This episode from The Life of Sherlock Holmes will be
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through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio
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Doctor Watson tell about another exciting adventure he shared
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calendar immediately. And now for our weekly visit
with the genial Doctor Watson. Good evening, Doctor.
Good evening, Mr. Foreman, come in and settle yourself.
Down, thank you. You're looking particularly
comfortable tonight, Doctor. Feet up on the sofa and the
puppy's asleep on your lap. Yes, my boy.
The three of us went for a long walk on the beach this
afternoon. Monty and Winnie had a running
battle with the seagulls. In consequence, they've been
fast asleep ever since we got home.
Oh, I hope you're not too tired, Doctor.
I'm counting on a new Sherlock Holmes story, you know.
No, no. No, I'm all ready for you, Mr.
Foreman. In fact, I was going through my
notes on the case just before you arrived.
Well, last week you told us it concerned a strange society who
held their meetings in an underground vault of a furniture
warehouse. Yeah, that's right my boy.
Now down with it. No, no, no, no.
The story really began 1 stormy November night in 18187.
I was married at the time and living away from Baker Street.
On this night in question my wife had already gone to bed and
I was nodding in front of the fire over one of Clark Russell's
fine sea stories and had a very tiring day.
I remember it was about the hour that a man gives his first yawn
and glances at the clock when suddenly my front doorbell
jangled discordantly. Oh, our servant Edna had gone up
to bed, so I crossed to the window and opened it.
It was very dark, but I could just see the outline of a figure
standing on my doorstep. It looked like a woman.
Suddenly, a cultivated voice called up to me.
Is. The Doctor.
In Yes Madam, I'm the Doctor then.
Please come at once. He's the doctor of life and
death. I have a carriage waiting.
All right, all right. I'll, I'll be down immediately.
I closed the window, scribbled a note to my wife, grabbed my coat
and hat and my bag, and a few minutes later I stepped out of
the front door and closed it behind me.
Carriage was standing at the curb, but I couldn't see any
trace of the lady who'd called me.
The only person insight was an old and impulsive look at bigger
woman dressed in rags and tatters.
After a moment of bewilderment, I spoke a good woman.
Did you see a lady leave here a moment ago?
No doubt that she didn't leave. She's still waiting for you.
Oh, forgive me, Madam, but cursing order.
I thought you were a beggar woman.
There is no time to discuss that now.
Please get in this carriage. Where's the driver?
I'm going to drive, please. Get in only business.
Are you sure that you can handle those horses, Madam?
Of course I. Can I wish you'd tell me the way
you're you're driving? Ma'am, please.
Don't ask me any more. Questions, Frank.
Heavens, we've finally reached our destination.
Must have driven halfway across London.
Oh, hello. Hello.
Must be somewhere down near the river.
No dwelling places here. Nothing but enormous warehouses.
Why have we stopped here, Madam? This.
Is where we're going. Please probably don't be stiff.
I wish you'd tell me where you're taking, man.
We have a a club here in the basement.
You'll see for yourself in a moment.
A very solid looking door. How do you propose to get past
it? I'll show you.
Good Lord, must be a very secret club of yours, Madam.
It is Doctor. Oh, Knox.
Number. Seven, give the password.
To the lanterns. Who may enter?
Follow me, doctor. Madam, I do wish you'd tell me
where you're taking me. This looks like the entrance to
an opium dear. Nora, the Thieves.
Kitchen. Don't worry doctor, you're in no
danger there. Does that look like a thieves
kitchen? Scott, I don't believe my eyes.
Like seriously furnished room. What a strange collection of
people. Some look like beggars, others
in full evening dress. Amazing. #7 Who is this man?
He's a. Doctor, I went to fetch him.
I thought I said there would have been no strangers in here.
Look. Here, my good man, I've been
extremely patient. My temper's beginning to wear a
little thin. Either let me see your patient
at once, or show me out. My time's valuable and I don't
propose to waste. It.
I'm sorry, doctor, where is Julian?
He's in the backroom, and if you know what's good for you,
Doctor, whatever you call yourself, you'll forget
everything you see in here. Stop threatening me Sir, I'm not
the least interested in your blasted club.
Just take me to the patient. This is the man we want you to
examine. Doctor, what happened?
He. Fell down the stairs leading
into the club room well. Why'd you move him?
We wanted him to be comfortable. It's the worst.
Thing in the world you could have done never, never move a
person with an injured skull is. He is he going to be all right,
Doctor? No, Madam, I'm afraid he isn't.
His neck's broken. He's dead.
Huh. Try again.
Dead. I'm sure of that, Doctor of.
Course, I'm sure of it, my good man.
