Father Brown 86-11-29 (13) The Absence of Mr. Glass

Summary

---

Episode Summary: "The Absence of Mr. Glass"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Release: August 27, 2025

Overview

This episode features a classic radio drama adaptation of G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown mystery: "The Absence of Mr. Glass." The story unfolds at a seaside resort, where Father Brown is invited by his friend Flambeau to stay at the home of a famed, incognito detective (Dr. Hood). The peace is soon shattered by the frantic arrival of a young woman, Maggie McNab, who believes her fiancé has been murdered. The episode follows the ensuing investigation, rich with misdirection, deduction, and gentle humor, staying true to the Golden Age of Radio’s tone.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introducing the Cast and Setting

• The drama opens with Father Brown arriving at a coastal house, invited by his old friend Flambeau, now staying with a retired and renowned consulting detective, Dr. Orion Hood (a clear homage to Sherlock Holmes).
• Dr. Hood demonstrates his deductive prowess, impressing both Father Brown and Flambeau with insights about Father Brown's recent movements and the local gossip about Mrs. McNab, a distressed widow.

Notable Moment:
Dr. Hood deduces Father Brown’s route based on sea salt and mud on his clothing.

• "You know my methods, Father Brown. Soutane is covered in specks of salt... your boots have both sand and the chalky mud of the dust." (02:24)

2. The McNab Family’s Crisis

• Discussion turns to Mrs. McNab's daughter, Maggie, and her suitor, Mr. James Todhunter. Maggie wishes to marry Todhunter, but her mother is convinced he is up to something nefarious due to his odd habits and secretiveness.
• Todhunter is described as locking himself in his room for hours and being visited by a mysterious “Mr. Glass.”

Flambeau recounts Mrs. McNab’s suspicions:

• "She told me a strange tale of two voices... though when she opened the door, Todhunter was alone." (06:33)

3. A Distress Call – The “Murder”

• Maggie McNab bursts in, claiming she heard Todhunter quarreling with “Mr. Glass” and now fears Todhunter has been murdered.
• She describes hearing two distinct voices, evidence of a struggle, and seeing through the window what looked like Todhunter’s lifeless body, along with scattered playing cards, broken wine glasses, and a mysterious top hat and sword.

Notable Quote:

• Maggie: "I'm terribly afraid that James... James has been murdered." (08:52)

4. Investigation at the Scene

• The group rushes to the McNab home, forced to break down a heavily bolted door.
• They find Todhunter alive but bound and gagged. The room matches Maggie’s description, except there is no sign of "Mr. Glass."
• Dr. Hood applies his deductive reasoning to the evidence, noting the large top hat, a fragment of a wine glass positioned high up (indicating the supposed Mr. Glass was very tall), and other “clues.”
• He concludes that Todhunter was being blackmailed by a criminal dandy — “Mr. Glass” — with the ropes, blood on the sword, and the locked room all staged to suggest a murder, when in fact Todhunter has orchestrated his own binding.

Dr. Hood’s formal deductions:

• "Why should a gentleman as dressy as our friend Glass leave his hat behind...? How did he leave? The window is secured; the door was bolted from the inside... the blade here has a tiny touch of blood at the point. But there is no wound on Mr. Todhunter..." (19:11)

5. Father Brown’s Gentle Correction

• Father Brown quietly contradicts Dr. Hood’s conclusions, suggesting the entire narrative of Mr. Glass is an illusion. He observes Todhunter is trying not to laugh at the outlandish scenario.
• The mystery unravels: all the evidence points not to blackmail or murder, but to Todhunter’s amateur attempts to become a magician, escapologist, and ventriloquist (practicing with cards, glasses, ropes, and sleight of hand), explaining every “mystery.”
  • The large hat is for pulling rabbits.
  • The two voices Maggie heard were ventriloquism.
  • The broken glass was juggling gone wrong.
  • The sword caused a minor self-inflicted nick while practicing tricks.
  • The ropes were for practicing escapes – though Todhunter, as “Zaladin” the aspiring magician, couldn’t escape and actually tied himself up.

