THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS and DOUBLE ZERO THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by shortwave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petri family, the employee that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. Well, right about now, you're probably taking a little breather in your last-minute rush to get everything ready for the big day tomorrow. Children have to be put to bed to wait for Santa Claus, and there's the tree waiting to be decorated, and four million and one things which must be done before morning. I sure hope you got all your Christmas shopping done. It's pretty hectic rushing off at the last minute to take care of Uncle Charlie or Aunt Bertha or Cousin Sam But if you must get something Just remember that you can always dash over to your wine merchant and get a bottle or two of Petri wine Or better yet, a whole case of Petri wine Petri wine's a swell gift and I just thought a little legitimate suggestion might be of some help And now I'm sure our good friend Dr. Watson's waiting for us, so let's go in and join him. Come in, come in, come in. Ah, there you are, Mr. Bartell. Oh, say, Doctor, I can see you're going to have yourself quite a Christmas. Big tree in the corner with colored lights on it. Where'd you get those? Table covered with presents? You must be mighty popular. They aren't all for me, my boy. You see, I'm having a Christmas party tomorrow for my housekeeper's little nieces. Oh. I'm going to dress up as Santa Claus for them. Well, I'm sure you look very convincing in the part. Oh, by the way, Doctor, I brought you a little present. Oh, good. Here it is. I hope you'll like it. Good, oh, you, Mr. Butler. I got one for you, too, here's the summer. Oh, you mustn't open it until tomorrow. Here, here, my boy. Thanks a lot, Doctor. And now, how's about tonight's story? Last week you told us you'd chosen an adventure with a lot of Christmassy atmosphere. Yes, Mr. Bartell. My story begins on another Christmas Eve many, many years ago. To be exact, in 1886. By the time the adventure occurred, I must confess I didn't quite understand what was going on myself. In fact, I never did quite make head of tales of it until Holmes took pity on me later and explained the whole thing. But I shan't try to confuse you, Mr. Bartell. I'll tell you the story exactly as it happened. Right you are, Doctor. Let's go. Very well. On that Christmas Eve in 86, I was standing in our Baker Street rooms dressed in the costume of Santa Claus. Holmes, his long, thin fingers pressed together, lay back in an armchair and gazed at me quizzically while our housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, stood by the door and... Doctor Watson, you make a grand Santa Claus. Doesn't he, Mrs. Hudson? Try the beard on, Watson, old chap. I'm afraid this is going to be a little uncomfortable. How does it look? Oh, you look just like the old man on the Christmas cards, Doctor. Yes, Watson. It really becomes you. The cheery twinkle of the eyes, the ruddy complexion, and the appropriate girth. What a shame we can't obtain some snow and a sleigh and reindeer for you. However, I'm sure Mrs. Hudson's nieces will be very much impressed. Well, that's that. And it's very kind of you, Doctor, to offer to come over to their house with me. Father in the hospital and my sister at his bedside. It would have been a very miserable Christmas without you. Oh, I should enjoy myself, but I think I'll take this beard off before we get there. That's it. Are you ready to leave, Mrs. Hudson? I am, sir. Will I get a cab? How far do we have to go? Oh, Lexington Gardens, number 28. It's just off the Edgway Road, Doctor. Not far, but bearing in mind my costume, I suppose we'd better take a cab. Aye, sir. I'll get one. Holmes, what are you going to do with yourself? I hate leaving you alone on Christmas Eve. Oh, don't worry, old chap. I shall spend a profitable evening writing on my new monograph. Well, what's this one about? An analysis of teeth marks on pipe stems with particular regard to indicated character. Oh, gracious me. How exciting. Well, I must be going. Don't forget your sack of presents, old fellow. No, no, no. When you come to distribute them, you'll find that I get the liberty of adding a few trinkets on my own behalf. That's very thoughtful of you, Holmes. Excuse me, Mr. Holmes, but there's a gentleman to see you. Says he's an old friend of yours. Here's his card, sir. Oh, thank you. Oh, it's Lord Whitticombe. Splendid. Ask him to come up, please, Mrs. Hudson. All right, sir. And I hope your party is a great success, Mrs. Hudson. Thank you, sir. Are you sure you don't want me to stay now that you have a visitor? Oh, no, no, no, no. Indeed no, Mrs. Hudson. and I can show the gentleman out myself. You go off on a good time. Thank you, sir. I wonder what Lord Whittacom wants. Perhaps I should stay and give you... No, no, please, my dear fellow, certainly not. What? You have far more important work to do. Whittacombe probably wants his revenge at chess or something equally innocuous. Off with you, my dear fellow, and enjoy yourself. Oh, I'm going to go. Just to say I wish you were coming with me. I'll see you later. I shall be there. Come on up, Whittacombe. Hello, Holmes. Evening, Watson. You make a very convincing Santa Claus. Are you leaving? I am afraid so, Lord Whittigam. Well, good night, then. Good night, good night. How are you, Holmes? All alone on Christmas Eve, eh? Yes, Whittigam, I'm glad you came over to see me. What's it to be, an evening of chess, or have you unearthed some recent treasure of medieval pottery that we can discuss? Neither, Holmes. I've come to you in your professional capacity. I need help. Oh, come now, Whittigam. Don't tell me that after all these years of quiet friendship, you're going to become a client. I'm afraid so, Holmes. Though I doubt if my problem will interest you very much, it's hardly up to your rather colourful standards. Care for a cigar? Oh, thanks. Now, my dear Whittacombe, what's your trouble? Well, I decided this year to have a little Christmas party at my townhouse. I'm quite comfortably off, as you know, only to come to me that I have several relatives and friends who are not as well off. I'm having a party for them tonight, Holmes, and I hoped you'd attend it disguised as Santa Claus. Oh, my dear fellow. I've adopted many disguises in my time, but Father Christmas has never been one of them. Why do you want me to attend your party in disguise in any case? You ashamed of your friendship with a private detective, or do you consider my features more acceptable when buried beneath the depths of