Saturday Night Theatre 1966-12-24 Box of Delights (John Masefield)

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio

Saturday Night Theatre (1966-12-24): Box of Delights (John Masefield)

Date: January 3, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Dramatization: John Keir Cross
Original Author: John Masefield

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Episode Overview

This classic radio play adaptation brings to life John Masefield's beloved Christmas fantasy, "The Box of Delights," airing as a beautifully dramatized escapade from 1966. The story is told through the eyes of Kay Harker, a boy returning home for the holidays who finds himself swept up in magical intrigue, perilous villainy, and a struggle between light and darkness—all centered around the extraordinary Box of Delights. Set in a snow-laden England where wolves, wizards, and enchanted artifacts roam, the play delivers an atmospheric, adventure-packed tale perfect for Christmas.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Opening and Setting the Scene

[00:41–01:39]

• Kay Harker introduces himself and hints at a singular Christmas adventure from his boyhood.
• The episode sets the interwar English atmosphere: winter, travel, anticipation for the holidays.
• He is journeying home to Sea King's House, to be met by his guardian, Miss Caroline Louisa.

2. First Magical Encounter: Cole Haulings and the Wolves

[02:49–04:19]

• Kay meets Cole Haulings, a cryptic old showman with "brightest eyes" and a mysterious green box.
• Haulings ominously warns: "Especially when the wolves are running." (Cole Haulings, 03:19)
• Kay helps with Haulings’s luggage, furthering their bond.

3. Menacing Strangers and Card Tricks

[04:19–09:17]

• On the train, Kay encounters Abner Brown and the sly Rat, masquerading as clergymen, who interrogate him and play suspicious card tricks.
• A tense exchange as they try to learn about Kay and the box—full of coded language and understated threat.
• "As I said, the very borrow mean index itself on his brow it is written." (Abner Brown, 08:14)

4. Arrival and Prophetic Messages

[10:14–12:48]

• Kay discovers his purse is missing—foreshadowing villainous activity.
• Cole Haulings entrusts Kay with an important message for a mysterious woman: "The wolves are running."
• Haulings pleads: "There is something that no other soul can do for me but you alone, Master Harker." (Cole Haulings, 11:59)

5. Reunion at Sea King's House

[16:11–18:13]

• Kay is home and introduced to the Jones children—Jemima, Mariah, Susan, and Peter.
• Mariah wishes for "Christmas brought up to date with gangsters and airplanes," setting a playful but adventurous tone.

6. The Box’s Wonders Unveiled

[21:33–24:46]

• Haulings performs his Punch and Judy show, then reveals his magical box—crafted from legendary materials.
• The children witness spectacular sights: "The ceiling above us suddenly opened into a forest on a tropical night…" (Narrator/Kay Harker, 23:12)
• Magical butterflies, vibrant scenes, and hints about the power to “go small” or “go swift.”

7. The Gathering Threat

[27:46–28:17]

• A blizzard is raging; Abner Brown and his accomplices lurk near, observed by Kay and Haulings:
  "The wolves indeed. Four legged and two legged. And they are after me again, even here at Seeking." (Cole Haulings, 27:48)

8. Plots and Disappearances

[29:16–40:09]

• Kay overhears Abner and Rat plotting—the villains fail to capture Cole Haulings but kidnap several key characters, including Kay’s guardian and Mariah.
• The police remain skeptical, brushing off concerns as Christmas hijinks, intensifying the children's sense of isolation.

9. Exploring the Box’s Magic: Going Small

[41:46–47:47]

• Kay experiments with the box’s magical levers to shrink and infiltrate the villains’ hideouts.
• Discovers Abner Brown’s true quest: immortality and wealth via the box’s time-travel abilities.

10. The Villains' Plan and the Damsels in Distress

[49:52–54:50]

• Disappearances in the cathedral city mount amid an ecclesiastical crisis.
• Mariah reappears, recounting her own kidnapping and interrogation, paralleling classic adventure serials in tone.

11. Magic Showdown and Final Confrontation

[58:02–74:05]

• Abner seeks to use the box and Haulings’s elixir for nefarious ends, threatening flood and disaster at the cathedral unless his demands are met.
• Kay, now shrunken, is captured and nearly destroyed but manages to aid Haulings in a desperate magical escape.
• A surreal, magical jailbreak: "Let us attempt two horses coming to stamp and gnash and bite these chains of mine in two." (Cole Haulings, 78:41)

12. Triumphant Return and Restoration

[80:12–81:08]

• Box recovered, prisoners freed; a mystical sleigh ride returns everyone for the cathedral’s thousandth Christmas celebration.
• The cathedral is a scene of jubilation as church bells and cannon salute midnight.

13. The Classic Wake-up: Was It All a Dream?

[86:20]

• Kay is awakened by Miss Caroline Louisa: "Why, Kay, wake up. Wake up, my dear. You have been sound asleep. Welcome home and a merry Christmas."
• All the magic, danger, and delight reside ambiguously between dream and reality.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Magical Destiny:
  "There is something that no other soul can do for me but you alone, Master Harker."
  — Cole Haulings, [11:59]

• On the Box’s Wonders:
  "With its aid, it is possible to go into the past...and treasures there, and all the living pictures from it that I showed you and many more."
  — Cole Haulings, [36:48]

• On Evil's Plans:
  "I will have that box before all's done, with its pleasant toys and of living pictures, with its gifts of going swift and going small. But above all, with its elixir of eternal life and its gift of travel to the past."
  — Abner Brown, [47:32]

• On Responsibility:
  "I remember to this day the small lost sense of an immense responsibility that was suddenly in me."
  — Narrator (Kay Harker), [58:26]

• Resolution and Awakening:
  "Have you had a nice dream? Oh, yes. Yes, I have. Oh, yes, I have. And a merry Christmas to you too, Miss Caroline. A merry, merry Christmas to everyone."
  — Kay Harker, [86:20]

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Important Timestamps

• [00:41] – Kay introduces his childhood adventure.
• [03:19] – Cole Haulings first mentions the wolves and the magical threat.
• [09:05] – The card game and Rat’s sleight of hand.
• [12:48] – Haulings entrusts Kay with his secret mission.
• [21:45] – Haulings reveals the box and its magical properties.
• [27:48] – Wolves closing in; magic and danger intensify.
• [36:11] – Kay receives and learns about the Box of Delights.
• [49:52–51:37] – Escalating disappearances at the cathedral; growing crisis.
• [71:44–72:37] – Betrayal within Abner’s gang; Kay at risk.
• [77:49–81:17] – Magical escape and retrieval of the box.
• [86:20] – The dreamlike ending and restoration to the mundane.

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Tone & Style Notes

The production beautifully balances cozy British whimsy with genuine suspense and magical wonder. The dialogue is rich with literary allusions, nonsense, and playful wit, especially among the villains. The adaptation doesn’t talk down to children, instead layering meanings for all ages—offering action, moral dilemmas, and joyful enchantment.

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Summary

This dramatization of "Box of Delights" is a masterwork of Golden Age radio, blending festive warmth with thrilling fantasy. The magical adventures of Kay Harker, the enigmatic Showman Cole Haulings, and the sinister Abner Brown unfold in a tapestry of Christmas charm, villainous plotting, supernatural invention, and the enduring hope of light over darkness.

For listeners today, it is not just a nostalgic throwback but a rich, imaginative journey—full of humor, suspense, and enchantment, wrapped like a Christmas parcel in the soundscape of classic radio.

Transcript

[Kay Harker]

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[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

This is a story about me, Kay Harker. When I was young, when we all were however old we are now. A curious thing that happened to me at Christmas time just over 30 years ago.

[Abner Brown]

The Box of Delights. Or when the Wolves were Running a Fantasy by John Macefield, freely dramatized for radio by John Keir Cross. The Box of Delights. An entertainment for Christmas.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

My name, as I said, is Kay Harker. And on that old far day I was on my way from school for the holidays back to my home at Sea King's house. My guardian, Miss Caroline Louisa, was meeting me with the car at Condicut. But I had to change, I remember. At Musborough Junction.

[Police Inspector]

Musborough Junction. All for Yokwoodine and New Minster. Go to number five platform by the subway.

[Kay Harker]

All for.

[Police Inspector]

Ah, now stand back there, master. We're going to shift the train, please.

[Kay Harker]

I've lost my ticket. I think I must have dropped it in the carriage.

[Police Inspector]

One minute, then we'll see.

[Kay Harker]

Thank you.

[Police Inspector]

Which seat were you sitting at, master?

[Kay Harker]

Just there, but there's no sign of it.

[Police Inspector]

Not under the seat anyhow.

[Kay Harker]

I've looked, and not even in the crank there down at the back.

[Police Inspector]

I don't seem to see it neither, so you better explain at the subway. We've got to jump this train out now.

[Kay Harker]

Will they be angry with me?

[Police Inspector]

Oh, they might. Well, all this trouble with chaps with no tickets like last week.

[Kay Harker]

What happened last week?

[Police Inspector]

Well, they got him, so they did. He was under one of the seats dressing up as a duchess, and in another minute he'd have finished. So not even the prime minister would have told the difference. Oh, and now stand back, master, cause we're going to shunt.

[Kay Harker]

Thank you very much. Oh, dear. Well, hello there. Good boy. Ah, nice old boy, then. Oh, I do wish I could find that ticket.

[Abner Brown]

Aha.

[Cole Haulings]

Good day then, young master.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, good day.

[Cole Haulings]

I see that my Barney dog has made friends with you at first sight.

[Rat]

So he has.

[Kay Harker]

Yes, he has. He does seem to me that's the.

[Cole Haulings]

Time that likings are made so it is. And you are looking for your ticket, I believe. Which low is on the platform dropped at your feet.

[Kay Harker]

Why, so it is. Oh, thank you ever so much.

[Cole Haulings]

You must have slipped it out as you rampaged, or didn't you?

[Kay Harker]

I just don't know. But I suppose so.

