Sherlock Holmes: The Empty House (EP0984)

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary: "Sherlock Holmes: The Empty House" (EP0984)
Presented by the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Release Date: June 27, 2013
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

In the final installment of the Sherlock Holmes series on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham presents a compelling dramatization of "The Empty House," one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's canonical Sherlock Holmes stories. This episode marks the triumphant return of Holmes after his presumed death, engaging listeners with a masterful blend of suspense, character development, and intricate plot twists.

Plot Summary

The episode opens with Dr. John Watson recounting the aftermath of Sherlock Holmes's apparent demise at the Reichenbach Falls, where he was believed to have fallen while battling his nemesis, Professor Moriarty. [05:22] Watson narrates his struggle with Holmes's loss and his attempts to honor his friend's legacy by delving into criminal investigations.

In the spring of 1894, Watson encounters Colonel Sebastian Moran, who grapples with the mysterious murder of Ronald Adair. Adair, a respected young man with a penchant for card games, was found dead in his Park Lane home, mutilated by an "expanding bullet." [08:00] Moran is baffled by the lack of evidence, particularly the absence of a weapon, and the seemingly impossible circumstances of the crime scene—Adair was shot through an open window from a distance that made the use of a revolver implausible.

As Watson and Moran investigate, they discuss the intricacies of the case, contemplating whether the murderer could have infiltrated the locked room and executed the perfect crime. [09:03] Moran expresses doubt over the feasibility of the method, emphasizing the skill required to cause such extensive damage without leaving traceable evidence.

Upon returning to his study, Watson is astonished to find Colonel Moran, who reveals himself to be none other than Sherlock Holmes. [12:57] Holmes explains that he faked his death to dismantle Moriarty's criminal network from within. Utilizing his mastery of disguise and combat, including knowledge of the Baritsu wrestling system, Holmes evaded Moriarty and his associates, ultimately escaping the chasm unscathed.

Holmes elaborates on his strategic disappearance, stating, "I was never in it," highlighting his survival and subsequent journey to dismantle Moriarty's operations globally. [14:19] He details his travels to Tibet, Persia, and France, culminating in his return to London to confront the remaining threats posed by Moriarty's lieutenants.

Reunited with Watson, Holmes leads him through the hidden alleys of London, showcasing his unparalleled knowledge of the city's secret pathways. Their journey culminates in Camden House, Holmes's "empty house," where they set a trap for Colonel Moran—the last of Moriarty's henchmen. [21:32] Holmes has orchestrated an elaborate ruse using a wax bust to project a shadow, deceiving Moran into believing that Holmes is still dead.

As Moran attempts to execute his plan using a specially designed air gun commissioned by Moriarty, Holmes reveals the truth. A confrontation ensues, resulting in Moran's capture without any loss of life. Holmes triumphantly declares, "That was the greatest compliment you could possibly pay me," acknowledging Watson's unwavering loyalty and the restoration of their partnership. [25:03]

Key Interactions and Insights

• Watson's Resilience: Throughout the episode, Watson exemplifies steadfast dedication to his friend, illustrating the profound bond between the two characters. His initial reluctance to believe in Holmes's survival underscores the depth of his grief and subsequent relief.

• Holmes's Strategic Genius: Holmes's meticulous planning and ability to outthink his adversaries once again highlight his status as a premier detective. His use of disguise, physical prowess, and psychological manipulation in recriminating Moran showcases his multifaceted approach to problem-solving.

• Colonel Moran's Cunning: As Moriarty's lieutenant, Moran embodies the quintessential antagonist—skilled, ruthless, and relentless. His interactions with Holmes reveal the enduring conflict between good and evil, and the personal vendettas that drive their encounters.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. John Watson:

  • "I have to conclude, alas, with the account of his death as he fell into the great chasm of the falls of Reichenbach in Switzerland..." [05:22]

• Colonel Sebastian Moran:

  • "Murder, Dr. Watson. It's stark murder." [06:19]
  • "I don't know. Just a notion I sometimes have." [06:57]
  • "You're the devil, Holmes. You truly are the only one who's..." [16:28]

• Sherlock Holmes (Narrator):