Key Quote (Father Brown):

• "He is also practising to be an escapologist. At present, he seems better able to tie himself in knots than to escape from those knots." (25:58)

6. The Reveal and Closing Reflections

• Mr. Todhunter (Zaladin) sheepishly produces his business card. The case is closed with amusement and good cheer.
• Dr. Hood, despite his scientific skepticism, humorously admits to having believed his own elaborate fantasy.
• Father Brown offers a classic Chestertonian reflection on belief:

Notable Closing Quote:

• Father Brown: "When people cease to believe in God... they do not, then, as one might expect, believe in nothing. Rather, they will believe in anything." (29:19)

---

Standout Quotes & Timestamps

• Dr. Hood’s Deduction:
  • "Elementary, my dear, elementary. Well, you know my methods, Father Brown..." (02:58)
• Dr. Hood, on blackmail:
  • "He is the kind of man who is likely to be blackmailed." (18:15)
• Father Brown, on illusion and deduction:
  • "You have called an uncreated being out of the void. How much more godlike that is..." (23:04)
• On Escapology:
  • "He is also practising to be an escapologist. At present, he seems better able to tie himself in knots than to escape from those knots." (25:58)
• Father Brown’s Final Reflection:
  • "When people cease to believe in God... Rather, they will believe in anything." (29:19)

---

Timeline of Noteworthy Segments

• 00:35–05:30: Introductions at Dr. Hood’s house, deductive displays, setting up Mrs. McNab’s worries
• 07:07–08:16: Maggie McNab rushes in with news of the supposed murder
• 08:52–10:03: Maggie describes the scene and evidence
• 11:27–13:00: Door is broken down; Todhunter is found tied up, but alive
• 13:00–17:00: Dr. Hood examines clues and deduces a blackmail plot
• 18:26–19:58: Dr. Hood’s case theory laid out, including the ropes and knots
• 21:33–24:41: Father Brown gently exposes the flaws in Dr. Hood’s theory
• 25:02–26:11: Everything explained: magic, ventriloquism, escapology
• 26:46–27:57: Mr. Todhunter/Zaladin admits all, handing over his conjuring card
• 28:32–29:19: Dr. Hood’s self-reflection and Father Brown’s philosophical epilogue

---

Tone and Style

• The episode is faithful to Chesterton’s wit, gentle irony, and affection for both reason and faith.
• The performances strike a balance between dramatic tension (during the “locked room” investigation) and comedic relief (the magician’s bumbling explanation).
• The detective banter between Dr. Hood and Father Brown adds intellectual humor, while Maggie’s earnestness and Todhunter’s embarrassment make for a warm, human conclusion.

---

In summary:
“The Absence of Mr. Glass” deftly combines classic mystery plotting, affectionate parody of the detective genre, and a heartfelt twist. It’s a fine example of Golden Age radio storytelling—clever, light-hearted, and reflective. Listeners get not only a whodunnit but a playful lesson about the limitations of deduction and the power of simple observation.

Transcript

[A]

We present the absence of Mr. Glass. Adapted for radio by John Scottney with Andrew Sachs as Father Brown, Olivier Pierre as Flambeau, and Bernard Archer as Dr. Orion Hood.

[B]

Ah, excuse me.

[C]

Yes, what do you want?

[B]

My name is Brown, Father Brown. I believe a friend of mine, a Monsieur Flambeau, is a guest here.

[A]

Monsieur Flambeau?

[C]

Oh, come in.

[B]

Thank you.

[C]

Wait here.

[B]

Oh, thank you so much.

[C]

Monsieur Flambeau, there's a clerical gentleman here, says he knows you.

[D]

Father Brown?

[C]

Yes.

[D]

My dear Father Brown, what a pleasure to see you. You had my message?

[B]

Oh, indeed, yes.

[D]

As soon as I learned you were visiting the resort, I told Mr. The gentleman who. Who lives here, and he. My host is most anxious to make your acquaintance. Please, would you tell the master Father Brown is here?

[C]

Very good, sir.

[B]

Flambeau, what is this? Why all this secrecy? The gentleman who lives here. The master, My host. Who is it you're staying with?

[D]

Let us simply say a very eminent consulting detective, now living in retirement on the south coast and devoting himself to beekeeping.

