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Sherlock Holmes on the Radio Airwaves

A Digital Remediation and Analysis

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A Scandal in Bohemia

ANNOUNCER This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by short wave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri Wine brings you--

STING

ANNOUNCER Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."

UP AND OUT

ANNOUNCER The Petri family -- the family that took time to bring you good wine -- invites you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And you know something? I had an adventure tonight I wish you could have shared with me. I had a steak about, oh, an inch and a half thick, tender and juicy, and with it I had a glass of Petri California Burgundy. Now there's a combination -- steak and Petri Burgundy. That Petri Burgundy is a perfect mealtime wine. It's a rich, red wine that's hearty and full of flavor -- flavor that comes right from the heart of the grape. And don't think that Petri Burgundy is only good with steak -- it'll make a hamburger sandwich taste like a feast, too. Try Petri Burgundy with any meat or meat dish. It's just wonderful! And serve it proudly, too, because after all, the name Petri is the proudest name in the history of American wines.

THEME

ANNOUNCER And now I know Dr. Watson's waiting for us, so let's go in and join him.
KNOCK ON DOOR
WATSON BEHIND DOOR Come in. Come in, come in.
DOOR OPENS
ANNOUNCER Good evening, Dr. Watson.
WATSON Good evening, Mr. Bartell.
DOOR SHUTS
WATSON You're quite muffled up tonight, I see. Overcoat, scarf and gloves. Slip 'em off and come and join me by the fire.
ANNOUNCER Thanks, doctor. Quite a nip in the air tonight.
WATSON Yes, there is indeed.
ANNOUNCER Well, doctor, you told us last week that tonight's story centered around the activities of a brilliant and beautiful woman.
WATSON Yes, my boy. Her name was Irene Adler. But I never knew Holmes to refer to her by any other name than "The Woman."
ANNOUNCER She sounds mighty intriguing. How did you happen to meet up with her?
WATSON Well, I'll tell you the story from the beginning. One night -- it was on the twentieth of March, Eighteen Hundred and Eighty-Eight, to be exact -- I was returning home from a visit to a patient, when my steps led me through Baker Street. Since my marriage, I hadn't seen much of Sherlock Holmes and--
ANNOUNCER You couldn't resist stopping by Two-Twenty-One B, I'm sure, doctor.
WATSON Of course I couldn't. As I stood outside the well-remembered door, I looked up at the lighted windows and saw the tall, spare figure of my old friend pass twice in dark silhouette against the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head sunk on his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their own story. He was hot on the scent of some new problem. I rang the bell and a few moments later, found myself standing before him. FADES OUT
HOLMES FADES IN Marriage suits you, Watson. You look in splendid shape.
WATSON Yes, Holmes, I'm feeling very well, thanks.
HOLMES And in practice again, I see. You didn't tell me that you'd gone back into harness.
WATSON SURPRISED Oh? How do you know?
HOLMES Elementary, my dear chap. If a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black mark of nitrate of silver on his right forefinger and a bulge on the left side of his hat to show where he has secreted his stethoscope, I should be dull, indeed, if I didn't pronounce him to be an active member of the medical profession.
WATSON CHUCKLES Same as ever, Holmes. By the way, I'm, uh-- I'm not interrupting you, am I?
HOLMES Yes, you are, old fellow, but it's a most welcome interruption.
WATSON You're working on a new case?
HOLMES It looks like it. This letter arrived by the last post today. It's undated, and has neither signature nor address. Read it.
WATSON MUMBLES Let's have a look. READS "There will call upon you tonight, at a quarter to eight o'clock, a gentleman who sires to consult you upon a matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may safely be trusted. This account of you we have from all quarters received." TO HIMSELF Hm! READS "Be in your chamber, then, at that hour, and do not take it amiss if your visitor wears a mask." TO HOLMES Great Scott, it all sounds very mysterious. What do you imagine it means?
HOLMES Look carefully at the note, Watson. What do you deduce from it?
WATSON Oh, let's see. Well, the man who wrote it was presumably well-to-do. Such paper couldn't be bought for under half a crown a packet. And it's peculiarly strong and stiff.
HOLMES Peculiar -- that's the very word. It's not an English paper at all. Hold it up to the light. You notice anything?
WATSON Yes. There's a large "E" with a small "g"--
HOLMES AGREES Mm hm.
WATSON --and a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper.
HOLMES What does that suggest to you?
WATSON The name of the maker, no doubt; or perhaps his monogram.
HOLMES Not at all, my dear fellow. The "G" with the small "t" stands for "Gesellschaft," which is the German for "Company."
WATSON And the "E - g"?
HOLMES That stands for Egria.
WATSON Egria?
HOLMES It's in a German-speaking country in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad.
WATSON So the paper was made in Bohemia.
HOLMES Undoubtedly. And the man who wrote the note is a German.
WATSON How do you know that?
HOLMES Observe the curious construction of the sentence, "This account of you we have from all quarters received." A Frenchman or a Russian could not have written that. It's the German who is so discourteous to his verbs.
VICTORIAN DOORBELL JANGLES, OFF
WATSON There's your client now. I'd better go, Holmes.
HOLMES No, no, no, no -- unless you have to.
WATSON Well, I could stay; I thought perhaps that--
HOLMES Then, my dear chap, stay. by all means. I'm lost without my Boswell, and this promises to be interesting. I told Mrs. Hudson to let the masked visitor come upstairs unannounced.
KNOCK ON DOOR
HOLMES Come in.
DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS
HOLMES Good evening, sir.
KING You, uh-- You received my note?
HOLMES Yes, indeed. Come in, won't you, and sit down?
KING WALKS TO CHAIR AND SITS BEHIND--
HOLMES This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Watson. You may say anything before him that you can say to me. Whom have I the honor to address?
KING You may address me as, er, Count Von Kramm.
WATSON How do you do, sir?
KING You must excuse this mask that I wear. The august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have just called myself is not exactly my own.
HOLMES I was well aware of that fact, sir.
KING You see, Mr. Holmes, the matter I am about to discuss implicates the great House of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia.
HOLMES That had not escaped me either, sir. In fact, if you will state your case, I shall be better able to advise you -- your Majesty.
KING ASTONISHED How--? How did you--? DECISIVELY Yes. Yes, I am the King. Why should I attempt to conceal it?
HOLMES Why, indeed?
KING I shall remove the mask. BEAT There. Mr. Holmes, I have traveled incognito from Prague for the express purpose of consulting you.
HOLMES Then, pray consult.
KING Briefly, the facts are these. Some five years ago, during a visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventuress, Irene Adler.
WATSON Irene Adler? We know of her, your Majesty.
HOLMES Look her up in the index for me, will you, Watson? It's right beside you on the desk there.
KING I imagined that her name would not be unfamiliar to you.
SHUFFLE OF PAPERS ... IN AGREEMENT WITH FOLLOWING--
WATSON Here we are, here we are. READS "A. Abrahams, Actongreen Hatchet Murders, Adler--" Adler.
HOLMES Splendid. Hand me the file, old chap Thank you. Mm hm! READS AND MUSES "Irene Adler. Born in New Jersey in the United States of America in Eighteen Fifty-Eight. Contralto." Mm hm. "Prima donna, Imperial Opera of Warsaw." Oh. "Retired from operatic stage. Living in London." Quite so. And here's a recent notation -- uh huh. TO KING Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters and is now sirous of getting those letters back.
KING AMAZED Precisely so. But how could--?
HOLMES Was there a secret marriage?
KING None.
HOLMES No legal papers or certificates?
KING Er, no.
HOLMES Then I fail to follow, your Majesty. If this young lady should produce her letters for blackmailing purposes, how is she to prove their authenticity?
KING There is the handwriting.
WATSON That could be a forgery, your Majesty.
KING But it was private note-paper.
HOLMES Stolen.
KING My own seal.
HOLMES Imitated.
KING My photograph.
HOLMES Bought.
KING But - we were both in the photograph.
HOLMES Oh, dear me. Yes, that's very bad. Your Majesty has indeed committed an indiscretion.
WATSON Did you inscribe this photograph, your Majesty?
KING Yes, Dr. Watson, I am afraid I did.
WATSON MUMBLES Good gracious me.
KING Mr. Holmes, it must be recovered.
HOLMES Perhaps if you were to pay enough, the photograph might be bought.
KING She refuses to sell.
HOLMES Stolen, then.
KING Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she traveled. Twice she has been waylaid. There has been no result.
HOLMES Oh, dear, it's quite a pretty little problem.
KING It is a deadly serious one to me.
WATSON Your Majesty, what does Miss Adler intend to do with the photograph?
KING To ruin me.
HOLMES How, sir?
KING Well, I am about to be married to the second daughter of the King of Scandinavia. She is the [very] soul of delicacy. A shadow of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end.
HOLMES And Irene Adler threatens to send the photograph to your fiancée, I suppose?
KING Yes, and she will do it. Rather than let me marry another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not go. None.
WATSON Are you sure that she hasn't already sent it, your Majesty?
KING I am sure.
HOLMES And why?
KING She said she would send it on the day my betrothal is publicly announced. That day will be next Monday.
HOLMES Splendid! Then we still have three days. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in London for the present?
KING Yes, certainly. You will find me at the Langham Hotel, registered as Count Von Kramm.
HOLMES Just two questions before you leave.
KING What are they?
HOLMES Is the photograph large or small?
KING Quite large. And it was in a heavy frame.
HOLMES I see. And what is Irene Adler's London address, please?
KING Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood.
HOLMES Thank you, your Majesty. Good night, and I trust that we shall soon have some good news for you.
KING RISES I am placing all my hopes in you, Mr. Holmes. MOVING OFF Good night. Good night, Dr. Watson.
WATSON Good night, your Majesty.
DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS
WATSON Fascinating problem, Holmes. I wish I could help you with it.
HOLMES You can, my dear chap. I shall be glad of your company.
WATSON What's our first move, Holmes?
HOLMES A good night's rest. We'll meet here at ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
WATSON And then?
HOLMES Then, my dear fellow, we will see what we can find out about Miss Irene Adler, late of the Warsaw Imperial Opera Company and at present residing at Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood.