  • "We have our work to do first. You think you'll be all right?" [15:24]
  • "The game's afoot, Watson. Old times, old times. Come. The adventure, as you'll no doubt call it, of the empty house." [18:15]
  • "That was the greatest compliment you could possibly pay me." [15:29]
  • "The late Professor Moriarty's first lieutenant. You fiend, Sherlock Holmes." [25:57]

Conclusion

"The Empty House" serves as a fitting finale to the Sherlock Holmes series on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. It not only fulfills the anticipation of Holmes's return but also reaffirms the enduring appeal of Conan Doyle's creation. Through masterful storytelling, rich character portrayals by Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson, and a tightly woven plot, the episode encapsulates the essence of classic detective fiction. Host Adam Graham aptly concludes the series, reflecting on the timeless nature of Holmes's adventures and the impact they continue to hold for audiences worldwide.

Listeners are encouraged to explore other detective tales featured on the podcast, ensuring that the legacy of great detectives like Sherlock Holmes remains vibrant and engaging.

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This summary is intended to provide an in-depth overview of the episode "Sherlock Holmes: The Empty House" for those who have not listened to it, capturing the critical elements and memorable moments of the dramatization.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box13reatdetectives.net Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and become one of our friends on Facebook, facebook.com radiodetactives well, before we do get started with today's program, I do want to remind you that out on the Kindle we have our latest release, what Made the Golden Age Shine, in which I discuss a big question of why someone who is younger is into the golden age of entertainment. You can get that for the Kindle. Also still available is all I Needed to Know I Learned from Columbo, in which we take a look at life lessons from the lives and histories of seven great fictional detectives in Turquoise, including Sherlock Holmes. That one is also available for the iPad and the Nook. All right, well, this is our last episode of Sherlock Holmes. So sorry to see this go. I think a pretty appropriate episode, you'll agree, once we listen here. Now is today's final episode of the John Gielgud Ralph Richardson's series the Empty House.

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[Narrator]

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The original and immortal stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dramatized anew with Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr. Watson and Sir John Gielgud in the role of Sherlock Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

It has been my privilege in these past few weeks to come before you with some of the exploits I shared with my friend Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective the world has ever seen. I had to conclude, alas, with the account of his death as he fell into the great chasm of the falls of Reichenbach in Switzerland, locked in the arms of his deadly enemy, Professor Moriarty. For three long years I mourned him. My loneliness deepened too, by the loss of my dear wife to pass the weary days. I tried to interest myself in crime, as a gesture, so to say, to Holmes memory. Our old associate Lestrade of the Yard was sometimes even good enough to consult me with some of his problems. And so, in the spring of the year 1894, I came to hear of the singular mystery surrounding the death of the honourable Ronald Adair.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Murder, Dr. Watson. It's Stark murder. And for the life of me, I can't see how it was done.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, sit down. Sit down, Lestrade. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I was seeing a patient.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Thank you, Doctor. I'm quite exhausted with it all.

[Dr. John Watson]

Have a drink. Whisky and soda.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Thanks, I will. To tell you the truth, Doctor, this is the kind of problem I wish to heaven I could have talked to Mr. Holmes about. Aha.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, we all wish that was thread. Is that enough soda?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Oh, plenty, Doctor, thank you. Well, here's your health. Ah, yeah, I. I don't suppose.

[Dr. John Watson]

What?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

I don't know. Just a notion I sometimes have. I mean, he really is dead. I suppose Mr. Holmes, I mean.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well of course he is. You must have read my account, Lestrade.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Yes, yes of course I know. It's just I can never quite bring myself to believe it. I tell you I wouldn't be a bit surprised if I was to walk along Baker street tonight and see the old shadow on the window blind there.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well don't let's talk about it. Illustrate. Tell me what your problem is.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

I thought we might even walk round to the scene of the crime together Doctor, if you can spare the time. It's a queer business this Adair case. Deuced queer.

[Dr. John Watson]

Yes, I read something about it in the papers. Found dead wasn't he?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

That's right. Honorable Ronald Adair. Very upright and promising young fellow. Terrible blow to his mother.

[Dr. John Watson]

Tell me exactly what happened.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well he was fond of cards you see, who never played for very big stakes but he couldn't resist a bit of a flutter now and then.

