Sherlock Holmes - Murder by Proxy

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Sherlock Holmes - Murder by Proxy
Date: August 1, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" features a classic Sherlock Holmes radio play, "Murder by Proxy", set in the atmospheric world of the Golden Age of Radio. Dr. Watson recounts one of Holmes’ more grisly cases involving body snatching, medical intrigue, and a deadly plot at St. Anthony’s Hospital. With a complex web of suspects and motives, Holmes must untangle the mystery behind a series of stolen cadavers and a murder meant to cover up an even larger fraud.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: St. Anthony’s Hospital

• Dr. Watson describes receiving an urgent message from his old friend, Sir Lionel Greatlake, regarding an unsettling spate of corpses going missing at the St. Anthony’s medical school and hospital.
• The mood is set with foggy London streets and a secretive, anxious hospital staff.
• [02:20] Dr. Watson: “The affair began with a series of curious disappearances from St. Anthony’s Hospital.”

2. The Disappearing Corpses

• Holmes learns that only fresh, male bodies are being taken, always before they’ve been preserved.
• The head surgeon, Dr. Hugo Lacey, is introduced as brilliant but difficult, with obsessive habits regarding order and equipment.
• Sherlock Holmes starts his investigation, noting that there are too many clues, including numerous fingerprints and various types of tobacco—suggesting the scene may have been intentionally muddled to obscure true evidence.
• [08:17] Sherlock Holmes: “Yes. Yes, there is what you might call an overabundance of clues. Too many to permit of any intelligent deductions.”

3. Sneaking Suspicion and Setting a Trap

• Holmes & Watson help clean the scene to erase old fingerprints, then return the next morning to look for new, untampered clues.
• They find fingerprints belonging to Mrs. Clutch (the cleaning lady), Dr. Lacey, and a medical student who’d sneaked a drink of lab alcohol—quickly exonerated from suspicion.
• The body, first missing, is found back in the cabinet but then vanishes again, suggesting Dr. Lacey’s possible involvement.
• [10:30] Dr. Watson: “The important thing, my dear Watson, in setting a trap is to collect your catch before anyone else does.”

4. A Shocking Murder

• The plot twists when Inspector Lestrade arrives on the scene:
  • Dr. Lacey is discovered murdered in his lodgings.
  • The body has been disposed of with acid, and Mrs. Clutch is immediately suspected due to her fingerprints on the kitchen knife.
• Holmes carefully analyzes the forensic evidence:
  • The fingerprints are consistent with normal kitchen use, not stabbing.
  • Holmes concludes the knife was planted to incriminate Mrs. Clutch.
• [20:30] Sherlock Holmes: “The grip for using a knife for kitchen work and for stabbing are exactly reversed. Dr. Lacey was not stabbed with this knife at all. It was put here by someone to incriminate Mrs. Klutz.”

5. The Mastermind Revealed

• Holmes keeps Mrs. Clutch under observation, suspecting she is in danger.
• A suspicious new lodger arrives—Professor Glube, a German academic there for experiments—but Holmes quickly sees through the disguise.
• In a dramatic reveal, Holmes exposes that the “dead” Dr. Lacey faked his own death using a stolen corpse and is alive, posing as the new lodger.
• The motive: Dr. Lacey, at the behest of criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty, surgically altered stolen bodies to resemble insured businessmen, allowing them to fake deaths for insurance fraud.
• Holmes uses fingerprints on a matchbox to irrefutably identify Lacey.
• [23:52] Sherlock Holmes to Lacey: “Thank you, Dr. Lacey. I thought you would know where to find them. A place for everything and everything in its place. Yes, I was sure you would be drawn back to these rooms.”
• [24:08] Sherlock Holmes: “This little matchbox which you just handed me contains all the proof that I need. On it is a set of fingerprints which is identical with some on the cabinet door in the laboratory of St. Anthony’s, and those fingerprints are known to be Dr. Lacey’s.”

6. The Case Closes

• Lacey is arrested but, before he can testify against Moriarty, he’s found dead in his cell—presumably silenced by Moriarty’s influence.
• Holmes reflects on human fallibility; Lacey’s desire to frame Mrs. Clutch for the murder is his undoing.
• [25:28] Sherlock Holmes: “Elemental, my dear Watson. Elemental.”
• [26:01] Dr. Watson: “He could have [escaped], Mr. Bell. But that’s where human nature comes in. He hated Mrs. Clutch, so he wanted to implicate her. It was his big mistake.”