BRIDGE

WATSON Well, Holmes, I guess the examination of Briony Lodge didn't prove very illuminating.
HOLMES No. A bijou residence that represents the essence of dignified suburbia, but tells us very little about the owner. I think a visit to the local public house might prove more instructive. Come on, old chap I see the door of the Coach and Horse is inviting us from across the road.
TWO PAIRS OF FOOTSTEPS ON COBBLESTONE
WATSON Well, our disguises shouldn't cause any suspicion.
HOLMES [That's why] I suggested them. In the character of a couple of stable hands, I felt that we might inspire confidence. This is a horsy neighborhood, and there's a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among their fraternity. Here we are. Better let me do most of the talking.
WATSON Yes, I will. I'm sure that your accent will be more convincing than mine.
HOLMES Let's go in, shall we?
PUB DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS ... PUB BACKGROUND; PIANO
BARTENDER Well, what'll it be, mateys?
HOLMES COCKNEY 'Alf a bowl of malt, please. 'Ow 'bout you, Charley?
WATSON COCKNEY I'll have the same.
BARTENDER Two half of old and mild.
PUB BACKGROUND AND PIANO FILLS PAUSE ... THEN DRINKS ARE SET DOWN AND PIANO OUT BEHIND--
BARTENDER Here we are, mateys. Here. That'll be a tenner.
HOLMES COCKNEY Have a drink wiv us, governor?
BARTENDER Don't mind if I do. I'll have a Guinness. You blokes new around here?
HOLMES COCKNEY Oh, yes. We just come over from Clapham.
BARTENDER Clapham, eh? Well, here's looking at you. DRINKS, EXHALES You hunting for jobs?
HOLMES COCKNEY Yes, that's right. We was told that Miss Adler across at Briony Lodge needed a new coachman and groom.
BARTENDER Well, it's the first I've heard of it -- but it might be true. Have you been over there to ask?
HOLMES COCKNEY No, not yet. We thought we'd find out something about the old girl first.
BARTENDER CHUCKLES She ain't no old girl, matey. She's the prettiest young thing you ever saw under a bonnet, and that's a fact.
WATSON COCKNEY You know her, governor?
BARTENDER Yeah, of course I know her. Used to drive her carriage, I did, afore I come to work here.
HOLMES COCKNEY Oh. What's she like?
BARTENDER Well, as nice a little lady as you'll find, chum.
WATSON COCKNEY Work you hard?
BARTENDER No. No, no. She lives quiet, like. Goes out singing at concerts once in a while. Rest of the time, it's money for gin. She goes out for a drive in the park every day at five and comes back to dinner at six-thirty. Rest of the time's your own.
HOLMES COCKNEY Oh, she ain't married, you say?
BARTENDER No, no. But she's got a bloke what comes to see her all the time. He's a barrister; nice gentleman. Mr. Geoffrey Norton is his name. Good looking fella; wouldn't be surprised to see 'em get spliced.
HOLMES COCKNEY Sounds like a nice, cushy job to me. TO WATSON Come on, Charley, let's get over to the house and see what's what. TO BARTENDER Much obliged to you, chum.
BARTENDER Good luck, mateys.
WATSON COCKNEY Good night.
BARTENDER And thanks for the Guinness!
PUB DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS ... PUB BACKGROUND OUT
WATSON What's our next move, Holmes?
HOLMES Let's stroll back to Briony Lodge, shall we? I'm undecided whether to continue my investigations there or to try and find out something about Mr. Geoffrey Norton, the barrister. If he is just her lawyer and nothing else, it's more than likely that she's entrusted the photograph to his safekeeping.
WATSON Hello, there's a cab waiting outside Miss Adler's house.
HOLMES Hurry, Watson. It may be Mr. Norton's.
THEIR HURRIED FOOTSTEPS TO THE FRONT GATE
WATSON LOW Here we are at the gate.
HOLMES LOW Yes! And here comes a man hurrying down the pathway. Quick -- behind this post. Listen!
NORTON'S FOOTSTEPS RUN TO CAB
1ST CABMAN Where to now, Mr. Norton?
NORTON Drive like the devil! First to Gross and Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a sovereign if you do it in twenty minutes!
1ST CABMAN Right you are, Mr. Norton! Hop in!
NORTON CLIMBS IN ... CAB DOOR SHUTS
HOLMES LOW Try and signal a cab, Watson! We must follow him!
CAB DRIVES DOWN ROAD
WATSON Here comes one! No, no, it isn't. It's a private carriage.
HOLMES Miss Adler's, no doubt! LOW Here she comes down the pathway. Back again behind the post, Watson!
ADLER'S FOOTSTEPS RUNNING TOWARD CARRIAGE
COACHMAN Where to, Miss Adler?
ADLER The Church of St. Monica, John, and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.
CARRIAGE DOOR SHUTS ... CARRIAGE DRIVES DOWN ROAD
HOLMES The game's afoot! Quick, we must get a cab and follow them!
WATSON Here comes a hansom!
HANSOM CAB PULLS UP ... THEN STOPS BEHIND--
WATSON CALLS Cabby! Hey, hey, cabby!
2ND CABMAN SKEPTICAL Have you blokes got enough money to take a cab?
HOLMES Here's half a sovereign for you, my man!
2ND CABMAN Right you are! Where to, governor?
HOLMES The Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road, and another half sovereign for you if you get us there in twenty minutes!
CAB DOOR SHUTS ... CAB DRIVES DOWN ROAD