[B]

Good heavens.

[E]

You don't mean. Shh.

[D]

Indeed, my host does not like his real name to be used.

[B]

Oh, but surely he has nothing to be ashamed of.

[D]

No, no, no, no. But since his retirement from his all too well known address in Baker street, he has no desire to be plagued by heads of state and baffled detectives every time a case of more than usual complexity comes up. So he chooses to call himself Dr.

[B]

Hood.

[E]

Dr.

[D]

Hood?

[E]

Dr. Iron Hood, my dear Father Brown.

[B]

Ah, Dr. H.

[E]

The name Hood may be assumed, but as it happens, the title of doctor is not. I hold the degrees of doctor of letters from several universities, though I am not, my regret, a doctor of medicine like my old colleague and chronicler. But I observe that it is blustery on the coast. So blustery, I perceive that you abandoned your original intention of walking from the town by the seashore and instead turned inland and came over the. Down, sir.

[D]

Mon Dieu, you deduced so much. Excellent.

[E]

Elementary, my dear, elementary. Well, you know my methods, Father Brown. Soutane is covered in specks of salt, which suggests that a strong wind has blown sea spray onto it. But it is no longer wet, so it has had time to dry. Therefore, it must be some time since he left the seashore.

[D]

Of course.

[E]

You will, of course, have noticed that his boots have both sand and the chalky mud of the dust on them.

[B]

I'm so sorry. I must wipe them.

[E]

Come through to my study. Oh, my admirable housekeeper has prepared us tea and. Nothing.

[D]

Thank you so much.

[E]

Thank you, Mrs. Bush, you may pour tea. Now there will be three of us.

[C]

Yes, sir.

[E]

You are no doubt wondering why I have invited M. Flambeau to stay with me, Father Brown.

[B]

Why, yes. As a matter of fact, Mr. Father Brown's.

[E]

During his singular criminal career, Monsieur Flambeau had a hand in several cases which, I must say, taxed my powers to the limits.

[D]

Oh, you are too kind.

[E]

No, no. And he's kindly agreed to be my guest for a few days and discuss them with me. But pray sit down, gentlemen.

[B]

Thank you.

[E]

Stop. Father Brown. No, I beg you, do not sit there.

[B]

Why, what is it? Oh, good heavens.

[E]

My violins. So sorry. I'm afraid my habits remain somewhat untidy. Do, do, please sit down. And if you would care to fill your pipe, I have some excellent Balkan tobacco. Somewhere. Somewhere. Where did I put it? It's in a slipper. A Persian slipper.

[C]

It's stuck to the mantelpiece with a knife, sir.

[E]

Oh, yes, yes, of course. Thank you. Old habits die hard, gentlemen.

[C]

They do indeed, sir.

[E]

That will be all, thank you, Mrs. Bush.

[C]

Yes, sir. Very good, sir.

[E]

Now, Father Brown.

[B]

Yes?

[E]

You are visiting one of your former parishioners, Mrs. McNab, a widow who is in some distress about her daughter. Yes, yes.

[B]

Goodness. How could you deduce that?

[E]

Oh, my methods are sometimes quite straightforward. When Mrs. MacNab saw Frommbo in town yesterday, she recognized him as a close friend of her old parish priest and a frequent visitor to your room.

[D]

And it was she who told me you were coming down to see her.

[B]

Mrs. McNab lives in one of those straggly houses near the town's end. She has one daughter, Maggie.

[E]

Yes, Pray proceed.

[B]

She lets lodgings and at the moment has just the one lodger, this young man called Mr. Tod Hunter. And he wants to marry the young woman.

[E]

And what does she want?

[B]

Why, she wants to marry him. That's just the awful complication. You see, she won't let them get married. Mrs. MacNab won't.

[E]

And the fellow is an ingenious rascal, no doubt. I recall a similar case once, brought to me by an illustrious client.

[B]

Yes, I'm sure. But young James Todhunter is a very decent man. As far as I know, he seems.

[D]

To have quite a pocketful of money, but nobody knows what his trade is.

[B]

Mrs. MacNab is quite sure it's something dreadful and probably connected with dynamite.

