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Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the East End Strangler (EP0799) · Great Detectives of Old Time Radio Volume 2|Mystery Audio Dramas

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Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This
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is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email at
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time a box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at
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Radio Detectives, and I encourage you to rate the show over on iTunes.
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Well, now we're pleased to bring you today's episode of Sherlock Holmes, brought
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to you by the financial support of our listeners. This one is called The
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Adventure of the East End and Strangler from New York City. The makers of
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clipper Craft Clothes for men and more than twelve hundred leading retail stores from coast
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to coast present that immortal character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the world's
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most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, starring John Stanley. This week's story the
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Adventure of the East End Strangler. Holmes, what do you expect to find
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here this house? A killer Watson, fiendish and diabolical killer seeking another victim,
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A prince of crime, a shrewd and as vicious as check The reply,
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Good Lord Holmes, what's that quick? Watson? Into that house?
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That scream came from a victim of the East End Strangler. We're at the
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door of doctor John Watson's study and we're about to hear another of his adventures
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with a fabulous Sherlock. Home. Well, good evening, mister Harris.
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Good evening, doctor Watson. And what memoir are you compiling tonight, sir,
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tonight, mister Harris, I am hard at work on an adventure that,
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for sheer terror is unparalleled in my memoirs. If you can imagine a
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lurking shadow in the dark, the agonized scream of a stricken woman, all
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London, held in a grip of dark horror, I'm afraid I'm a bit
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ahead of my story, mister Harris. Well, you've got me on the
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edge of my chair now, doctor Watson, what's this adventure called? My
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old friend Holmes always refers to it as the adventure the East End Strangler.
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And after you give our audience a few hints on clipper craft clothes, mister
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Harris, I shall proceed with our study. Regardless of what the weather man
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says. The calendar tells us that now's the time for a new spring suit,
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a good looking spring suit that lifts your spirit and makes you feel the
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way you look like a new man. In short, a clipper Craft suit
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style to make you look your best, broad shouldered, trim waisted, the
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afford that kind of suit, because you can. Yes. A genuine clipper
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actually make you look like the best dressed man in any company. So
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tomorrow visit your Clippercraft dealer and treat yourself to a spring suit. You'll be
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proud to wear a Clippercraft suit and not Doctor Watson. What about the Adventure
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of the East End Strangler, Well, mister Harris. It began in September
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eighteen ninety eight, exactly ten years after Jack the Ripper had left his blood
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drenched trail through the squalid dives of white chappewold and spittlefields. The memory of
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Jack the Ripper was growing dim when a new nocturnal power, a shadowy terror
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began to haunt the dark streets of Lundon. A woman was struttled to death
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in Shedwood, another in Wapping, and soon the name of the East End
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Strangler was enough to strike terror and every heart. The official police were helpless
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against this cruel, pitiless and devilishly shrewd Marauner. And then, one foggy
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night in Radcliffe, near the Thames, a lady came running through the fog.
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When Constable Lady up the strangler. He just accosted me on Rocklett Highway.
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Very mam, easy, does it you're short? Was a stranger?
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Oh yes, yes, Constable. He ran after me in the fog.
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I lost it just a moment. A cart You see that lane there?
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Hit dark little street right, Let's go down until you come to Commercial Road
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East. You'll be able to get a cab there. Constable, No,
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don't leave me. I think I'll worry about now, ma'am. You just
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follow my instructions. I'm going back and look for this East Ends strangler.
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There isn't a man on the force who hasn't been itching to get him.
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Who's that? Who's standing there in the park? Who are you? What
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the evening, My dear you that's a lovely throat you have, my dear,
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so graceful and white like a swan's. Yes, my dear, The
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strangler, the East Ends Strangler and Jo wrote, yes, You're so smooth,
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so smooth like silk, and graceful, so graceful. It's a pity,
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such a pity tomorrow, the whiteness of that throat. But what can
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I do? What else can I do? These know how to yields to
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the caress of my hands. Don't cry out, my dear, don't fight
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and struggle. Any others have tried to cry out too, but it was
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useless. In a moment, you will feel no pain. Ah. Now
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it is all over, my dear, And it's such a pity, such
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a pity. But then, my dear, what else could I do?
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The sons, Doctor Watson, this is affair of these den Stranger, I'm
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forced to admit, has got out of hands. So we have a reserve
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in the newspapers at home. Yes, Pike Watson, quite, I must
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say in speculus. Charge's rather late in the game to summon my colleague and
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myself. The official police have bungled this affair badly, I should say,
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Lady Wyndham last night was his third victim. I've no doubt he's plotting the
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fall, doctor Watson. The man's uncanny a genius, I might say.