[Dr. John Watson]

No gambling enemies or anything of the kind?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Shouldn't think so. Seems to have been very popular. Anyhow, he was playing at one of his clubs the night it happened. The Bagatelle you see.

[Dr. John Watson]

Who's he playing with?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well There was a Mr. Murray and sir John Hardy and a fellow called Moran, a Colonel Sebastian Moran.

[Dr. John Watson]

Murray, Hardy, Moran. Well what next then?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well young Adair got back home about 10. He shut himself in his room. He lives in Park Lane you know, one of those big houses and his room was at the front. His mother got in from a theater about half past eleven, went in to say goodnight to him. She couldn't get any answer.

[Dr. John Watson]

Had the door forced.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

It was locked in on the inside Doctor. And they found him dead you see. All horribly mutilated about their head by an expanding bullet.

[Dr. John Watson]

What a dum dum you mean. Mm. Suicide maybe. Did you find any weapon?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

No Doctor, not a single blessed sign of one. He was slumped across the table with bundles of notes and stacks of coins laid neatly out all around him.

[Dr. John Watson]

Remarkable. He couldn't have been shot through the window I suppose.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well it seems the only way of course. And the window was open but the minute you have a look you'll see it was pretty near impossible. Let's go around, shall we?

[Dr. John Watson]

Right, right. I'll get my boots on.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Now Doctor, that's the house to see. Tall one with the blue railings and the crocus bed in front.

[Dr. John Watson]

Yes, I see. Yes, quite a crowd outside isn't illustrated.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Oh, usual sightseers. It's all in the papers you know. Morbid tastes people had.

[Dr. John Watson]

Which is the Roman where he was.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Found up on the second floor up there.

[Dr. John Watson]

Where?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

One of my memories. They're still looking around for clues, you know. Body was taken away some days ago.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, quite so. Was the window open as wide as that when it happened? Every bit.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

We haven't touched it at all. Step aside there, will you?

[Dr. John Watson]

I'm a police officer.

[Narrator]

And taking up the old blue empt.

[Dr. John Watson]

I suppose. Suppose the murderer couldn't have locked the door on the inside and then made his escape through the window, Lestrade?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Not a chance. You see for yourself. There isn't anything you could climb down by. If he dropped there, there would have been marks on the crocus pin there.

[Narrator]

I see.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, you know, this crowd's really intolerable, this street. I know.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

I really must have a cordon put round the place. Well, aren't you coming in, Doctor?

[Dr. John Watson]

No, I don't think so. You've given me most of the facts. A clue must lie outside somewhere. Young Adair must have been shot through the window.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

That's what I said. But whoever did it must have been an uncommonly good shot. You'd have had to stand right back at the roadway almost to avoid leaving tracks in the garden. Get the young chap in range as he said at the table.

[Dr. John Watson]

Almost impossible with a revolver that distance.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Besides, you know there's that cabman shelter just there by the gate. They say there wasn't a sound of a shot that night. Made me certain to have heard it. I tell you, it's a puzzle, Doctor.

[Dr. John Watson]

It is indeed. I say, I almost wish like you that.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

What?

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, you know what I mean. Would have been a problem after his own heart. Oh well, must get back, I suppose. But if I think of anything. Oh, kindly what?

[Narrator]

Watch where you're going, sir. You nearly knocked me down.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh, I beg your pardon. I'm afraid I've made you drop your books.

[Narrator]

You certainly have, sir. They're exceedingly valuable books.

[Dr. John Watson]

I'm sorry. I wouldn't have had it happen for the world. There you are.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Yeah, I picked him up for you. It was quite an accident.

[Narrator]

I should hope so. I should hope so indeed.

[Dr. John Watson]

Poor old fellow, you know, I must have given him a bit of a bump. Lame too.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

An old bookseller I should think. Looks it with those thick glasses. Too much peering over small print.

[Narrator]

Oh, myself.

[Dr. John Watson]

You've been studying poor Holmes methods, Lestrade.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

I only wish I could use them on this case, Doctor.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, goodbye.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

You'll let me know if you have any ideas?