[Cole Haulings]

And so we must be moving along, young master, or else they'll be wondering where we've got to. Especially when the wolves are running.

[Kay Harker]

The wolves?

[Cole Haulings]

The wolves. But never mind. They cannot harm you. So let us be on our way, shall we?

[Kay Harker]

Could I give you a hand, please, to help you carry that big case of yours?

[Cole Haulings]

No, I thank you, master. But if you would be so kind as to steady her when I swing her, then I could get her to my back, which is where she rides A triumph. Only I do date from pagan times and age makes joints to creak, doesn't it?

[Kay Harker]

I should think it does.

[Cole Haulings]

Now I'm going to swing. Yes, and keep it you, young master, from rolling me over. If you would be so gracious.

[Kay Harker]

There then. There.

[Cole Haulings]

Thank you, thank you. For I've only a frail little old withered body. Like the ghost of ninepence, young master. Get down, my Barney dog.

[Abner Brown]

Good boy. Good boy.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And now I was in the other train. But somehow I couldn't get that strange little old man I'd encountered out of my mind. With his green baize boxes in his Irish terrier. And the brightest eyes I ever saw, as alert as a bird's or a squirrel's. For all that he was only the ghost of nightmares. There were two men suddenly in the carriage with me. And although they were dressed as clergymen, they made me uneasy.

[Rat]

For some reason.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Before they settled down, they kept peering about in a furtive way as if they were looking for someone. And even at one time under the seats, one of them had a round, chubby face and the other a thin, foxy face.

[Rat]

Going home for the holidays, young sir?

[Kay Harker]

Yes. Yes, I am.

[Abner Brown]

And very seasonable weather for it, too. We are to have snow, it seems. And no doubt you enjoy snowballing and bargaining and making snowmen?

[Kay Harker]

I do, rather.

[Rat]

Boys. Wherever, boys. And do you travel far, may I ask?

[Kay Harker]

Only just a condicate, sir.

[Abner Brown]

Ah, indeed. Condiket. It appears that there's to be quite a gathering at Condiket this Christmas. One way and another.

[Rat]

Quiet.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Careful.

[Cole Haulings]

I beg your pardon, friend.

[Abner Brown]

I merely meant the district should be more than usually crowded this year. On account of the special seasonal celebrations at Tatchester Cathedral.

[Rat]

Of course, of course. Now I wonder, my young friend.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, oh. What was that?

[Abner Brown]

What was what, young sir?

[Kay Harker]

I thought I saw some big dogs go rushing past along the corridor.

[Rat]

Dogs, indeed. Some of the friends of man, as they call our.

[Kay Harker]

These ones didn't look very friendly. They were all fierce and snarling and snapping their teeth.

[Abner Brown]

I fear I noticed nothing in my humble, unobservant way.

[Cole Haulings]

But you were about to ask our.

[Abner Brown]

Young traveling companion something, friend.

[Rat]

Merely if he would perhaps be doing any card tricks during his Christmas holidays.

[Kay Harker]

If you please, sir, I don't know any.

[Rat]

But you are often observed, I see. What? What? I fancy you would be good at them. Don't you think, Tristan, that he has the face of one certain to be clever at cartech or what?

[Abner Brown]

Just the very facial angle. And the Bormian index.

[Rat]

Just so. Now, let me see if I happen to have my cards with me. Ah, yes, I have my old companions, no doubt.

[Cole Haulings]

Our young friend has been instructed not to play cards with strangers in a train.

[Kay Harker]

Well, as a matter of fact, I.

[Rat]

Am inclined to agree with you, Lancelot. But there will at least be no harm in showing him one of the tricks with which sharpers deceive the unwary. Huh?

[Abner Brown]

Indeed, indeed.

[Rat]

Let me demonstrate the commonest trick often known as spotting the lady. I deal out three cards.

[Kay Harker]

So.

[Rat]

And one of them is the queen of clubs. And the other two, low numbered hearts. Now, mark them well. I twist them and shift them and set them upside down. And lo. Now, which is the lady? The queen herself.

[Kay Harker]

That one, I'm certain.

[Rat]

So it is, so it is. Ah, what it is to have young sharp eyes, Gawaine.

[Police Inspector]

What?

[Kay Harker]

Huh?

[Abner Brown]

It wasn't his young eyes, it was your clumsy dealing.

[Rat]

That's so. I lack practice. I must give myself some incentive if you bid me this time you shall have sixpence, for indeed I must be put upon my mettle. How much? Now, prepare. Watch now. The whirling cards. They shift, they lift, they dive. Twiddle, twiddle, twiddle. Pooty cat and fiddle strings.

[Abner Brown]

And can you tell the lady this time, Master K?

[Kay Harker]

Yes, here she is. But. And write.

[Rat]

And write again. Here's your sixpence. I thought I was discreet, but you have an eye like a lynx.

[Abner Brown]

As I said, the very borrow mean index itself on his brow it is written.

[Rat]

Now may I try once again? If I beat you this time, you shall give me half a crown for the poor box on next Sunday's collection, Please. Of course, of course.

[Abner Brown]

That would be simply sportsman's honor.

[Rat]

Ah, agreed, Sir Dagonet. Now, hark to Merlin again. The fatal sister spins her web. Mark well her hand, the hand of destiny so shoots the weft across the serried warp and back the sword beats and the sheer descends. Now, which is the lady?

[Kay Harker]

This one. I saw her from underneath as the cards went down. Oh. Oh, no. It's only the three of hearts.

[Rat]

How did that happen? Ah, why not? And that will be just half a crown, please, for the collection in aid of the decayed cellarers. Poor fellows.

[Police Inspector]

Oh.

[Kay Harker]

What? Oh, well, there you are, I suppose.

[Abner Brown]

A debt of honor. You know, young. Young Mr. Harker of sea Kings.

[Kay Harker]

Now, look here. How do you know about me? We've never met before, but that's twice you've mentioned my name.

[Rat]

Magic. No doubt that is a proverb.

[Abner Brown]

More know Tom fool than Tom fool knows. Not that we want you to think that. We think you're a fool by no means, but this is Kondaker itself, I.

[Rat]

Fancy, where the hawks get out to wait for the chicken. Palomedes, if the chicken is still on the wing. Not so loud.

[Cole Haulings]

Not so loud. And so here we are.

[Abner Brown]

Here we are, then, Mr. Harker, permit me to help you down with your case.

[Kay Harker]

Thank you very much.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Ah.

[Abner Brown]

Yeah, that's it.

[Rat]

We may meet again, young Kay. Although in many ways I hope not.

[Kay Harker]

But I say, look here.

[Rat]

Goodbye. Goodbye. There's your guardian, Miss Caroline. Louisa coming over to meet you.

[Abner Brown]

Goodbye.

[Rat]

Possibly. Au revoir, young Kay.

[Abner Brown]

Goodbye.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, dear, dear. How did they know me? Well, there you are, then, Kayleigh. Hello, Miss Caroline. It's good to see you. I've got the car out there all ready and waiting. Oh, just a minute. What are you patting your pockets for? I think. I think there must have been pickpockets in the crowd. Yes, they got my purse and my dollar walk. When did you see them last? Well, just a few minutes before we reached the street. Did you notice any suspicious person near you? No. There were only a couple of clergymen in the train from the missionary college at Hope under Chesters, I dare say, and I doubt if they would have done it. We'll speak to the police, Inspector.

[Rat]

Thank you.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, but I'm not telling you. The news came. Got rather a shock to give you. All the Jones children are with us for the holiday. All of them? I do hope you won't mind too much. No, I don't mind at all. I like the Joneses, though. There is one that have gone upon. There are only the four. Jemima and Mariah and Susan and Peter. Yes, I'm putting Peter into your room. And I hope oh, wait a minute, Miss Caroline. Before you start, look, look, there he is, just coming out among the crowd. Who? An old man I met at Musgrum with the big box on his back and the little terrier dog. D' ye see? He looks like a Punch and Judy man. Perhaps he is. I say, may I offer him a lift? He's rather a poor old chap to be lugging those loads about. Yes, by all means. I won't be a minute. I say, I say there, sir.

[Cole Haulings]

Well, and good day again to you, young master.

[Kay Harker]

I say, sir, would you please tell me if you are a Punch and Judy man?

[Cole Haulings]

I am, so to speak, a showman. And my Barney dog, as it were, is my Toby dog. When chance has called, I was to.

[Kay Harker]

Ask you, would you like a lift down into the town, as it's rather a step and it's so cold.

[Cole Haulings]

No, I thank you, my young master. But there is something that no other soul can do for me but you alone, Master Harker. Oh, as you go down towards Seekings, if you would stop at the muffin shop now, and near the door you will see a lady wearing a ring of a very strange shape like this of mine. The longways cross of gold and garnets. And if you say to this lady, the wolves are running, then she will know and others will know and none will get bit.

[Kay Harker]

Yes, of course I'll do that. But how did you know my name?

[Cole Haulings]

When wolves run, it betides to know, Master Harker, and I do bless you. But we must be on our separate ways now, you and I. For time and tide and battered eggs wait for no man. Come.

[Rat]

But.

[Kay Harker]

I'm sorry, Miss Caroline, but he said he had to go on his own. Oh, pity. Yes. You know, Miss Caroline, there's something very queer about that old man. Do you happen to know if Ellen has got buttered eggs for lunch? Yes, she has, as a matter of fact. He knew it. He said time and tide and buttered eggs wait for no man. I expect a good many have said something of the sort. Oh, no, he meant me. And that I ought to hurry up. You know, there's something uncanny about him. With his bright, bright eyes he knew my name and where I came from. And come to that, so did those two Curate chaps in the train. They could have read that from your luggage labels on the rack. Yes, I suppose so. I say, are there any muffins for tea? No, I'm afraid not. Oh, well, would you mind frightfully if I got some from the muffin shop? I Do like muffins, especially at Christmas time. Well, yes, I suppose so. But do hurry, Kay. Yes, I will. I'll go on to the car. Right. I won't belong. Excuse me, ma'. Am. Are you the lady? Yes, I am the lady.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Kay.