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He moves about like a shadow, strikes and vanishes. You've doubled the constables
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less tarn Yes, but the vegacinees to be on to the police every step
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of the way. He's eluded every trap we've set for himself. Then we
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must bake the hook with a more subtle yea, my dear lestard, I
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suppose we examine the facts. Yes, First, the strangler chooses only women
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as victims. We know that these women are of high breeding and good circumstance.
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Yes, what are they doing in the slums of the East End home?
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That's an excellent question, my dear Watson, in a curious circumstance which
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will bear investigation. But now let us examine the exact geographical area of the
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stranglers operations. You have a map of London Astrome, Yes, yes,
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master, right here on my desk. Capital Now, then, gentlemen,
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observe the first victim was found in Shadwell here, the second in Whopping here,
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The third and latest Lady Wyndham, here in Ratcliffe. Now let us
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draw a circle around these points. Jove, they're all in the borough of
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Stepney, precisely, USTrade, the strangler, for some pertinent reason, has
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limited his activities to Stepney in the East End. A whim perhaps, but
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I'm more inclined to believe it's either design or circumstance. Now, then let
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us proceed with our investigation. But now hope, now, Watson, we
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shall examine Lady Wyndham's body in the mortuary. Straordinary Watson, this East End
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strangler is not only wanton and cruel, but fernally clever. He struck and
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left no crew on the body. Yes, Inspector USTrade, a question,
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Yes, mister Hms. I note Lady Wyndham's purse is torn open and empty.
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Was this true in the case of the previous victims? Yes, yes,
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Ostensibly the motive is simple robbery. But I have an idea that's much
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mortivists than leads the eye. Watson, Yes, homes afraid, we're in
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for some rather routine investigation for a day or two. We must investigate the
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personal lives of the strangler three well to do victims, and ascertain why they
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went to Stepney on the dead of night. A suggestion for myself, mister
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rom I have indeed less tried. I suggest that you place a curfew upon
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all of Stepney bar order all residents to be indoors by nine o'clock. Nade
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Margaret, Lady Margaret, ma'am. Oh, oh it's you, Mary?
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What your old rest? Miladi? Surely you're not going out at this time
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of night alone? Yes, yes I must, But it's dangerous, Mum.
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What would the strangler walk in the streets and all? You've got to
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take the chance? Mary, so foggy night outside, I don't think anyone
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will see me, Oh loves mum, But it's all too much for a
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poor girl like me. Why should you be going out on a nightlight this
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and all? Aknown Mary? You remember my confiding in you about George?
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You mean yes? And then I almost married twenty years ago. I just
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got a letter from him this morning, Lady Margaret. Then he's alive.
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He's come back to London. Yes, yes, but he's in desperate straits,
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Mary, or you understand, hiding in the slums of Stepney. The
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police are pursuing him for something he didn't do, and he needs money,
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money to get away. I must bring it to him tonight alone and Mary.
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Yes, lady Margaret, you're not to free a single word of this
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to anyone. Everything I've told you now and before is in the strictest confidence.
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You understand, Yes, ma'am, very well. I go back to
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the servants quarters and go to bed. I won't be back until early this
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morning. George, George opened the door. It's Margaret, George. How
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this house seems dark, deserted? Who? Who? I am afraid you
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won't find anyone home, my dear? Who who are you? Don't you
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know, lady Margaret? No, no, no, yes, my dear.
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It's such a lovely throat, such a pretty white throat, such a
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soft land. What can I do? What can I do? H M?
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Then, my lady, First a letter from George, and then the
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money and we'll be off. Oh there you are, Police, well,
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doctor Watson. This is this is one adventure I'm going to remember for a
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long time. This, mister Harris, but you've heard is only the beginning.
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In a few moments after you give our audience some facts to remember on
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eight Jamaica Avenue. And now doctor Watson. Doctor Watson, you were telling
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us of the adventure of the East End Strangler. Yes, mister Harris,
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I was. Holmes and I were at Baker Street late that night going over
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the results of our routine investigation when we received an urgent message from Inspector of
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Struck. The East End Strangler had been abroad on the dark streets of Stepney
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again. He'd struck again and had vanished like a ghost in the farm,
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leaving his dead and mangled victim behind him, this time Lady Margaret Blincock.