CURTAIN

ANNOUNCER We'll hear the rest of Dr. Watson's story in just a second, but let me tell you something. If you're going to have chicken for dinner tomorrow night or - or any night, don't forget to serve that chicken with Petri California Sauterne. Believe me, Petri Sauterne is just about the last word in white wines. It's beautifully golden in color, it's delicate and intriguing in flavor and it's just-- Well, you taste it and see for yourself. If you want a delicious white wine, you certainly want Petri Sauterne. TO WATSON Well, doctor, again you broke off your story at the most exciting point. Did you and Sherlock Holmes reach that church inside the twenty minutes?
WATSON Yes, Mr. Bartell, we did, but the other carriages were there before us. Holmes went into the church after telling me to guard the outside. I must have waited for ten minutes or more before Mr. Geoffrey Norton and Miss Adler came out, spoke a few words to each other and then left -- then and there, in their separate conveyances. A moment later, Holmes -- still dressed as a stable hand -- came striding out of the church and down the steps towards me. He was obviously very excited. FADES OUT
HOLMES FADES IN Watson! Watson, have they left?
WATSON Yes, in separate cabs. I overheard him say that he was going back to his office. And she said, "I shall drive out in the park at five o'clock, as usual."
HOLMES Splendid. Then come on -- we can return to Baker Street.
THEIR FOOTSTEPS TO CAB, DURING FOLLOWING--
WATSON What happened inside the church, Holmes?
HOLMES They were married.
WATSON Married?!
HOLMES Of course. The ceremony would have been illegal if performed after noon. That accounted for their wild dash to the church. Jump into the cab, old fellow.
2NDCABMAN Where to now, governor?
HOLMES Two Twenty-One B, Baker Street.
CAB DOOR OPENS ... HOLMES AND WATSON CLIMB IN ... CAB DOOR SHUTS ... CAB DRIVES DOWN ROAD, CONTINUES IN BACKGROUND
WATSON Oh, so they got married, eh?
HOLMES Yes. And it may amuse you to know that I acted as witness at the ceremony.
WATSON You did? But how did that happen?
HOLMES LAUGHS Their own witness had failed to appear and I was dragged into the breach. The bride gave me this sovereign as a memento. I, uh, think I'll wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion.
WATSON What an amazing situation. Things begin to look better for the king, don't they? Now that she's Mrs. Norton, the chances are that she won't want to expose his Majesty, after all.
HOLMES I hope so, Watson, I hope so. But we can't afford to take any chances. I think the time is ripe for us to come to closer grips with the lady!

BRIDGE

WATSON Well, Holmes, now that we've eaten, perhaps you'll tell me your plan.
HOLMES With pleasure, my dear fellow -- and while I'm so doing, I'll proceed with applying the makeup for my new disguise.
WATSON AMUSED Another disguise? What's it to be this time?
HOLMES I think the character and appearance of an amiable, simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman would be the most suited to my plan for entering Miss Adler's house.
WATSON You're going to try and enter, then?
HOLMES I must, my dear fellow. I'm sure the photograph is there. Miss Adler -- or, rather, Mrs. Norton -- will return from her drive in the park at six-thirty. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her.
WATSON And what then?
HOLMES You must leave that to me. I've already made my arrangements. There is only one point on which I must insist -- you must not interfere, come what may. You understand?
WATSON I'm to remain neutral?
HOLMES Yes. There will be some small unpleasantness. Don't join in. It will end in my being conveyed into the house. As soon as I am able to, I shall open one of the windows. You are to watch from outside. When I raise my hand, you will throw an object -- that I shall give you -- through the window and, at the same time, cry "Fire!" You follow me?
WATSON Entirely. But what am I to throw?
HOLMES Oh, it's nothing very formidable. Here it is.
WATSON Huh. Looks like a great big cigar. What is it?
HOLMES An ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is confined to throwing it through the window. When you raise the cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I'll rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope I've made myself clear.
WATSON Perfectly.
HOLMES Good. And now, old fellow, as soon as I've donned my clerical attire, let's be on our way. There's no time to be lost.

BRIDGE

WATSON It's nearly six-thirty, Holmes. We've been pacing up and down in front of her house for half an hour now. I hope she does come back.
HOLMES I'm sure she will.
WATSON There seem to be a lot of loafers hanging around her gate.
HOLMES All part of my conspiracy, old chap You'll see them play their parts in a few minutes.
WATSON You still think the photograph is inside the house?
HOLMES Yes. It's most unlikely that she carries it about with her. Remember, the king told us it was a large, framed picture. And also remember that she planned to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands on it. It must be inside her house.
WATSON But her house has been burgled. Twice.
HOLMES Oh, psh! They didn't know how to look.
WATSON How will you look?
HOLMES I won't. I'll get her to show me.
WATSON Oh, she'll refuse.
HOLMES She won't be able to--
CARRIAGE APPROACHES
HOLMES Shh! Here comes the carriage now. Remember, Watson -- carry out my orders to the letter.
WATSON MOVING OFF You can trust me. Good luck.
CARRIAGE ROLLS TO A STOP
ALFIE SARCASTIC Blimey! 'Ere comes the Duchess of Tiddlywinks!
CROWD LAUGHS ... BUZZES IN BACKGROUND
ALFIE Let's put out a carpet; she might get her tootsies wet!
PAT Awwww, put a sock in it, Alfie!
HATTIE Leave him alone! She's no better than she ought to be!
CROWD JEERS
ADLER Please, please -- let me through! I live here!
ALFIE Well, ain't that nice! We'll all come in and have a cup of cocoa!
CROWD JEERS AND LAUGHS ... GROWS INCREASINGLY UNRULY IN BACKGROUND
HOLMES AS THE CLERGYMAN Move out of the way, please, and let the lady through.
HATTIE Mind your own business! Just 'cause your collar's turned the wrong way round, you can't spoil our fun!
ALFIE That's right, Hattie! Keep your nose out of it, parson!
HATTIE Stop shovin', will ya?
ADLER Please, please, don't fight about it!
HOLMES I'll - I'll tell you what-- HAUGHTY Stop molesting the lady, please!
ALFIE Do ya? Then how would you like a biff on the nose, Mr. Clergyman?
CROWD JEERS ... ALFIE PUNCHES THE CLERGYMAN WHO FALLS TO THE GROUND ... CROWD REACTS ... ALFIE RUNS AWAY ... CROWD DISPERSES BEHIND--
ADLER DISTRAUGHT Oh, he hit the poor man! And then he ran away, the coward! Is the clergyman badly hurt?
ERNIE He hit his head, ma'am, as he fell. If you asks me, he's hurt bad.
BERT He's bleedin' something terrible.
ERNIE Can we bring him in, mum? He can't lie here in the street.
ADLER Oh, why, of course. Bring him in.
ERNIE Right you are, mum. Here, Bert--
BERT Righto.
ERNIE --give us a hand.
MEN GRUNT AS THEY LIFT BODY AND CARRY IT INTO THE HOUSE
HATTIE SADLY Coo. Poor fella. 'Joo see what happened to him, mister?
WATSON Yes, I saw, my good woman. A very convincing demonstration.
HATTIE DEFENSIVE Whatcha mean?
WATSON LOW Weren't you paid by, uh, a certain gentleman for this performance?
HATTIE DROPS HER ACT Ohhh -- you knows about it, too. You must be a friend of Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
WATSON Yes, I am.
HATTIE A nice gentleman. He give us five bob apiece for tonight's work. We ain't through yet, though. We gotta start yelling "Fire" when somebody tells us.
WATSON I'm that somebody, my dear lady. There's Mr. Holmes now. He's inside the house!
HATTIE Yes! He's opening a window!
WATSON Now he's raising his hand -- that's my signal. Now, to throw the rocket! GRUNTS WITH EFFORT Ah! There we are. YELLS Fire!
CROWD STARTS YELLING "FIRE! FIRE!"