[Kay Harker]

Do you not see my ring? Yes. Yes, I do. And I was to tell you, ma'. Am, I was to say, from the Punch and Judy man. I was to say, the wolves are running.

[Rat]

Thank you, Kay.

[Kay Harker]

I was waiting to hear. Thank you very much. I say, I had a sudden idea. If you should happen to be seeing the Punch and Judy man, perhaps I shall. But there are always other ways, too, by which messages can be taken to Mr. Hawlings. Is that his name? Cole Hawlings? Among many others. What do you want him to know, Kay? I have some friends staying with me, it seems. Do you think he might come and give us a show perhaps tonight, say about half past five? I think it could be arranged, Kay. Indeed. I believe he might be calling on you at Sea King's house. In any case, tonight. Since the wolves are running, oh mighty. He has to find someone to take care of the box. The box. The box of delight. But no more now. Your good guardian is waiting for you. And thank you for the message. Yes, yes, of course. Goodbye. Goodbye, Kay, or au revoir. I say, Miss Caroline. Yes, Kate? I happen to run into a friend, a friend of that old Punch and Judy man. And I asked if he might come up to the house this evening and give a show to me and the Jones. Oh, I think it's a very good idea. Only, when he arrives, you must ask him what his charge is. Oh, yes, I'll do that. And I'll tell you another thing, Miss Caroline. What's that? When we were coming out of the station just now, I looked back and there seemed to be some big, shadowy dogs all weaving in and out of the crowd and snapping at the old man's heels. Huge, sharp teeth they had. Oh, I expect they were Alsatians. But I wonder who has Alsatians in these parts. Oh, a good many people, I suppose. In fact, I've even heard that those friends of yours from the missionary college keep a pack. Oh, do they? They might taste differ, of course, but I never did like such dogs myself. They're rather, well, two.

[Rat]

Like wolves.

[Kay Harker]

Wolves.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And then it was Sea King's house in all its old spacious glory. The way I always remembered it from my previous adventures there. And as I remember it now, through this other strange adventure as well. And behold, the Joneses first Of all Jemima.

[Kay Harker]

Very smart, that's me. Pay no attention to this other scrubby lot. My sisters and brother.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And then Mariah.

[Kay Harker]

Very untidy. But I'm absolutely crammed with pistols, Kay. I say, are you? I got them from some robbers I met. I simply couldn't live without pistols. Now she spends her time shooting old electric light bulbs. Kay dangling from a clothesline.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And that was Susan, like a small, sweet fairy. And then there was Peter.

[Kay Harker]

I hear that you and I are sharing a bedroom, Kay. I hope you aren't one of those early getters uppers. I'll do my best not. And you know what I hope, Kay? What then, Mariah? It's all very well for Miss Caroline Louisa to ask us for Christmas and we appreciate it. But I only hope that something exciting and unusual happens. I wish that Christmas could be brought up to date with gangsters and airplanes and a lot of automatic pistols. Like this lot here. Shall I fire them off now? Better not quite yet. You just be careful, young Mariah. I've never been careful in my life. I. I don't propose to start now. Pity anybody that ever tries to scrubble me. Well, anyway, I might have something just a little bit unusual for you. All this time. Sudden idea I had. What's that, Kay? It'll have to be something good after those marvellous buttered eggs at lunch and the muffins at tea. It's a Punch and Judy show. Oh, no, no, no. I've a feeling this might be something. And there he is now. I believe I'll go and let him in. Well, and I wonder what he meant, you lot. Something rather special. I gave a message to the lady, sir, and it was she who took.

[Cole Haulings]

It serves, Master K. It serves as well as any.

[Kay Harker]

Can I steady you with your box again, Mr. Haulings?

[Cole Haulings]

Ah, now, I thank you. It nestles safely this time. Now that the wolves don't run. At least for a little space.

[Kay Harker]

Please. I was to ask you from my guardian how much we were to pay you for your performance.

[Cole Haulings]

As to that, Master K. Suppose you were to dig down here at Seeking's and found the way into what was. What would you pay for going in?

[Kay Harker]

I don't know.

[Cole Haulings]

And suppose you were to dig through at Seekings and found the way into what is. What would you pay for going in, Fred?

[Kay Harker]

I don't know. Again.

[Cole Haulings]

And I don't know that what you will give me for my show will be a fair pay for all the wonders seen for in my box. Here I have another and a smaller Box with other delights besides my show, as you shall see.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, thank you.

[Cole Haulings]

So, as to payment, shall we say a biscuit for my Barney Dog won't break you.

[Kay Harker]

And.

[Cole Haulings]

And a dish of eggs and bacon afterwards for me, if there should be time.

[Kay Harker]

But surely. And it's very good of you, Mr.

[Cole Haulings]

Holdings, because before all is done, young master, it is more like that I shall be beholden to you. Not you to me.

[Kay Harker]

I. I don't think I know what you mean. Again. But come in now and meet my friends, the Joneses.

[Cole Haulings]

Ah, yes, of course.

[Kay Harker]

Good evening.

[Cole Haulings]

Thank you. Thank you. Miss Jemima, sir. And Miss Maria, sir. Miss Susan.

[Kay Harker]

Yes.

[Cole Haulings]

And Master Peter.

[Kay Harker]

I say, do you know our names then?

[Cole Haulings]

But indeed, Mr. Mimer, for it behoves a travelling man to know many things.

[Kay Harker]

Unless Kaye told you as you came in from the door. I swear I didn't, Susan. And it was the same the first time you met me. And besides, he looked at us each in turn as he spoke. As if he knew which was which. Mr. Hawlings, are you a magician?

[Cole Haulings]

Perhaps. Perhaps I may be, Miss Maria, in a way.

[Kay Harker]

And you have suddenly known his name, Maria. And I didn't say a word about that. Why, so I did, somehow. And his little dog is called Barney, isn't he?

[Cole Haulings]

That is so.

[Kay Harker]

Maybe this is going to be a bit unusual after all. Do you know what baffles me? You coming through all that blizzard out there, Mr. Haulings, and not a mark of it on you.

[Cole Haulings]

The blizzard is now dying a little, Master Peter. Very soon it will have gone. And no more than a mantle of good snow around you for Christmas.

[Kay Harker]

Yes, but all the same, I have.

[Cole Haulings]

My secrets, Master Peter, for I've been a long time on the road. So I have. First and last.

[Kay Harker]

How long, sir?

[Cole Haulings]

I get a little out of my reckoning, Master K. But first the. There were pagan times. Then there were in between times. And then there were Christian times. Then there was another in between time. Then there was Oliver's time. And then there was pudding time. But there have been a lot since then and more coming. And the time I liked best was just before the in between time. What you might call Henry's time.

[Kay Harker]

You know, I like you very much indeed, Mr. Haulings. You make it all so simple somehow.

[Cole Haulings]

Thank you, Miss Susan. Ah, but now, Master Harker and friends, now that we are met, I think I should play more for you than just my Punch and Judy. For a traveling man collects as he goes. Or doesn't he?

[Kay Harker]

I reckon he does, myself.

[Cole Haulings]

Aha. So he does the bright Miss Maria says he collects. And what he collects, he shows. And so, look here within my box.

[Kay Harker]

It's a little box, and it's very strange somehow. All polished and shiny and covered with a kind of leather where it hasn't worn away to show the wood.

[Cole Haulings]

It's known as shagreen leather, Miss Susan. And that is the skin of sharks. And do you see the wood itself?

[Kay Harker]

All black and shiny too. And it looks so hard. Is it what they call Lignum Fighty Wood?

[Cole Haulings]

It's the wood the phoenix built in.

[Kay Harker]

Is it really? I've always wanted to see a phoenix.

[Cole Haulings]

And perhaps you shall someday, with the aid of the box.

[Kay Harker]

It looks so old. Centuries and centuries, I dare say.

[Cole Haulings]

Perhaps it may be, Master Peter. But now, lo, I open it and behold.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, it's like a little book instead. Pictures. Hosts and hosts of pictures. And all glowing so brightly.

[Cole Haulings]

So let us see if we can perhaps make one of these little pictures come to life. Shall we?

[Kay Harker]

Yes. Oh, yes.

[Cole Haulings]

I seem to remember that Miss Susan is fond of butterflies.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, I love them.

[Cole Haulings]

Then let us see if I can't call a few from the box. And in spite of the cold. Are you ready?

[Kay Harker]

Yes, I'm ready.

[Cole Haulings]

Then watch. Watch.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

It seemed in that old room that the ceiling above us suddenly opened into a forest on a tropical night. Even though there was the snow outside, all spreading crisp and. And even now that the blizzard itself had stopped, we could see giant trees with the stars in their boughs and fireflies gleaming out among the lower sprays. And then, lo, the sun was shining. And there were green and grey parrots and scarlet cardinal birds pecking down at the fruits. And out of the leaves there came butterfly after butterfly, bursting out of cocoons and crystalids into images of lively beauty. Bright as jewels, they came and settled on her hands, the golden creatures, and glistened and quivered There. Little Susan had as many as nine at once. And a big shining blue one that perched on her hair. And then at last, they all went spiring up into the bright tropic day again. And flickered away among the trees and out of sight, far up and the forest disappeared. And it was the seeking ceiling again.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hawlings.

[Cole Haulings]

It was a fine pleasure, little mistress. And now I might show you another little play which many an ancient queen has watched in her palace by the bank of the Nile. Have you ever heard of Herne the hunter, Master Kane?

[Kay Harker]

Oh, yes, of course I have. I've always loved Herne.

[Cole Haulings]

Then we might go Hunting with him perhaps. And he is an old friend through the forest and he and his great antlers. Or on the other hand, you mentioned the phoenix just now and perhaps. But hark.

