunt freaked this time it's a slum evening. What on earth is all this?

[D]

It's in Egypt's idea. They all go about in fancy dress. Last time they had to dress up as babies or nurses. I saw them myself. His house. Pilgrim's Pond he calls it. It's just down the road from here. Now this time it's a slum dinner. They all have to go as tramps, down and outs and so forth. Oh, good heavens. Yeah, but that wasn't the part I meant. Here, listen to this. Tonight the hospitable Todd entertains Lord Falcon. Roy. A true blooded British aristocrat, fresh from England's oak grove.

[B]

Oh say, how can they use the temple?

[D]

Read the rest of it yourself.

[B]

You see, Lord Falconroy is said to have been in the States in his youth. Fashion rumours, a maybe reason for his return. Fashion rumors and maybe reason for his return in the person of last trick's only child, Ms. Etta Todd, who comes into a fortune of $12 million.

[D]

Yes, and they call themselves Republicans. What do you make of it, John?

[B]

I think the journalist who wrote it should be put on a charge of murder. What for? Murdering the English language.

[D]

Oh, come in please.

[C]

Father o'. Connor.

[D]

Or Governor.

[C]

I didn't know you had company.

[D]

Yes, come in. We were just talking about you. So we weren't we? Sit down.

[C]

Ah, thank you, thank you.

[D]

Governor, this is an old friend of mine from England, Father Brown.

[C]

Ah, Father. Say, are you the Father Brown, the noted criminologist?

[B]

Well, I don't know. Am I?

[C]

Didn't I read about you?

[B]

Oh, in the pink newspapers. Oh dear. Yes, I rather feel you may have done.

[C]

Father Brown, let me shake you by the hand. Usher's the name. Greywood Usher. It's an honor to have you in my jail.

[E]

Thank you.

[C]

If you can spare the time, I'd sure like to discuss a few matters of mutual interest with you, but right now I got some pretty urgent business with Father o' Connor here. Now, Father, this is important. In your visits to the Ciqua convict settlement, did you ever come across one Oscar Ryan? Now you must know him. He's an Irish Catholic.

[D]

Oscar Ryan? Yes. No.

[B]

What?

[D]

I don't think so.

[C]

Oscar Ryan.

[D]

It does sound.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[D]

No, sorry, no.

[C]

Now that is a pity. I was hoping you might be able to identify him. After all, he is a Catholic. You sure you don't know him? I'm sure.

[D]

I've come across the name somewhere, though.

[C]

Why, you sure have. It's right there in that newspaper you got in your hand. There. You see? Convict Escapes from Cequa. That's a convict settlement, Father Brown. About 30 miles from here.

[B]

Now, I see.

[C]

Apparently this fella, Oscar Ryan, overpowered the warder on the north wall and took his gun and jumped down. They only had one guy on patrol on account it's so steep and dangerous there.

[D]

Didn't they find a note or something?

[C]

Well, they sure did. Here, it's in the paper. The warder was found bound and gagged. Beside him was a note reading, I've taken the gun, but we'll use it only for self defense. I mean no harm to any man but one. I'm keeping the bullet for Pilgrim's Pond.

[B]

Pilgrim's Pond, Jim, isn't that where the.

[D]

Yes, it is.

[C]

Anyway, boys, have I got news for you. Jack Hill, he's the governor of secrecy. He's sure gonna eat dirt when he hears what I gotta tell him. He sure.

[B]

And what's that, Mr. Usher?

[C]

Why don't you see? I got him. I got him. I got Oscar ryan in cell 25. I got the guy that bust out of his jail locked up safe in mine. I was out walking. Like to walk in the evening. Gives me time to think. That's when I get my best ideas. Anyway, I saw this figure. Reckon I know an escaped convict when I see one after all these years.

[D]

How, guvnor?

[C]

The obviously stolen rough, ill fitting clothes, the furtive, frightened manner. When I turned my flashlight on him, it becomes second nature. You should know that. Didn't recognize him when I first saw him, though. Then I realized it had to be Ryan.

[B]

Why?

[C]

Well, first there was the Irish accent. Ryan is Irish, but there are plenty.

[D]

Of Irish in these parts, Governor. I'm glad it wasn't me you saw.