BRIDGE

HOLMES' BRISK FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
WATSON Holmes -- there you are! You - you have the photograph?
HOLMES No, but I know where it is. She showed me, as I told you she would.
WATSON Well, I'm still in the dark.
HOLMES There's no mystery, old chap When my accomplices started the row in the street, I had a little moist red paint in my hand. My good friend Alfie pretended to strike me; I clapped my hand to my head and fell down. It's an old trick.
WATSON Yes, I understand that, but how did my throwing the rocket help you?
HOLMES It was all-important, my dear fellow. When a woman thinks her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to rush for the thing that she values most. A married woman grabs her baby; an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. In this case, of course, it was the photograph.
WATSON Where was it?
HOLMES In a recess in the living room, just above the right-hand bell-pull. I caught a glimpse of it as she drew it out. When I made it known that the fire was a false alarm, she replaced the photograph. As soon as I was able to, I advised her that I was feeling well enough to leave.
WATSON You didn't take the photograph, then.
HOLMES No, I felt that over-precipitance at this stage might ruin everything.
WATSON What do we do now?
HOLMES Drive to the Langham Hotel and inform his Majesty of what has happened. Then return with him here. And after that, my dear chap, the case will be ended!

BRIDGE

CAB PULLS TO A STOP
WATSON This is Briony Lodge, your Majesty.
KING I am all impatience. You are certain the photograph will still be there, Mr. Holmes?
HOLMES I have every reason to believe so, your Majesty.
THE THREE CLIMB OUT OF THE CAB AND WALK TO FRONT DOOR, DURING FOLLOWING--
KING I must confess, this is going to be something of an ordeal.
HOLMES Then I suggest that you let me do the talking, your Majesty. I think I know how to handle the lady.
KNOCKS ON FRONT DOOR ... DOOR OPENS
MAID Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?
HOLMES MILDLY SURPRISED Yes. I am Mr. Holmes. But - how did you know?
MAID My mistress told me you would be likely to call. She's left for the Continent with her husband.
WATSON You mean she's left England?
MAID Never to return.
KING DISTRESSED Then the papers -- and the photograph? Oh, all is lost!
HOLMES We'll soon see. Follow me.
THEIR HURRIED FOOTSTEPS INTO THE HOUSE
MAID SLIGHTLY MOCKING She said you'd be looking for something. I hope you find it!
HOLMES This was the bell-rope. Sliding panel behind it.
HOLMES TAPS SEVERAL TIMES ON THE WALL
HOLMES Uh huh. Here it is.
PANEL SLIDES OPEN
KING BEAT Is - is the photograph there, Mr. Holmes?
HOLMES UNHAPPY There is a photograph, your Majesty. But it's, um, a photograph of the lady alone. Here's a letter -- and it's addressed to me.
ENVELOPE TORN OPEN, LETTER UNFOLDED
WATSON What does it say, Holmes?
HOLMES READS "My dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes. You really did it very well. Until after the fire alarm, I had no suspicion. But then, when I realized how I had betrayed myself, I began to think. I had been warned that if the King employed an agent he would certainly employ you. May I congratulate you on your disguise as a dear, old clergyman."
WATSON AMUSED Great Scott! She was much more clever than you thought, Holmes!
KING IMPATIENT Ja, ja, go on. What else does it say?
HOLMES CLEARS THROAT, READS "My husband and I both thought that the best recourse was flight, so you will find the nest empty. As to the photograph of the King and myself, his Majesty may rest in peace." TO HIMSELF Oh, thank goodness for that. READS "I love and am loved by a better man than he. I leave another photograph, however, that he might care to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, very truly yours, Irene Norton, ne Adler." IMPRESSED, EXCITED What a woman, Watson; what a woman; what a magnificent woman! She fooled me completely! CATCHES HIMSELF But-- Oh. I, uh-- I'm sorry, your Majesty, I - I've been unable to bring your business to a more successful conclusion.
KING On the contrary, my dear sir. Nothing could be more successful. I know that Irene's word is inviolate. The incriminating photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire.
WATSON Well, I'm glad to hear your Majesty say so.
KING I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reward you. Uh, this - this beryl ring that I wear. I - I should be proud to--
HOLMES Your Majesty has something that I should value even more highly.
KING You have but to name it.
HOLMES This photograph, sir.
KING Irene's photograph? But certainly. However, you must let me give you something more substantial.
HOLMES Oh no, no, no, your Majesty. This is something I shall treasure all my life. This and a golden sovereign I received from the lady's hand. They will remind me that I was once tricked by a woman! A woman that I shall never forget.

CURTAIN

ANNOUNCER Gee, doctor, what a woman, that Miss Adler. Or should I say Mrs. Norton. SIGHS That's the kind of woman I could really go for.
WATSON Yes, I believe you could. Just between ourselves, you know, I sort of -- ahem -- sort of could go for her meself.
ANNOUNCER She was intelligent.
WATSON She was rich.
ANNOUNCER And beautiful. That's the kind of woman you want sitting next to you in front of a cozy fire on a nippy fall night. Just the three of you.
WATSON The three of you?
ANNOUNCER Mm hm. You. She. And a glass of Petri Port.
WATSON LAUGHS Mr. Bartell--!
ANNOUNCER Well, why not?
WATSON CHUCKLES Gracious.
ANNOUNCER Petri California Port is some wine! Boy, that Petri family really knows how to make good wine, all right. And no wonder. Look at all the experience they've had. Ever since they started the Petri business, way back in the eighteen hundreds, the Petri family has handed down from father to son -- from father to son -- the art of selecting perfect, sun-ripened California grapes and making them into clear, fragrant, delicious wine. Those letters -- P-E-T-R-I -- on the label of every bottle of Petri wine are the personal assurance of the Petri family that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine. It's got to be! Because Petri took time to bring you good wine. TO WATSON Well, Dr. Watson, that was a great story you told us tonight.
WATSON I thought you'd like it, Mr. Bartell. That's why I plan to tell you a sequel to it next week.
ANNOUNCER A sequel? Say, that sounds exciting, doctor.
WATSON Oh, I think you'll find it proves to be, Mr. Bartell. It's a story that takes place twenty years after tonight's adventure. Once again, the principal part is played by a woman. Only in this case, it isn't Irene Adler. It's her daughter. BEAT Oh, and, uh, now, Mr. Bartell, before I go I want to remind our listeners that they owe a real debt of gratitude to the Selective Service Boards in their communities. At this moment, the Selective Service Boards are working harder than ever, making sure that every returning veteran knows his rights and privileges. And the Boards are helping him take full advantage of those rights and privileges. They're helping our veterans get jobs. Our Selective Service Boards deserve our sincere thanks and they deserve our cooperation. They have done -- and they are doing -- a splendid job.

THEME ... THEN UNDER--

ANNOUNCER Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure was written by Denis Green and Anthony Boucher, and is an adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story "A Scandal in Bohemia." Music is by Dean Fosler. 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.

OUT

ANNOUNCER This is Harry Bartell saying "Good night" for the Petri family. PAUSE For a solid hour of exciting mystery-dramas, listen every Monday on most of these same stations at eight o'clock to "Bulldog Drummond," followed immediately by "Sherlock Holmes."
MUT ANNCR This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.

The Problem of Thor Bridge

ANNOUNCER This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by short wave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri Wine brings you--

FANFARE

ANNOUNCER Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in "The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."

FANFARE ... THEN OUT

ANNOUNCER The Petri Family -- "the family that took time / to bring you good wine" -- invites you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And, while you're settling back comfortably in your chair, mind if I tell you about something I'd like you to share with me? It's a glass of Petri California sherry. Of course, most people think of Petri California sherry as the one wine that's really swell any time but, personally, I like a glass of that Petri sherry just before dinner. You know, that's the time you're a little on edge, you've just finished your day's work, and you're waiting for your dinner, and-- Well, that's when you want to lean back and take it easy. And, boy, that's the time a glass of Petri sherry tastes like something just too good to be true. Try it. Petri sherry's the perfect before-dinner wine. And, incidentally, if you like your sherry dry -- you know, not sweet? -- then you'll find that Petri pale dry sherry is just made for you. The important thing is the Petri label, because when it says "Petri," it always means good wine.