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• [02:29] Dr. Watson’s wit: “You name me a better coffee than G. Washington’s, Mr. Bell. Go ahead, name me one.”
• [13:13] Holmes praises Watson: “Marvelous, my dear Watson, marvelous. The old brain is actually functioning this early in the morning.”
• [17:17] Lestrade’s cynical analysis: “Woman by the name of Klutz has just murdered her lodger, Dr. Lacy.”
• [23:52] Holmes’ trap springs shut: “Thank you, Dr. Lacey. I thought you would know where to find them. A place for everything and everything in its place.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:20] – The case is introduced: missing cadavers at St. Anthony’s.
• [05:48] – First examination of the dissecting room and introduction of Dr. Lacey.
• [10:30] – Holmes and Watson return in the morning to check for fresh clues.
• [13:13] – Identifying fingerprints and the absence of the corpse.
• [17:17] – Discovery of Dr. Lacey’s “murder,” Mrs. Clutch accused.
• [23:40] – Holmes burns his “notes” and unmasks Dr. Lacey in disguise.
• [24:08] – Holmes presents the fingerprint evidence.
• [25:28] – “Elemental, my dear Watson. Elemental.”
• [26:01] – Dr. Watson explains why Lacey didn’t simply fake his own death again.

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Tone & Style

The episode faithfully captures the suspense, droll humor, and methodical brilliance characteristic of Holmes radio adventures, featuring brisk British banter among Holmes, Watson, and their colleagues, and a clever layering of red herrings, deductive logic, and period atmosphere.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This story is filled with gothic intrigue, medical oddities, and Holmesian deduction. For those captivated by vintage detective dramas or the moral ambiguities of classic mysteries, "Murder by Proxy" delivers a tale of scientific crime, cunning impersonation, and the ultimate sting of human error—elevated by Holmes’ unflappable logic and signature style.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

Every week at this time, the makers of G. Washington's Coffee bring you a story from the Sherlock Holmes series of mystery dramas. This week's adventure is an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story entitled the Fight. Remember as you listen to it that G. Washington solves your daily coffee problem just as surely as Holmes solves his famous mysteries. At the end of the program, we have a brief announcement about Dr. Watson and his friend Sherlock Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Please listen for it.

[Narrator]

And that opening paragraph, as always, leads us to Dr. Watson's comfortable, hospitable study,

[Dr. Watson]

where there's a blazing fire and a steaming cup of G. Washington coffee to welcome you.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Here it is.

[Dr. Watson]

Mr. Bell made it as you came up the steps.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Dr. Watson. You know, a good cup of coffee always seems to me to be the very essence of hospitality.

[Dr. Watson]

You name me a better coffee than G. Washington's, Mr. Bell. Go ahead, name me one.

[Narrator]

But seriously, G. Washington's isn't just another brand of coffee. It's really entirely different. It not only has a perfect flavor, but it's the easiest coffee to fix. Just a teaspoonful in the cup, add hot water. Incidentally, you never make more than you're going to use, so that makes it economical too.

[Dr. Watson]

Right, Mr. Bell? Now, suppose I begin my story. Fine.

[Narrator]

What's it to be this time?

[Dr. Watson]

How about another tussle between Holmes and Professor Moriarty?

[Narrator]

Excellent. Always gives me plenty of first class shudders to meet that individual.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, tonight's story deals with Holmes efforts to break up one of his most unpleasant schemes. Racket, you call it today. And did he succeed, Mr. Bell? That's putting a cart before the horse. The affair began with a series of curious disappearances from St. Anthony's Hospital.

[Narrator]

What disappeared, Dr. Watson? People or things.

[Dr. Watson]

They were corpses, or perhaps I should say cadavers. Now, before I go any farther, perhaps I should explain that St. Anthony's is a medical school and hospital combined. I myself took my course in anatomy and dissection inside its venerable walls. Sir Lionel Greatlake, the head of the staff, was an old friend of mine. We cursed our internship in the same hospital. To make a long story short, I received a frantic communication from Sir Lionel begging me to persuade Holmes to come straight to the hospital. I remember that night perfectly. A particularly nasty pea super had settled down over London, literally feeling our way, we crept along the embankment till we sensed rather than saw the gray walls of St. Anthony's looming up. Listen to those folks. I do. Hog horns always have to sound so mournful.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, Watson, you would insist on coming tonight.

[Dr. Watson]

Should be somewhere along here. Oh, here it is. I stumbled over the doorstep. Where is that infernal bell? Pull. Oh, here we are. I hope the night watchman hasn't gone off in his rounds.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, no, someone's opening the door.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Thank you, Watson. Sir Paul, I can't see very clearly.