[Dr. John Watson]

Yes, yes I will. Goodbye, Lestrade. I'll certainly think about It. And so I did indeed, as I walked back home. The Park Lane mystery as I'd already decided to call it. If ever I should write an account of it, the first that I should ever write of my own small efforts in detection as opposed to Holmes, Adair had plainly locked the door himself. It therefore met his death from the outside. And yet what shot could possibly have traveled such a distance and still caused so much mutilation? And who had done the deed and for what motive I was still pondering when I reached my study. I had hardly had time to light my pipe when to my astonishment my maid ushered in no other than the old bookseller with whom I'd collided in Park Lane.

[Narrator]

Well, sir, you're surprised to see me no doubt.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well I most certainly am. How on earth did you know where I lived?

[Narrator]

Follow ye. It's been on my conscience a bit, the way I spoke so rude to ye when you bumped me.

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh, but really you make too much of a trifle. Why don't you put your pile of books on the table and sit down for a moment? You look tired.

[Narrator]

Right enough I am, sir. You went pretty fast for my old legs. I had a job to keep up with you. I was thankful when I saw you turn into the house here and I could come up a bit slower.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah well, you have a little refreshment. I've some brandy here or some whiskey and soda.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Watson. I rather fancy a little hock and seltzer. Holmes. Watson, my dear friend. Oh my dear fellow. Here, sit down, you'll fall. Quick, quick. Here, drink this.

[Dr. John Watson]

Holmes. Holmes.

[Narrator]

There, there, that's a bit better, isn't it? There, you're all right now. My poor old Watson.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

I'm sorry.

[Dr. John Watson]

I must have fainted. First time in my life.

[Narrator]

It was unforgivable of me, my dear fellow, but I simply couldn't resist it.

[Dr. John Watson]

No Carney, come on. You. Holmes?

[Narrator]

Yes, really, Watson, really and truly. Here, touch me. I'm flesh and blood you see. The same old home.

[Dr. John Watson]

But the falls at Reichenbach, the cliff edge.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Dr. John Watson]

How did you ever get out alive?

[Narrator]

Here, sit back old fellow, take another sip of brandy. Here, I'll take my wig and whiskers off and then you'll be able to believe it's really me. You're the second person you know who's fainted at the sight of me today. Who else? Well, dear old Mrs. Hudson, back in the old rooms in Baker Street. Upon my life I didn't think she'd ever stop crying after I'd pulled her around from her faint.

[Dr. John Watson]

The juice of it is. Could never help liking your homes for all your. Well, confounded ways.

[Narrator]

That's very nice of you.

[Dr. John Watson]

I hardly believe it. Now. Oh, but when I tell this trade, when I tell the whole world.

[Narrator]

Now, now. Not yet, Watson. Not yet. Lestrade perhaps, but no one else at all. And for a very good reason, I assure you. We are back in harness, my old friend.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

How?

[Dr. John Watson]

What do you mean?

[Narrator]

This very night, Provided you can spare the time. A hard and dangerous task, Watson. Are you still game?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well, of course.

[Dr. John Watson]

That's what I've been longing for. But I want to know what's been happening, Holmes. You must tell me.

[Narrator]

A million things. But all in due course, my dear fellow. We have our work to do first. You think you'll be all right?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

You're right.

[Dr. John Watson]

I'm all right.

[Narrator]

Holmes.

[Dr. John Watson]

A hundred times the man I was. I'm sorry I went to pieces like that.

[Narrator]

That was the greatest compliment you could possibly pay me.

[Dr. John Watson]

But your escape. Your escape, man. How can you be so calm about it?

[Narrator]

Oh, that. Well, that was also long ago. Three years, after all.

[Dr. John Watson]

But how did you get out of that dreadful chasm?

[Narrator]

Ah, because my dear Watson, I was never in it.

[Dr. John Watson]

Never in it?

[Narrator]

My dear hope, I assure you my note to you was quite genuine. I hadn't any doubt that I was done for when I stood there confronting Moriarty with that inexorable purpose in those eyes of his that you described so vividly.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, you. You read my account?

[Narrator]

Of course. I congratulate you, my dear fellow. Is the most convincing thing you've ever done. I was even strangely moved by it.

[Dr. John Watson]

But the two sets of footsteps to the cliff edge and none returning the signs of a struggle.