[Kay Harker]

The carol singers. Kay. Kay, my dear. Oh, it's the carol singers. They've just arrived this moment, Ms. Caroline. At the French windows. Shall we open to. Yes, certainly, Susan. All right, I'll go. Kay, I've got to tell you something. I'm afraid it's bad news. Oh dear. I'm afraid my brother's ill in London. I've just had a message. Oh, I am sorry. I'll have to go to him tonight, I'm afraid. Tonight? Will you be back for Christmas itself? I hope so. And Ellen and Jane will look after you all in the end interval. Let's go over to the singing, shall we? Surely. I say, those don't look like convicted singers, Miss Caroline. No, they aren't. There's some of the congregation from Tetchester Cathedral. And there's the bishop himself leading them. We must ask them in for cocoa when they finish. There's quite a crowd of them. And oh, there are two faces that I do recognize. Those two men at the back. They're the ones I met on the train, Miss Caroline. I dare say the missionary college are helping out at a time like this. The chief of it is a very worthy and Devout man. A Dr. Bottledale. I could swear there are some of those Alsatians prowling out behind the crowd. Really, Kay, you have Alsatians on the br. Good evening.

[Abner Brown]

Good evening one and all.

[Kay Harker]

Well, good evening, my lord Bishop. That was delightful.

[Abner Brown]

A small seasonal gesture from us Tatchester folk to all at Seeking's house.

[Kay Harker]

Thank you, Bishop. Won't you all come in and let me make you some cocoa against the cold?

[Abner Brown]

No, thank you. We must be on our way. We were held up earlier by the blizzard and we have much ground to cover.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

But I wanted to remind you all all too to come on Christmas Eve to the great cathedral celebration.

[Abner Brown]

Will you?

[Kay Harker]

Yes.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

There's been a midnight celebration every Christmas Eve since the foundation.

[Abner Brown]

And this will be the thousandth a remarkable occasion. And so we wish this festival to be especially memorable.

[Kay Harker]

I'm sure it will be. And I'll see to it that they're all there.

[Abner Brown]

Thank you. Thank you so. Come then, my friends. Let us push on our way.

[Rat]

Good night. Huh? What? Good night, Master K. And thank you for the offer of refreshment.

[Kay Harker]

I was right. That was the voice of the foxy faced man. Close the window, Peter, or You'll all catch your deaths. Now I really must rush and pack, Kay. I've not much time. Very well, Miss Caroline. All behave yourselves. Promise? Yes, of course we will.

[Cole Haulings]

Did you see, Master K?

[Kay Harker]

The wolves.

[Cole Haulings]

The wolves indeed. Four legged and two legged. And they are after me again, even here at Seeking.

[Kay Harker]

But why are they after you? Mr. Hollings?

[Cole Haulings]

This is between you and me. But do you know the spot known as Arthur's Camp on the high hill behind us?

[Kay Harker]

Of course.

[Cole Haulings]

Could you meet me there at midnight when I can tell you more and beg your help?

[Kay Harker]

Yes, certainly. I think I can manage to sneak out when Peter sleeps.

[Cole Haulings]

But no more now, Master. I must go with my Barney dog and go secretly. Don't forget Master K. I won't.

[Kay Harker]

I'll be there.

[Cole Haulings]

And a Happy Christmas to you.

[Kay Harker]

And to you.

[Abner Brown]

Goodbye.

[Kay Harker]

Goodbye.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Once before, some of you may remember, I told another story about Seeking's house called the Midnight Folk. It was about a famous treasure that was. It was almost stolen by a great wizard named Abner Brown and a governess of mine before I went to school who turned out to be a witch, Miss Sylvia Daisy Pine sight now Mrs. Abner Brown. And this night of 30 years ago, as I stole away from sleeping Peter, my way led me through a shortcut to Arthur's camp called Haunted Lane, past an old ruined monastery known as Monk's Peace. As I went very stealthily, I heard voices coming from it and I cowered down behind a fragment of old wall.

[Abner Brown]

And so. And so then all my efforts gone for nothing. Those fools let him trick them at Muspera Junction. And again this evening at Seeking's, where dwells my ancient foe, the boy K. Harker.

[Rat]

Ah, that's what Abner, that's what.

[Abner Brown]

Savitis, my thundering skies. Coal haulings, the great coal haulings slip beyond my grasp again. Ah, my thundering sky.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Yes, Abner Brown himself again. I recognized him at once, even if he was dressed up and disguised as none other than the Reverend Boddledale of the missionary college. So I was up against magic as well as crime. And it was confirmed when I saw who his companion was. In the guttering light of a candle end they'd lit among the ruins another old enemy of mine from the cellars of Seekings, a large and disreputable rat.

[Rat]

There has to be dark doings, Abner, that's what. And I don't like them, so I don't.

[Abner Brown]

And is this my old friend Rat speaking? My trusted spy along the secret ways?

[Rat]

Maybe I was. And maybe I weren't. Maybe so it is me, but what's the good of being me? Up in the attic and down in the cellar. All I asked for one who'd sell his mother if he had one, for what she'd fetch his old Fashioned.

[Abner Brown]

Oh, talk, talk, it's all you ever do.

[Rat]

What do I get by it, hey? Bacon fat, you might say. Or the green of that cheese the dog won't eat. Or the haggie of it made the hen swoon. But I don't, my Christian friend. I get rheumatic and the dog sick and that's what.

[Abner Brown]

As a matter of fact, I've got some green looking cheese for you now.

[Rat]

Gimme a gimme here. Though you wouldn't if you could sell it to a tourist's rest.

[Abner Brown]

You're right, they wouldn't. But come waste no more time. Give me your report him.

[Rat]

What you want of you is a getting rid of his dog.

[Abner Brown]

That's nothing.

[Rat]

A lady friend will take the dog. And there's many a dog as I've loved more than that, Barney. One now lies in a watery tomb with a stone round his neck. But some who claim to be free never take a nint. That's what.

[Abner Brown]

To the point. To the point. Wretched rat that you are.

[Rat]

Ah, dark doings, that's what.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Of course.

[Rat]

You scared em haven? I be over scared.

[Abner Brown]

Good, good. Now where have you been and what have you heard?

[Rat]

I've gone many a dark stravage, first and last. I followed them that you wot of through passages near all under and round this town and peered and spied on him. Well, you haven't a morsel of bacon rind on, you haven't. And I'll finish my cheese.

[Abner Brown]

You shall have bacon rind tomorrow, if your news be worthy of it.

[Rat]

Ah, that's a bacon rind to bring the plump on a man. Bacon rind tomorrow. That and marrow bone the day after. Proper makeshift silence.

[Abner Brown]

Tell me what you heard or I shall box your miserable ears.

[Rat]

And you'd be proper lost without these same miserable ears, that's what.

[Abner Brown]

Then tell me what they did here.

[Rat]

And where they'd a meeting at an inn called the Drops of do Upper Room. That there lady with the ring and such and one that you wot of is a trying to get out of your trap at dawn this very morning at a place I wot of.

[Abner Brown]

Ah, and will he have the goods on him?

[Rat]

I heard what I heard, that's what.

[Abner Brown]

Oh, come on.

[Rat]

I've been a cellar man. I haven't I've been a poor man living in the dark. Though others live in the light and grudge a poor man so much as they hold fishbone.

[Cole Haulings]

Yes, they do.

[Rat]

You says to me, find out what they decide them was your words. Me find out, you says what they.

[Abner Brown]

Decide through the pain.

[Rat]

What your words was to me that I done. Although endangered dog in the them dark dwelling.

[Abner Brown]

Yes, yes.

[Rat]

Now you says Willie and the goods on him. You didn't tell me about that. No, you didn't, Rat.

[Abner Brown]

If you do not speak to the point, you will be pegged beneath the waterfall like myself the boy. You will be turned upside down like my servant, the bodiless head. Speak. Where will Cole Haulings try to escape my ring?

[Rat]

And will I have my bacon rind?

[Abner Brown]

Tomorrow you shall have three whole rancid kippers and a haggis. Come now, whisper it. For even ruined walls like these can have ears.

[Rat]

And so what they decided was this. That's what so it is. That's what. That's what.

[Kay Harker]

Aha.

[Abner Brown]

And so I have him at last. At last you shall have your kippers, Rat. For you have done well after all. You have done superbly, my brave rat.

[Rat]

Ah, that's what. So, is there any other little dark job you want done then, Martin Abner? Or shall I go now?

[Abner Brown]

You may go.

[Rat]

Right then. Now. Bury's red hang over it and pale berries of mistol. It's my delight to go by night.

[Abner Brown]

To shoot them with my pistol.

[Kay Harker]

Mr. Mr. Hollings, please. Where are you? Mr. Holling, sir.

[Cole Haulings]

Here I am, Kay. You are a little late, young master.

[Kay Harker]

I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I happened to be overhearing something and it seemed important to us.

[Cole Haulings]

All things are important when the wolves are running.

[Kay Harker]

I thought I saw some of them as I came up to the camp here. Red eyes in the the darkness.

[Cole Haulings]

They cannot harm you. Not when you have the box.

[Kay Harker]

The box?

[Cole Haulings]

My box of delights and a great treasure, Kay. That is why I wanted you to meet me here. So that I could give it to you for safekeeping. To me, Master K. Once before, you defeated the great wizard Abner Brown. And I feel you can do so again.

[Kay Harker]

You know that it's Abner against us, then?

[Cole Haulings]

Oh, yes.

[Kay Harker]

It's just what I've overheard myself. And I also heard that he was going to try and stop. Stop you escaping from his ring. That gang of his dressed up as curates. Only I didn't hear where he will.

[Cole Haulings]

Be hard put to it. But just for safety, I Want you to take the box and guard it well, or won't you?

[Kay Harker]

Yes, of course I will.

[Cole Haulings]

It is a great mystery, my box of delights, Master K. It was invented long ago by a great magician named Arnold of Toady. With its aid, it is possible to go into the as Arnold himself did. It came into my possession in an honorable exchange for a secret of my own. So there are many reasons why it must be kept from coming to Abner. Do you understand?

[Kay Harker]

I think so, sir.