THEME ... THEN OUT

ANNOUNCER And now for our weekly visit with our good friend and host, Dr. Watson. Good evening, doctor.
WATSON Good evening, Mr. Bartell. You're a bit late. I've been keeping some dinner hot for you here. Pull up your chair and join me.
ANNOUNCER That's very nice of you. Thanks, doctor. Are you all set with tonight's story?
WATSON Yes, my boy. I'm "all set" as you call it. As a matter of fact, I was going over my notes on the case just before you arrived.
ANNOUNCER Last week, you hinted that a beautiful girl figured prominently in your adventure.
WATSON That's quite right, Mr. Bartell. An extremely beautiful girl. In fact, I often used to say to Sherlock Holmes that if I'd been a little younger at the time, I might-- Oh, well, you haven't come here to listen to my personal reminiscences. You want to hear the story that I called "The Problem of Thor Bridge."
ANNOUNCER That's what you promised us, doctor. How did it begin?
WATSON NARRATES On a windy morning in October -- in 1890, it was -- as I was dressing, I observed how the last remaining leaves were being whirled away from the solitary plane tree which graced the yard behind our Baker Street house. I descended to breakfast prepared to find my companion in depressed spirits, for, like all great artists, he was easily impressed by his surroundings. But, to my surprise, he was in an unusually gay mood. As I entered the room, he looked up at me and, with a smile, he spoke.
HOLMES CHEERY Good morning, my dear fellow. I hope you slept well.
WATSON Splendidly, thanks, Holmes.
HOLMES I'm so glad.
WATSON Well, you're very solicitous this morning. I - I think you must have got a new case. CHUCKLES Am I right?
HOLMES The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious. Yes, I have a new case. After a month of trivialities and stagnation, the wheels revolve once more.
WATSON Good. Tell me all about it.
HOLMES Well, as yet, there isn't much to tell. Have you ever heard of Neil Gibson?
WATSON Neil Gibson? Oh, yes, yes, yes. Something to do with gold mining, hasn't he?
HOLMES A great deal to do with it, my dear fellow. In fact, he's considered the greatest mining magnate in the world. About five years ago, he bought a large estate in Hampshire. Perhaps you've read of the tragic death of his wife.
WATSON Oh, yes, of course. I remember the case now. She was murdered by a jealous governess who was in her employ, wasn't she?
HOLMES That point will be decided when the lady in question -- Grace Dunbar, I believe her name is -- comes up for trial at the forthcoming Winchester Assizes. In any case, it's hard to see what I can do for my client at this late date.
WATSON Your client?
HOLMES Oh, yes. I forgot I hadn't told you. I'm getting into your involved habit of telling a story backwards. You'd better read this letter; came this morning.
RATTLE OF PAPER
WATSON Let's have a look. READS "Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Miss Dunbar is innocent. I can't see the finest woman in the world go to her death without doing everything possible to save her. I shall call on you at ten-thirty to-morrow morning to discuss the matter. Yours faithfully, Neil Gibson." Good gracious me.
HOLMES There you have it, Watson. That is the gentleman I await.
WATSON Do you know anything about his dead wife?
HOLMES Only what I've been reading in the papers. Apparently, she was past her prime, which was the more unfortunate as this Miss Dunbar, who superintended the education of the two young children, is reputed to be a very attractive young lady.
WATSON CHUCKLES The eternal triangle, eh? Well, where did the murder take place?
HOLMES On Gibson's estate in Hampshire. His wife was found on the grounds nearly half a mile from the manor house, late at night, clad in her dinner dress, with a shawl over her shoulders and -- a revolver bullet through her brain.
WATSON Any weapon found near her?
HOLMES No, there were no clues found at the scene of the crime.
WATSON What made them suspect the governess?
HOLMES Well, in the first place, there was some very incriminating evidence. A revolver with one discharged chamber -- the calibre corresponding with the bullet in the dead woman's head -- was found on the floor in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe.
WATSON Oh, was it? Pretty damaging evidence, Holmes.
HOLMES Mmm. So the coroner thought. And, to make the case even blacker against Miss Dunbar, the dead woman had a note on her making an appointment at that very spot -- and the note was signed by the governess.
WATSON It seems obvious that the girl's guilty. And the motive's clear. Mr. Gibson would be a great catch for a young girl. Love, fortune, power -- all dependent on one life.
HOLMES Possibly, Watson, but circumstantial evidence can be very misleading at times.
DOOR BELL JANGLES
HOLMES Ah, there's the gentleman in question, unless I'm very much mistaken, considerably before his time.
WATSON OFF Well, I can see him from the window here. Formidable-looking fellow. Must be well over six foot tall.
DOOR BELL JANGLES, LOUDER
HOLMES LAUGHS Judging by the way he's wrenching at that door bell, he's a man with a violent temper.
WATSON OFF Mrs. Hudson's opening the door to him now.
HOLMES Ah, meet him on the stairs, will you, old chap It'll save Mrs. Hudson a journey.
WATSON OFF Right you are, Holmes.
WATSON'S FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR ... DOOR OPENS
WATSON OFF, CALLS Up here, sir!
GIBSON OFF, TO WATSON Are you Mr. Sherlock Holmes?
WATSON OFF No, no, indeed. I'm his colleague Dr. Watson. Come along in, won't you?
DOOR CLOSES ... FOOTSTEPS IN
HOLMES Mr. Neil Gibson, I presume?
GIBSON That's right. So you're the great Sherlock Holmes, huh?
HOLMES CHUCKLES The adjective is your own, Mr. Gibson. Sit down, won't you? By the way, you may speak quite freely in front of Dr. Watson.
GIBSON Hm. Well, I may as well begin by telling you that money means nothing to me in this case. You can burn it if it's any use to you in lighting the truth. Miss Dunbar is innocent and it's up to you to prove it. Just name your fee.
HOLMES Mr. Gibson, my professional charges are on a fixed scale. I don't vary them, except when I omit them altogether.
GIBSON Very well. I imagine that you read the newspaper reports of the coroner's inquest.
HOLMES Yes, very thoroughly.
GIBSON I don't see that I can add anything that'll help you. But if there are any questions you'd like to ask, I'll answer them.
HOLMES Well, thank you. First, what were the exact relations between you and Miss Dunbar?
GIBSON TENSE I suppose you're within your rights in asking such a question, Mr. Holmes.
HOLMES CHUCKLES We will agree to suppose so, shall we?
GIBSON UNCONVINCINGLY Then I can assure you that my relations with Miss Dunbar were always those of an employer towards a young lady whom he never conversed with, or ever saw, except in the company of his children.
HOLMES DISGUSTED Ohh. DISMISSIVE I'm rather a busy man, Mr. Gibson, and I've no time or taste for aimless conversation. I wish you good-morning.
GIBSON ANGRY What the devil do you mean by this, Mr. Holmes?
HOLMES My dear sir, the case is difficult enough without your giving me false information.
GIBSON Meaning that I lie, sir?
HOLMES I was trying to express it as delicately as possible, but - CLEARS THROAT - if you insist on the word I won't contradict you.
GIBSON Why, you confounded--!
HOLMES Don't be noisy, Mr. Gibson. Please, don't be noisy. I find that after breakfast even the smallest argument is unsettling. I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little quiet thought will be greatly to your advantage.
GIBSON I suppose I can't make you take the case - but you've done yourself no good this morning, Mr. Holmes! MOVING OFF I've broken stronger men than you! No man ever crossed me and was the better for it!
GIBSON'S FOOTSTEPS TO DOOR WHICH OPENS
HOLMES CALLS Good-morning, Mr. Gibson. You've a great deal yet to learn.
DOOR SLAMS SHUT
WATSON CHUCKLES Upon my soul, Holmes, you were unusually severe with him. CHUCKLES
HOLMES STERN I dislike liars, Watson, and I cannot tolerate arrogance -- particularly when it's coupled with great wealth.
WATSON How did you know about his relations with the governess?
HOLMES I didn't. It was pure bluff.
WATSON Bluff! CHUCKLES Well, it certainly worked. Think he'll come back?
HOLMES Oh, of course he will. He needs my help too badly. He'll probably change his mind before he's halfway down the stairs.
SIMULTANEOUS KNOCK AT DOOR
HOLMES CALLS Come in!
DOOR OPENS
HOLMES Ah! CHUCKLES Mr. Gibson. Just saying to Dr. Watson that I was certain you'd be back.
DOOR CLOSES ... GIBSON'S FOOTSTEPS IN
GIBSON APPROACHES I've been thinking it over, Mr. Holmes, and I feel that perhaps I was hasty in taking your remarks amiss. Just the same, I can assure you that the relations between Miss Dunbar and me really don't affect this case.
HOLMES Surely, that is for me to decide, Mr. Gibson.
WATSON You see, Mr. Gibson, my friend is like a doctor. He wants every symptom before he can give his diagnosis.
GIBSON Fire away, Mr. Holmes. What is it you want to know?
HOLMES The truth.
GIBSON I can give it to you in a very few words. To begin with, I met my wife when I was gold-mining in Brazil.
WATSON Your wife was Brazilian by birth, wasn't she, sir?
GIBSON Yes, doctor, and very beautiful. Well, to make a long story short, I fell in love and married her and brought her to England. After a few years, I realized that we had nothing -- absolutely nothing -- in common.
HOLMES And then, I suppose, this young governess, Miss Dunbar, arrived on the scene.
GIBSON That's right, Mr. Holmes. Well, the story should be obvious to you from there.
WATSON You fell in love with this girl, I suppose, sir.
GIBSON Who could help it?
HOLMES Did you suggest marriage to her?
GIBSON Yes. Though I knew that my wife would never divorce me.
HOLMES I see. Then you made an utterly insincere proposition to her.
GIBSON Now, look here, Mr. Holmes, I came to you on a question of evidence, not of morals. I'm not asking for your criticism.
HOLMES It's only the young lady's sake that forces me to touch your case at all. Now, tell me, sir. What is your own opinion as to Miss Dunbar's guilt?
GIBSON It's very black against her, I can't deny that. One explanation of the tragedy did come into my head, Mr. Holmes. I give it to you, for what it's worth.
HOLMES Pray continue, Mr. Gibson.
GIBSON My wife was bitterly jealous. She was half-crazy with hatred. She might have planned to murder Miss Dunbar -- or, we'll say, to threaten the girl with a revolver and so frighten her into leaving us. There might have been a struggle in which the gun exploded and gone off and shot my wife who was holding it.
HOLMES Well, that possibility has already occurred to me. It's the only obvious alternative to deliberate murder.
WATSON The revolver, Holmes. It was found on the floor of the governess' wardrobe.
HOLMES Mr. Gibson, I should like to examine your house and the scene of the murder as soon as possible.
GIBSON Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Sergeant Coventry of the local police is still down there. He'll give you any help you may need.
HOLMES Excellent! Watson, old fellow -- [?] the timetable! We're catching the next fast train to Winchester!