[Narrator]

We fought together, of course. There was no doubt about that. We fought most bitterly. But you know, the curious bypass of my knowledge, Watson, I have some acquaintance with Baritsu, the Japanese system of wrestling. And I managed finally to slip out of our friend the Professor's grip. And down he went at last uttering the most horrible scream that I've ever heard. Heard from human lips.

[Dr. John Watson]

You're the devil, Holmes. You truly are the only one who's.

[Narrator]

Always been on the side of the angels. You know, Watson, at that moment I suddenly realized what a heaven sent opportunity had come my way.

[Dr. John Watson]

How do you mean?

[Narrator]

Well, Moriarty wasn't the only man who had sworn my death. There was another, his chief lieutenant, who had also managed to escape the trap which the police had laid for the whole gang at my instigation.

[Dr. John Watson]

You mean you deliberately Chose to make it appear that you died so that you could delude the fellow into a sense of false security?

[Narrator]

Precisely. Well, I began to climb up the face of the cliff.

[Dr. John Watson]

But you couldn't have, Holmes. It was almost sheer.

[Narrator]

I had an anxious moment or two, I'll confess, but I did manage it somehow. You know, I could even hear your cries and see your tragic face when you thought I was gone. I was there above you, on a ledge about a hundred feet or so up all.

[Dr. John Watson]

Holmes. And you never made a sign?

[Narrator]

With my strongest card, Old friend, if you believed that I was really dead and wrote of me as you did, then the whole world would believe it too. And that was why only one person knew the secret. That I was safely on my way to Italy.

[Dr. John Watson]

And who was that?

[Narrator]

My brother, Mycroft.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, you could trust him, Holmes, and not me.

[Narrator]

Ah, my dear fellow, I know you are the very soul of discretion, but you could never have written so vividly and so convincingly if you really known the truth.

[Dr. John Watson]

The years of misery I have undergone the years.

[Narrator]

Ah, it was the only way. I couldn't even reveal myself to you in the street today because the place was so crowded. There might have been spies.

[Dr. John Watson]

Ah, not because of Lestrade, because he was there.

[Narrator]

No, no, I'll tell Lestrade this afternoon. We'll need him badly for tonight's adventure.

[Dr. John Watson]

What are you planning, Holmes?

[Narrator]

I've been planning all these years I've been away, traveling in Tibet, Peria, France, planning to defeat this last member of Moriarty's gang. And tonight, at last, I think I'm going to get him.

[Dr. John Watson]

Who is he, Holmes?

[Narrator]

Not yet, Watson, not yet. You'll see and hear enough before the morning. The game's afoot, Watson. Old times, old times. Come. The adventure, as you'll no doubt call it, of the empty house.

[Dr. John Watson]

Can you blame me if all other thoughts were driven from my head that day? I knew nothing of what Holmes intended, what wild beast we were to hunt down in the dark jungle of criminal London. I forgot everything in my joy and impatience, even the murder of young Adair, which had been so occupying me. Sherlock Holmes called for me at half past nine and we set off on our mysterious journey. His knowledge of the by paths of London was extraordinary. We twisted through a maze of hidden alleys and narrow passageways until I was quite the weak. And always, as we went, I saw his brows drawn down and his thin lips compressed in the old sardonic smile I knew so well.

[Narrator]

Ah, Watson, this is like old times, being with you again. If you only Knew how I've looked forward to this moment.

[Dr. John Watson]

And I, Holmes. Except that I never thought I'd live to see it.

[Narrator]

You brought your revolver with you? The old army revolver?

[Dr. John Watson]

Oh, of course. And by the way, talking of revolvers in the Adair case.

[Narrator]

Wait, Watson. Run this way. That's right. Through the empty yard there.

[Dr. John Watson]

Where are we? Holmes, you completely lost me.

[Narrator]

You'll see in a moment. Ah, yes, that's right. I thought so. Along the mews, turn to the left and we're almost there.

[Dr. John Watson]

You still can't tell me what we're after?

[Narrator]

You know already. Moriarty's right hand man, the last of his whole gang.

[Dr. John Watson]

How does he know you're alive?

[Narrator]

That's been part of the whole difficulty, my dear fellow. One of the reasons I've had to lie so low. He saw me that day at the falls.