[C]

Ah, but he was also in the environs of Pilgrim's Pond. It wasn't A quarter of a mile behind him. And that's the place Ryan said he was making for in his note.

[B]

And what about the gun? The gun? Yes, didn't he also say in the note that he was keeping a bullet for Pilgrim's Pond? I'm sure a bullet isn't half so useful without a gun.

[C]

Well, he found no gun on him, luckily for me. I reckon he must have got rid of it for some reason.

[B]

Or perhaps it had fulfilled its purpose.

[C]

Well, I don't know. Well, say, I better go and tell old man Todd the heat's off. You gentlemen feel like strolling over to Pilgrim's Pond with me?

[D]

I'm afraid I have things to do, Governor.

[C]

Father Brown, I greatly appreciate your company and conversation.

[B]

Yes, I'd like a breath of air. I found prison slightly enclosed.

[C]

As I said, Father Brown, Ireton Todd is quite character. He's one of those millionaires who rose on stepping stones.

[B]

Oh, yes, of our dead selves. To higher things, perhaps.

[C]

Yes, yes, that's it. You know, you English don't do justice to the climbing and aspiring power of our more remarkable citizens. Now, you see a good looking gray haired man in evening dress and you don't realize that 10 years ago he might have been in a tenement or in jail. Todd's like that. He made his pile pretty fast with the automobile craze. Ten years ago he was nothing. You see, I looked him up in our records. I'm proud of our record system. I invented it myself. Yes, and I got the jackpot. Seems his little daughter Etta had a childhood sweetheart, an Irish laborer. And when old man Todd got rich, he threw this Irish fella out on his ear. Now, you know what his name was?

[B]

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

[C]

Ryan o'.

[B]

Shea.

[C]

Remind you of anything? Ryan o'. Shea.

[B]

That sounds rather like Oscar Ryan Reverse.

[C]

Father Brown, I can see your reputation's deserved. Now it all makes sense. You see, o' Shea or Ryan goes to the bad. He's jailed for five years in jail. He reads all about this English lord and his little Etta, his childhood sweetheart. Anyway, here. Here we are. This is Pilgrim's Pond. I'll ring the bell. Now he gets all riled up and decides to bust out of jail so as to gun for Ireton Todd, who he believes has ruined his life.

[D]

Good evening, sir.

[C]

There it is.

[D]

Yes?

[C]

I'm Governor Usher from the penitentiary. I'd like to speak to Mr. Todd.

[D]

I'm afraid Mr. Todd is out, sir.

[C]

Out? I thought he was Having a party?

[D]

One of the guests has gone missing, Sir. Lord Falconroy. Mr. Todd and the other guests are out trying to find him.

[C]

Well, I'll be. Lord falconroy, that is Ms. Etta about.

[D]

I believe I saw Ms. Etta in a companion getting into her motor car. Ah, it seems you have just missed her.

[C]

I expect she's helping in the search.

[D]

No doubt, sir.

[C]

Well, when Mr. Todd gets back, you just tell him not to worry. Because I've caught Oscar Ryan. That's me personally, Governor Usher.

[D]

I will convey that message to him, Mr.

[A]

Usher.

[C]

What a fool I've been, Father Brown.

[B]

Oh, surely not, Mr. Usher.

[C]

I stupidly thought it was Todd that Ryan was gunning for, and I was wrong.

[B]

Ah, no.

[C]

Ryan was after his rival, my Lord Falconroy. And he got him the English Lord Falconroy, who we learned was sweet on his little Etta Todd. That's why he threw the gun away. He'd slain his rival. It was a crime of jealousy. A crime passionate. After he'd shot Falcon Roy, he'd no further use for the gun and threw the body in the pond. Pilgrim's pond itself. It's a pretty deep pond that is.

[D]

It is.

[C]

Yes, it is. Never mind. I got a trick or two up my sleeve still, Reverend. Let's get back.

[A]

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[C]

There's one or two things I'd like to show you at the pen. Might well interest a famous criminologist like yourself. Did you ever see a psychometric detector put into practice?

[B]

A what?

[C]

It's a pulsometer strapped to a man's wrist. It measures the heartbeats.

[D]

Good heavens.

[B]

Why?

[C]

Well, the variations in pulse rate tell me if he's lying.

[B]

What? How?