[Dr. Watson]

It's me right enough, Leo. I brought Sherlock Holmes along with me.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Oh, thank heavens. But come in, come in.

[Dr. Watson]

Ah, Holmes, this is my old friend Lionel Greatlake.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

That is honored and I may say grateful and relieved. This is the sixth theft inside my month, Mr. Holmes. It's got the place in an uproar. Nurse is having hysterics, patients insist on going home.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I take it you're alluding to the cadavers which have been stolen recently.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, Mr. Holmes. You know how jealous a hospital is of its reputation. Least little breath of scandal.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, cheer up, Leo. Maybe it's just a prank of one of the lads. You, you know what medical students are.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

That's what I thought when we found the first body missing four weeks ago. But now that five have been stolen. Oh no, that's carrying a joke too far. They tried to get away with another this evening.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Really?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

I just happened to drop into the dissecting room in time to stop it. The minute I opened the door I knew someone was in there. But he slipped out the side way before I could light the gas. But come and see for yourself. Follow me. The laboratory is in this way.

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, mortal Liam. Looks familiar. Leo. Remember when we used to sneak a forbidden smoke?

[Narrator]

Smoke?

[Dr. Watson]

Behind that broom closet?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

I wish to heaven life were as simple nowadays. It faces like a beehive, buzzing with suspicion. No wonder we've been able to keep it out of the paper. Here we are. Just one second till I unlock the door. That's it. Now just let me turn up the gas. Well, here we are.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Quite impressive. I see you have all the latest improvements. That gentleman in the corner, I take it he was the object of tonight's Attempt at abduction.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, Mr. Holmes, that's the corpse. Splendid specimen.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Do face a bit the worse for wear. Otherwise a splendid body.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, yes, we were most anxious not to lose him.

[Sherlock Holmes]

He must be fairly recent. I see there have been no injections of the preserving fluid.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Quite right, Mr. Holmes. He died only this afternoon.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And the other stolen bodies, they have been duly preserved I suppose?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Well no, now that you mention it, they, they were all stolen before being treated.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Curious, eh, Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

Well I don't know. I suppose if you're going to be a body snatcher you may as well take fresh ones.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You'll pardon me if I rummage around a bit, Sir Lionel.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Of course, of course, yes, I, I

[Sherlock Holmes]

can carry on my interrogations and my investigations at the same time. Oh there, there. My, my lens needs polishing. Now then, male or female?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

What?

[Sherlock Holmes]

The stolen bodies, whether male or female.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Oh, male all of interesting, eh Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

You mean you think the thief's a woman hater?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I wouldn't go so far as I am. What age are the missing quarters?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

I don't know. Middling I should say. Remarkably good lot of bodies though. No marked effects.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I mean here's a lad has been careless about cleaning his instruments.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Oh that'll be Potter. Has some girl on his mind. Can't wait to get washed up and away.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I see. And, and you found this, this specimen out here after the thief was scared off I take it the cadavers aren't usually left lying about.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Certainly not. They're kept in that long steel cabinet over there. Can't be too careful you know. Have to be rats in a building as old as this.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I'm here. How many people have keys to that cabinet, Sir Lionel?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Only Dr. Lacey. You may know him by reputation, Mr. Holmes. Hugo Lacey. He's our head surgeon and has charge of the classes in dissecting.

[Dr. Watson]

Of course. Brilliant fellow. I say Leo, how's he coming along with his experience? Experiments in transplanting tissue?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Can't say. Carries on most of his experiments in a little laboratory. He's fixed up in his own lodgings. Never lets anything out till it's perfect. One of the cleverest surgeons in the country, Mr. Holmes. Magnificent touch. I could wish however that he was a better professor.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No good at teaching, eh?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

No, it isn't that. It's his temper. He can be devilish nasty. And let him catch one of the lads with an instrument bent out of place? It's a phobia with him, Mr. Holmes. A place for everything and everything in its place. I trust. Young Potter sets his things to right before Lazy sees them.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, this is the door through which the thief escaped, I take it?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, and I bolted it on the inside, as you can see.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, that's that. I think I've seen all there is to see.

[Dr. Watson]

Found anything, Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes. Yes, there is what you might call an overabundance of clues. Too many to permit of any intelligent deductions.

[Dr. Watson]

What do you mean?

[Sherlock Holmes]

There are 14 sets of fingerprints, for instance. And in the dust under that operating table alone I found shreds of five different types of tobacco.