[Dr. John Watson]

You what? You. You mean that Moriarty wasn't alone that day after all?

[Narrator]

Yes, he was. He was quite chivalrous in his own strange way. But this lieutenant of his must have followed him some way behind to see that all went well. I caught sight of him for a moment when I was right at the top of the precipice looking down and realized that he could see me climbing up.

[Dr. John Watson]

God heavens, yes.

[Narrator]

He tried to dislodge me, of course. A boulder or two gave me a few uncomfortable moments, but I managed to get around by another path and elude him.

[Dr. John Watson]

Did he know for certain that you'd escaped?

[Narrator]

Well, I was never sure until these last few days. And that's what's brought me back to London.

[Dr. John Watson]

But I don't understand how.

[Narrator]

Watson, I told you this was the adventure of the empty house. Well, here's the door. I'll use the skeleton key. Ah, yes, that's it. Quietly, my dear fellow. Same old Watson.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well, I'm excited, Holmes. A bit out of practice, you know.

[Narrator]

This way. Through here. This passageway. Careful now, Watson, there's a low doorway. Don't bang your head. Oh. What on earth's the matter now, Watson? Something brushed my face. It's a spider's web or a strip of wallpaper. Can't you see how it's peeling away? The place hasn't been lived in for years.

[Dr. John Watson]

I still wish I knew where we were.

[Narrator]

This is the room, Watson. Now then, look out of this window. There.

[Dr. John Watson]

Good heavens. Baker Street.

[Narrator]

Exactly. We're in Camden House. My dear fellow, don't you remember it? Exactly opposite our own old quarters at number 221B.

[Dr. John Watson]

But what are we doing here?

[Narrator]

We are here because the window commands such an excellent view of that picturesque edifice of ours. Come closer, Watson, and just look up at the window of our old sitting rooms.

[Dr. John Watson]

I believe I'm almost going to faint.

[Narrator]

Hold up my dear fellow. There's no brandy here, unfortunately. I thought that even three long years could hardly rob me of my powers to surprise you, Watson.

[Dr. John Watson]

But Holmes is you up there. It's your shadow on the blind up there.

[Narrator]

I trust that age cannot wither me, Watson. Nor custom stale my infinite variety. It really is rather like me, don't you think?

[Dr. John Watson]

It's mar. I could swear that you were sitting up there.

[Narrator]

Yes, the real credit belongs to M. Oscar Mer, the distinguished sculptor. A bust of me in wax. Watson placed this very carefully so as to cast its silhouette upon the window blind.

[Dr. John Watson]

I'm out of my depth, Holmes.

[Narrator]

The whole thing's beyond me.

[Dr. John Watson]

What does it all mean?

[Narrator]

Simply that I have the strongest possible reasons for wanting a certain person to believe that I am up there when I'm really somewhere quite different.

[Dr. John Watson]

This Lieutenant of Moriarty.

[Narrator]

Of course he knows I'm still alive. And he believes that sooner or later I'll be sure to come back to my old haunts.

[Dr. John Watson]

He knows you're back?

[Narrator]

I'm quite sure he does. I took pretty good care that he recognized me in the street this morning.

[Dr. John Watson]

Look that that gang of roughs along the street. They're looking up watching your shadow on the blind too, aren't they?

[Narrator]

Roughs, you think? Keep back Watson. Don't let them see you.

[Dr. John Watson]

Great heavens.

[Narrator]

Your shadows moved up there, my dear good Watson. Am I such a farcical bungler as to erect an obvious dummy and expect the sharpest eyes in Europe to be deceived by it?

[Dr. John Watson]

What is it?

[Narrator]

Clockwork, Mrs. Hudson. The good soul crawls forward on her hands and knees every few minutes and moves the effigy round a little. A different angle. I confess.

[Dr. John Watson]

I like to see that.

[Narrator]

Watson. Watson, really. Listen.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

What is it?

[Narrator]

I do believe he's coming. Oh, he's. Listen. The stairs. Yes, he's coming up actually into this room. I hardly expected to stroke him like as this. Listen now for it. Keep your gun ready, Watson. And here, take this police whistle. When I tell you, blow it.