[Cole Haulings]

And so take it. And there are two other things I must tell you about it besides going into the past and the treasures there and all the living pictures from it that I showed you and many more.

[Kay Harker]

Yes, sir.

[Cole Haulings]

When you open it. So there is that little lever there. And if you press it to the right, you can go small, K. And if you press it to the left, you can go swift.

[Kay Harker]

I see.

[Cole Haulings]

That is how you will protect yourself from the wolves. Two or four. And so let us hurry.

[Kay Harker]

But there's so much to tell you, Mr. Hawlings, about Abner and Rat.

[Cole Haulings]

There is no time, young master. I must go to prepare my escape from the ring. And if you want to see how I do escape from it, would you be at Butler's down at dawn, just over the hill there, or wouldn't you?

[Kay Harker]

Oh, yes, I would.

[Rat]

Good.

[Cole Haulings]

And bring your friend Peter with you this time as another witness if the need should arise. So now press to the left and go swift, gay.

[Kay Harker]

But, Mr. Hollings, press quickly.

[Cole Haulings]

And guard it well, Kay, for time is very short and I must go to my destiny.

[Kay Harker]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

I pressed, and in an instant I was back at Seeking's. I really understood nothing apart from the fact that I had the box of delights clutched closely to my breast and that I was determined to keep it safe. And then it was dawn, and I woke Grumbling Peter and forced him to go with me to Butler's down to see Cole's escape. But alas, there was no escape for him after all, as you shall hear. And so later in the morning, Peter and I hurried to see my old friend, the Condicut police inspector.

[Police Inspector]

Well, well, then, Master K. Master Peter. So what's all this, hey?

[Kay Harker]

Please, you must help us, Mr. Inspector. He's been scrubbled.

[Police Inspector]

Now, calm yourself.

[Kay Harker]

Calm.

[Police Inspector]

Calm yourself, my boy. Who's been scrubbled?

[Kay Harker]

The old punch on Judy, man. Up at the spinney at the top of Botler's Down. We saw it with our own eyes early this morning. He was walking along beside the spinney, and suddenly four men Ran out and one of them threw a sack over his head and they bundled him away and into an aeroplane.

[Police Inspector]

An aeroplane, eh?

[Kay Harker]

It looked like a kind of cross between an aeroplane and a motor car. As if it could serve as both. Only this time it was in its flying mood and it soared away with him and was lost to you.

[Police Inspector]

And did you shout and raise an alarm when you saw this?

[Kay Harker]

I'm afraid we didn't. We were just spellbound. And it all happened in an instant.

[Police Inspector]

Well, now, if it happened at all. It sounds like the aerodrome to me. Over yachting way. Those young fellows, Master K, serving their country and away from the civilizing influence of their mothers. Just full of high spirits and the spit of what I was myself when young. It was a Christmas gamble and a bit of what you call all ragging.

[Kay Harker]

But it didn't seem like a rag at all. We're positive it wasn't. And what's more, we're positive that it was Dr. Bottledale of the missionary college.

[Police Inspector]

That's behind us now. Master K. There you do go too far. The Reverend Dr. Bottledale is a pillar of the church and respectability. I have sung in the glee club with him time and time again. A very sweet tenor.

[Kay Harker]

We'd show you the tracks where the old man was scrabbled. Only there's been more snow since and they're all covered. And I'll tell you another thing. My guardian, Miss Caroline, she went to her brother in London last night. But when we telephoned this morning, she'd left there. But she'd never arrived here. So she's another one who's disappeared. And my sister Mariah. What I meant to tell you, Caven. We were at the house just now before we hurried here. Jemima and Susan both say she just vanished into air. There's not a sign of her anywhere.

[Police Inspector]

Come now, gentlemen. It strikes me that you're only worn out with learning. Just back from school. And what you fancy all these scrubblings turn out to be no more than frolic.

[Kay Harker]

Frolic? They certainly don't seem like frolic to us.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And that was that, whether we liked it or not. Nor were those three the only disappearances in the Tale of the Box of Delights before all was done, but now there was Abner. There was always the terrible Abner Brown on my mind. And I determined to try to find out his plans. If I could only discover where his hiding place was. Now I had a little secret hiding place of my own. In those days when I didn't want Ellen the housekeeper or anyone to see me. And that was under the balance of my dressing table. So I crept there now and took out the box itself. It seemed very strange in its shiny, nearly black colouring. In that little familiar place with the mouse hole between two of the floorboards where I'd once dropped a sixpence. I knew what it was like to go swift with the box's help. Now I wanted to go small, so I pushed the little lever to the right. Instantly I was small and I'd slipped down into the mouse hole itself. I was so tiny. And there was my sixpence beside me, as huge as a millstone. And there was the little mouse himself, no bigger than I was.

[Rat]

Well, hello then, Clay.

[Kay Harker]

Hello. How are you, Mouse? I'm very well, thank you. How are you? Oh, very well, thanks. Except I'm a bit puzzled and I wonder if you could help me perhaps. I'd like to very much. If it's something good. I think it is. It's against Abner Brown. At least then it is good. Although I'm frightened the death of him. Do you know where he hides? An old inn in the town called the Prince Rupert's Arms. Down in a big underground place. And can we get there by underground ways ourselves? Yes, we can, but it's a long way. I think we can solve that if you hold my hand. While we're about it, we better take swords. I've got some huge ones here that I made out of darning needles that have fallen down from ta time to time. We've got to pass the walls of the gulf in their headquarters along this way. Come along. Right. And here we are, Rupert's Arms. And there's Abner. Abner himself, see him through the other little mouse hole there. And Sylvia, Pouncer and Rat too. And another little errat with him. Listen, Listen, Mouse.

[Abner Brown]

And so then, Rat, what have you to report now after your blunder? And whom have you got there? That idiot looking looking fellow.

[Rat]

I make so bold as to present my nephew, Master Abner. Make a reverence to the gentleman and lady. You.

[Kay Harker]

What is your nephew's name?

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Rat.

[Rat]

How? He answers to any name. So you do, madam. Sylvia Half, or Bert, or any name. He ain't earned a name better than one of them, that's what.

[Abner Brown]

And what has he to tell us? Why did you bring him?

[Rat]

Because he took over a spine in the dark ways after I left off last night. And he in danger of dogs, shall we wear?

[Abner Brown]

And what did he find out? Since your report was negative and the box wasn't on coal after all when we scrubbled him.

[Kay Harker]

He has plainly hidden it somewhere. My Abbey.

[Abner Brown]

I know that. My Sylvia, My Brightness. But he won't talk even if we do have him prisoner in the terrible deeps by the sluice. He could be made to talk, not coal. I will say that for him after all his wandering centuries. But come, what has this nephew of yours to say to me?

[Rat]

Rhett so right then, Alf. Pipe up little mate, and tell the gentleman. Ah, wedny Hortney sitting there watchney doob.

[Kay Harker]

Now what does it say?

[Rat]

Honoured company. My nephew elf foot is here and don't often stand in such places.

[Abner Brown]

Presence, he says.

[Rat]

He went a faithful to order the drop of do after I left. Do we what was what from them? What you w of?

[Abner Brown]

Oh, fool. Do you want to be pegged beneath the waterfall like my seventh boy? Do you want me to strike you on the head with a timetable like the boy, so that your legs telescope into your body and through your shoulders? What was what?

[Police Inspector]

What?

[Abner Brown]

Where did Cole Haulings put the box?

[Rat]

Oh, he called his Hickney Putney. Hiding height. And he was having something, he says. Someone in Sea King's house, that's what.

[Abner Brown]

I knew that I suspected that he had little time for anything else, but were.

[Cole Haulings]

Oh, it's according to pair of secret toys, Ms. Rowell.

[Rat]

Holy care. There's no horror. He says he don't know.

[Cole Haulings]

Get out.

[Abner Brown]

Get out, you idiot. Pair, my thundering skies. Am I always to be surrounded by fools?

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Aye, aye.

[Rat]

Come on, Al.

[Abner Brown]

Oh, snobby.

[Rat]

Come on, he says. There ain't no Bacon after all, or any Aggie nor Auntie Givers, even though it is some of it. Give me your little poor.

[Abner Brown]

Ah, my thundering skies indeed. I am surrounded by fools and blunderers.

[Kay Harker]

Except for me, my Topaz and Diamond.

[Abner Brown]

Yes, yes, except for you, my inspiration and my ideal.

[Kay Harker]

And yet what my Peridot?

[Abner Brown]

I sometimes think that you and some of the others like that fool Chubby Charles. I sometimes think you feel the old man may be slipping and be setting up as leaders yourselves.

[Cole Haulings]

Ah, no.

[Kay Harker]

Never my astuteness.

[Abner Brown]

I hope not, my empress, for there is a deal of life in the old dog yet. Now to work. Of course I guessed that the box was at Seekings. That is why we scrabbled with Caroline.

[Kay Harker]

In London, my hated successor over that little mildew of a boy Harker.

[Abner Brown]

But she knows nothing. Lying now in the dungeons of the Deep Sluice by Condecate Weir herself.

[Kay Harker]

Perhaps the Bishop my emerald could cold have slipped into him at Seekings when he called. They're after all, old allies, one way or another.

[Abner Brown]

Perhaps. Perhaps indeed, my ruby. And I shall act upon it. And there is the other avenue to be pried into, too.

[Kay Harker]

Promising child, Maria.

[Abner Brown]

She might well be a worthy ally. I almost like her in her passion for guns and gangsters. She may know or find out for us. Do you have her safe?

[Kay Harker]

Foxy Joe called on her first thing with the motor plane and got her out of the house on a pretext. She is ready and waiting for us at you know where.

[Abner Brown]

Good, good. And in due course, we shall milk her of her secret knowledge. But first there is much else to do to rectify these eternal blunderings from such as rat.

[Kay Harker]

I am yours to command, my priceless pearl.