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Naturally, Holmes and I lost no time in getting to the scene. Then
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Holmes asked, who discovered the body? Inspector a start, why one of
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my men who heard a scream, mister roomes. Constable Wilson. He ran
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up, but the strangler took to his heels and made up in the farm.
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Gunstable Higgins joined Wilson a moment later, and that two of them searched
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the area and found nothing. Illustram, oh, nothing, unto mud,
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the strangler vanished like a fandom. I still don't see how he got through
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my police guard, Bob, with curfew and all. Yeah, a remarkably
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clever fellow, the strangler starred. I do not admire calling, but I
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must confess a certain grudging respect for his ingenuity. Joe Verse, the fellow
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is almost fiendishly clever. What next? Host a careful examination of the body,
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Watson, the same wanton attack as you see. And one moment what
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I note that the contents of Lady Margaret's purse are untouched. It contains two
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hundred pounds and a letter. Oh, strangler must have been surprised for he
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could make away with the money. I host quite Watson, quite, But
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it's this letter that interests me at the moment. The request for funds from
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someone named George, an old admirer. According to the text, Oh you
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think that letter is bogus, Inspector, and so is George. Obviously a
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pretext that you are the victim into this area. What is it? Her?
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Look, Watson, you tool a start observe there are some small blue
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threads touched in the fist of the victim. Both ways you consider them significant?
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Home, I do, indeed very, But come, Watson, it's
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late. Let's find a cabin, return to Baker Street. It will be
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time enough tomorrow to track our men down. Holmes, I must confess I'm
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completely baffled by the strangler fellow, are you, Watson? I cannot say
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the same for myself. Consider the results of our investigation today. But about
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them. We found that each victim, on the day of her murder had
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withdrawn a large sum of money from the banks. We know that the killer
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lured his victims to the slums of the East End, and specifically to Stepney,
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through the use of bogus letters purporting to be from old friends or lovers.
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What about it, Hermes. Obviously, this fellow who's taken the mantle
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of Jack the Ripper must have had access to intimate and personal information concerning his
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intended victims. That seems reasonable. Home, quite and Therefore, our next
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step is to pay a visit to the home the latest victim, Lady Margaret
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Blencroft, and question her personal maid, her host. All the maid could
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tell us words that choose asleep. Didn't hear Lady Margaret go out? I'm
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afraid we didn't get very far here. On the contrary, once and we
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did. Eh, what do you mean the contents of her sewing basket?
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It was significant there are But come, let's be off to Scotland Yard Scotland
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Yard by I wish to talk to Inspector Lestrade and then to inspect the police
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who will be on the lookout for the strangler to might So these are the
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lists of the Metropolitan Police assignment, Saylestron. That is correct, psalms.
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As you see, London is divided into police areas and the names of the
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constable's design of each area list. Yes quite. I cannot say that I'm
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impressed by your techniques of criminal investigation, by the Honestrand, but I must
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say these police records are in excellent orders. What the devil has always been?
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Why are you taking such an extraordinary interest in the affairs of the police
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here, the cons Watson, It's only by way of the official police,
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that we can hope to arrest the East End strangler. Oh now, mister
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Holmes, I'm glad to know you're going to require our close cooperation for once.
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Quite now, then the start. I understand you've requested a special inspection
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of the police constables before they venture into Stepney. Tonight y, come Watson,
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let's view this inspection. You may find it most interesting. Well here
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we are, gentlemen, as you see the men awaiting for inspection, and
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fine looking squad of men find us on the PA. Start to watch.
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Suppose we review the constables now less drime? Had you wishness Holmes help you?
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Yeah, I must say, Holmes, this reminds me the old days
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with the army. I recall one day the General reviewed my brigaded Bumba one
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moment. Wutson, you bet? What is your name? Constable? You
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mean me, sir? I do indeed? What is your name Higgins?
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Sir Edward Higgins? Oh yes, yes, yes, I read your report
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Higgins on what happened last night, Very neat, very concise. Thank you.
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I cannot say the same for your personal appearance, however, what do
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you mean, mister your tunic man, your tunic. It's been torn in
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the color and resewn with new thread. Perhaps you can explain the reason for
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this. Oh no, you don't, Holmes. Constable Higgins is running away.
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What's the meaning? Stop that man? Stop it? He's running straight
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to that big window. There you go, Homes. He's made good his
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escape. He hasn't deep it only for the moment he must anticipated moments from
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now on. Come Watson, there's no time to look Edward. Edward Higgins.
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Shut the door. Mary quick, Edward, what are you doing here?