[Dr. John Watson]

What's going to happen, Holmes?

[Narrator]

You'll see. He'll open that window and then you'll hear something. A sound you've never heard before in all your life.

[Dr. John Watson]

What?

[Narrator]

A sound that isn't a sound at all. An explosion that doesn't explode upon my soul. Quiet now. But another word I got you at last, Sherlock Holmes. No sir. I've got you. Murder. Watson, follow him. Blow the whistle, man. Come on.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Dare you.

[Narrator]

Get him. It's all right. Oh no you don't, Watson. Here, hold on to his arm. That's him. Where in heaven's name is the strange. Here we are, Mr. Johnson. Shine your engine light, sir. Staples, help his arms. I'm all right, I'm all right. Oh, thank you, thank you, Lestrade. I rather fancy everything's quite in order.

[Dr. John Watson]

What is it, Holmes? In heaven's name?

[Narrator]

Why Watson, just as I told you. The late Professor Moriarty's first lieutenant. You fiend, Sherlock Holmes. You clever, clever fiend. Quite so, Colonel. Journeys end in lovers meetings, as they used to say in the old play. Colonel Sebastian Moran, My dear Watson, once of Her Majesty's Indian army in the best big game shot that our Eastern Empire has ever produced. It's an interesting weapon you've got there, Lestrade. That's mine. Come to me.

[Dr. John Watson]

No you don't.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

I've never seen anything quite like it. Mr. Holmes doesn't seem to have any.

[Narrator]

Kind of powder chamber for the simple reason that it's an air gun of a particularly powerful design made to the order of the late Professor Moriarty himself.

[Dr. John Watson]

Of course, Holmes, I remember you told me about it three years ago.

[Narrator]

That harmless bust of mine across the way will have been shattered by the missile. It fires a simple soft nosed bullet. A bust? An effigy. You fiend, Holmes. You've already used that episode once, Colonel. For a master marksman your vocabulary seems to me a trifle limited. I'm really quite surprised that so simple a stratagem should have deceived you. You've not heard the last of me yet, Holmes. Indeed. Well, are we ready Watson?

[Dr. John Watson]

Ready? Ready for what?

[Narrator]

I rather fancy a pipe in our old rooms, my dear fellow.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

But Holmes.

[Narrator]

Oh, you'll find them in perfect order. My brother Mycroft has been in charge of everything while I've been away and there are still a few details you may care to hear. Wait, Holmes.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

If it was only an effigy in that window.

[Narrator]

You've no right to detain me. I've committed no crime. No crime?

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Attempting to murder Mr. Sherlock Holmes?

[Narrator]

No, no, he's quite correct, Lestrade. We do need something a little more definite than attempted murder. And in any case I think I prefer not to be involved in the matter myself.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well I must say, you see.

[Narrator]

Instruct those men of yours to release me at once. Don't worry, Lestrade, your men can take him away with perfect impunity. Won't you join Watson and me for a little refreshment across the way? As to the charge, well Mr. Holmes, you must have one, you know. Oh yes, I have of course. The murder of the honorable Ronald Adair, shot through the open window of his house in Park Lane with an expanding bullet fired, Lestrade, from that very gun you now have in your hand. Goodbye, Colonel Moran. Oh, my best respects to the Professor. I feel sure you'll meet him in the nether regions.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well, well, the Same old room, Mr. Holmes. You could have knocked me down with a feather when you walked into the yard this afternoon.

[Dr. John Watson]

There's nothing to how I felt this morning, Lestrade. I actually fainted.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

And I was only saying to you I wouldn't be surprised. Surprised to see a shadow on the blind, eh?

[Narrator]

Ah, but look at it. My poor old likeness, Watson. Shot right between the eyes I'm afraid. Ah, well, all in a good cause.

[Dr. John Watson]

But what confounds me, Holmes, is how you knew about the Adair murder.

[Narrator]

It was exactly what I'd been waiting for, Watson. As soon as I read in Paris that Moran had been the young fellow's partner at cards that night, I realized he must have been the murderer.

[Dr. John Watson]

But how?