I'm afraid you need an undertaker, not a doctor.
We must tell the others. I quiet everybody.
Quiet, quiet. Julian is dead.
Julian dead. Oh, this is terrible.
Who's this man? He's a doctor.
I'd. Better get him out of here at
once. We don't want any strangers
nosing about. That's right though.
Shouldn't have bother me. Anyway, just a minute, just a
minute I show you ladies and gentlemen, I have the slightest
desire to stay here 1 moment longer.
If you direct me to the door again Madam, I'll try to find a
cab myself in this God forsaken district and go.
Home. Show him out and give him his
money. Follow me please.
I'm delighted to. Do you mind if I don't drive you
home, doctor? Well no, I should prefer it.
My nerves aren't in the best of shape.
You mustn't be angry with me, Doctor, Please.
Leaving again #7. No, but this gentleman is.
Will you see if you can find a cab?
For him to whom shall I send in my bill, Madam?
Here's a £5 note that should cover your time and trouble.
Shouldn't. It No, no, no, no.
It's far too much, Madam. No, doctor, it's late at night
and it hasn't been a very pleasant case for you.
Please take it. Kind of.
You're very jealous indeed. But by the way, how did you
happen to to come to me in the first place?
I was driving about looking for a doctor and a policeman
directed me to your house. Oh.
I see I have. Found a cab.
For you. Thank you, my man, Thank you.
Oh. Doctor, may I come round in the
morning for a death certificate? Of course, of course, you
remember my address. Yes, but I don't know your name,
Watson. Doctor Watson.
Not, not the Doctor Watson who's
associated with Sherlock Holmes. That is that you know of me.
Good. Night Doctor, and please forget
about everything you've seen. Well, by my soul, what an
amazing business. Holmes will be interested to
hear about this. And that's the way it was,
Holmes. One of the most curious
adventures I ever had without. You interesting, Watson, you say
this underground cellar was luxuriously furnished.
Yes, and the people there were an amazing mixture.
Some were in rags and some in evening dress.
Like the nursery rhyme, some in rags and some in tags and some
in belted. Gowns.
Exactly. Even the feeling that I was
taking part in a story out of the Arabian Nights.
I must say though, I was pretty angry at the time.
However, after a good night's roaster, I feel quite
differently this morning. I thought I'd just drop round
and tell you all about it. Glad you did, my dear fellow.
It would be interesting to see if any repercussions of your
strange adventure reachers. Oh.
I doubted the woman seemed frightened to death when I
mentioned your. Name.
We shall see. Meanwhile, I'm expecting a
client. You're not too busy.
Perhaps you can stay. No, doctor very much who is.
It you know Telegram will tell you much more than I can.
Arrived an hour ago. Let's have a look be at your
lodgings this morning to discuss our problem.
Signed AMS put the high handed message be at your lodging.
So please, I suppose AMS stands. For I was just trying with that
problem when you arrived. Could it be the American
Medical? School.
No, no, there's no such body. It's the American Medical
Association. The tone of the message inclines
me to believe that the A stands for amateur.
Very possible amateur masker society.
For the amateur murderers, that would be a nice thought,
wouldn't it? That is their representative
now, no doubt to save us further guesswork.
Holmes, it looks like the same carriage that I drove in last
night. The girl standing on your
doorstep, The height of fashion. This is Hudson's learning her
in. Splendid.
It seems that we have not heard the end of your adventure.
Go and meet the lady at the top of the stairs.
Will you watch up and say Missus Hudson's legs Right?
You are, huh? Thank you.
All right.
Come in, Madam. Want to come in?
Thank you, Doctor Watson. It's your service, Madam.
Won't you want us down? I'm Lady Dorothy Brownlee.
It's your voice. You're the lady who fetched me
last night, dressed up as as a beggar woman.
Yes, I am Doctor Watson. Forgive me for being so
mysterious at the time. Doubtless you have come to
consult me regarding last night's unfortunate accident at
the Amateur Mendicant Society. How?
Did you know what the initial stood for, Mr. Holmes?
Well, after hearing Doctor Watson's story of last night's
happenings, the connotation seemed obvious.
Am I right? Perfectly.
Last night when Doctor Watson told us Julian was dead, we
thought it was an accident. And now you think it is a
murder? Lady Bramley, if you expect my
help, there must be no more mystery.
Just what is this amateur mendicant society?
I'm afraid it'll be a little hard for you to understand our
motives, but a group of people, rather wealthy people I suppose,
who find pleasure in deliberately leading a steamy
life disguised as beggars. We used the basement that you
were in last night after as our headquarters.
We keep our beggars closed there and change out of them before we
go home. Fantastic idea.