[C]

I reckon you English don't cotton to the march of science in these matters. I intend using the machine on Oscar Ryan. And in my opinion, the machine can't lie.

[B]

No machine can lie, Mr. Usher, nor can it tell the truth. But how does your machine Work?

[C]

Well, I. I simply read a list of words to the subject and ask him in each case to reply with the first word that comes into his head. The machine records variations in his pulse. Now, the trick is to introduce some word connected with something quite different, yet in a list in which it occurs quite naturally.

[B]

Oh, I see. I think I do. If he's agitated by the word, his pulse will jump.

[C]

I'll prove to you it works. Now, here's Ryan cell. I posted a warder outside.

[B]

I thought your sister made that unnecessary.

[C]

Well, this is a. A special case. McGurk. How's the prisoner been behaving?

[E]

Not too badly, sir. He seems a bit resentful. He keeps on demanding to make a telephone call.

[C]

A telephone call? Well, open up, will you?

[D]

Come on, Ryan. Come on. Out you come.

[E]

There's no governor to see you.

[D]

All right. Look, I can't stick this much word.

[E]

If you want to know all about dressed like governor. A sword.

[D]

Oh, very well, sir.

[C]

Rudder.

[D]

Doyle. God help us.

[A]

Will you look at that?

[D]

It's Rudderdyle.

[C]

Quiet, you.

[D]

I said quiet.

[C]

Look at him. I said quiet.

[D]

Quiet now, or you will be in trouble.

[C]

You were saying, Ryan?

[D]

Nothing. What do you want to do with me?

[C]

Just a few simple tests. This way. Now, Ryan, I'm gonna say some words to you, and I want you to reply with the first thing that comes into your head.

[D]

Very well. Right.

[C]

Bird brain. Oh, Robin.

[D]

Good fellow.

[B]

Owl.

[D]

Waverly Pen. What?

[B]

No, it's an advertisement on the railway. They come as a boon and a blessing to men. The Pickwick, the owl and the Waverley. Pen.

[C]

Wren. Henny. Falcon.

[D]

What? What did you say?

[C]

Falcon. I said, Mr. Ryan, falcon as in falconer.

[D]

Y. Falconer.

[C]

Canary yellow. All right, that'll do. And my telephone call. McGurk. Sir? Take the prisoner to a telephone. Yes, Sir. Oh, and McGurk, give me your notepad.

[D]

Oh, yes, here it is. All right.

[C]

Now, look this up in the files and call me.

[B]

Yes.

[E]

Yeah, I understand. Come this way, you.

[C]

Well, Father Brown, you saw the way that needle jumped when I mentioned falcon. And boy, did you see how it bounded when I began to make an R afterwards. Like in Falcon, Roy, the man he just killed. I reckon that's a sight more conclusive than a whole lot of gabble from unreliable human witnesses.

[B]

Well, yes, yes, that's just the trouble. Human beings are so unreliable. Your reliable machine has to be be worked by an unreliable machine.

[C]

What unreliable machine?

[B]

I mean, man, the most unreliable machine I know of.

[C]

Do you mean that I.

[B]

No, no, no. I don't want to be rude. And I don't think you will consider man to be an offensive or inaccurate description of yourself. You observed his manner, the man you call Ryan. But who is to say he did not observe yours?

[C]

What do you mean?

[B]

If you could tell by his manner that the word that might send him to the electrical chair had come, why shouldn't he be able to tell from your manner that you were about to speak that word?

[C]

I was cool as a cucumber.

[B]

Oh, yes, well, criminals can be as cool as cucumbers too. Though not, I think, this one. Yes, I'm sure you're fundamentally right. He was frightened of something.

[C]

Well, I'm mightily glad to hear you agree with me about something, Father Brown. Ah, that must be McGurk. Yes, McGurk. Good, good. That's fine, Mighty fine. We'll be right over. I asked McGurk to check the files on Drugger Doyle. You recall the name the other prisoner called out when he saw Ryan?

[B]

Yes, yes, Draga Doyle. It seemed to produce a sort of reticence in him.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Well, it seems like McGurk's found something.

[E]

Doyle, William Michael. Origin unknown. Query. Ireland.

[C]

There, you see. Nickname.

[E]

Drugger Doyle.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Why was that, Mr. McGurk? Well, it seems it was to do.