[Abner Brown]

I tell you this, my blue and yellow sapphire. I will have that box before all's done, with its pleasant toys and of living pictures, with its gifts of going swift and going small. But above all, with its elixir of eternal life and its gift of travel to the past. And all the mighty treasure to be found there to be filched by Abner and brought under his eternal downy wing. The gold of Alexander, the trophies of the Trojan wars, the wealth of conquering Caesar. The jewels of the armada, such as coal, would use the box only for good purposes. Ay, for mine own my towers at last, as the poet says. So come my Sycorax.

[Kay Harker]

Ay, come, my idol, my Roland, sweetest child, to the darkest tower of all.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And now where? I wish I could tell you of all the marvels I encountered through the box before those final events of all. It seems the box of delights was invented long ago by an old medieval wizard named Arnold of Todi, who wanted to travel in the past. Another famous magician called Raymond Lully had invented an elixir of life, and he wanted to exchange it for Arnold's box. But Arnold wanted only the past and not the future. And so he gave the box to Raymond. But before Arnold finally parted with it, he took one last great leap backwards through the centuries and got lost there, stranded in time somewhere about the period of the Trojan wars, the lady said. And as far as I know, he is there to this day. But my own real concern now was the present and the piling events there. And indeed they were piling. For suddenly, just as I was emerging from my secret hiding place under the valance of my dressing table, suddenly the remaining Joneses rushed into my room.

[Kay Harker]

What about them? Look there, Kay. The great big headlines. Dreadful, Kay. Look Just there, let me see. Startling disappearance of the Bishop of Tatchester and then it goes on. That special pompous way they seem to write. It goes on. Considerable alarm was caused in ecclesiastical circles last night when it was known that his Grace the Bishop of Tatchester had failed to return to the palace and.

[Police Inspector]

Was not heard of at the time of our going to press. The very reverend gentleman had signified to his sister Dame Eleanor Chasuble that he would go for a walk through the precincts before retiring to rest. When he failed to reappear at his accustomed time, Dame Eleanor proceeded to the precincts herself but could not see him. At first she thought it likely and.

[Kay Harker]

Then it finishes up.

[Police Inspector]

Naturally, His Grace's disappearance has cast a gloom upon what would otherwise be a festal city. We would remind our readers that on Christmas Eve at midnight His Grace hoped to celebrate the great occasion of the thousand other anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral. And we need our near. And then in the next edition, another mysterious cathedral disappearance. Dean of Tatchester missing since tea time Ecclesiastical and other circles have been convulsed by the strange disappearance of the well known dean from the precincts. It appears that the dean went out shortly after dark last night.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And in the very next again echol.

[Police Inspector]

Special canons of torchester vanish. Another dreadful religious mystery. Murderous gang at work. Well known local police inspector states that bloodhounds at law on trail. But if state of affairs continues. Small hopes of special cathedral thousand celebrations. Special, special.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And then to depress us for nothing. Something else happened, but at the same time something to cheer us up as well. We were sitting disconsolately at tea for we still had to eat, when suddenly the door opened. I thought for a moment it was Ellen the housekeeper bringing more muffins. But when I looked up.

[Rat]

Maria.

[Kay Harker]

Hello, you lot. Any muffins to spare? I'm famished. Well, what on earth's happened to you? Oh, this and that, you know.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Mm.

[Kay Harker]

I say, these are jolly good, aren't they? Oh, Mariah, don't, please. She always does like to keep people in suspense. Come along. What has happened? Mariah? You've no idea how important it is. All right then, I'll come clean. The truth is that I was scrubbled me Maria Jones, just like a greenhorn. But how, Maria? There was a car came for me before you lot were up. A great big car driven by a man who kept on saying haha. What? I know him all right. Anyway, here's some tale of an invitation to go with a party of clergymen to see some rare stained glass at the church at St. Griswold's over near Hope under Chester's. I thought it might be fun. I always did like stained glass. The missionary college again. Hope under Chesters. But I was hardly inside the car than some big iron shutter slammed shut all round. It all went dark. And then the car gave a lurch and swore upwards. It changed into an aeroplane. Well, I never. The same car they got Cole Haulings in, I bet. I say, have they scrubbled Mr. Haulings too? They've scrambled practically everybody. Oh dear, it gives me the fantod. So it does. Go on, Maria. Well, next thing I knew I was in a big dampish room with sound of running water somewhere and there was a man and woman there waiting for me. Dr. And Mrs. Bottledale, they said. Sylvia Pouncer and Abner Brown. I heard they were going to question you. What did they want? Said they were looking for a promising young associate who could shoot to join a gang of theirs. And they thought I was the one. And then they asked me if I knew the whereabouts of that little box Mr. Hauling showed us that time. And what did you say? I said I hadn't the faintest idea where the box was. And although I. I was all for joining a gang, I wasn't going to join theirs. Didn't like the look of them one bit. I should hope not. And what did they do? Maria? Suddenly stopped their silky ways and went all snarly and stumped off. And then they left me alone for hours and hours. And then the foxy man and a chubby sort of man came in and they questioned me about the box too. But I stuck to my guns. And in the end they must have believed me because I was in the airplane again and it changed back to a car and I was bundled out and there I was just beside Condicot Churchyard while the car drove off. Well, here I am. Well, I say, where's Peter, by the way? Why isn't he having tea with us? Because it looks as if he's been scrambled. I say, has he? Well, silly ass had some nice notion to go exploring on his own over at Hope under Chesters. It all does seem to center there. And he hasn't come back, so they've probably got him now. Oh, well, this is our holiday and a half. Those muffins were all very well but what I need is to ask Ellen for some underdone chops. And plenty of them. Build up my nervous system. Oh, here she is now. Well, hello there, Ms. Maria. Welcome back. My, this is quite a household. People appearing and disappearing every second minute. And just look at this now, Master K that I came in to show you. What is it, Ellen? The latest edition of the paper. Just look.

[Police Inspector]

Unparalleled atrocity. More horrors at Torchester. Reign of terror in Cathedral City we regret to say that tonight, in addition to the disappearance of the bishop, the dean and the canons, we have to report the complete removal of the precentor, the vesture, the bursa, the Canons minor, the archdeacon, the vergers, the organist. And it is fear. The entire choir, including the choir boys, torn sobbing from the arms of the sorrowing mothers. Grave fears for midnight service. Intolerable outrage to law, says well known police inspect.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And so. So it built towards the final climax, whatever it might be. Victory for Abner and the powers of darkness. Or victory for coal and the powers of light. For there was something I'd suspected since ever I'd known of old Arnold of Toady, lost in the past. And later I overheard Abner himself confirming it when he was talking. Talking to the chubby man.

[Abner Brown]

But of course, of course. Cole Hauling's ears. Raymond Lully, my chubby. Charles the magician.

[Police Inspector]

Go on, chief.

[Abner Brown]

You mean the chap who did the box trick at the Coliseum? No, I do not. I mean the so called good philosopher of the Middle Ages, the discoverer of the elixir of life and the owner of the box of delights. I tell you, it was a box trick. He has literally lived through the centuries in disguises innumerable. And here he is now as cold haulings and in my power. Ah, that's all very well, chief, but never mind all this talk about magicians and such like old cough drops. What about the boodle in hand? The boodle in hand. Now would be the time to make.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Our own little pile.

[Abner Brown]

Now that me and the rest of the gang are back on our own two legs and not on four. The Archbishop's offering a reward of a thousand pounds for the return of the Bishop or the Dean before this special service of theirs. And reduced sums accordingly. 25 quid even for a choir boy. O fool, fool and dolt. Charles. 25 for a choir boy. A paltry thousand for deans and bishops. I may have my own personal treasure tucked away in my room, gathered through worldwide years of villainy. I know you have, you do. That good lady of yours told me. And enough to last any man a lifetime be all accounts, but not for all eternity. I shall have more. I must have more. Infinite riches in a little room. As the poet says, and I shall have them, or under condicate wear goes that shining brood of Merry Christmas shepherds. I shall flood them to eternity, where Alph, the sacred river, swishes with organists and boys and bishes down to a sunless sea. Enough. Enough to work.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

It was all clear, all devilishly clear. The return of the entire cathedral staff or their death by drowning under the mighty sluices. And all in exchange for Cole's elixir and the box, wherever it might be. And that was, of course, with me.

[Kay Harker]

It's only with me.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And I remember to this day the small lost sense of an immense responsibility that was suddenly in me. There was only one call. To go myself to that great underground network of caverns under the missionary college by the weir itself. To go swift and to go, small child Roland, to the dark tower. And as I did, I remember praying.

[Kay Harker]

O greatness, here. O brightness. Hark. Leavest not little, nor yet dark.

[Abner Brown]

To work, to work indeed, my shining Sylvia. Thus to the final act of all, and Abner's shining curtain to it I.

[Kay Harker]

Await your merest word, my amethyst. Will you consult the boy?

[Abner Brown]

I will consult the boy. And I will consult the great bronze head. Do you hear, Rat?

[Rat]

Ay, that's what. Maybe they'll have a mouthful of mildewed Haggy Fritz yet.

[Abner Brown]

Be silent, Rat. I shall consult all my terrible familiars and then we shall see what really is what.

[Kay Harker]

Even the Crone?

[Abner Brown]

Yes, even the crone herself. For I am told that the Archbishop is talking of trying to hold the thousands of service after all with a skeleton staff of volunteers from other dases. And that must be prevented at all costs. Let us go, my friends. Let us go for mighty Abner's triumph.

[Rat]

All right, all right then. Anything for a morsel of green bacon rind someday. Come on, elf la, and give us some word to choose.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And if you want to know where I was at this building moment, I was in the turn up of Abner's own trousers. The way it fell out was this. I did go small and I did go swift. And I found myself in Abner's own room at the college in it was strangely sparsely furnished for a man of such tastes. But in one corner there was a massive oaken chest, which I guessed contained that terrible wizard's personal treasure, amassed through heaven knew what years of villainy. And then Abner himself and Sylvia Daisy Pouncer and the rats came in. As you just heard, I hid in a corner by the fireplace. And when they went, I knew that at my size I'd no hope to follow them. And so I did slip into the turn up of his trousers. And overheard everything as they went up and down in lifts. And through endless deep corridors towards a vast metal door.