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You're supposed to be on duty. It's Holmes. Mary's found me off
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game. I've got to get out, get away to the hide away on
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the continent. Edward. Then I'll go with your life. We arranged,
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we'll go together. Wait till I pack my bag? Oh father, Mary,
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what do you mean the Eastern Strangler still has another job to do?
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Another nectar twist? Edward? What do you mean? Who's nick yours?
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My dear? No, yes, Mary, you know too much about me
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now, little game. You know what I'm going to hide out from here.
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Detective Home will be sure to worm it from what a lot of heaven
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sides? Why should I share all the money I up on those fine ladies
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with you the hands of my own dearie, such a lovely, graceful,
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so smooth, a pity very But what can I do? What can I
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do? Take her hands on her? Higgins palms, shout, Homes,
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he's going to rush you. I'll teach you to a pappose I teach your
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little Higgins, who will you go? Use? You flung him right over
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your shoulder. He's unconscious, quick, Watson, he made the mistake of
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being off balance on the attack. No, while this constable lies here,
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Watson, suppose you go out and find another constable to arrest him, and
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this woman as his accessory. I see so marry than me. Through the
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gossip of other servants, learned of those women with past love affairs, and
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then told the strangler Homes precisely. But how did you know that he was
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a member of the official police, mister world obvious lestrade. Remember, Constable
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Higgins had an intimate knowledge of police strategy and therefore was able to elude the
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patrols. Furthermore, Lady Margaret Blencroft was strangled during a curfew when only police
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constables got allowed on the streets recall to that Higgins, by at curious coincidence,
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was close to Lady Margaret when she was murdered, and Higgins's patrol area
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had always been a step Ney this way quite but the blue threads and Lady
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Margaret's clenched head, what about them, hop Ah, Yes, yes,
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yes, the blue, friend, Watson. They were the same color as
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the tunics worn by the London Bobbies. She tore Higgins's color and the struggle
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and he hurried into his accomplice, married and had it repaired. I had
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only to inspect the police line and pick out a man with a ripped collar
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newly resoned. Oh, I must say you've conducted a rather sound investigation here,
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very perversial. Thank you, lestrade. Hi. I appreciate the compliment,
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and I hope you will not hesitate to call on me in the future.
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It's always a pleasure to rescue the official police from their own mistakes.
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He wants, well, doctor Watson, that was some adventure, yes,
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mister Harris, and I'm happy to say that while the personal maid Mary received
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a life sentence for her part, the Eastern Strangler was hoisted by his own
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patads of speech on a rope and new good prison I see, and not
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Doctor Watson. What adventure will you relate to us next week? Next week,
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mister Harris, I shall tell you of an adventure which I have entitled
22:48
Murder on a Wager. It concerns two dead bodies floating in the Mediterranean and
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an unbelievably odd wager that made history at Monte Cars, the makers of clipper
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Craft clothes and more than twelve hundred stores from coast to coast have brought you
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another in the new series of broadcasts featuring the world's most famous detective, Sherlock
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Holmes. Our stories are based upon the character Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir
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Arthur Conan Doyle, and the program is produced and directed by Basil Lochran.
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Sherlock Holmes is played by John Stanley, Doctor Watson by George Spelden. This
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week's story was written by Max Erlick, with special music by Albert Berman.
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If you don't know your Clippercraft dealer, write clipper Craft two hundred Bibbabnuel,
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New York City. Be sure to listen next week to Sherlock Holmes in Murder
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on the Wager. This is Siah Harris speaking for clipter cram cool. This
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is the mutual broadcasting system. Welcome back with this kind of evocative of the
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hands of mister Ottomole in its solution. I kind of the last part of
24:41
the show. I was somewhat surprised because usually, you know, when Sherlock
24:47
Holmes he can tend to put down the official police, but he doesn't do
24:51
it right in front of him. Well, he and Watson are just sitting
24:53
there laughing at up. I was waiting for lastra to say, excuse me,
24:57
I'm right here. But anyway, we move now to listener comments and
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feed it back. David said, I really like Sherlock Holmes, and I
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appreciate the commentary at the beginning and end of each show. I also like
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it that I can listen whenever I want. I hope you keep doing this
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for a long time. Thank you, and Unita, she writes, I
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love, love, love the podcast. I have the app on the iPhone.
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My favorite shows are Johnny Dollar and Sherlock Holmes. Also like Frank Race.
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Keep up the great work. Well, thanks so much. It's truly
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appreciated everybody listening. And that will do it for today. We'll be back
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tomorrow with yours truly, Johnny Doller, and then join us next Thursday for
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