a snowy beard? Oh, my dear Holmes, do take me seriously. I'm not joking, I assure you. Oh, of course you're not, of course you're not. You want me to attend your party in disguise. Why? I'm giving some very valuable presents. Diamond and onyx cufflinks, platinum and ruby earrings and then such like. And I've wrapped each of the presents in banknotes. Dear me. Where are these presents now? In a sack. In charge of my butler. I was going to dress up as Santa Claus and give them out myself. Until I got the warning letter. That's why I've come to you. Warning letter, eh? Yes. I received it by this evening's post. Listen to this. My dear Lord Whittacombe, your generosity with Christmas presents borders on ostentation. We do not approve. Either we receive £5,000 in sovereigns at post-restaurant box 379 by six o'clock on Christmas Eve, or I'm afraid your Christmas party will be conspicuous by its absence of presents. Let me see that note, Whittacombe, will you? Yes, here you are. Thanks. Plain paper, torn from a penny notebook. The writing is obviously disguised, Isn't it? By George, yes. Whittacombe, I accept the case. I'll come with you to your party at once. And furthermore, I shall follow your suggestion regarding a disguise. Dressed as Santa Claus, I shall be less likely to attract suspicion. I'm delighted, Holmes. But what made you decide so suddenly? This writing, my dear fellow, this writing. Oh, it's in a false hand. I know that characteristic M in my dear Whittacombe. I've seen it too often at the beginning of a signature. Moriarty. Mariotti? Who's he? Oh, one of the cleverest and most unscrupulous criminals in England. Weddicom, there's no time to be lost. It's let me see now. 6.30. Half an hour down the deadline given you in this letter. We must go to your house at once. This is as far as the cab can take us, Doctor. Here you are, cabbie. Here's five shillings for you and a Merry Christmas. Oh, bless you, gentlemen, and a Merry Christmas to you, too. You said you wanted to get into the house through the back way so that you could surprise the children. Yes, I thought I'd spend to have come down the kitchen chimney. Oh, you can get to the back of the house by going up the alley here. I'll go in the front door. Spend it, spend it, Mrs. Hudson. Which is the house? Number 28. It's the third one down the alley, Doctor. I'll have the back window open in no time, and you can slip in without any of the bairn's scenes. Very well. A gloomy little street, I must say. Hello. Where's the music coming from? Oh, it's from that temple across the street, Doctor. the disciples of the octagonal square, they call themselves. What on earth do you suppose that means? Oh, some newfangled cult. Heathens, most likely. Oh, hello, hello. I'm not the only person to close abroad tonight. Look at that fellow across the street over there. Oh, dressed just like yourself, Doctor. And carrying a sack, too. Oh, he's running up the steps to the temple. Great Scott, he slipped on the ice. I wonder what his hurry was. Here, here, my man. Oh, be careful now, Doctor. Dinner trip for yourself. Here, sir. Give me a hand. Thank you, sir. Silly of me, wasn't it? We Santa Claus have to help each other, you know. Up you come. That's it. Gracious me. Oh, doctor, I told you to be careful. Now you've fallen too. Oh, it's this confounded red coat of mine. It tripped me up. Did you hurt yourself, sir? No, no, no. I'm all right, I think. How about you, sir? I'm all right, thanks. Silly of me to run, wasn't it? Here's your sack, sir. Oh, thank you. Good night and Merry Christmas. Good night, same to you, sir. Adieu. Oh, he went into the temple. Must be a disciple of the Hectagonal Square. You're sure you know her, Doctor? Oh, no, of course not, Mrs. Hudson. Give me my sack, please. Thank you. Your sister's house is the third one down this alleyway, sir. I'll hurry and open the back window. Yes, I'll be waiting for you, Mrs. Hudson. This is rather fun. It's a shame Holmes isn't with us. Well, he's probably happier having a good game of chess with Lord Willicombe. This is my house, Holmes. Number 39. 39 Ponson Square, eh? And dear old Watson is just around the corner in Lexington Gardens and hasn't any idea that I've left Baker Street. Yes, here you are, Caddy. Thank you, sir. Merry Christmas, sir. Uh-huh. Listen to that. Carol singers. Yes, we'll probably have our fill of them before this evening's over. Good evening, milord. Have the guests arrived, Hargreaves? Most of them, sir. They're in the library. You brought another Santa Claus with you, I see, my lord. Another Santa Claus? What do you mean? The gentleman arrived three quarters of an hour ago, sir, dressed as Santa Claus. I took him to your study, my lord, and showed him the sack of presents. Confound it! He's got here before us. Where's this study? This way. I hope I didn't do wrong, my lord. You told me that a gentleman dressed as Santa Claus would be coming here. Dear me. The gentleman appears to have gone. Yes, and the sack containing the presents with him. But he can't have left the house, my lord. I've been watching the front door. Yes, and while you were doing that, he slipped out through the window here. The catch is undone. Hargrave, describe this man. I can't tell you much about his appearance, I'm afraid, sir. He was dressed as Santa Claus, just like yourself. But I did notice one thing about him, sir. Oh, what was that? He lisped, sir. It was quite pronounced. Of course. Lou the Lisper. Who on earth is Lou the Lisper? One of Moriarty's most trusted accomplices. Fortunately, though, I've had news of him lately through my underworld grapevine. You know where he lives? He's reputed to have some connections with a new cult that calls themselves the Disciples of the Octagonal Square. Their headquarters are just around the corner from here. Let's go there at once. Of course, and Hargrave. Yes, sir. Get a message to Scott and Yard as fast as you can. Ask for Inspector Lestrade. Until him to join me at the Temple of the Octagonal Square in Lexington Gardens as soon as possible. Oh, the children are awful excited, Doctor. I told them you just came down to me. I'll slip the beard on and then I'll go into them. There we are. Will I announce you, Doctor? Yes, yes, please, Mrs. Huston. All right, sir. Now, children, quiet. Santa Claus has come to see you and he's brought you all presents. Hello hello children Hello Santa Claus My name Elsie Did you bring me a present Oh I did Elsie I look in my sack in a minute And what your name young man Herbert they call me Bertie Did you come down the chimney? Yes, Bertie. I bet you had a time doing it. You're so fat. Oh, don't be rude, Bertie. Santa