[Narrator]

Because of the gun. It was the only weapon in the world with which that crime could have been committed at such a distance and without a sound. He'd made his little slip just as his master did before him. So I knew it was time to come back and I was on his trail at last.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Well, well, and to think that you were examining the scene of the crime at the same moment we were. Hey Doctor.

[Dr. John Watson]

But what was the motive, Holmes?

[Narrator]

Adair had partnered Moran more than once. He discovered that Moran was a cheat, threatened him with exposure and set to work calculating the amounts that he had fraudulently won. He planned to return those sums, hence the piles of money lying on the table.

[Dr. John Watson]

And Moran followed him and shot him from the other side of the street beyond the railings.

[Narrator]

Yes, but I still had to prove it. I knew if he'd got the chance he'd turn that gun on me. And I suspected that he might choose the empty house for his purpose. As indeed he did. By the way Watson, I'm afraid that that gang of roughs in the street you were so suspicious of were really only Lestrade's plain clothes men waiting for our whistle.

[Dr. John Watson]

Well you mean that I was mistaken, Holmes?

[Narrator]

Yes, just this once, my dear fellow. And now that the race of Moriarty is finally extinct, we are quite free to celebrate the return of Sherlock Holmes. Would you pass me my violin? This trade? Ah, how splendid that it wasn't damaged in that fire the professor once started in these rooms, hey, Watson?

[Dr. John Watson]

That's a matter of opinion, Holmes.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

But we welcome you back, sir. By George, we do. London hasn't been the same without you.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Lestrade. I appreciate that very much. Yes, Watson. Nothing like a violin, you know, to soothe the savage breast. You know, I really missed it sorely in Tibet.

[Dr. John Watson]

The return of Sherlock Holmes and a thousand other cases still before him. Well, well, well.

[Narrator]

The adventures of Sherlock Holmes, based on the original stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, have been dramatized anew with original music composed by Sidney Torch. Sir Ralph Richardson played The part of Dr. Watson and Sir John Gielgud that of Sherlock Holmes. The program was produced by Harry Allen.

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[Adam Graham]

Up this week on the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon.

[Narrator]

Sweet potato bread.

[Domo Representative]

Yes, and that's what's going to feed.

[Colonel Sebastian Moran]

Our people during this war.

[Narrator]

We're going to plant sweet potatoes on the cotton field and use sweet potato and bread instead of grain. And I'm working on other uses too. I'll find the market for our crops.

[Adam Graham]

Listen to the old Time radio snack wagon, snackwagon.net or wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back. Well, a pretty good hopeful end to the Holmes series here and I definitely think there's some strong merit to the entire way they did this. The ones that of all the Holmes's that we've heard. I've enjoyed this and the Rathbone Bruce versions the best over the radio and this will definitely be missed. This was just overall pretty classy production from start to finish. Just tremendous with two fine British actors in the lead. And it's amazing. You know, we've had Sherlock Holmes on the program for 44 months and it will be somewhat sad, you know, as we have something other than Holmes on Thursday and as we've gone through these Sherlock Holmes series, what's really, really come home to me is just how really amazingly good the Arthur Conan Doyle stories are. Because, you know, I think most folks at one time or another had some issues with some of the other performers and some of the scripts that were written for Old Time Radio. But if you gave, even if you were overall quite critical of their overall performance, you gave these actors a well adapted Arthur Conan Doyle story, it would be well worth listening. These original stories were classics and there were some very interesting interpretations on Holmes in the course of this. And I think, I think this was just a pleasure to bring it to you. I hope you've enjoyed it. If you've been listening for Sherlock Holmes, I hope you'll stay around for some of the other series Coming up next week. On Thursday we will have another Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, this one called the Lost Special from Escape. And then we will play all three of Edgar Allan Poe's detective stories from various radio productions before we turn Thursdays over to Nick Carter. But definitely we'll miss Sherlock Holmes. Love to hear your feedback on our final Holmes episode. Listener comments and feedback. We do have one piece to share, this one from over on itunes. Love Old Time Radio and this app really fits my needs. Thanks so much. That will actually do it for today. We will be back tomorrow with yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Widow is Willing Part 3 and then join us back here next Thursday for the Lost special. In the meantime, send your comments to [e-mail] follow us on Twitter RadioDetectives and become one one of our friends on Facebook facebook.com RadioDetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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