BRIDGE

PASTORAL AMBIANCE -- BIRDS WHISTLE, AN OCCASIONAL DOG BARKS
SERGEANT So if I have to have someone else on the case, I'd rather have you, Mr. 'Olmes. The Yard gets called in, then we local police loses all credit for success; generally gets blamed for the failures. Now, I've heard that you play straight.
HOLMES CHUCKLES I need not appear in the matter at all, Sergeant Coventry. If I can clear it up, I don't ask to even have my name mentioned.
SERGEANT Well, that's handsome of you, I'm sure now. I know your friend, Dr. Watson, can be trusted, too.
WATSON CHUCKLES Don't worry, my dear fellow. We won't steal any of your thunder.
SERGEANT Oh, that's nice and friendly of you, doctor. Well, come on, gentlemen, I'll walk you down to the bridge. That's where we found Mrs. Gibson's body. It's not far from the 'ouse 'ere.
FOOTSTEPS TRUDGE ON TRAIL
WATSON Well, I must say, Mr. Gibson has a beautiful estate. It must be sixty or seventy acres.
SERGEANT Oh, nearly twice that, doctor. The woods back o' the house there belongs to him, too. BEAT Mr. 'Olmes?
HOLMES Yes, sergeant?
SERGEANT There's a question I'd like to ask you. A question I wouldn't ask anyone else.
HOLMES Then please ask it.
SERGEANT Don't you think there might be a case against Mr. Gibson hisself, sir?
HOLMES I've been considering that possibility.
SERGEANT That there Miss Dunbar's a bit of all right. If y'ask me, he wanted his wife out of the way. And the pistol she was shot with was his pistol, you know.
WATSON Oh? Was that fact proven?
SERGEANT Yes, doctor. It was one of a pair that he had.
HOLMES One of a pair? Where's the other?
SERGEANT Well, Mr. Gibson has a lot of firearms. We never quite matched that particular pistol -- but the box was made for two.
WATSON Well, if it was one of a pair, surely you'd be able to match it.
SERGEANT Well, we 'ave 'em all laid out at the house if you want to look 'em over.
HOLMES We'll do that later.
WATER RUNS UNDER BRIDGE ... CONTINUES IN BG
HOLMES Ah! This, I presume, is Thor Bridge.
SERGEANT That's right, sir. Found Mrs. Gibson's body lying right here at the approach to the bridge.
HOLMES I see. I gathered from the newspaper reports that the shot was fired at very close quarters.
SERGEANT Yes, sir, very close.
HOLMES Near the right temple, wasn't it?
SERGEANT Just behind it, sir.
WATSON How did the body lie, sergeant?
SERGEANT Oh, on its back, doctor. No trace of a struggle. No marks. No weapon. The note from Miss Dunbar was clutched in her left hand.
HOLMES Clutched, you say?
SERGEANT Yes, sir, we could hardly open the fingers to get at it.
HOLMES Ah, that's of greatest importance. It excludes the idea that anyone could have placed the note there after death in order to furnish a false clue.
WATSON What did the note say, sergeant?
SERGEANT Little enough, doctor. It just said, uh, "I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o'clock" and it was signed "Grace Dunbar."
HOLMES Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it?
SERGEANT Oh, yes, sir.
HOLMES What was her explanation?
SERGEANT She wouldn't say nothing. Said she was saving her defence for the trial.
HOLMES Yes, it seems odd that Mrs. Gibson was still clutching that note.
WATSON Seems perfectly natural to me.
HOLMES Oh, come now, old fellow, argue the thing out logically. If the letter is genuine, it was certainly received some time before the tragedy -- say an hour or two. Why, then, was the dead woman still clasping it in her left hand? Why should she carry it so carefully? She certainly didn't need to refer to the note at all at the interview. Doesn't it strike you as rather strange?
WATSON Well, now, you put it that way, it does seem a little peculiar.
HOLMES Hello!
HOLMES' FOOTSTEPS AWAY VIA THE BRIDGE
HOLMES OFF Did you notice this, sergeant?
SERGEANT Oh, you mean that chip out of that stone on the underside of the parapet of the bridge, sir? Yes, I noticed it. Didn't think nothin' of it, though.
WATSON OFF Not a very large chip.
HOLMES OFF Yes, but it's been done recently. Notice how the stonework is white just here. It took some violence to do that. Hand me your cane, Watson, will you?
WATSON OFF Here you are.
HOLMES OFF Thanks.
HOLMES RAPIDLY WHACKS STONE WITH WOODEN CANE HALF A DOZEN TIMES
HOLMES OFF Yes, it was a hard knock. CLOSER And in a curious place, too.
SERGEANT But it's fifteen feet from where we found the body, Mr. 'Olmes.
WATSON Yes, Holmes, I don't see how it could have any connection with Mrs. Gibson's murder.
HOLMES Well, perhaps it hasn't. But it's a point worth noting. There were no footprints, you say, sergeant?
SERGEANT None, Mr. 'Olmes. The ground was as hard as iron. It's been a very dry summer and we haven't had any rain to speak of.
HOLMES That's a pity. Hmm. Well, sergeant, I'm much obliged to you and now I think we'll go back to the house.
SERGEANT Right. Cesar'll show you where the firearms are, sir.
HOLMES Oh, uh, who is Cesar?
SERGEANT Oh, a funny kind of a bloke. Brazilian, I guess.
HOLMES Brazilian, eh? Like Mrs. Gibson?
SERGEANT Yes, Mr. 'Olmes. Comes from the same town as she does, as a matter of fact. Something very fishy about 'im, if you ask me. Now, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'm going to take a little stroll around the grounds. You've started me on a new train of thought in this case, Mr. 'Olmes.
HOLMES LAUGHS I'm delighted, sergeant. [Come, Watson, let's get back to the house.