Claus won't give you your present. And what's your name, little man? My adult. I've got a cold. I see you have. Well, children, gather around men. I'll see what present I got for you. Let me say, Professor. The first present is for... Oh, it's got to be right. It says, for her grace, the Dowager Duchess of Bewley. Oh, do you suppose Mr. Holmes has been playing a practical joke on you, Doctor? I suppose so. Well, I can't see the point, Miss Old. But he did say that he'd added a few trinkets of his own. I want my present. Then supposing you take this, Elsa? Oh, thank you. And this one is marked for the Reverend Arthur Carter. Okay. Who at home is up to? Here you are, Bertie. Cool thing. And this is for you, Arnold, because you've been a good little boy. It's very big, is it? I wanted the dog. I wanted the dog. Well, I'll bring you a dog next year, Arnold. Dr. Watson. Yes? Oh, look at the wrapping on these presents, Dr. Heather. Twenty-pound notes. It's cut. Oh, cool. Look what I got. Now, let me see. Why, cufflinks and diamond and onyx are ones, unless I'm very much mistaken. I've got some pretty earrings. Look how they sparkle. Let me see. Good gracious, I swear that these are platinum and rubies. What in thunder is going on? I want my earrings back. Give me back mine, too. Well, here you are. Here you are. Dr. Watson, what do you suppose has happened? I don't know, Mrs. Hudson. Perhaps my toys are still at the bottom of the sack. I can't understand it. I wish Holmes were here instead of dozing in front of our fire in Baker Street. Where are you, Holmes? Here by the bed. This is the only room in the temple that gives any signs of Kingpin' living. I mean, our bird has been here, but I'm afraid it's alone. If the Inspector Lestrade will get here, strike a match, will you, Whittacombe? Right. here's a candle on the table oh just as i feared look on the bed a red coat and a beard yes luther lipper's discouraged his disgust and gone and with him i'm afraid you are valuable wait a minute here's a sack lying on the floor oh no this isn't mine look what's in it a toy dog large box of chocolates little girl's dog what is thunder for this is watson sack but how on earth could luther Lisper have got hold of it. Somewhere, somehow, he and Watson must have made an accidental change, and Lou the Lisper is no doubt trying to track Watson down at this very moment. He must work fast, Whittigam, or my friend's life and those of Mrs. Hudson and her relatives won't be worth a tinker's damn. Doctor, you can't break your story there. Oh, yes, I can, my boy. Before I go on, I thought we'd have a glass port just to freshen us up. Oh, well, that's something different. Of course. Instead of talking about port as I sometimes do, it'll be nice to drink some for change. There you are, my boy, and a Merry Christmas to you. The same to you. And now, what happened next, Doctor? We left you at the children's Christmas party in Sherlock Holmes and Lord Whittaker, around the corner at the Temple of the Octagonal Square. Yes, Mr. Bartell, although at the time, of course, I had no idea what was going on. There I was, cheerfully handing out gifts worth well if not a king's, at least a baronet's ransom. While outside the temple of the Octagonal Square, Holmes and Lord Whittacom were talking to Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. There's the case in a nutshell, Lestrade. Seems to me, Lord Whittacom, you'd have been wiser to get in touch with Scotland Yard when you first got the warning note. We could have nabbed him when he came to your house and pinched the sack of presents. Lestrade, this is no time for post-mortems. We've got to reach Lou the Lisbon before he finds Dr. Watson. Suppose he can do that, Holmes? It wouldn't be difficult. Lou the Lisper is nearly as clever as his master, Professor Moriarty. The chances are that you were followed when you came to Baker Street tonight, Whittigam. And equally likely that Watson and Mrs. Hudson were followed as they left it. Moriarty seldom leaves anything to chance. Well, where did Dr. Watson go tonight? From the Lexington Gardens. It's just around the corner from here. Well, then let's go there at once. Fight not quarry away. No, no, no, no, Mr. Ard. We must use a little subtlety. Now, Lou the Lisper wishes to recover that sack of presents from Watson. How would he invade the party with the least possible trouble? By dressing up as Santa Claus again. No, no, I think he's overplayed that role for one evening. Well, then how would he try to get in, Mr. Holmes? Oh, come now, Mr. Holmes. What group of people can enter any house on Christmas Eve without invitation and without creating suspicion? The carols. Exactly, my dear fellow. I shouldn't be at all surprised if at this moment Louver Lisper and some of his gang are singing carols outside 28 Lexington Gardens. Well, then what are we going to do? Form a rival, Coral Society. How many of you men did bring with you? Three. A sergeant and two constables. Wearing greatcoats? Yes, Mr. Holmes. But why? They can hide their helmets and pretend to be singers. Come on. Let's go over there, and while we're walking, we'll rehearse our carols. We must appear reasonably convincing. Sound your way, Lestrade. Sound your way. Well, hello. Thank you for a ride at your back, Sedeckon. No, no, you mustn't be canter-closed, you tired, Lyle. Oh, that's all right, Mrs. Hudson. Hop on, Lyle, hop on. Oh, they're pink. Oh, isn't that nice? Can't they come inside and sing for us, Santa Claus? Yes, of course they can. Ask them to come in, Mrs. Hudson, Lyle. All right, sir. Oh, come on, let me get on your back, too. Oh, now, now, take it easy. Oh, there we go. I want to see your reindeer, Santa. See my reindeer? Oh, my dear boy, they're up on the roof. I'll climb up and see them. No, no, no, you mustn't do that. They're asleep. Oh, here are the carol singers. Off you get, children. There we go. That's it. Now, good evening, gentlemen. Good evening, and Merry Christmas. Would you like to sing some carols for the children? After that, I'm sure you'd like a drop of... Somebody warm you up. Well, thank you, sir. We should like that. Haven't I met you before somewhere, my man? No, sir. I'm sure you haven't. Come on, men. Let's sing Good King Wenceslas. Good King Wenceslas looked out Well, here we are outside the house, Mr. Holmes. Now watch. Shh, shh, shh. Listen. Uh-huh. Lou the whisper and his men are already there. Are we going in? In a moment. Now, men, you will have your truncheons handy? Yes, Mr. Holmes, we're ready. Spend it. Now, remember, when we're inside and I yell Christmas at the top of my voice, you bring out your truncheons