[Dr. Watson]

Dear me.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

I'm afraid Mrs. F.L. is getting careless again. Oh, she's the cleaning woman, Mr. Holmes. Dr. Lacey is always complaining that she's inefficient. Well, Mr. Holmes, if you finished your investigation, perhaps you can advise us how we should act in this matter.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Now, before I do that, suppose we come to an understanding. Would you be satisfied merely to stop the thefts? Or do you want to know who is responsible for the missing corpses?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

We must find out everything, Mr. Holmes. Who and what and how and why. A mystery of any kind is most demoralizing for a hospital.

[Sherlock Holmes]

In that case we should do nothing further. We shall do nothing further tonight.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

But aren't you going to set a

[Inspector Lestrade]

watch on his way?

[Sherlock Holmes]

If we did, the criminal wouldn't show up. You may take my word, Prince Lionel, the man who has been stealing your cadavers, is thoroughly acquainted with the workings of this hospital.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Look here, Mr. Holmes, if we don't set a guard on this room, he may steal this body too.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I sincerely hope so.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Well, no use making things too easy for him. At least we can put the body back in the cabinet.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Unfortunately, that won't be possible. We can't open it. The cabinet has a spring lock. The thief slammed it after him.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Oh dear, dear. What will Lacy say when he finds this corpse out here in the morning?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I don't think there's much danger of that, Sir Lionel.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Really, Mr. Holmes, I am disappointed. I must say I hoped you would be more helpful.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, there's one thing we can do for you before we leave, eh, Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

No, Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, we can make up for Mrs. Clutch's deficiencies if you'll get us a couple of old rags. And Lionel, I think Watson and I can go over this room in no time.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, have you gone out of your mind?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Not at all, my dear Watson, not at all. It's most important that everything should be neat and tidy. That's a nice brisk day, eh? Wind seems to have dissipated all the fog.

[Dr. Watson]

What's the idea of Routing a chap out of his nice warm bed. And the streets still deserted. Depressing, if you ask me.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The important thing, my dear Watson, in setting a trap is to collect your catch before anyone else does. Well, here's St. Anthony's hello. Hello. Sir Lionel seems to be having a bit of an argument with someone on the steps.

[Mrs. Clutch]

And I'll not be put off the schedule by any sort of detectives. You see, I'm a going home now to fix Dr. Lacey's breakfast. But I'll be back and when I do, I'm a going to clean that.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

No, but Mrs. Clutch, I assure you I'll find one.

[Mrs. Clutch]

You are to be put in charge. Everyone knows routine is what keeps an obstacle running.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Oh, Watson. Mr. Holmes. I didn't see you come in.

[Mrs. Clutch]

Watson, Ebony's come at you. I'd like, you know, out of me way.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

You what?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Here.

[Dr. Watson]

I beg your pardon?

[Mrs. Clutch]

I am not to be put off my schedule, I tell you that. My soul.

[Narrator]

When I.

[Dr. Watson]

That. That was Mrs. Clutch.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Ah, so I gathered.

[Dr. Watson]

A bit of a termagant, eh, Leo? Red hair, fairly blazes.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Come in, come in. Sorry to give you such a stormy welcome, but I. I just caught Mrs. Clutch about to clean up the laboratory. I suppose you want to take another look at the place. If it's convenient, Mrs. Of course, of course.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Follow me. I wonder why the sudden burst of energy on Mrs. Clutbart.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Dr. Lacey may have been putting the screws on as they get along. Like cat and dog, those two.

[Sherlock Holmes]

But didn't I just hear her say that she was going home to fix him his breakfast?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, you see, Dr. Lacey is Mrs. Clutts tar lodger.

[Sherlock Holmes]

But surely if they get on each other's nerves as they seem to.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, it is a bit difficult to understand, I admit. But I suppose Lacy hesitates to move. He's really very comfortable. He's built in a lot of improvements. Cupboards and things of that sort of. And I've told you how he is a place for everything and everything in its place. Moreover, Mrs. Klutz is a first class cook. And Lacey, he's a good feeder.

[Dr. Watson]

If I were Lacy, I wouldn't push the old girl too far. I'd be afraid of finding poison in my coffee some bright morning.

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[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Well, here's your laboratory, Mr. Holmes. Up to you, gentlemen. Looks about the same as it did last night.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I shall be able to judge better after I've gone over the place with my microscope.

[Dr. Watson]

But you said yourself there were too many fingerprints and things.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, why do you suppose I insisted on those rags last night, eh?