[E]

Ah, yes. In the case of the illustrious client. My own experience.

[B]

No, no, no. The dynamite must be of a shy and noiseless sort, for no one's Heard it?

[D]

Yet it seems the poor fellow shuts himself up for several hours a day and works away at something behind a locked door.

[B]

Mrs. McNab is very distraught. She told me a strange tale of two voices heard talking in the room. Though when she opened the door, she todhunter was alone.

[E]

Interesting.

[D]

But also he has a huge trunk in the corner of his room, which he keeps locked all day. Mrs. McNab even half suggested that this other man crawls out from it every night.

[E]

No doubt it is full of Transylvanian soil.

[D]

What? Sorry, I don't quite follow. Transylvanian?

[E]

What is this disturbance? Oh.

[F]

Oh, thank heavens you're here.

[C]

Calm yourself, young lady. Calm yourself. I'm extreme Extremely sorry, Dr. Hood. I tried to stop her, but this young woman said she must see the famous detective and.

[E]

I see. Well, it is a most irregular proceeding, but.

[F]

Excuse me interrupting, your Honour, but I must see Father Brown at once. It's a matter of extreme urgency.

[E]

Father Brown? I see. Then you are Maggie MacNab, I presume.

[F]

How did you know that, sir?

[E]

Oh, it's obvious, my dear young lady. Father Brown arrived in the town only today in order to visit your family. He is unlikely to be acquainted with anyone else here, certainly not anyone who reposes such trust in him that in an emergency they travel two miles out here to seek his assistance, rather than summon the immediate aid of the local police. Now, I beg you, tell us what has happened. And Flambeau.

[D]

Yes?

[E]

Ask my man to get the dog cart ready. I dare venture we shall be needing it.

[F]

I have a four wheeler waiting outside.

[E]

Sir, you are indeed a young lady of enterprise. Come, gentlemen, let us hear Ms. McNab's story. In the cab.

[G]

We all know that feeling. You finally manage to get away on vacation and the worrying starts. Will that bogus Beware of dogs sign Keep your home safe? What about that fake camera you set up? And will someone finally find your old hide and key rock? That's where ADT comes in, all that stuff.

[F]

It's safe ish.

[G]

It seems fine when you don't really think about it, but you know, it truly doesn't work. Instead, ADT provides security solutions that keep you actually safe, giving you real peace of mind. Because vacation is supposed to be, you know, relaxing. Don't settle for Safe ish. Visit ADT.com today to learn more.

[B]

Now then, Maggie, tell us what has happened.

[F]

Oh, Father Brown, I'm terribly afraid that James. James has been murdered.

[E]

What?

[F]

That man, Glass has been with him again. I heard it all through the door. Yes, they were talking Quite plain. James speaks low with a bow, and the other voice was high and quavery.

[E]

That man Glass, who is he, Mr. Glass?

[F]

In truth, I don't know, sir. I know nothing about him, except his name is Glass. They were quarrelling about money, I think, for I heard James say again and again, damn it, Mr. Glass. And then two, three. Mr. Glass. Damn it.

[D]

But what makes you think the young man has been murdered?

[F]

Well, after I heard their quarreling, there was a silence. I tried to break the door down, but I couldn't.

[D]

So what did you do then?

[F]

I ran round to the backyard and managed to climb onto the window so it looks into the room. It was all dim, but there were all sorts of things scattered about. And I. I swear I saw James lying huddled up in a corner as if he were drugged or strangled.

[E]

Oh, this is serious. Whip up cabbage.

[F]

There seem to be some playing cards littered about. And some wine glasses. Yes, and that was strange, because James is almost teetotal. Oh, and one of them was broken.

[E]

Interesting.

[F]

At least one. And. And there was a gentleman's silk top hat. Top.

[E]

And there was.

[F]

Oh, my God.

[E]

What? What?

[F]

I've just realized what it was. A long knife or sword lying glinting on the ground. Oh, Father Brown, I hope James is all right.

[B]

There, there, my child.

[E]

You say Mr. Todhunter is not given for strong drink. Is he in any other way profligate with his money? Is he a gun blind?

[F]

Oh, no, sir. James is very careful. Not mean, you understand, just careful. We were saving to get married.