and get Lou the Lisper and his gang out of there as quickly as possible. Don't arrest them until you get them outside again, Mr. Ard. I don't want to fight the children. Right on, Mr. Holmes. We're ready. Just give us the word and we'll go in and... Oh, that was very nice singing. Now, how about something to warm you all up? That won't be necessary, Dr. Watson. See to the door, Sammy. Now, all of you, stay right where you are. Who are you? What do you think you're up to? Please don't be difficult, Doctor. All I want is the jewels out of my sack that you sold for me tonight. If you try and stop me, I shall have to hurt you. Why do you talk so funny? You got a cold like me. Shut up. Now, Doctor, where are the jewels? Oh, curse it. There are some more carol fingers outside. I'd like to have to go away, Lou. No, better let them come in. If we don't, they might get suspicious. All right, Lou. First of all, what you're up to. Now, no tricks, Doctor. If you try and give an alarm, I shall have to get rough with you. Well, I don't mind about that, but just remember that there are children present. Oh, yeah, Matty. You're all here before you, eh? I wish you said we all joined our little carol for the nimpers, eh? Well, all right. What do you want to say? I bet I hope the old angels sing. All right, all right. Come on, men. Let's sing. All the angels sing. Glory to the newborn king. Merry Christmas! We are next, Jack. Just watching what's happening. They're all hitting each other with crunches. You can't do that. They're all going away. They're dragging each other out. Hey, come back here. Oh, terrible. Holmes! Holmes, what in fun is going on? I'll explain it to you later, chap. Lestrade! Yes, Mr. Holmes. Take them to Scotland Yard and prefer charges. I'll be over in a little while and give evidence. Right you are, sir. Too bad we didn't catch Professor Moriarty, too. Well, at least we have some of his cohorts. I'll see you later, Lestrade. I wish I knew what was going on here. Is Moriarty mixed up in this business? Yes, Watson. I'll tell you all about it as soon as I've straightened this thing out. Now, Whittacombe. Yes, Holmes. The 20-pound notes that you used as wrapping for your gifts seem to have been scattered all over the house. Do you want me to recover them, too? No. From what you've told me of the children, I think their parents could use the money much more profitably than my relatives. In any case, I can replace it. A very generous Christmas gift. Well, children, did you enjoy the little game we staged for you? It was an awkward. Yes. I nearly died laughing when they started hitting each other. I'm glad you enjoyed it, children. and now I want you to show me the presents you received. I got these pretty earrings. Oh, they were a part of the game, too. A nice little girl like you doesn't want any earrings, Elsie. Here's a beautiful doll for you. Cool. Her eyes open, chest, and everything. And what did you get, my little man? These. Oh, cufflinks. Good gracious. Who wants cufflinks when he can have a clockwork train? You want to exchange? I ain't lord love a duck? Yes. I wanted a doll. There's one for you, lad, and a nice, nice woolly dog. Oh, cool. Lovely. Here you are, Julie. Here's a nice big box of chocolates, too. You can all share them. Oh, mommy, what a nice day. That is much fun since granny got her fingers stuck in a plug-o. I still don't understand what's going on, Holmes, but I must say this has all the earmarks of being a happy Christmas. Mrs. Hudson. Hi, Mr. Holmes. How's the turkey coming along? Oh, it'll be ready in a few minutes, Mr. Holmes. Splendid. And while we're waiting, perhaps the children will oblige, because we haven't heard so far. Mrs. Iyer, I know what you mean. A Christmas carol that really sounds convincing. How about it, children? All right, sir. Come on, Elsie. Come on, Lionel. Dine at night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. From your virgin, mother and child Only in for so tender and hard Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace Well, Doctor, that was really a swell story. On a Christmas Eve like this, do you ever wish you were back in Baker Street celebrating Christmas there? At times, yes, but actually, Mr. Bartell, I'm very happy right here in my little home. There on the tables, a beautiful little Christmas tree. There's a fine fire in my fireplace. My two dogs, Monty and Willie, are sleeping peacefully at my feet. And best of it all, I've got the love of every child in the neighborhood. Yes, I got a great deal this Christmas Eve. Lots to be thankful for. And what with the troubles of the world on their way to being settled, it looks as if this is the brightest Christmas that I've ever had. Well, that's how I feel about it, too, Doctor. I hope that all our friends listening in are just as happy this Christmas Eve as we are. And speaking not only for myself, but I know for all of us and for the Petrie family, too, we wish every one of you a happy Christmas from the bottom of our hearts. God rest ye merry, gentlemen. Well, Dr. Watson, next Monday is New Year's Eve. What story do you plan to tell us? One that I think you find extremely appropriate, Mr. Bartell. It takes place in a Scottish castle near Edinburgh on a New Year's Eve in 1900 and concerns a pair of lovers, an elderly baronet, and a strange iron box that proved to be more than worth its weight in gold. Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mr. Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Mr. Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios. This is Harry Bart... This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by shortwave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to spend the next half hour listening to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And, say, let me tell you something I found out just the other day. Steaks are really back again. Good, thick, juicy porterhouse steaks. That's for me. A thick, tender steak on the rare side, together with a glass of Petri California Burgundy. You know, Petri Burgundy is a perfect mealtime wine. And with meat or any meat dish, it's the very last word in good eating. Honestly, when you taste the wonderful flavor of that rich red Petri Burgundy, you're tasting one swell example of the art of winemaking. It's full-flavored and just about the most delicious wine that ever poured from a bottle. Try it the next time you have steak or chops, or the next time you have hamburger or pot roast. Believe me, Petri Burgundy is the best friend a good meal ever had. And now let's look in on our good friend and host, Dr. Watson. Come in, come in, come in. Ah, there you are, Mr. Bartell. Evening, Doctor. Just in time to join me in a cup of coffee. Draw up your chair, young fellow lad. Thank you. Ah, that's it. Well, Doctor, you told us last week that tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure takes us to the south of France. That's right, Mr. Bartell. The south of France in the year 1900. A beautiful playground bordered by the bluest of blue seas and populated with an extraordinary cross-section of cosmopolitan Europe. Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief. All of them attracted by that Riviera paradise. All of them drawn by the magical spell of a small white ball spinning around the rim of a roulette wheel. Now, don't tell me that you and the great Sherlock Holmes were there on a gambling spree. We were not, Mr. Bartell. At the time my story begins, we just conclude an extremely delicate mission. A mission, I may say, that concerns the safety and good name of a very prominent member of the royal family. Say, doctor, you don't mean... One story to time, Mr. Barco. In any event, my boy, I'm afraid that's the case about which my lips are sealed for all time. But to return to tonight's adventure, one June evening, I persuaded Holmes to accompany me to the gambling casino at Frejus. not far from Cannes where we were staying. It wasn't quite as fashionable as a casino at Monte Carlo but as I intended to do a little modest gambling myself it seemed an establishment more suited to my means. As we stood there at the green baize covered tables the chatter of voices and the melodic chanting of the croupiers as they called the results of each spin of the wheel formed a background to a quiet conversation that Holmes and I were having. lost again watson oh confounded that number 10 must come up soon why not cut your losses old fellow and come for a stroll with me on the wall just a big way a couple more bets homes i i have a piece 10 is bound to come up in a minute watson i believe the blood of a gambler courses through your veins oh there's no harm in taking a little flutter once in a while why don't you risk a few francs oh thank you my dear chap the law of averages convinces me that my money is safer in my pocket in any case i'm a little dubious as to the integrity of this particular casino what makes you say that well you will observe that this roulette wheel has a double zero most continental wheels have only a single one would indicate that this house is extremely concerned with its percentage oh just two more turns to the wheel homes and i'll take that walk with you why do you not be on the other side of the table why must you always stand next to me hello the trouble up there i've placed my bet so so let's go and see i ask you so why do you play here beside me i'm afraid i don't see any reason why i can't play wherever i wish you are you've broken my luck ever since you come to the table i've done nothing but lose please to move away i'll move away yourself if you don't like my company heinrich why do you not stop now you've We've already lost more than we can afford. One more trouble, Elsa. I can win it all back if only this young man will move away. Why should my husband move? He's had a bad run of luck, too. Rien ne va plus. Ne. Reuse, imparément. Ah, you've lost again, Watson. Heinrich, you must stop now. I must stop, Elsa, because I've lost everything. I hope you're satisfied, Mr. American. You've broken my luck and ruined me. I hope that you and your turn will be ruined, too. Heinrich, time to pay for me. I've never heard such rubbish in my life. Were you listening to him, sir? I heard his last few remarks, Mr... Gilbert. Roger Gilbert. And this is my wife, Helen. How do you do? My name is Holmes, and this is my friend, Dr. Watson. How do you do? Didn't you think his remarks were a little out of place, doctor? I certainly did, Mrs. Gilbert. I don't see how he can possibly blame your husband for his run of bad luck. I didn't like the look on his face as he left the table, though. Is there any idea who he is? His name is Schneeman. He's staying at the same hotel as we are. I've never spoken to him, but I've heard of being page there. Well, you shouldn't gamble unless you can afford to lose. Well, I'm losing, darling, and I can't afford it. Oh, but I can let you have more money. You know that. No, Helen, I may have married an aris, but I'm not going to use her fortune to gamble with. I'll lose my own money, and then I'll quit. Mesdames et messieurs, faites-vous. Your last bit, Watson? Yes, Holmes, this time I know that number 10 is going to come up. It's got to. I've lost again, Darn it. Helen, this is my bad night. Why don't you stop now, dear? Holmes, I've made 350 francs. On this throw of the wheel, old fellow, but as you've lost some 500 francs doing it, I can't say that you're a fuck-stack of me. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I can see that you're no gambler. I'm afraid not, Mrs. Gilbert. I wouldn't say that, Holmes. You may not like roulette. You've taken a good many chances in your life with long odds against you, too. Well, never the left chap, in the sense that Mrs. Gilbert means it, I am not a gambler. Say, what's the commotion over there? That German woman with a crowd roaming around him. Yes, yes, the wife of that man that said I ruined him. Attention! Attention! Est-ce qu'il y a un docteur dans la salle? There must be trouble. He's asking for a doctor. A doctor? Come along, then. Will you excuse me, please? Thank you. Excuse me, madame. Mon ami est docteur. Monsieur, cette femme a besoin d'un docteur. What happened, madame? It is my husband. Is he ill? I just found him lying out in the garden. Please come with me at once, gentlemen. Of course we will, madam. What seems to be the matter with him? Herr Doctor, I think he is dead. He's lying by that tree, doctor. Please see if you can help him. Somebody else seems to be on the scene before us. Who are you, sir? I am Monsieur Chevret, director of the casino. Do any of you know this poor man? I am his wife. Is he... Is he dead? I am... I am afraid so, madame. Let me look at him. I'm a doctor. Was your husband gambling in the casino tonight, madame? Yeah, he was... Poor Heinrich. He lose everything that we have. I'm afraid he's dead, madame. Shot to the heart. Oh, to the leap of God. Suicide, Watson? Yeah, looks like it. Yes. Powder burned on the shirt front. Revolver clutched to the right hand. Fingers in a natural position. The angle of the wound settles it. Obviously self-inflicted. I missed you as you slipped out of the casino. What's wrong with him? I'm afraid he's dead, Mr. Gilbert. Yes, he committed suicide. I hope, young man, that you are satisfied. All