What? A futile worth this way of
spending your leisure time, Lady Brown I.
Suppose it must seem so, Mr. Holmes, but we're curious to
learn how the other half lives. Of course, there's a certain
thrill in rubbing shoulders with the police.
At least we do some good. Indeed, I should be interested
to learn how all. The money we make as beggars we
give to charity. Oh, do you really?
And you feel that this gesture on your part absolves you from
any responsibility to the real beggars whose livelihood you're
impairing? I hadn't.
Thought of it just like this, No?
Then I suppose you won't want to help.
Us. Oh, that's quite another matter,
Madam. As a professional detective, I
cannot afford to be a moralist. Yes, I will investigate this
case for you, though I warn you my fee will be an extremely high
one. Money isn't important, Mr.
Holmes, as long as we can solve Julian's death without bringing
the police into the. King Lady Barnley, Who is the
dead man? The man you refer to as Julian.
Julian Trevor, the poet. He was the one who started out
the time, yes. I think I've read some of his
work. Decadent.
Distinctly decadent. What makes you think that he was
murdered? Lenny Branagh.
Larthy, who left last night. Doctor Watson.
It was a terrible scene. You remember Sydney Hold?
Was he the big fellow who was so unpleasant to?
Him. Yes, that's the one.
Do I remember him? He said that he saw Lord Cecil
deliberately tripped Julian as he came to the head of the
staircase. Oh, Lord Cecil being.
Lord Cecil Dylan for the son of the early Bishop.
There was a bitter argument. Cecil accused Sydney of doing
the same thing. Then they had a dreadful fight.
They'd ended up with Cecil threatening to go to the police.
So that's when we decided to send a telegram to you.
Oh yes, yes, I see. So the proof of murder depends
on such flimsy evidence as to whether the dead man fell or,
well, should we say was pushed. Seems like Mr. Holmes.
Even though you don't approve, please help us, won't you?
Yes, Lady Bramley, I will. Will you come back with me now
to our headquarters? I shall join you within the
hour. In the meantime, my old friend
Doctor Watson can go with you at home.
What can I do without you? You know my method told JET.
Act accordingly. Very well, Mr. Holmes, but you
promise you'll be there? I promise you that I will be
there, Madam. Thank you so much, Mr. Holmes.
We'll be expecting you. Come on.
Well, I'll I'll just get my hat and coat.
Holmes, what do you want to? Go with her and ask no more
questions. I will join you within the hour.
There's a glint in your eye. I don't think you you believe
her story. Of course I don't watch it.
Well, then what? And go with her, old fellow, and
keep your wits about you, the games afoot.
The story of the Amateur Mendicant Society will continue
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And now back to tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure.
The Amateur Mendicant Society, A group of wealthy eccentrics who
pose as beggars, have come to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor
Watson with a problem. One of their members has
apparently been murdered and the famous pair have been asked to
investigate the killing. As we rejoin our story, Doctor
Watson, still awaiting the arrival of the great detective,
is cross questioning 3 of the members at the headquarters of
this unusual. Society that I don't find your
stories very convincing. Don't you now?
Well, then, suppose you stop asking questions until Sherlock
Holmes gets here. He's the man we've engaged to
settle this business, not you. We're paying for his services,
not those of his assistant. Mr. Holmes asked me to conduct
this preliminary investigation, My good man.
I'm perfectly familiar with his methods, so keep a civil tongue
in your head if you want us to continue with this case.
I'm not answering any more questions till he gets here.
Stop Fuller, Lord Cecil, you say that you saw Holt deliberate
trip the dead man as he came down the stairs last night.
Yes, I did well. Where were you standing Sir at?
The head of the staircase, Holt, was beside me, and as Julian
came by, he deliberately, Please excuse me #11 excuse me, what is
it? There is a strange man.
Just come in. He is dressed as you when you
work. But I do not.
Remember to have seen him here before he speak.
Very rough. Did he get the correct signal?
Yes, and the password. He must be a new member.
I suppose we better see him bring him in.
Bad time for him to come here. Can't find it This way please.
Call me. Nice place you got here.
Yeah, well, not right. Don't you do yourselves.
Prayer, don't you? Who are you and how did you get
in here? I'll give it a signal and the
password just like Julian told me too are.
You a friend of Julian. Of course I am.
You're coming to meet him here to die.
Who are you really are? We all friends here.
Yes, you can talk freely. And permit me to introduce
myself. I am Don Luis Jose Fernando de
Los Toles at your service. Why?
Why do you want to join us when? Julian, tell me about.
It well, it. Tickled my how you say my funny
one. It is a so charming idea not to
see another was of Mendicothy I. Suppose he's.