[Dr. Watson]

Oh, of course, I see now. We were rubbing out those prints.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Marvelous, my dear Watson, marvelous. The old brain is actually functioning this early in the morning. Well now, let's see what we bag here. Here. Here's the sweeping stroke of a mop. The very mop that has been standing in this corner here. Here. Yes, yes, here are the imprints of a heavy hand on the edge of this table. Note the unusual wall down the left hand, middle finger, like a question mark.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Those must be Mrs. Clutz's fingerprints. She was just about to start dusting the table when I caught her.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, the prints on the mop and on the table are identical. Well, well, that seems to be all the evidence against Mrs. Clutch.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

I got her out as quickly as I could.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes. I say, Holmes, the corpse, it's gone.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I wondered how soon you'll notice that the corpse has been stolen. But what did you expect, huh?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Sorry to contradict you, Mr. Holmes, but the corpse has been put back in

[Sherlock Holmes]

the cabin and then.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, as a matter of fact it slipped my mind. I should have mentioned it sooner. Seems Dr. Lacy dropped in late last night and insisted on putting the cadaver back in the cabinet. Nothing the night watchman could say would dissuade him. I told you about his mania for order last night, Mr. Home.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Ah, these are doubtless his fingerprints then here on the lock and around this panel of the cabinet. Ah, yes, typical surgeon's hands. Long sensitive fingers, but strong tips. Slightly speculate.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, that's lazy right enough.

[Dr. Watson]

But Holmes, aren't you going to look inside the cabinet?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I suppose we might as well, if Sir Lionel can provide us with a key.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Certainly, certainly. At least he left his with the night watch. From here we are.

[Dr. Watson]

By Jove, the corpse is missing.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, I gathered it might be. Well now, now let us see if we can find anything further in the room itself. Ah, here we are, here we are. Print to the third set of fingers. Yes, yes, he came in here earlier than Lacy. And notice the fingerprints of the Doorknob. First this individual, then lacy and finally Mrs.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Clutch.

[Sherlock Holmes]

All nicely superimposed one over the other.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Say, Holmes, this is fascinating. Almost as exciting as a scientific experiment.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, yes. This third individual had not any two steady. Aha. Here, here. He stumbled and had to put his hand out to brace himself. There's a nice print here on the wall. He moves over to this jar of alcohol. He removes the COVID Then he puts it back again. And here. Here he staggers out.

[Dr. Watson]

You mean he was intoxicated?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Beautifully. Beautifully, yes.

[Dr. Watson]

But I don't understand. Why in thunder did he come poking around here in the middle of the night?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Watson, have you no recollection of your own green salad days? Didn't you ever sneak a bit of laboratory's alcohol to help out a celebration that has suddenly gone dry?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

One of the students, eh? Any IDEA which one, Mr. Holt?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I think I can make a guess, but I don't intend to. The boy isn't mixed up in this body snatching. The corpse was here when he left. His prints are under laces on the doorknob.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

What is it, Father? Oh, I just thought I'd slip in and polish up my instruments before old Petticoat gets. I beg a pardon, sir? Before Dr. Lacey gets a look at them. I'll come back later.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Not all at all. Come right in. Come right in. We're just leaving.

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, at Holmes. We haven't discovered anything.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What's we have? What should we have? We know for sure that either Lacey or Mrs. Clutch is involved in this business. Possibly both. Yes, yes, I suggest we go to pay the cut menage a visit.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Well, I'll be glad to take you over myself, Potter.

[Inspector Lestrade]

You.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

You look a bit fagged this morning. I'm all right, sir. A little liverish, that's all. Well, don't let it get you down. Come along, Watson.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Miss Potter.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Yes, sir.

[Sherlock Holmes]

They tell me tomato juice is an excellent antidote for raw alcohol.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

That's Mrs. Clutch's place over there. The house with the white shutters.

[Dr. Watson]

Look at that crowd of people standing gawking out in front. I save. Looks like something's happened.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, yes. There's my favorite watchdog of the law. Inspector Lestrade has gotten yard standing in the doorway looking important. Hello. Hello, Lestrade. What's up, Eh?

[Inspector Lestrade]

Plenty. Woman by the name of Klutz has just murdered her lodger, Dr. Lacy.

[Dr. Watson]

I told you she'd do it someday.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Any unusual details?

[Inspector Lestrade]

No. Open and shut case. First she stabs him with a kitchen knife. Then she throws the body closing all into A vat of nitric acid this bloke was keeping in his dressing room.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Indeed. Any objections if I come in and take a look around?

[Inspector Lestrade]

All right. But I tell you this case is open and shut. But come in, come in. Body's in first room, head of the stairs. It's not nice but if you want to look go ahead. I got to stay here.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh thanks, thanks.