night you brought me bad luck. He asked you to move away from him to change his luck. But no, you could not do it. Oh, Frau Schneeman, I'm terribly sorry, but I really don't see how you can blame me. I do blame you. and I also blame you, Monsieur Chevron. Me? But what have I done, madame? Why do you let a man lose all his money at your tables? Is life so cheap to you and money so important that you cannot close the tables to someone before he's ruined? Madame, I am all sympathy for you in your tragic loss. But the casino cannot be her responsible. If your husband could not afford to gamble, then he should not come here. How are we to know the financial limitations of our customers? You said your husband lost everything you had tonight, madame. Yeah, everything. then how do you account for this sheaf of banknotes in his breast pocket? Good Lord, it must be several thousand francs, sir. Then he wasn't ruined. And his suicide, therefore, cannot be blamed on his losses at Matresino, madame. How do you account for this money, Frau Fleman? Well, I do not understand. Heinrich kept nothing from me. I know that he had not so much money on him when he started tonight. Well, why do you all look at me like that? Is it that you think? You think... Quick, why do you think she's fainted? I've got her. We must get her to her room. You can take her to my suite in the casino. No, let's take her to the hotel. My wife will look after her. Poor woman, she's had a dreadful shock. She can probably do with another woman's company. That's very considerate of you, Mr. Gilbert. Where are you staying? At the Hotel Creon. It's quite near here. I'll get a cabin while I'm doing that, Watson. See if you can revive her, will you? Then we'll take her to the Hotel Creon. Very kind of you, Mrs. Gilbert, to let us bring the poor lady into your suite. Well, it's the least I can do, in spite of what she said about Roger bringing her husband bad luck. I'm sure she'll need your help when she wakes up, Helen. Yes, I think you'll find that she'll sleep for some hours. I gave her a strong sedative. We were just about to have a drink, gentlemen. Do you care to join us? Oh, thank you, sir. That'll be very nice, Mr. Gilbert. Roger was just telling me that quite a large sum of money was found on Herr Shademan's body, Mr. Holmes. Yes, Mrs. Gilbert. Several thousand francs. We're puzzling, Holmes. Why should a man commit suicide with so much money on him? I think the answer is obvious. He didn't. What on earth do you mean? Well, the money was placed there after he had shot himself. The banknotes were in his breast pocket, if you remember. Hardly usual place to carry money. Though it is the easiest pocket for someone to insert it without disturbing the body. But why on earth should someone place money on it after his suicide? To prevent the casino from getting a bad name. I've heard of it being done on several similar occasions. gives the impression that the unfortunate victim had other motives than gambling losses to account for his suicide. Right, Scott, you mean that one of the casino employees found the body lying there and slipped the money in his wrist pocket before we arrived on the scene? As you know, my dear Watson, I'm not a gambling man, but I'll lay you a hundred to one. That is what happened. Well, that's a new one. Well, here are your drinks, gentlemen. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Say, Helen, Mr. Holmes has given me a brainwave. Another one? What is it this time, Roger? Now, I've been losing very heavily tonight. Roger, I've told you. If you need money, I'll be only... But I don't. I've got a scheme for making some. I'm going to gamble again tonight after dinner. If I lose, here's what I'll do. I'll stain my shirt front with red ink, walk out in the grounds, fire a shot, and lie down as long as I'm dead. I'll wait for someone to come along and stuff my pockets full of banknotes. Not a bad idea, Mr. Gilbert. I think it's a darn good one. What do you say, Mr. Holmes? It's a whimsical one at any rate. Who knows? You might even be successful. Roger, you're not really going to do it, are you? Sure. Perhaps I'll get some of my losses back that way. Well, let's drink to it, gentlemen. At least I may have hit upon an idea of making money. Bonneville! I'm very fast. My dear Watson, you'll have to work hard at your practice when you get back to England. Your infallible system appears to be extremely fallible. And yet the fellow who told me about it said it couldn't miss. It's just a matter of doubling the stakes each time you lose and then... Oh, my dear fellow, I've been studying your system. But I can tell you a really infallible way of making money at roulette. You can? What is it? Well, own the gambling house and operate the tables yourself. The odds would be all in your favor. Oh, what a brilliant suggestion. Own the gambling house and I'm willing to do it. Not gambling for tonight, Watson? It's nearly 11 o'clock. No, I think so. Let's take a stroll around the other table, shall we? By the way, old fellow, the young American, Mr. Gilbert, was losing heavily again tonight. He was? I wonder if he'll try that trick that he threatened, the one with the red ink, shot in the night. I shouldn't be at all surprised. It's a matter of interest. I saw him leave the tables about half an hour ago. Here comes his wife, on the arm of Mr. Chevrolet, the director of the casino. Good evening, Mrs. Gilbert. Monsieur, bonsoir, monsieur. Hello, Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson. Monsieur Chevret is giving me a personally conducted tour of the casino. It's quite fascinating. And it is quite fascinating for me to have so beautiful a woman on my arm, mademoiselle. I know that I am the envy of all the men in the room. Oh, stop flattering me so much. I'm not used to it. Mrs. Gilbert, how is, um, Frau Schneemann? She seems much better. She wakened an hour ago and insisted on going back to her own room. I wanted her to spend the night with us in our suite, but she wouldn't hear of it. I think I should drop in and see her before I go to bed. Oh, you have finished the gambling for tonight, perhaps, Doctor? No, perhaps about it, Monsieur Chevrolet. I've had a bad run at the tables. Oh, I am so sorry. Has anyone seen Roger? He left the tables about half an hour ago, Mrs. Gilbert. After doing as I did and losing quite heavily. So he lost again, did he? I wonder if he'll try that new system he was talking about. We were just discussing that possibility ourselves, Mrs. Gilbert. Mrs Gilbert Mrs Gilbert Fraschleman you shouldn have left your hotel now It is too late to worry for me Herr Doctor It is for Mrs Gilbert