[E]

With his modus operandi, father. Apparently he was a handsome, well bred seaman Buck.

[C]

Well, that fits our man anyhow.

[E]

That it does, sir. He used to make himself agreeable to barmaids and shop girls, that sort of poor silly creature. And tricked them out of their money. Oh, he was a species of grafter. Sometimes, though, he went a great deal farther. And they were found drugged with cigarettes or chocolates. And all their property, everything they had was missing.

[C]

Hence the nickname.

[D]

Ah, yes, sir.

[E]

By then, though, he'd moved on to a bigger game. The spoiled daughters of the rich. You know the sort. Rich little darlings whose parents can't refuse them anything.

[C]

And Dirk, I'll have none of your socialism here.

[E]

Oh, sorry, sir. Sorry. Anyhow, he was sent down several times. Never got too long a sentence. Then one day he overdid the dose. One of his victims was found dead and Doyle disappeared from Chicago.

[B]

What a mean, depraved creature this Doyle sounds.

[C]

Sure does, father. Well, with this against him, he'll be lucky to escape the chair. Even if we don't find Falcon.

[E]

Sir, it says here that a character answering Doyle's description later turned up in New York. Suspected of defrauding a wealthy widow out of a over a million dollars. Then he disappeared. That was 19 oh, eight, sir.

[C]

Five years ago. Just about the time Ryan was put away. I reckon my machine and my record system have just about done for Ryan. Ryan equals Doyle equals the electric hot seat.

[B]

What your methods have done for Mr. Ryan, whoever he may be. What is save him from the electric chair? Mr. Usher, you've proved that Drugga Doyle, the wanted murderer, couldn't possibly be your Mr. Ryan.

[C]

How do you mean, Father?

[B]

Bless us all, because Oscar Ryan is unlikely to be guilty of all these mean, cowardly acts. Mr. McGurk here tells us that Drugga Doyle spent years wheedling small sums out of needy young girls.

[E]

Oh, that's right, sir.

[B]

And that he drugged and cheated and lied.

[C]

Yes, yes.

[B]

Is that the kind of man who would dare to attack an armed warder, though unarmed himself? Well, would he leap down from a high wall at considerable risk to his life? Would a man whose whole life is deception and lies. Leave a note to the police telling them where to look for him?

[C]

You mean the message about Pilgrim's Pond?

[E]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Doyle would only have said he was going to Pilgrim's Pond if he had no intention of going near the place. Saints alive, the two men's characters are utterly different. Draga Doyle would never risk his life and his freedom to carry out an act of vengeance.

[C]

So the man I've got isn't Drug or Doyle?

[B]

No, that's not what I said. I said Oscar Ryan isn't your man.

[C]

Well, then what? Saving your cloth, Father? What in hell do you mean?

[B]

You remember, your prisoner made a telephone call. And unless I'm very much mistaken, he's already got his response.

[C]

Who is it? Come in.

[D]

It's only me, Governor.

[C]

Father o'. Connor. I'm extremely busy.

[D]

Well, now, I'm truly sorry, Governor, but I have someone here who insists on seeing.

[C]

Yes, I do.

[D]

Now, see here, don't you talk to.

[E]

Governor Russia like that.

[C]

Father o', Connor, I fully appreciate that as a priest, it is your duty to tend to tramps and hobos. Or whatever kind of down and out this fella is. But are you, Usher, the idiot that.

[D]

Came to my house?

[C]

What?

[D]

See here, Usher, you leave go of my guest. Keep him here for a split instant longer and you'll feel pretty mean. I reckon I'm not a man with no clue.

[C]

Who is this hobo? Is the cosmos cracked or something?

[D]

Now, see here, Usher, I won't.

[E]

Who the hell are you, ya bum?

[D]

The Gentleman's name is Mr. Todd. Mr. Ireton Todd. Thank you.

[B]

I fear you don't read the society papers properly. Mr. Usher, remember there's been a slum dinner at Pilgrim's Pond tonight and one of the guests disappeared. Mr. Todd is a good host. He's come to collect his guest without even pausing to take off his slum fancy dress.

[C]

Wait a minute. What guest do you mean by.

[D]

Lord Falconroy, of course. Didn't my butler tell you? Lord.