[Dr. Watson]

What a viola chemical smell plus something else.

[Sherlock Holmes]

That'll be the acid. Look out. Look outstairs attack.

[Dr. Watson]

You hear that noise? Like something bubbling and frying.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, yes, that's the acid. The working on the body.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Of course.

[Dr. Watson]

That smell. It's acid and fat dissolving.

[Sherlock Holmes]

This must be the room. Oh, good morning Jenkins. Good morning. The Strad set you here to guard the body, eh?

[Inspector Lestrade]

Yes sir.

[Dr. Watson]

This air.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh Jen, Jen, I think you might open another window, get a draft through here.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Yes sir.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Now Watson, if you'll bring me that jug labeled olive oil you may as well stop the action of this acid.

[Inspector Lestrade]

You're right.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes sir. Pour it right into the tub.

[Dr. Watson]

Hmm.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Mrs. Lestrade said the remains are not exactly attractive. I wonder, Sir Lionel, if you could bring yourself to identify Dr. Lacey.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Certainly Mr. Holmes. I'm a medical man. I'm quite used to rather horrible tastes. Almost entirely eaten away with the dark hair, what is left of it and the clothes. And that ring. He never could get it off his little finger. Yes, yes, I think we may safely say that it's Lacy forever.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well Jenkins, how was he killed?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Kitchen knife on the table there, Mrs. Klutz.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Fingerprints plain as day.

[Sherlock Holmes]

So Lestrade's been persuaded. The value of fingerprints, eh? Dear, dear, dear. The world does progress. Yes, yes, yes dear. Are Mrs. Clutch Prince all right?

[Mrs. Clutch]

I didn't kill him. He was dead when I come in. He was dead.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Okay, down to your lip and get going.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Lestrade. Just a moment. I'd like to ask this this lady a few questions.

[Mrs. Clutch]

He was dead when I found him. Is it likely? I'd have called in the police if I'd have done it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, you called in the police?

[Inspector Lestrade]

Well that she did. Leaning out the window screaming bloody murder.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Any idea who could have killed Dr. Lacy, miss?

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

No sir.

[Mrs. Clutch]

I came to be no more night on account of my sister's having a baby. I went straight from her place to the hospital.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, you had any chance to check up on that Lestrade?

[Inspector Lestrade]

Oh, that's straight enough. But she'd been home at least 20 minutes before she called the police. Time to murder half a dozen doctors.

[Mrs. Clutch]

I didn't do it. Again.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You know, Lestrade, it's just possible that Mrs. Clutch may be right. You see, it would take several hours for acid to dissolve the corpse. As far as this.

[Inspector Lestrade]

What, all of it? Her fingerprints are on the knife. That's an for me. Hers and no one else.

[Mrs. Clutch]

And why shouldn't me fingerprints be on that knife? It's me own kitchen knife, ain't it?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, that knife, I suppose you look at it again.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Now, what in blaze it good.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Now notice the order of the fingerprints. For instance, thumb and forefinger near the blade end of the handle. Now suppose. Suppose you take this pocket knife of mine and. And pretend to stab me with it.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Obviously just a lot of all right.

[Sherlock Holmes]

There. Now you see, notice the way you hold it. Thumb against the outer end, little finger

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

next to the blade.

[Sherlock Holmes]

In other words, the grip for using a knife for kitchen work and for stabbing are exactly reversed. Dr. Lacey was not stabbed with this knife at all. It was put here by someone to incriminate Mrs. Klutz.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Yes, but if she didn't do it, who did?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Someone who wanted to get rid of her. You any idea who that could have been, Mrs. Klutz?

[Mrs. Clutch]

No, sir, that I haven't. The only person mean enough to do a thing like this was that son of a gun Lacey. And he's dead now, Lord rest his soul. Oh, deary me. It's not bad enough having a murder in me own house and then losing me best lodger, but the police have to go accusing me on top of it. All right as not, I'll never get another tenant of these rooms. How did you mean all that?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Is so much Froth, my dear Mrs. Clut, compared to the real danger you're in.

[Mrs. Clutch]

What's that?

[Sherlock Holmes]

The murderer. He's still at large and he isn't exactly fond of you. I think I'll just drop him from time to time to make sure you haven't been murdered in your bed.

[Dr. Watson]

Really think Mrs. Clutch is in danger?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I missed. It wasn't obviously confounded. Why didn't she answer the bell if anything's happening? Oh, Ned.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Yes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yeah. Here she comes.