[B]

Oh, come, my dear.

[E]

Ah, here we are, gentlemen. Come, let us descend. There is no time to waste, gentlemen.

[G]

Thank you.

[E]

Mrs. McNab. Mrs. McNab.

[F]

My mother isn't at home, sir. But I have the key.

[E]

Oh, gentlemen. Now, Ms. McNab, I hardly know what we shall find upstairs. You will understand if I say that it would be best if you did not come up for the moment. Father Brown.

[B]

Yes?

[E]

Whilst I would greatly value your help upstairs, I feel you can be of even greater assistance to Ms. McNab, as her friend and pastor. If you would be good enough to remain with her while Monsieur Flambeau and I go up. She seems to be in great need of comfort. Yes, of course. Come now, Flambeau. There's not a moment to be lost. There. That must be the one. It's the only shut door of any of the rooms that face the garden. Monsieur Fromau, you are a little more burly than Ms. McNab. Do you think you could break it down?

[D]

Oh, I should be able to.

[E]

Oh.

[D]

It'S stronger than I thought. Here, let me try again. Voila. Chaye. This way. No wonder it wouldn't budge. Look at the size of those bolts.

[E]

And secured on the inside. That is most remarkable, my dear Flambeau. Now, let us enter. Ah, there. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, lies Mr. Todhunter.

[D]

Is he dead?

[E]

As you hear, he is not. No, no, he appears to be gagged and tied up. This is most interesting. Most interesting. Yes. Doctor, Your stethoscope, please.

[D]

I am not a doctor you're thinking of.

[E]

Yes, of course. Foolish of me. Let me see. Yes, his pulse is a little exalted, but basically normal. There seems to be no sign of injury.

[D]

Well, aren't you going to untie him?

[E]

No.

[D]

But why not?

[E]

I have my reasons. However, until I am completely sure, I would rather not reveal them. Yes, yes. Here is everything, just as that admirable young woman described it. Playing cards, wine, goblets broken and complete top hat. Ah, yes. And here is the sword, I think. Now, this is very curious. Do you observe?

[D]

My God, yes. There's a drop of blood on it.

[E]

Oh, that surely, in the circumstances, might reasonably be expected. What is curious is that there should be so little blood. A mere drop. Ah, the top hat is remarkable. Now, where is my lens? What do you make of the hat, Monsieur Flambeau?

[D]

It must belong to Mr. Glass. It is exceptionally large. Much, much too large for Mr. Todhunter.

[E]

I see. The faculty of observation is contagious. It is indeed very large. I have only ever known one man with such a large cranium.

[D]

You don't mean Possibly.

[E]

No, impossible. It cannot be He. No. Come over here, would you?

[D]

Yes.

[E]

Now, would you reach up like this? Yes, yes, I thought so. You are a large man, Flombo, yet you cannot reach within 6 inches of this gas bracket. But what do you see on the bracket?

[D]

A small fragment of glass. What of it?

[E]

You see, but you do not notice. It is a fragment of wine glass. Clearly, the hand holding it must have smashed it against the bracket. Now, Todhunter here is quite short, so it must be his mysterious visitor.

[D]

He must be a giant of a man.

[E]

Yes, but an elderly giant and something of a dandy. His hat is of a stylish shape and systematically brushed and burnished, though not new.

[D]

And from this you deduce that he is an old man?

[E]

No, no. But if you examine it under a lens, it has other peculiarities. The hair of human beings falls out in varying degrees, but always falls out slightly. So I should expect to find a number of hairs on the hat band. But there are very few. And what? There are all pure white, which suggests an almost bald white haired man, an elderly man, as is confirmed by the quellous voice Ms. MacNab heard.

[D]

Who is it? Who's there?

[B]

Oh, it's only me. Mrs. McNab has returned, so I left young Maggie with her.

[D]

Oh, Father. It is magnificent. Mr. Hood.

[E]

Doctor.

[D]

Sorry, sorry. Dr. Hood has established that Mr. Glass is tall from this fragment of broken wine glass on the gas bracket. That he has an enormous cranium and is a dandy. From his hat. And also from his hat that he is an old man, because his hatband has few hairs on it and they are pure white.