[Abner Brown]

And so behold it, my friends. Behold the very dungeons themselves.

[Kay Harker]

So, do you think it really wise, my evvy, to summon your familiar?

[Rat]

Ay, that's what.

[Abner Brown]

Silence. Silence, all. I will summon them. The boy himself. And eke the head.

[Rat]

Come.

[Abner Brown]

Come, my monsters.

[Rat]

Come on me, master.

[Abner Brown]

Well, boy, all you want me now? And me and my rest. No pertness. Tell me what Cole Haulings did with his box.

[Rat]

He gave it to somebody to keep for him.

[Abner Brown]

I've told you that before. Learn civility. To. To whom did he give it?

[Rat]

I don't know. He put spells round it. I couldn't see the person.

[Kay Harker]

Let me go.

[Abner Brown]

Ah, if you're not careful and civil, I'll peg you into the waterfall, boy.

[Rat]

No, no, no, please, no, Great Martin.

[Abner Brown]

Then tell me this at least. Am I nearer to getting the box than I was?

[Rat]

Yea, you're very near to it now.

[Abner Brown]

Shall I get it?

[Rat]

You will have it under your hand today. Now I want to go. I told you everything.

[Abner Brown]

Don't try to dictate to me. Is there anything that you want to ask this hideous thing?

[Rat]

Rat? Aye, there is. That what'll win the national next year? Dah, by heaven. Oh, goody coconut.

[Abner Brown]

Enough of this intolerable folly. Go, boy, into the waterfall.

[Rat]

Oh, no, no, Master. No.

[Kay Harker]

So.

[Abner Brown]

And now you, my great bronze head, command me. Master, Tell me of our plans.

[Police Inspector]

Your agents have now captured every clergyman.

[Kay Harker]

Attached to the cathedral.

[Abner Brown]

I know that, fool. Do you want to be turned upside down on your pedestal there? No, no, master, not that. Then tell me, what is the world outside trying to do against me? This snowy Christmastide with its cursed carols and its cursed ancient superstition?

[Police Inspector]

All sorts of things. Mainly telephoning and telegraphing. Trying to get substitutes for the great service. They'll rake up clergy from all sorts of places for it.

[Abner Brown]

We'll see about that. I raise my left hand. So. Come, my crone.

[Kay Harker]

No, no, no.

[Abner Brown]

Be silent, woman. Come, crone. I say.

[Rat]

Master.

[Kay Harker]

What do you want with me?

[Abner Brown]

Master, I want a storm out of the north and the east with snow.

[Kay Harker]

I can't give it you.

[Rat]

You ask too much.

[Kay Harker]

I can only sell a storm for a great sum.

[Rat]

The bag of Amethyst.

[Abner Brown]

Give me a storm from the north and east, or I will torment you in a way that you'll remember.

[Kay Harker]

Give Me at least. Ha.

[Rat]

A bag of amethysts.

[Kay Harker]

I need them for a cordial I make.

[Abner Brown]

I will give you a quarter bag.

[Police Inspector]

There.

[Abner Brown]

Now let me have the storm in.

[Rat]

This little leather bag. Great. Open two strings from the mouth of.

[Kay Harker]

It and you will fill the roads and air with snow so that neither.

[Abner Brown]

Cars nor airplanes can get past. And let any clergyman who tries to get there be buried in a six foot drift and not be found until the spring.

[Police Inspector]

He cannot do that.

[Rat]

He cannot take life.

[Abner Brown]

Do not interrupt me. You go, crone.

[Rat]

I go, my.

[Abner Brown]

As for you, Ed, you have interrupted me and you have criticized me. All this establishment seems given over to mutiny. I can trust no one. You shall be upside down for a while.

[Cole Haulings]

No, master, I implore you not.

[Kay Harker]

No, no.

[Abner Brown]

There.

[Kay Harker]

There.

[Rat]

Oh, master, Master.

[Abner Brown]

Let that teach you to mend your manners. And now I go to see Cole Hawling. And so, Cole Haulings or Raymond Lully. The time has come, great master, for us to talk together.

[Cole Haulings]

I have nothing to say to you, Abner Brown.

[Abner Brown]

You are so beset by my power that you can never escape from here without my leave. I have it on good authority that the box will be under my hand this very night. It will be mine for a plaything.

[Cole Haulings]

Your evil plaything.

[Abner Brown]

Once, long ago, you walked from Spain to Italy to buy the box with your elixir of life. When I have used it for a space, I shall sell the box back to you for that same elixir. Will you deal?

[Cole Haulings]

No, I will not. Because you are a greedy scoundrel, unfit to have a long life.

[Abner Brown]

Ah, very well then. Stay there in a chains. I will repeat my offer once more tonight when I have made certain preparations. After that, you will see, great Raymond. You will see.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And now he moved at speed, as if he determined on a course of swift action. And I moved with him. I was desperate. At that diminutive size, there seemed nothing I could do. To have disclosed myself to Cole in front of Abner would have been fatal. I could only hope that in some way I might be able to return and set him and all the others free. But how? How? And now we were in Abner's room again with his great personal treasure chest. And it was here that there befell the most terrible moment of all for me. It happened like this. He stooped to throw the chest open, and I seized the chance to slip out from his turn up, lest it should see me as he bent down. I hid in a corner by the fireplace, and I saw him start to transfer the bags of treasure To a smaller and more portable deed box. And all the time gloating evilly to himself.

[Kay Harker]

So.

[Abner Brown]

So my life work. Or the work of my first great life of villainy with more more yet to come. Ah, my diamonds here. And my host of pearls in with them. Fashionable things, pearls. Liver disease in the oyster, I understand, but ladies don't know that. Ah, and the countess's sapphires here that there was such a fuss about. Blue and yellow, my favorite stone. When the box comes, I can sail with these in my submarine to my quiet island. Raymond Lully will see wisdom. He will grant me the elixir too, before I go forsaking all others. This day next week, instead of a foot of snow from my blizzard outside, there will be the tropical island. Instead of my hated Sylvia punter and those dotes Joan Charles, there will be peace and the past to enter and plunder at will. O happy Abner. And this romantic pile of my so called missionary college will. With what splendor shall I pass from here? No more than a gurgling flood. For I have packed you my mighty treasure and will return for you in a moment.

[Police Inspector]

So.

[Abner Brown]

And now I go to open the sluices.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And this was when disaster loomed. For in his final hurry, Abner picked up me, my tiny size, with the last of the jewel packages and slammed down the lid. And I made a terrible discovery As I groped and struggled among those millions to go swift and escape the box.

[Kay Harker]

The box that delights I've lost must have slipped from my pocket. I shall never, never, never be myself again.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

Oh, greatness. Here. Oh, brightness. Hark how long I lay there, smothered and horrified, I know not. I couldn't think, I couldn't hope. But then I heard stealthy footsteps. And there came the first hint of a flaw in Abner's plans. For the lid of the deed box was thrown open and I found myself staring up into the faces of the chubby man and the foxy man and Sylvia Daisy. Pouncer.

[Kay Harker]

Whoa.

[Rat]

You see my Panzer? What? I told you he's been ailing to put a double cross on us.

[Abner Brown]

So you did, Joe. And I felt so too, for some time. And here's the boodle, all packed up and ready for a private getaway.

[Kay Harker]

False, haunted, treacherous. Abernard.

[Rat]

Quick, into our suitcase with it all, package after package.

[Abner Brown]

And it's we'll make the private get away with it all and desert him. All his mad magic schemes.

[Kay Harker]

Always knew we'd go too far one day. Hurry, hurry. Joe and Charles.

[Rat]

My amethyst and my ever almost finished sweet Sylvia. And then out to the motor plane.

[Abner Brown]

But not before we foiled him in other ways too.

[Rat]

Come.

[Kay Harker]

Wait. Wait a moment. We've left something.

[Abner Brown]

It's nothing at all, my dear Silda. Only a little bit of rag. A scrap of jeweller's chamois. I'll throw it in the fire.

[Police Inspector]

Come, hurry now, before Abner comes back for his loo.

[Kay Harker]

Quickly, Charles, fill the deep box up with coal so that the monster will never suspect.

[Rat]

My Sylvia. What an inspiration. Never was your equal born.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

And that little fragment of rag, that jeweler's chamois was none other than 2 inch high. Kay Harker. As Charles threw me into the grate as they rushed off, I luckily fell into the ashes and not into the fire itself. And then, moment later, Abner did come back himself. And I scrambled blindly into his turn up again as he snatched up the deed box and hurried back to his last scene of all with Cole Hawlings.

[Abner Brown]

Now, Raymond or Cole, my merry old soul, I have only one thing to say to you. The last chance of all, as I promised. I want your elixir. How about it?

[Cole Haulings]

No. I have told you.

[Abner Brown]

Do you see this great iron wheel in the rock face? It works the sluices by which I can flood these cellars of will. And another sluice by the lake above completes the process. I think that even the elixir would hardly preserve you from 20ft of water, chained as you are.

[Cole Haulings]

Whether it will preserve me or not will be known later. But my secret shall not preserve you from anything. Through any weakness of mine. You have nothing with which to bargain.

[Abner Brown]

I have the box or I shall have the box. You are not ignorant of magic. Regularly as I raise my left hand so you shall see my helper, my familiar, and you will hear from his own lips that the box of delights will be mine before this Christmas Eve midnight. That may convince you. Come, boy.

[Rat]

What now? What now, master? Ha.

[Abner Brown]

I see you are all dripping wet. The waterfall has taken some of the insolence from you, it would seem.

[Kay Harker]

No, no, not again, Magda. Please, not again.

[Abner Brown]

We shall see. I may have even worse in store for you. Come, tell this gentleman. This box that I search for, shall I not have it by midnight? No, what you told me, I didn't. I said you'd have it under your hand.

[Kay Harker]

And you have had it under your hand.