All right, big. Horse, I'm all right now.
Where is Julian? Please he will vouch for me.
He's in the other room. They had an accident.
An accident, not the bad one, I hope.
A very bad one, Doctor Watson. You better take him in there and
break the news to him. Follow me, Sir.
This is terrible. Please tell me what happened,
Doctor. I'm afraid you must.
Betray yourself for the shock, Sir.
Your friend is dead. Dead.
His neck was broken last night in some brawl.
Yes, Except that I do. Believe it was an accident.
What's in Holmes but not? Quietly enough, Mr. Sherlock
Holmes. Come on, come back to the others
and let all take a look at you. Come on, get moving, both of
you. This isn't a pop gun in my
hands. Sorry, Holmes.
Give the whole. Thing away, it's all.
Right, old chap. Oh, Cecil.
Dorothy, come here. I want you to take a look at the
great Sherlock Holmes walked into our trap just like any
stupid policeman. Now I had to.
Dress up to do it though, Mr. Holmes.
We were waiting for you here anyway, you know, I was well
aware. Of that Mister Holt.
You see, I knew I was walking into a trap.
How did you know that? Mr. Holmes, Lady Brownlee.
The story you brought to us today was obviously a false one,
just as there is no amateur in mendicant society.
Who are they, Holmes? Go ahead, Mr. Holmes, tell him.
Let's see how much you really do now.
Why should I tell you what you already know?
One talk. If you know what's good for you,
you're so. Persuasive, aren't you, Mr.
Holt? Very well, undoubtedly Julian
Trevor's death last night was an accident.
You fetched the doctor, Lady Brownlee, a very natural move,
and later discovered that the doctor in question was the old
friend of Sherlock Holmes. We're all afraid that I would
become interested in your unusual society.
And so you invented that very thin story about the accident
being a murderer. You wanted to lure me here so
that I could be disposed of and you could all continue your
nefarious works without hindrance.
Now aren't we clever? What is on nefarious work?
May I ask your? Password gave me a clue for the
lanterns by the French revolutionists.
They strung the aristocrats up on the lampposts.
Then again, the combination of curious costumes and a luxurious
establishment in a low class area posed another question.
What political belief provides a common meeting ground for
misguided aristocrats and dangerous commoners?
And how did you? Answer that question.
Oh, very simple my dear. Sir, one word nihilism.
It's doctrine of assassination and overthrow of government to
find every chance of being put into practice by all of you at
the forthcoming jubilee celebrations to be held here in
London. And also would account for your
beggars clothes. A beggar would have greater
freedom of movement in a crowd than an ordinary person.
You're a clever. Man, Mr. Holmes, who Bad?
You'll have to die. I'll get the rope.
What are you going to? Do with him do.
Give him a. First hand taste of nihilism of
course can't live. I know too much you can't
possibly do. This you know the police will
track us here by the time the. Police get here.
You and your friend Holmes will be blown to Kingdom come.
All right. Hands together, Mr. Holmes.
Oh my dad stand at wrist of mine.
We knew it confounded us all. Isn't that a?
Shame. Now if there's any better.
Tie up the doctor. Cecil, while I bind Holmes's
legs with pleasure I can't go through with.
This you mean Dorothy? You can't go through it.
I just can't stand. By and see two innocent men
murdered. Don't be a fool.
Dorothy, we can't let them live. They know too much.
I don't care. If you go on with this, I'm
going out for the police, you fool.
Fire up as. Well, Cecil, let me.
Alone. Sit down there.
Beside and go on. You're the devil.
Oh, shut. Up now, Mr. Holmes, I'm going to
fetch a little invention. A little invention.
I'm sure you'll be interested, Mr. Holmes, it's a pity you and
your friend didn't learn to mind your own business.
I'm afraid it's too late to teach an old dog new tricks.
It's too late now. At any rate, quite comfortable,
Doctor Watson, don't you? Speak to me, Sir.
You're a filthy traitor. Dear country rubbish.
Here we are. Example of Mikhail Petrov's
mechanical genius. This bomb will blow the entire
building sky high and the three of you with it.
Now I wind the time clock so. And.
We'll set the fuse to go off in in 5 minutes will give us plenty
of time to get away. So come on, Sydney, let's.
Get out of here ride. Charming.
Picture 3 of you, bound hand and foot, sitting beside each other
on the sofa. Tada Dorothy, think of our tours
during the 5 minutes. As for you, Mr. Holmes and your
friend would redden some bad. Rubbish.
Will Holmes. This looks like the end.
I blame myself. I hadn't been so infernally
noisy when I recognized you. We wouldn't be in this mess.