[E]

Really?

[B]

That does indeed sound remarkable.

[E]

But isn't this Poor James?

[B]

Oh, well, alive, I'm glad to see. But why have you not untied him?

[E]

I will explain all presently. It was by being too precipitate in the case of the Giant Rat of Sumatra.

[B]

I'm sure he's all right.

[E]

Oh, you have my word of honour. You need have no worries for Mr. Todhunter. Oh, well, good.

[B]

Then do please continue. This is almost interesting.

[E]

Thank you. Now, I may say that it is possible that the man in glass was born or nervous through recipation rather than age. Mr. Todhunter, it has been remarked, is a quiet, thrifty gentleman, Essentially an abstainer. These cards and wank ups are no part of his normal habit. They have been produced for a particular companion. But we may go farther. Mr. Todhunter may or may not possess this wine service, but he seems to possess no wine. What then do these vessels contain?

[B]

Well, what do you think?

[E]

I would suggest whisky or brandy from.

[D]

A flask in Mr. Glass's pockets.

[E]

Exactly. Exactly. Now we have something like the picture of the man, or at least the type. Tall, elderly, fashionable, but somewhat frayed. Certainly fond of play and strong waters. Perhaps too fond of them. Mr. Glass is a gentleman not unknown on the fringes of society.

[B]

It is quite remarkable, your construction, my dear sir, quite remarkable. I must congratulate you on it.

[E]

Oh, it is merely a simple use of the scientific imagination, Father Brown. My method is founded on the observance of trifles, the application of logic.

[B]

Oh, yes, yes, indeed. But shouldn't we tell Ms. McNab that Mr. Todhunter is alive?

[E]

Yes, perhaps it would be as well. Would you call her up, Father Brown?

[B]

Yes, yes, I will, Ms. McNab.

[E]

I fear, monsieur Flambeau, that what I have to say may well distress Ms. MacNab.

[D]

How do you mean?

[E]

Well, we've Seen something of the figure and quality of Mr. Glass? What are the chief facts known of Mr. Todhunter here? They are substantially 3. That he is economical, that he is more or less wealthy, and that he has a secret. Now, are these not the chief marks of a man who is likely to be blackmailed?

[F]

She hates him. She hates. Thank heavens you're all right. Are you all right? Why is James tied up?

[E]

There are sufficient reasons, Father Brown.

[F]

Why is James still tied up?

[A]

I.

[B]

Yes, Dr. Hood, why is he still tied up?

[E]

Patience, my dear lady, patience. I was just explaining, father Brown, that Mr. Todhunter is just. That's the kind of man who is likely to be blackmailed.

[F]

Blackmailed?

[E]

Now, is it not equally obvious to the trained mind that the faded finery, the profligate habits and the shrill irritation of Mr. Glass are the unmistakable marks of the kind of man who blackmails?

[D]

And so these two men met here today and quarrelled using blows and a bare weapon.

[E]

Perhaps, though it is a maxim of mine, never.

[F]

Are you going to take these ropes off?

[E]

No, no, I think those ropes will do very well till your friends, the police, bring the handcuffs.

[F]

What do you mean?

[E]

Because you find Mr. Todhunter tied up, you all jump to the conclusion that Mr. Glass had tied him up and then, I suppose, escaped. What are the four objections to this?

[B]

I shall be very interested to hear them.

[F]

So should I.

[E]

Very well, you shall. First, why should a gentleman as dressy as our friend Glass leave his hat behind if he left of his own free will? Second, how did he leave?

[D]

How do you mean?

[E]

The window is secured by iron baths. The door, as you discovered, Mr. Fombeau, was bolted from the inside very securely. Thirdly, this blade here has a tiny touch of blood at the point. But there is no wound on Mr. Todhunter. Mr. Glass took that wound away with him.

[F]

He took it away with him, dead or alive.

[E]

Ms. McNab considered, Is it not much more likely that the blackmailed person would try to kill his incubus, rather than the blackmailer would try to kill the goose that lays his gold legs here? I think we have a pretty common story. Todhunter was being blackmailed and.

[B]

Yes, yes, but the ropes.