[Mrs. Clutch]

Oh, good afternoon, gentlemen. Please to step inside. I'd have come to the door sooner, but I was upstairs cleaning out Dr. Lacey's suite. Would you believe it? I've got a tennis.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You don't say. You don't say. Well, does he know his history?

[Mrs. Clutch]

Yes, sir, that he does. But he says he's not superstitious.

[Sherlock Holmes]

How fortunate. What's he like?

[Mrs. Clutch]

Well, he's a German professor or something. Come here to Carry on some experimenting with Dr. Lacey. Dr. Lacey told me he was expecting him only last week. And so when he come asking for Lacy this morning and I told him what had happened and right away he asked if Dr. Lacey's notes and instruments were still here. And when I said yes, he said he'd move right in and carry on while Lacey left off. Would you mind coming upstairs while I finish my work?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Lead the way, Mrs. Watts. Lead the way.

[Mrs. Clutch]

He's a nice looking man too. Blond, with a beard. Did he limps?

[Sherlock Holmes]

A little.

[Mrs. Clutch]

It'll be a relief. I tell you, after that lately he was getting queerer and queerer, going out at all hours of the night. I declare, I was on the verge of telling the police to keep an eye on him more than once. Well, here we are. Just you set on the sofa. Now what in the name of.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, from what I can see out the window, I can say that your new lodger has arrived.

[Mrs. Clutch]

Thanks be service. Excuse me, gentlemen. When I let him in.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, anything? We'd better be going in a moment.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What's in a moment? Plenty of time.

[Mrs. Clutch]

This way, please. Look up to the tender stairs. Oh my, ain't it hot? Oh, Mr. Mr. Holmes. Holmes, this is Hale Glube.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Professor Glubsvader.

[Sherlock Holmes]

How do you do?

[Dr. Watson]

Delighted. Sorry I had come all this way and then find a friend dead.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Ah, he is no friend. He is what you call. Call a colleague. Mrs. Clutch, the portmanteau on the bed, please.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, I know Mrs. Platts will make you comfortable. I trust you have better luck than doctor.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Come, Wesson. Come, come, we must be going. You see, Professor Glader, we were the. The detectives on this case. Don't you have found nothing? I'm afraid nothing. These are my notes in the case. I'm really rather ashamed of them. Would you mind if I. If I burn them here in your fireplace?

[Inspector Lestrade]

Oh, not at all.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you, thank you. Oh, dear me, dear me. I don't seem to have a match.

[Inspector Lestrade]

One moment, I'll get you some. Here in the drawer at this table. Ah, here you are. A nice little box.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Thank you, Dr. Lacey. I thought you would know where to find them. A place for everything and everything in its place. Yes, I was sure you would be drawn back to these rooms.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Me? You think I am Dr. Lacey. He is dead.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Murdered. No, that wasn't Dr. Lacey in that tub of acid. It was one of the bodies he had stored stolen from St. Anthony's it had a rather curious confirmation of the bones of the right foot. I've seen it the night before. So of course I recognized it. Your misfortune, Dr. Lacey.

[Inspector Lestrade]

But these foot, sir. What is all this rubbish?

[Sherlock Holmes]

And you see, it gained my attention not long ago that Professor Moriarty was getting in touch with quite a number of heavily insured businessmen. One after another these men died. But by and by the insurance companies became suspicious. I was told to investigate. I discovered that on several occasions Professor Moriarty had called on Dr. Lacey. Dr. Lacey who was experimenting with facial surgery. Dr. Lacey who had access to any number of corpses from St. Anthony's time. I began to suspect that Dr. Lacy was working on these dead bodies and transforming them so they would look like the gentlemen who wished to collect their insurance. Professor Moriarty made a handsome profit, I believe. Unfortunately, though, I couldn't prove my theory.

[Inspector Lestrade]

It is crazy. No one would believe it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, so I found.

[Inspector Lestrade]

Then what good does it do you?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Just this. When you're in prison, the whole scheme will fall to the ground.

[Inspector Lestrade]

I am not Dr. Lacy.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You have no proof there. You are wrong, sir. This little matchbox which you just handed me contains all the proof that I need. On it is a set of fingerprints which is identical with some on the cabinet door in the laboratory of St. Anthony's and those fingerprints are known to be Dr. Lacey home.

[Dr. Watson]

It's magnificent. Phenomenal.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Elemental, my dear Watson. Elemental.

[Dr. Watson]

That's the end of the story, Mr. Bo.

[Narrator]

But Dr. Watman, didn't the man ever confess?