now that you should worry What do you mean madame Well I went back just now to where poor Harick died And there, lying in the grass, I saw another body. I was too shocked to go too close. But I am quite sure that I recognize your husband, Mrs. Gilbert. Oh, Dr. Watson, she's ruined Roger's trick. And he'll have taken fright and bolted by the time we get there. Father, baby, let's go at once and find out, shall we? He hasn't gone. He's still lying there. It's a most convincing spectacle. That red ink really does look like blood. Yes. And blood sometimes looks like red ink. Mr. Gilbert. Roger, get up. The joke's spoiled. Roger. Get up. I'm afraid that's impossible, Mrs. Gilbert. He's dead. Dr. Watson's story will be continued in just a second Which is all the time I need to tell you that The easiest way I know to transform a simple meal into a feast Is to serve that meal together with Petri California Sauternes Petri Sauternes is a delicate white wine The perfect companion for chicken or turkey Turkey, ah yes Turkey and Petri Sauternes. That's the heart of any Thanksgiving dinner. Look, why not make this Thanksgiving dinner the best one you ever had? Give it the air of a banquet. Serve it with Petri Sauternes. And when you buy that Sauternes or any wine for your Thanksgiving dinner, whatever you do, look for the letters P-E-T-R-I. Because a Petri wine is always a good wine. Well, Doctor, so the young American's joke turned out to be another tragedy. Yes, Mr. Barthol. The poor fellow was lying there dead with a bullet wound in the heart, a great splash of blood staining the whiteness of his shirt front. What happened next? Monsieur Chevre, director of the casino, took the distraught widow away from the scene while Holmes and I examined the body closely. Within a few minutes, we were joined by Inspector Gannivay of the French police. As we stood there in the moonlight, the sounds of music could be heard from the casino. It was hard to believe that two men had died in that lovely garden since the moon had risen. Monsieur Holmes, you and Dr. Watson have concluded your examination. Yes, Inspector Ganniver. You favor me with your observations. You say that you are certain that this is not another suicide. I'm sure of it, Inspector. Look at the wound. The bullet entered the body at a direct right angle, Whereas a self-inflicted shot is always found obliquely. Yes, that is so. Then you suggest that this man was shot from above as he lay on the ground pretending to be dead. I'm convinced of it. Why, Monsieur? Well, for two reasons. Though it's impossible to be sure without elaborate retest, I'm certain that beneath those bloodstains are stains of red ink. Look for yourself, Inspector. Yes, indeed it does look like it. What is your other reason for being certain that this man was shot as he lay here pretending dead? I'll show him the banknotes, Watson. Here you are, Inspector. We found them stuffed in his breast pocket. So, backnotes with a bullet hole through the middle of them. Very illuminating. Tell me, gentlemen, how many people knew of this little plot you have told me about? This plan of the dead man is to pretend to be shot. Just three people, Inspector. Dr. Watson, myself, and Mrs. Gilbert. Allure, then the answer is obvious. You and your friend are innocent. It must be the wife who killed him. No one else knew of the plan. I'm not so sure of that. Frau Schneemann, the dead German's widow, was in the next room when Gilbert told us about his plan. She might have heard, though I could swear that she was asleep. I gave her a very strong sleeping draft. From what you have told me of her husband's suicide, she might easily have had a motive for murdering this man. Oh, come, come, come, gentlemen. Surely it's obvious who murdered Mr. Gilbert. Who, monsieur? Well, it's certainly one of the two widows. Since there seems to be some doubt in your minds, I suggest we return to the casino. I can promise you the answer to your question within a very few minutes. Well, Monsieur Chevret, now that we're all assembled in your office, I shall sit down quietly and let Inspector Garnivet conduct his examination. No, no, no, Monsieur Holmes. No, you have handled the case so far. Please to continue it to the end. Yes, Monsieur Holmes. I should appreciate it. On behalf of the casino. Very well, gentlemen. It won't take me long. Frau Schneemann. Ja, Herr Holmes. What time did you leave your hotel tonight? Well, I do not know what time it was. Well, what made you leave it? I could not sleep. I knew that they had taken poor Heinrich's body away, but I felt that I must walk back there. It was the last place I saw him alive. How close did you come to Mr. Gilbert's body when you saw it lying there? Oh, close enough to see who it was. Then I ran into the casino to tell his wife. I knew what had happened. How did you know? You didn't come close to the body. I could tell by every line of the body as it lay there. I could tell because I knew that poor Heinrich's death would not be avenged. Thank you, Frosch. That will be all. You may go. Monsieur Holmes, she has no alibi. Surely you should stop. Inspector Gannigre, if I'm to conduct this investigation, I must do it my own way. Pardon, Monsieur Holmes. Please continue. You may go, Frosch. Mrs. Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert. Yes, Mr. Holmes. Where were you prior to our meeting in the casino tonight? Just before we discovered your husband's body. After I left the hotel, I walked over here along the seafront. Can anyone verify that statement? I suppose not. I didn't meet anyone that I knew. And what did you do when you arrived at the casino? I played a little chamande affair. A few months later, Monsieur Cheval came over to the table and asked if he might escort me over the club. Ten minutes after that, we walked into you and Dr. Watson. That is quite true, Monsieur Holmes. I can swear to it. Thank you, Mrs. Gilbert. I'm sorry to distress you with these questions. You may go. I'll wait outside, Mr. Holmes. I must know what happened. Wait for me there, madame. I shall join you in a few minutes in Estorchia Holm. Ah, well, another suspect with a poor alibi, eh, Gullivet? I must say, Monsieur Holmes, your methods puzzled me. It seems to me that both those women should be watched. Yes, I agree with the Inspector Holmes. Please don't worry, Inspector. I've asked two of your plainclothes men to keep an eye on the ladies. And now, Monsieur Chabret, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Ask me any questions you wish, Monsieur Holmes. Thank you. You will agree that it is the custom of the casino to put money on the bodies of suicides after their