[E]

Ah, the ropes. I have looked at all the knots on Mr. Todhunter. You will recall, my dear Flomo, it was the first thing I did upon entering the room. Yes, I have made quite a study of knots. I've even written a small monograph on the subject. Come. I suspected something of the sort the moment I realized the door was bolted from the inside. Every one of these knots Mr. Todhunter made himself. And each is so designed that he might loosen it himself. You are a formidable antagonist, Mr. Todhunter. A man of singular ingenuity.

[D]

You mean that.

[E]

Yes, yes. This whole affair of the ropes is a clever trick, a fake to make us think him the victim of the struggle instead of the wretched glass.

[F]

Then where is Mr. Glass?

[E]

I do not wish to distress you, Ms. McNair, but your mother may not have been far off the mark when she attributed a sinister value to that extremely large trunk in the corner. I suspect that if we were able to obtain the keys to it, we would find.

[B]

Say it again, please. What do you mean? That those knots are tied by Mr. Todhunter?

[E]

Yes.

[B]

And that they're tied in such a way that it is intended that he should be able also to untie them himself.

[E]

Precisely. That is what I mean.

[B]

Jerusalem. I wondered if it could possibly be it. Excuse me, Mr. Todhunter, may I just.

[E]

Oh.

[B]

Oh, yes, yes, I see what you mean. But.

[D]

Father Brown.

[B]

Yes, yes, you're right. That's it. That's it. Can't you see it in the man's face?

[E]

What on earth do you mean?

[B]

But look at his eyes.

[F]

His eyes do look queer. You brute. I believe it's hurting him. James. James, are you all right?

[E]

No, not that. I think the eyes have a certain, what shall I say? Singular expression. But I would interpret those transverse wrinkles as expressing rather such slight psychological abnormalities. Oh, bosh, bosh.

[B]

Can't you see that he's laughing?

[E]

Laughing? What on earth is it to laugh at?

[B]

Well, not to put too fine a point on it, I think he's laughing at you. And indeed, I'm a little inclined to laugh at myself. Now I know the profession of Mr. Todhunter, or rather the profession he aspires to.

[E]

Is this religious? I hardly think what Mr. Todhunter does for a living is germane to the issue.

[D]

You amaze me, my friend.

[E]

Oh, no.

[B]

But Mr. Todhunter would like to amaze you. My dear Mr. Todhunter, please bear with me a moment. What a fool I was to forget we are in a seaside town, Father Brown.

[F]

I don't understand.

[E]

Dr.

[B]

Hood, you are a great poet.

[E]

I beg your pardon?

[B]

You have called an uncreated being out of the void. How much more godlike that is than if you had only ferreted out the mere facts. Indeed, the mere facts are rather ordinary by comparison.

[E]

Father Brown, I have long admired your successes in my field.

[B]

But mere trifles? Trifles compared to your triumphs?

[E]

Well, you should not believe all you read. But Now, I confess, I have no notion what you are talking about. My facts are all inevitable, though necessarily incomplete. A place may be permitted to intuition or poetry, if you prefer the term, but only because the corresponding details cannot as yet be ascertained in the absence of Mr. Glass.

[B]

Ah, that's it. That is it. That's the first idea to get fixed. The absence of Mr. Glass. He is so extremely absent, I suppose, that there never was anybody as absent as Mr. Glass.

[D]

Do you mean he is absent from town?

[B]

I mean he is absent from everywhere. He is absent from the nature of things, so to speak.

[E]

Do you seriously mean that there is no such person?

[B]

It does seem a pity.

[E]

Then how do you explain the first proof we found? If There is no Mr. Glass, sir, whose hat is this?

[B]

It is yours, is it not, Mr. Tod Hampton?

[D]

But look, it doesn't fit him. He couldn't possibly wear it.

[B]

My friend, I never said he could wear it. I said it was his hat. Or, if you insist on a shade of difference, a hat that is his.

[F]

How do you mean?

[B]

Well, Maggie, if you go to a hatter's shop, you'll see lots of hats that belong to the hatter, but none of them his hat.

[D]

Ah, but the hatter can get money out of his stock of new hats. What could Mr. Thudhunter get out of his exceptionally large old hat?