BRIDGE

HOLMES I see. And these are all the firearms in Mr. Gibson's possession, eh, Cesar?
CESAR Mm. Except for the revolver that is missing from the case. [?]
WATSON I've never seen such a collection of guns and revolvers in my life.
CESAR Mr. Gibson have many enemies, señor. He always sleep with a loaded pistol beside his bed. He is a man of great violence. There have been times when all of us were afraid of him.
HOLMES Did you ever witness physical violence towards Mrs. Gibson?
CESAR No, señor, I cannot say that I have. But I have heard him say many terrible things to her. He would taunt her in front of we servants. I have heard him do it many times.
HOLMES Thank you, Cesar, that will be all.
CESAR Muy bueno, señor.
CESAR'S FOOTSTEPS AWAY
WATSON You know, Holmes, I still think the case against Miss Dunbar looks very black.
HOLMES I should agree with you if it were not for one fact -- the finding of the revolver in her wardrobe.
WATSON TAKEN ABACK Upon my soul, Holmes. That seems to me the strongest evidence of all.
HOLMES I think not, old chap
WATSON Huh?
HOLMES We must look for consistency. Where there is a want of it, we must suspect deception.
WATSON I don't quite follow you.
HOLMES Suppose for a moment that we visualize you in the character of a woman who, in cold, premeditated fashion, is about to murder a rival. You've planned it. A note has been written. The victim has come. You have a weapon. The crime is well done. It has been workmanlike and complete. Do you mean to tell me that after carrying out so crafty a crime you'd be so stupid as to forget to fling the incriminating revolver to the bottom of the stream? Or perhaps in the dense reeds that border it? Would you carefully carry it home and put it in the first place that would be searched? Your wardrobe?
WATSON Well, perhaps in the excitement of the moment--
HOLMES No, no, my dear chap, I won't admit that's even possible. When a crime is coolly premeditated, then the means of covering it are coolly premeditated also.
WATSON Well then, if Miss Dunbar didn't shoot Mrs. Gibson, who the devil did?
HOLMES I hope I can give you the answer to that question, Watson, when we've made one further visit.
WATSON WEARILY Oh, Lord. Where are we going now?
HOLMES To prison, old chap
WATSON Prison?
HOLMES Yes, we're going to Winchester Prison to call on Miss Dunbar. I'm certain that the key to this strange mystery lies in her hands.

TO A FINISH

ANNOUNCER You'll hear the rest of Dr. Watson's story in just a few seconds. Just time enough for me to remind you that the easiest way to make good food taste better is to serve that good food with a good Petri Wine. If you like a red wine, well, you want a Petri California burgundy. If you'd rather have a white wine, then you want a Petri California sauterne. But, red or white, Petri burgundy or Petri sauterne, you're choosing a dinner wine that's sure to turn a simple meal into a feast. Your whole family and all your friends will love Petri, the wine that makes good food taste better.

THEME FILLS A PAUSE ... THEN IN BG, OUT AT [X]

ANNOUNCER And now back to Dr. Watson and tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure, "The Problem of Thor Bridge." [X] Well, uh, doctor, did you go to Winchester Prison and see Miss Dunbar?
WATSON We did, Mr. Bartell. An hour later found the two of us sitting in a dank and gloomy cell talking to one of the most beautiful girls that I've ever seen. Her bright, flashing eyes and her air of quiet confidence seemed sadly out of place in such a setting. Holmes spoke to her, quietly soothing her.
HOLMES Miss Dunbar, tell us of your true relations with the dead woman.
DUNBAR She hated me, Mr. Holmes. She hated me with all the passion of her distorted mind.
HOLMES Please tell us exactly what happened on the evening of Mrs. Gibson's death.
DUNBAR Well, I - I received a note from her in the morning, a note imploring me to meet her at the bridge after dinner that night. She said she had something important to say to me.
WATSON Did you keep that note, Miss Dunbar?
DUNBAR No, doctor. She-- Well, she asked me to destroy the note, so I burned it in the schoolroom grate. I saw no reason for such secrecy but-- Well, I - I did as she asked.
HOLMES Hmm. And yet she kept your reply very carefully. That's interesting. Tell me what happened when you met her that night.
DUNBAR When I reached the bridge, she was waiting for me. I - I won't tell you what she said. But she poured out her whole, wild fury in burning, horrible words. I did not [even answer] -- I couldn't. It was dreadful even to look at her. She was like an insane woman, standing there screaming disgusting insults at me. I - I put my hands to my ears and rushed away.
WATSON Where was she standing when you left her?
DUNBAR Within a few yards of the spot where her body was found later.
HOLMES And yet, presuming she met her death shortly after you left her, you heard no shot?
DUNBAR No. No, I heard nothing. But I was so upset, Mr. Holmes, that I rushed straight back to my room.
HOLMES Did you leave it again that night?
DUNBAR Yes. When the alarm came that Mrs. Gibson was dead, I ran out with the others.
WATSON Did you see Mr. Gibson?
DUNBAR Yes, doctor. He had just returned from the bridge when I saw him. He had sent for the doctor and the police.
HOLMES This pistol that [was] found in your room. Had you ever seen it before?
DUNBAR Never, Mr. Holmes, I swear it.
WATSON When was it found, Miss Dunbar?
DUNBAR Next morning, when the police made their search. It was on the floor of my wardrobe where I keep my shoes.
HOLMES Hm. You've no idea how long it had been there?
DUNBAR Well, it hadn't been there the morning before.
HOLMES How do you know?
DUNBAR Because I tidied up the wardrobe that day.
HOLMES I see. Then someone must have come into your room and placed the pistol there in order to incriminate you.
DUNBAR I'm certain of it.
WATSON Well, when - when could they have done that?
DUNBAR Well, it - it could have been at meal-time, or when I was in the schoolroom with the children.
HOLMES Yes. Miss Dunbar, on examining the scene of Mrs. Gibson's death, I noticed that a piece of stonework on the underside of the parapet of the bridge had been broken away. Can you suggest any possible explanation for that?
DUNBAR Oh, surely, it must have been a mere coincidence, Mr. Holmes.
HOLMES Possibly. But why should it appear at the very time of the tragedy, and at the very place? Could it possibly be that--? THUNDERSTRUCK Why, yes, of course! Idiot! Why didn't I think of it before?! Come along, Watson!
WATSON Where are we going, Holmes?
HOLMES Back to Thor Bridge, old fellow, as fast as we can get there!
DUNBAR What have you found out, Mr. Holmes?
HOLMES The answer to this mystery I hope, my dear young lady. You will get news before the day is out. And meanwhile take my assurance that the clouds are lifting and that the light of truth is breaking through!