[C]

Lord Falcon Roy. Yes, Mr. Todd. I apologize that I didn't recognize you, but I've got to tell you that I'm sorry to say that your guest, Lord Falconroy, is dead.

[D]

Dead?

[C]

The man's mad.

[D]

See here, you, Lord Falconroy telephoned me not 10 minutes ago.

[B]

I think, Mr. Usher, that Lord Falconroy is not dead.

[D]

I think I understand you, John. He is in fact, gentlemen, in cell number 25. Thank you. Someone's making sense at last.

[C]

Cell 25. I'll go and collect him.

[D]

I.

[C]

Hold on there. Are you saying that the man in rags I caught was Lord Falcon Roy?

[B]

That's right. Dressed in his fancy dress costume for the slum dinner. You said your machine couldn't make a mistake. And in one sense it didn't, but the other machine did. The machine that worked it. You assumed that the man in rags jumped at the name of Lord Falcon Roy because he was Lord Falcon Roy's murderer. He jumped at the name because he himself was Lord Falcon Roy.

[C]

Then the blazes didn't he say so?

[D]

Perhaps he felt his flight and panic were hardly patrician.

[B]

Yes. Yes, perhaps in his terror he was glad to escape from the avenging arm of Oscar Ryan into the comparative security of a prison cell. I. I suspect he was just going to tell you who he really was when that fellow in the. In the other cell opposite saw him and found another name for him.

[C]

You mean you do. Now, wait here. The man I caught really is Drugger Doyle. Lord Falconroy is Drugger Doyle?

[D]

It seems a strong possibility.

[B]

Yes. I think it is probable that Lord Falconroy and Drugga Doyle are one and the same.

[D]

Oh, I've no idea what you lunatics are talking about, but I demand that you release my guest immediately.

[C]

No, Mr. Todd. I will not release Lord Falconroy. I'm holding him pending investigation of a murder that occurred. You got the file there, McGurky?

[B]

Yes, sir.

[E]

Here.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

In.

[C]

In 1905, in the state of Illinois, under his then alias of Drugger Doyle.

[D]

You'll answer to this, Usher.

[C]

I'm quite prepared to do that, Mr. Todd.

[B]

Mr. Todd, have you informed the police that your daughter is missing?

[C]

How the hell did.

[D]

No, sir, I have not My daughter is a very independent young lady. She frequently goes off without telling me. She can look after herself. She'll be back tomorrow.

[B]

I see. And were any of the guests at your slum dinner dressed as convicts, may I ask?

[D]

Yes, it was my daughter's show. She had quite a few of her.

[C]

Friends dressed like that.

[D]

Look, I. I've had enough of this nonsense. I'll be round to see Falcon Roy in the morning with my lawyers.

[C]

Good night.

[B]

Well, I shall be quite surprised tomorrow if the pink papers don't report something like astounding elopement of escaped convict with heiress, her childhood sweetheart.

[C]

Well, I'll be. I guess Etta arranged this whole freak dinner just to cover her getaway with Ryan. But why did Ryan want to kill Falcon Rod?

[E]

Well, it's all in the foil, sir. It seems before Todd got rich, Etta was one of the poor girls that Doyle deceived.

[B]

And when Etta told Ryan who Falcon Roy was, he decided to combine avenging her with their elopement.

[D]

Why didn't he kill him, John?

[B]

Oh, I imagine Falconroy fled when Ryan threatened him. And the lovers weren't prepared to jeopardize their plans to elope by pursuing him. Love mattered more to them than hatred, it would seem.

[D]

That is something.

[C]

Imagine Lord High Falconroy being a fake.

[B]

Oh, he's no fake.

[D]

What?

[B]

No, he's a perfectly genuine peer of the realm. Mr. Usher, you don't do justice to the. What was it? A climbing power of our more remarkable citizens. You see a good looking gray haired man with a title and you don't realize that 10 years ago he might have been in jail. In the Mistake of the machine by G.K. chesterton, the part of Father Brown was played by Andrew Sachs O', Connor by T.P. mcKenna, McGurk, by Billy Boyle Usher by Don Fellows, the Prisoner by Brian Haynes, Todd by Ed Bishop, the Butler by Manning Wilson and the Convict by Stuart Horgan. The Mistake of the Machine was adapted by John Scottney and the director from Bristol was Alec Reed.