Wasn't our fault. Of alarm.
I think they suspected me. Anyway, I must say it seemed to.
Me, that you told them a great deal more than was necessary
about your suspicions. Surely you could have pretended
ignorance. I suppose I could have.
Done. I can't.
Die. You're not.
Ready to die, Brownlee? Courage.
And by the way, was I right in assuming that your associates
are nihilists? Of course they are.
They're planning to assassinate the Prime Minister during the
Jubilee celebration. Prime Minister?
Great. Heavens, homes, we've got to get
free. Assuming some miracle happened,
we did get free, and your former associates were arraigned in
court, would you testify against them?
Oh, of course I would. What chance is there then it?
Bothers you that? Much baby family.
I'll stop it for you, Holmes. Your hands are.
Free. Of course they are, my dear.
Fellow the bandaged wrist I mentioned just now concealed a
razor edged blade. I cut through the ropes almost
before our friends had left the room.
Why did you keep us in the suspense, Mr. Holmes?
I wanted to be. Quite sure that you testify in
the forthcoming trial, Madam. There we are that renders the
bomb harmonies. Ah, and that means?
That the police have. Sprung the.
Trap that I said to your associates, Lady Bramley.
It's lucky for you that you had a change of heart and prevented
you from leaving us. Oh, Mr. Holmes.
How could I ever Thank you, Holmes, You.
Had the place surrounded with police when you came in here?
Of course I did, my dear. Fellow Yeah, let me enter your
ropes. No.
Wonder you were so calm. No wonder you told them so much.
You wanted them to show their hands.
Precise, the old fellow. They.
Obliged me most satisfactorily. They attempted our triple
murder. They are self contested
anarchists and with the evidence of Lady Brownlee I'm sure that
we can put them where they all belong.
Considering it's barely noon, I think you'll agree Watson.
That is a very comprehensive morning's work, doctor.
Tell the truth, were you scared waiting for that time bomb to go
off? Scared my.
Boy I was so scared that to this day I can't stand being in the
same room with a a loud ticking clock.
Tick to the clock seems to speak to me.
Seems to say tick tock. This is the.
End. Tick tock.
This is the end the clock. Ever speak to you like this?
Well, yes. Doctor, how did you know?
Well, what's the? Clock say to you.
Tick tock. Petri took.
Time to bring you good wine, Petri.
Took time to bring you. Good wine.
You, you listen to your clock and I'll listen to mine.
Gosh, Doctor, can I help it if I like to hear about Petri wine?
After all, that Petri family really knows how to make good
wine, and it's no wonder they've been making wine ever since they
started the Petri business generations ago, way back in the
1800s. And because the making of Petri
wine is a family affair, well, they've been able to hand on
down from father to son from father to son, the skill and
experience of each preceding generation.
So naturally, when it comes to turning luscious sun ripened
grapes into fragrant, delicious wine, well, you just can't beat
the Petri family because Petri took time to bring you good
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It's free. Just write to Petri wine.
Petri Petri wine San Francisco 26 California San Francisco 26
California. This offer is intended to apply
only in those States and other localities where its acceptance
is permissible by law and regulation.
And now doctor Watson, what adventure are you planning to
tell us next week? Well, next week, Mr. Fullman,
I'm going to tell you a story of old Vienna, the Vienna of
sparking lights, beautiful women and lilting music, and of an
extraordinary murder that takes place to the accompaniment of a
Mozart Sonata. Or that.
Sounds like a thriller. I'll see you for sure next week.
Oh, just. A minute before I go, Mr.
Foreman, I want to urge every registered nurse listening in to
get all the facts about the Army Nurse Corps.
The Army needs you. Nurses needs you desperately.
They'll make you an officer at once and give you every chance
to further your post war careers.
So if you're a registered nurse under 45, call at your local Red
Cross chapter and get all the details or wire collect to the
Surgeon General, U.S. Army, Washington DC.
And if you can't qualify for the nurses call, see if you can't
get into essential civilian nursing so that you can release
a nurse who does qualify. But do something about it first
thing tomorrow, won't you Tonight, Sherlock?
Holmes Adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher
and is based on an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story
The Five Orange Pips. Mr. Rathbone appears through the
courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayor, 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, CA invites you to tune in again next week.
Same time, same station. Meanwhile, don't forget to take
advantage of our offer of a free recipe calendar.
Oh, the Petri. Family took the time to bring
you such good wine. So when you eat and when you
cook, remember Petri wine To make good food taste better.
Remember, this is Bill Foreman saying good
night for the Petri family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you
from our Hollywood studios. This is the Mutual Broadcasting
System.