[Abner Brown]

It has been on your very person through the agency of K. Harker, Kay Harker, that little mildew of a boy who cheated me Once before of a great treasure. Where is he? Tell me instantly.

[Kay Harker]

I won't tell you another thing more.

[Abner Brown]

You can paint me under the waterfall or melt me in the fire, or.

[Kay Harker]

Blow me through the wind. Yet I'll never tell you another thing. So that's what I call squid. Do you wear the brown?

[Abner Brown]

I shall strike you on the head and it will telescope into your chest. And your legs will spindle up through your shoulders.

[Kay Harker]

So.

[Abner Brown]

So there, boy. Oh, I don't care.

[Kay Harker]

I finish.

[Abner Brown]

You have no.

[Kay Harker]

You have failed. And so your power over.

[Abner Brown]

I shall regain my proper shape. There will be no more waterfalls. You have failed.

[Kay Harker]

So a jolly good squeak to you.

[Abner Brown]

Squeak.

[Kay Harker]

Abner Sque.

[Cole Haulings]

You see, Abner Brown, you have deceived yourself. The box will not be yours, nor shall my secret be yours.

[Abner Brown]

Oh, very well. I still have other helpers beyond any part of yours. I am not to have your elixir at scenes, and I am not to have your box. But I shall still have something. And that is my revenge on you.

[Kay Harker]

Behold, I turn away.

[Abner Brown]

You hear. Ah, I love the noise of a running water. As the poet says, beauty born of murmuring sound does pass into my face. And now to the lake to turn the other great sluice wheel. And then off with my little earnings to a place of rest and beauty. Farewell, Raymond Lully. Ah, if only that wretched mill. You of a boy, Kay Harker. We're with you to share your fate. Farewell. A long farewell.

[Kay Harker]

Mr. Hawlings. Mr. Hawlings.

[Cole Haulings]

Ah, is that you after all, Master Hakan.

[Kay Harker]

I was in the turn up with Edna's trousers. I've just slipped out to see if I can help you in some way.

[Cole Haulings]

You're very kind, Kay, but if I were you, I wouldn't keep that size. Poor boy. No bigger than my thumb.

[Kay Harker]

I can't help it. I've lost your box, Mr. Haulings. It was shaken out of my pocket somewhere. I'm sorry.

[Cole Haulings]

Oh, that's a pity indeed. Might have saved us.

[Kay Harker]

Isn't there some other way, Some other magic you could work?

[Cole Haulings]

No, I. Ah, but wait. Yes, yes, there might be. Now that you are with me. Have you such a thing as a pencil and a bit of paper?

[Kay Harker]

I'm afraid I haven't.

[Cole Haulings]

Then do you see my coat in the corner there that they took from me? If you can rummage in the pocket, you'll find paper and pencil. I dare say I'll try. Ah, that's the style. Well climbed. Well climbed, sir. Have you got them?

[Kay Harker]

Yes, yes, I have. But I Can. I can hardly drag them out. The pencil's like a telegraph pole.

[Abner Brown]

Try.

[Cole Haulings]

Try harder. Good boy.

[Kay Harker]

There. Just managed it.

[Cole Haulings]

Phew. Now, can you draw? Okay.

[Kay Harker]

I'm not very good, except sometimes at horses going from right to left.

[Cole Haulings]

Then let us attempt two horses coming to stamp and gnash and bite these chains of mine in two.

[Kay Harker]

I'll do my best, although the fence is terribly heavy. There. Will that do?

[Cole Haulings]

Splendid. Now stand the paper up on its edge and watch.

[Kay Harker]

They are coming alive. They're real.

[Cole Haulings]

And getting bigger and bigger every moment, you see? Steady, steady, my lads. Come, bite my chains with your strong white teeth. And while they're at it, will you draw a man in a big rowing boat cave and put a bunch of keys in his hand to set the others free along there.

[Kay Harker]

I'll try. Good.

[Cole Haulings]

Good, my splendid boy. And lo, the last dream gone. So off with.

[Kay Harker]

And there's the boatman, Mr. Hawlings. Although his nose isn't very good. It's like a stick. I never could do noses.

[Cole Haulings]

It will serve. It will serve. Now watch again.

[Kay Harker]

He's coming alive, too. Right through and floating on the flood.

[Rat]

Ahoy.

[Abner Brown]

Ahoy there, shipmates.

[Cole Haulings]

Good even to you, friend. And a merry Christmas. Will you take us aboard? Right.

[Police Inspector]

Gladly, shipmates. And a merry Christmas likewise.

[Cole Haulings]

So come then, K. In the palm of my hand.

[Kay Harker]

Thank you, Mr. Hawlings.

[Cole Haulings]

And so forward with us so. And I shall take this other pair of skulls myself to help us on our way.

[Kay Harker]

The flood's rising terribly.

[Police Inspector]

We could navigate it, young sir. I wasn't pilot to Great Jason and his Argonauts for nothing. Which course, Captain?

[Cole Haulings]

Along the curry there, I fancy, though I can't be quite sure.

[Police Inspector]

Aye, aye, sir.

[Abner Brown]

Away we go.

[Kay Harker]

Wait, wait, Mr. Hawlings. Look there. Something shining on that rock ledge.

[Cole Haulings]

So there is indeed.

[Kay Harker]

It's your box. It's your box. It's returned to you after all.

[Cole Haulings]

You're right, young master, as it always does, sooner or later. Pull over, friend. Starboard.

[Police Inspector]

Starboard it is, Captain.

[Cole Haulings]

And there I have it. And the first thing with it is to set you back in your proper shape, young master.

[Kay Harker]

Thank you, Mr. Hollings. So low.

[Rat]

Ah.

[Kay Harker]

Oh, thank you, thank you.

[Cole Haulings]

Now, quickly again. Now.

[Abner Brown]

Forward.

[Kay Harker]

Forward. And keep your keys handy for the cells, Mr. Boatman. I believe we shall manage it yet. Yet. So we will.

[Police Inspector]

Aye, aye, sir.

[Kay Harker]

A ship. Aar. They're there. They're there already. All waiting for us. Ahoy there, your grace. Ahoy. Ahoy. And if it isn't young K. Haren.

[Abner Brown]

Himself, come to Save us and my.

[Kay Harker]

Good old friend through the centuries.

[Abner Brown]

Carol Hawling the Punch and Julie man.

[Kay Harker]

Sweet Y F.

[Police Inspector]

Hey.

[Kay Harker]

Look. Look up above there. The motor plane. No. So there. Nabi, my love, you thought to diddle me, did you? The puncher. Foiled. Foiled at last by ever shining. Goodbye forever. Quick, Joe, drop it on him. I am frost and talk with a goodbye, Miami. Ok, They've dropped a bomb on him. No, it's only a two pound bag of flour. But it's fallen on him and it's blinding him. He's toppling. He's toppling into the weir itself. My toes. My toes.

[Abner Brown]

At last.

[Narrator (Kay Harker)]

The end. In sad indignity, after all of great Abner, my ancient enemy for all his sins. Requies Cat. And now we were on the placid lake and coming down to the shore to meet us was the lady of the Ring herself in a great sleigh drawn by lions and unicorns. In another moment we were all aboard with her and surging through the night towards the cathedral, every single one of us, down to the very smallest quabbie of all. And how shall I ever describe that magical journey of that unforgettable Christmas Eve? We soared into the very heavens. The little unicorn hooves striking sparkles out of the air. The shining snowy country spread out far below us, starred by the lights of the villages. And the river gleamed when it caught the moonlight. And as we went, we all fell silent. And now we were down from the heavens and skimming over the feathery snow itself, piled high in the narrow lanes. After the great storm, all the church bells of all the parishes were ringing. The tremblings of their music went thronging by in the swift air. We saw the great pinnacled tower of the cathedral all floodlit for this splendid thousandth night. And in the square a mighty multitude was gathered. Among them the red and white ranks of the famous Thatcher regiment, the Tatcha Toms, all ready to fire a salute of cannon as a signal for the stroke of midnight itself. And while the bishop and the choir and all the helpers went hurrying to Rome, we met all the Jones gals smiling at the very cathedral door itself. And with them was the Barney dog, running as pleased as Punch himself to greet his master. And so we all went in. The cathedral was crowded. Even the treforium and clerestories as well as every space in it were packed with faces. The vestry door curtains fell back to each side, and to the sound of music, out came the bishop's glorious procession with all the Great cathedral crosses and blessed ban. The music shook the whole vast building. It seemed to me, I remember, that it was shaking it to very pieces. All the heads came off all the bodies and moved up into the air. I myself was being shaken to pieces. My own head was coming off right through the cathedral roof. In fact, the cathedral was no longer there at all, nor any of all that glorious company. No, No. I was in an empty railway carriage on a bitterly cold day when the train had just drawn in. I was at Condicot Station with my pocket full of money, just home for the holidays. And Miss Caroline Louisa was shaking, waking me.

[Kay Harker]

Why, Kay, wake up. Wake up, my dear. You have been sound asleep. Welcome home and a merry Christmas. Have you had a nice dream? Oh, yes. Yes, I have. Oh, yes, I have. And a merry Christmas to you too, Miss Caroline. A merry, merry Christmas to everyone.

[Abner Brown]

The box of delights or when the wolves were running a fantasy by john macefield freely dramatized for radio by john keir cross. The cast was as follows. K. Harker as a man, harmon grisewood, kay harker as a boy patricia hayes, cole haulings, cyril shaps, abner brown, felix felton rat norman shelley, miss caroline louisa and jemima jones carol marsh, mariah jones, joe manning wilson, susan jones, sean davis, peter jones, eva hatton, sylvia daisy panzer, joan matheson, alf rat, stanley unwin, the foxy faced man, henry stamper, the chubby man, wilfred babbage, the lady of the ring, noel hood, the police inspector, hector ross and the bishop, preston lockwood. The play was produced by david davis.

[Cole Haulings]

It.

[Kay Harker]

Sa.