BRIDGE

RUNNING WATER UNDER BRIDGE ... CONTINUES IN BG
SERGEANT Well, Mr. 'Olmes, you're soon back here. What have you found out?
HOLMES Tell you in a few moments. You got my message?
SERGEANT Yes, here you are, a ball of twine. What you want it for, I can't imagine.
HOLMES You'll soon see, sergeant. Uh, Watson, I, uh, have some recollection that you usually go armed on these excursions of ours.
WATSON Yes, I'm carrying my revolver. Why?
HOLMES Give it to me, old chap will you? Thanks. I believe your revolver may have a very intimate connection with the mystery we're investigating.
WATSON CHUCKLES You're joking.
HOLMES No, Watson, I'm very serious. We have a test to make. If the test is successful, Miss Dunbar will be free before nightfall. And the test will depend on the conduct of this revolver of yours.
HOLMES UNLOADS BULLETS FROM REVOLVER
HOLMES I take the precaution of unloading it. Uh huh. There we are. Now, sergeant, ball of twine, please.
SERGEANT Wish I knew what you was up to, sir.
HOLMES I tie one end of the twine -- like this -- to the handle of the revolver. So. Sergeant, see if you can find me a heavy stone, will you?
SERGEANT Right you are, sir.
WATSON Holmes, what are you doing?
HOLMES Trying to reconstruct the killing of Mrs. Gibson. But you've seen me miss the mark before, Watson. I have an instinct for such things, and yet it has sometimes played me false. It seemed a certainty when it first flashed across my mind in Miss Dunbar's cell, but one drawback of an active mind is that one can always conceive alternative explanations which would make our scent a false one. And yet-- Oh, well. We can but try.
SERGEANT Here's a nice stone, Mr. Holmes.
HOLMES Thank you, sergeant! Now! I tie the other end of this twine to a stone. Wait a minute. Like that. Splendid! Uh, sergeant, will you please take this stone and stretch the twine across the parapet of the bridge there -- so that the stone will swing just clear of the water on the other side of the bridge?
SERGEANT Right you are, sir.
HOLMES I'll stand on the spot where Mrs. Gibson's body was found. CALLS That's it, sergeant. Over the parapet.
SERGEANT OFF All set, Mr. Holmes. The stone's swinging about eight feet above the water.
HOLMES Splendid! Now, Watson, watch closely. I raise the revolver to my head.
WATSON Careful, Holmes, careful.
HOLMES Don't worry, old chap it's not loaded. Now, let us imagine I am the late Mrs. Gibson. I raise the revolver to my head and fire it.
CLICK OF EMPTY REVOLVER
HOLMES Instantly, my fingers release their grip and--
GUN RATTLES ACROSS BRIDGE ... LOUD CLANG AS METAL GUN HITS STONE PARAPET ... SPLASHES AS STONE AND GUN SINK INTO STREAM
HOLMES There's your answer, Watson!
WATSON Great Scott! The revolver flashed back out of your hand -- struck the parapet of the bridge -- and then the weight of the stone flipped it over into the water!
HOLMES Was there ever a more exact demonstration? Come on, old fellow!
SERGEANT You're a bloomin' magician, Mr. 'Olmes! That's what you are, a bloomin' magician!
HOLMES Look at that! There's the second chip on the stonework of the parapet here -- same size as the first!
WATSON Then the murder of Mrs. Gibson--?
HOLMES Wasn't murder at all! It was suicide!
WATSON What?
HOLMES We can follow the various steps quite clearly. A note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar. A note which made it appear that she had chosen the scene of the crime. Mrs. Gibson, in her anxiety that the note should be discovered, somewhat overdid it by holding it in her hand to the last. That alone should have excited my suspicions earlier than it did.
WATSON Then she stole one of her husband's revolvers--!
SERGEANT And planted the other one in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe!
HOLMES Exactly! After discharging one of the cartridges, which she could easily do in the woods without attracting suspicion, she then went down to the bridge where she contrived this exceedingly ingenious method of getting rid of her weapon. When Miss Dunbar appeared, she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred, and then, when the girl had left, carried out her terrible purpose.
SERGEANT Then the missing revolver--?
HOLMES You'll find it, with the aid of a grappling hook, at the bottom of the stream, and also the stone and the string, with which this vindictive woman attempted to disguise her own crime and fasten a charge of murder on an innocent victim.
WATSON Yes, sergeant, and don't forget, while you're at it, that my revolver's down there, too.
SERGEANT MOVING OFF Oh, don't worry, doctor. I'll get some grappling hooks right away.
WATSON CHUCKLES I must say, Holmes, you've solved this case brilliantly. Quite brilliantly.
HOLMES Ah, I disagree, old chap And I fear that you will not improve my reputation by adding the case of the Thor Bridge mystery to your annals.
WATSON Oh, nonsense. But that's ridiculous.
HOLMES Oh, no, it isn't, old boy. I've been sluggish in my mind -- and wanting in that mixture of imagination and reality which is the very basis of my art. I confess that the chip in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the true solution, and I blame myself for not having attained it sooner.
WATSON Well, Holmes, personally, I agree with the sergeant's opinion of you.
HOLMES Oh? What was that, old fellow?
WATSON MIMICS THE SERGEANT You're a bloomin' magician, Mr. 'Olmes! That's what you are, a bloomin' magician! LAUGHS

TO A FINISH

ANNOUNCER Well, doctor, Holmes really was a magician -- that is, if you did find Mrs. Gibson's revolver, and your own, in the stream.
WATSON CHUCKLES Oh, we found them all right. You don't think I'd tell you the story otherwise, do you? What do you take me for, anyway?
ANNOUNCER Well, now that you ask, I'll tell you. I take you for a very charming gentleman, a wonderful storyteller, and a fine host.
WATSON BURBLES IN EMBARRASSMENT Oh, really, I--
ANNOUNCER Well, you are a gentleman, of the old school.
WATSON MORE BURBLING
ANNOUNCER And you do tell a fine story.
WATSON You flatter me. You--
ANNOUNCER And you are a perfect host. That meal we had tonight was wonderful.
WATSON Oh, it was?
ANNOUNCER And, um, that - that wine. What kind was it?
WATSON STOPS BURBLING, REPROVING It was Petri Wine, and you know it.
ANNOUNCER CHUCKLES
WATSON And I should have known you were leading up to something. Mr. Bartell, you should be ashamed of yourself. You'll do anything to get a chance to talk about Petri Wine. Though I can't say that I blame you.
ANNOUNCER Oh, honestly, doctor, I meant everything I said. But you don't really want me to stop talking about Petri Wine, do you? After all, it's worth talking about, isn't it? What other wine is made with the loving care that goes into Petri Wine? Don't forget, Petri Wine is made by the Petri Family. Winemaking is their business. Why, they've been making wine for generations, handing down -- from father to son, from father to son -- all their skill and knowledge and experience. You can be sure the Petri Family really knows plenty about the fine art of turning luscious grapes into delicious wine. That's why, whether you want a wine for before dinner, with dinner, or for any time, you can't go wrong with a Petri Wine. "Because Petri took time / to bring you good wine." And now, Dr. Watson, what new story are you planning to tell us next week?
WATSON Well, next week, Mr. Bartell, I'm going to tell an adventure that Holmes and I had amid the Oriental magnificence of a maharaja's palace in India.
ANNOUNCER India? Sounds intriguing. What were you and Sherlock Holmes doing out there, doctor?
WATSON Oh, well, you'll have to wait till next week for the answer to that question, my boy. But I can tell you that it was one of the weirdest problems that we ever had to solve. I call the story, "The Vanishing Elephant."

THEME ... CONTINUES IN BG

ANNOUNCER Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Denis Green and Anthony Boucher and is adapted from the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story "The Problem of Thor Bridge." 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.

UP AND OUT

ANNOUNCER The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California, invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.

CHEERY JINGLE ... ACCOMPANIES SINGING COMMERCIAL

SINGER Oh, the Petri Family took the time To bring you such good wine For when you eat and when you cook Remember Petri Wine!
ANNOUNCER SPOKEN To make good food taste better, remember--
SINGER INCREASINGLY LOW NOTES Pet - Pet - Petri -- Wine!

OUT

ANNOUNCER This is Harry Bartell, saying good night for the Petri Family! Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.
APPLAUSE