[Dr. Watson]

He did better than that. He offered to show up Moriarty, but when they came to take down his testimony, he was found dead on his prison cot. Obviously more of Moriarty's work.

[Narrator]

There's one thing I don't understand. Why didn't he take the same way out as the businessman? Surely he could have doctored some corpse up so it looked like himself.

[Dr. Watson]

He could have, Mr. Bell. But that's where human nature comes in. He hated Mrs. Clutch, so he wanted to implicate her. It was his big mistake.

[Narrator]

Well, that certainly is a fascinating story, Dr. Watson.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

Now.

[Narrator]

Now to get back to something where there are never any mistakes.

[Dr. Watson]

I know what you're hinting at now. Another cup of Gee, Washington coffee.

[Narrator]

Yes, yes, indeed. Dr. Watson, have you ever stopped to consider how much the word economy has come to mean to Americans during the last couple of years?

[Dr. Watson]

Come to mean more to me too. Have to save on a lot of things I never thought about before.

[Narrator]

How do you do it, Dr. Watson? Does it mean giving up all the good things in life and using cheaper quality?

[Dr. Watson]

Not at all, Mr. Bell. I still keep to the good things. But I'm a little more careful how I use them. More satisfaction in being a little careful with good things, you know, than in putting up with food. Oh, by the way.

[Narrator]

What is it, Dr. Watson? You're chuckling over something now and it's only fair to tell what it is.

[Dr. Watson]

Well, a lot of people have been taking a lesson from Sherlock Holmes, Mr. Bell. They've. They've been drawing deductions.

[Narrator]

About what?

[Dr. Watson]

About my book of Sherlock Holmes stories, Mr. Bell. They've been observant enough to notice the little number one on the back of the volume. And they want to know if they're. If they're going to be other books with more stories in the them later on.

[Narrator]

I'm afraid I'm not very observant, Dr. Watson. I never noticed that little one. And are there going to be more stories?

[Dr. Watson]

I can't tell for sure, Mr. Bell. I've been talking it over to Mr. Washington. But just in case there are, I want everybody to get volume one right away so they won't be left when the first edition runs out. And be unable to make up their complete set.

[Narrator]

That's right too. We'll have to warn them about that. Especially with that economy we were talking about. It's worthwhile getting a really good book for nothing. What about G. Washington? Is that economy?

[Dr. Watson]

Of course it is. You know Sherlock Holmes story about the rich old mustard manufacturer, don't you?

[Narrator]

I know Dr. Watson. I can't say that I do.

[Dr. Watson]

Story applies to saving money on coffee too, it seems. A smart young man who thought he was smart anyway asked the mustard king if he really made all his money out of the little bit of mustard people use on their food.

[Narrator]

And what did he say?

[Dr. Watson]

He said no, that he made most of it out of the mustard people leave on their plates. And that's just the way it is with coffee. Or ordinary coffee anyway.

[Narrator]

You mean the real expense is not what you drink but what you waste?

[Dr. Watson]

Exactly. And that's where G. Washington saves. There's no waste. You only make what you want and yet you can have all you want.

[Narrator]

Well, that sounds like economy. All right, ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Watson and I want you to test G. Washington.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Economy.

[Narrator]

Get a 4 ounce can right away. Don't be afraid of the size of the can or the price. Gee, Washington is economical because it ends waste. And as a special inducement, why, Dr. Watson will give you one of his books of seven Sherlock Holmes stories. Just print your name and address on the back of a label from your 4 ounce can and send it to Morristown, New Jersey. You will receive without cost a handsome du Luc's book with a gold profile of Holmes on the COVID and a picture of Dr. Watson as a frontispiece. In that way you'll have the satisfaction of proving to yourself that Gee, Washington's won't wreck your family budget and of getting a handsome book of Sherlock Holmes stories for nothing. Please note down the address, Morristown, New Jersey and send in that four ounce can label right away so you won't be left without volume one if the good doctor persuades Mr. Washington to wish him volume two. Now, Dr. White, what about next week's story?

[Dr. Watson]

Next week I'm going to tell you the story of a man 20 years older than his bride and how death came to Rose Hill.

[Narrator]

And now, in answer to numerous requests, we want to announce that the Sherlock Holmes program has been on the air for three years. The part of Sherlock Holmes is played by Richard Gordon, that of Dr. Watson by Lee Lovell. Neither Mr. Gordon nor Mr. Lovell play the part of a detective and his doctor friend in any. Sam. Foreign.

[Sir Lionel Greatlake]

What's up everybody?

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