[B]

Rabbits. Rabbits?

[F]

Rabbits.

[B]

White rabbits. The hat has few traces of hair, not because Mr. Glass is bald, but because it has never been worn. If you were to examine those white hairs you saw under a microscope, Dr. Hood, you would find they are not human, but rabbit, lost while the white rabbit was being pulled out of the hat. It's the same. Same with the sword. Mr. Todhunter has no wound on him, but he has a slight wound inside.

[E]

Him.

[B]

Which, to judge from the expression on his face, is not a serious one. And the cards are for card tricks. They are scattered about because Mr. Todhunter is not yet very good at card tricks, any more than he is as yet good at sword swallowing. Hence the slight nick.

[F]

What about the ropes? This gentleman says James should be able to escape from them.

[B]

Ah, precisely. He should be able to. He is also practising to be an escapologist. At present, he seems better able to tie himself in knots than to escape from those knots.

[F]

But what about the two voices I heard?

[B]

Have you never heard a ventriloquist?

[E]

Your recuperation is clearly deserved. You are a singularly ingenious person. But there is just one part of Mr. Glass you have not succeeded in explaining away. Yes, his name, Ms. McNab. Distinctly heard Mr. Todhunter say. Damn it, Mr. Glass.

[B]

Well, that's the silliest part of the whole silly story. Since he manifestly is unable to escape from his own bonds, Flambeau, would you cut him free with his own sword?

[E]

Certainly. Yes.

[B]

Then perhaps Mr. Todhunter will explain.

[H]

Oh, thank you, James.

[F]

Are you all right?

[H]

Yes, Maggie, I'm all right.

[E]

Oh. Oh.

[H]

He's beginning to think they'd never release me.

[E]

I must apologize, Mr. Todhunter.

[F]

I should think so, too.

[H]

Oh, no, not at all, not at all. A perfectly natural mistake.

[D]

Aha. But who is this Mr. Glass?

[H]

Ah, well, you see, I was practicing juggling with glasses, only I haven't quite got the knack of it yet. To tell you the truth, I nearly did myself a nasty injury when one shattered against the gas bracket.

[E]

Ah, I see.

[B]

Yeah.

[H]

And I tend to talk to myself when I'm concentrating. It's a silly habit, I know. So, as I toss the glasses up, I'd say 1, 2, 3 and so on. Only I kept missing them. Every time I missed a glass, I'm afraid I used rather strong language. What you heard me saying was 1, 2, 3, etc. Then, Mr. Glass. Mr. Glass. Oh, and by the way, I had to lock the door. Partly because I didn't want Ms. McNabb seeing the tricks till I got them right. Partly because, well, it's a thing about being a magician. You got to keep your secrets secret.

[E]

Oh.

[H]

My card.

[E]

Thank you. Zaladin, the world's greatest conjurer. Contortionist, ventriloquist and human kangaroo. You'll be appearing next month at the Empire Pavilion. You are Zaladin, the world's greatest conjurer. Etc.

[H]

Well, I know it's coming on a bit strong, sir, but that's the nature of these things, you know. The truth is, gentlemen, I've just been left a bit of money and took the opportunity to get started in the business. All that world's greatest stuff. Well, I'm afraid I rather overestimated my powers.

[E]

You are not the only person to have done that, Mr. Todhunter. I thought I had schooled myself to believe only the empirical evidence of my eyes. For which reason I am obliged to tell you, Father Brown, I cannot believe in a deity. Oh. And yet, I confess I believe the whole romantic fantasy I had spun myself. How could that be?

[B]

Well, you will excuse me for saying so, Dr. Hood, but I have often observed that when people cease to believe in God, they. They do not, then, as one might expect, believe in nothing. It is rather the case that they will believe in any.

[A]

In The Absence of Mr. Glass by G.K. chesterton the part of Father Brown was played by Andrew Sachs Flambeau Olivier Pierre Orion Hood, Bernard Archer, Maggie Deborah Makepeace, Todd Hunter, Kim Wall, housekeeper Margaret Ward. The absence of Mr. Glass was adapted by John Scottney and directed in Bristol by Alec Reid.