death, to get the impression that gambling losses were not responsible for the tragedy. Well, I do not think... Oh, come now, Chevrolet. I know that is a fact as well as you do. Exactly. Now, on those rather gruesome occasions, whose responsibility is it to secrete the money? Yours, or do you entrust the matter to an underling? I do it myself. I see. Did you place the money on Herr Schneemann tonight? Yes, monsieur, I did. And did you also perform the same service on the body of Mr. Gilbert? No. I knew nothing of that death until a German lady, Falschneeman, turning into the casino. Excuse me, interrupting, monsieur. Of course, Inspector. What is it? I think that you are wasting time. It is obvious that Madame Gilbert committed the crime. She knew of her husband's plot, she had no alibi, and she had the motive. For is not marriage itself the greatest of all motives for murder? Oh, my dear Inspector. How very cynical. Madame Divert did not kill her husband. I know it. And what is your opinion, Watson? It's a German woman. She had no alibi either. And remember, she was half mad with grief. Mr. Chabray, you say that you know Mrs. Gilbert is not guilty. How do you know? I was with her myself at the time the murder was committed. Oh, indeed. How very interesting. And what time was the murder committed? Well, it was... It was... Our investigations have never established what time the murder was committed, Mr. Chabray. I'm afraid you've walked into my trap. You've given yourself away. Great Scott Chevray, it was you. Chevray, I've known you a good many years, and this is going to be a hard thing to do. I am going to arrest you. Oh, no, you're not, Genevieve. Put down that revolver, sir. Do not be frightened, Doctor. I am not going to shoot you. Chevray, why did you murder Roger Gilbert tonight? Surely you know that too, Monsieur Holmes. Because I am in love with his wife. She's young, beautiful, and rich. It did not occur to me until I saw the young fool lying there tonight pretending to be dead. In my profession, it is natural that I should carry a revolver. What was simpler? Mr. Dupert gave me the perfect opportunity. I could not resist it. Put down that revolver, Chevrolet. Why are you all so frightened? Surely you know how I am going to use it this time. I think so, monsieur. But it's a coward's way out. What an unpreceptive remark for such a perceptive man. No. No, all my life I have been a gambler. I gambled tonight for the highest states of all and... I lost. No. No, I am not afraid to pay for my losses. Au revoir, monsieur. What an extraordinary case, Holmes. I never suspected Chevrolet. And I, old chap, suspected him from the beginning. Well, I wasn't the only one who was stupid, anyway. Inspector Ganivere thought it was the wife. True. Very puzzling conclusion for a detective inspector to arrive at. Oh, it seemed logical enough to me at the time. No, no, no, my dear Watson. Cold logic should have told you otherwise. Roger Gilbert had been losing heavily and had planned this hoax. He obviously had no money on him. and therefore the money was planted in his pocket by Chevrolet. After you shot him? No, my dear fellow. Before. Before? The bullet hole through the banknotes provided that. Now, had the money been put there innocently, Gilbert would have, well, you know, come back to life as soon as the person placing it there had left. He would not have remained lying on the ground for a murderer to find him. Then Chevrolet must have bent over him as he lay there, placed the money in his breast pocket, and then fired. Precisely, Watson. Well, Holmes, I must say you solved it very neatly. You've told Inspector Ganyve that you wanted no credit in the case. Naturally. Publicity would be unfavorable if you remember. No one is supposed to know that we're in the South of Rucks. I'm certain that the inspector learned a few tips about detection tonight. Possibly, old fellow. And I hope that you have learned a few about gambling. How do you mean, Holmes? Well, you're backing the wrong color. A gambler is usually superstitious, and superstition... Well, I should have told you what color to follow tonight. I still don't understand you, Holmes. I was playing number ten. Exactly. Number ten is black. You should have followed a red color tonight, old fellow. The color of red ink. Red ink. And blood. Say, Doctor, that was a swell story. I didn't know you liked to play roulette. You know, I figured out a system for roulette. It's like yours. Every time you lose, you double your money and keep doubling until you win. Oh, it's a great system, Mr. Barclay. Is there any one thing wrong with it? What's that? You lose, you go broke, you win. Take my advice. Don't gamble. You can't beat the laws of chance. But suppose I bet on a sure thing. At what, for instance? Oh, like the fact that Petri wine is always good wine. It is, you know. because the Petri family has been making wine for generations. They've been hanged down from father to son, from father to son, the art of turning luscious, sun-ripened grapes into delicious, fragrant wine. Ever since the Petri family started their business way back in the 1800s, they've been perfecting the art of winemaking. That's why Petri wine is always good wine. The Petri family took time to bring you good wine. So no matter what type of wine you prefer, why not take a few seconds of your time to look for the letters P-E-T-R-I. They spell delicious wine Petri wine. Well, Dr. Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next week? Next week, Mr. Bartell, I'm going to tell you of a strange adventure that Sherlock Holmes and I had when we were in Stratford-on-Avon many years ago. It concerns an actor, a mysterious boating accident, and several dead butterflies. Sounds good, Doctor. I'll see you then. Oh, fine, but now, now, don't forget, next week we're going to broadcast our program from the Paramount 30 in Hollywood for the Victory Loan Drive. So if any of our friends are going to be in Hollywood, we'd love to see them there. Just buy a Victory Bond at any store or bank on Hollywood Boulevard, and in return, you will be given your ticket of admission. Better hurry up, though, before all the seats are gone. Let's really buy lots of those Victory Bonds. Let's finish the job. Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, A Study in Scarlet. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mr. Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Mr. Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California, invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. This is Harry Bartell saying goodnight for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.