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Sherlock Holmes: Murder on a Wager (EP0804) · 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 it
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to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives not Net. Give me a call the
0:42
numbers two to eight nine four seven eight three, and become one of our
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friends on Facebook, Facebook dot com Slash Radio Detectives. Well, today's episode
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is brought to you by the financial support of our listeners, and I want
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to specially thank Michael for his support. And now we're going to get into
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today's episode of Sherlock Holmes. This one is called Murder on a Wager.
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From New York City, the makers of clipper Craft clothes for men and more
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than twelve hundred leading retail stores from coast to coast present Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's
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immortal character, the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, starring John Stanley.
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This week's story Murder on the Wager. There's the dead body, homes
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washed up on the beach. Yes, obviously drowned. I should say,
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that's yet the death is not as simple as if it seemed Watson, I
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should say. Our two visitors to Montecuo two brilliant criminals have concocted a special
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rue forde. I should think, quick, mind a tree, What do
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you see a shadow with a gun? Get down. I'm sure you've overheard
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people say who is that handsome man? Well, now, of course everybody
2:22
can't be handsome, but every man can look his very best, and it
2:25
does not cost you a lot of money. The secret is this, Get
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2:45
down athletic appearance, makes you feel important. And then topped off with a
2:49
beautiful all wool covert cloth or caberdine Clippercraft top coat at forty two fifty Well,
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people will say who is that handsome man? Clippercraft clothes looked like they
3:00
should cost much more, and they would too, except that more than twelve
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hundred independent merchants have cooled their tremendous buying power to make clipper crafts low prices
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possible. Compare clipper craft yourself with clothes costing many dollars more. Doctor Watson,
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you've titled this evening's adventure murder. I'm a wager, but who would
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commit such a murder? It does seem an extraordinary motivation, doesn't mister heuse
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Well, it was a summer evening in the late eighteen ninets. We were
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at our flat to two twenty one B Baker Street. We had a call.
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You won't represent the bank at Monte Carlo, Monsieur Gillere. I do
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most your homes the most remarkable spot Monte Carlo. I'm terribly curious to know
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what prompts this visit, Guillette. I am extending an invitation to you,
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doctor Watson, and fromus your homes, to visit Monte Carlo, at our
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expense, of course, for whatever he wish to name. Surely not to
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admire the scenic beauties. Nor Monsieur Holmes, we anticipate double. What sort
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of trouble do you expect? Are you acquainted with the names of Roger Douglas
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and dral Anatrios. Roger Douglas renowned gambler, isn't it? Yes? Watson?
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As for George and Nicktrias, He's an incredible character, a Greek Douglas's
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counterpart in the Near East, given to wagers of gigantic sums. Oh,
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not always upon cards or dice or schmand affair, rather on curious events and
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feats of daring. We maintain a secret service for the fact. Monsieur Holmes
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and they told us that for the very first time, these two treacherous gentlemen,
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Douglas and an Atrius, will meet and at Monte Carlo, each of
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course with his entourage of double dealers and professional killer. Exactly I should enjoy
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the spectacle. Both gentlemen are experts at every conceivable form of gambling. We
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wonder, therefore, when the two meet, what game they will play?
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Might they make a way jo of some sort that would endanger the interest of
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the bank. Might they join forces against us? We feel that the meeting
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of these two may lead to a disaster. We implore you to join us
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for as your home hay necessary to employ me, sir, since this is
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a meeting of supremely sharp minds, it'd be hard to keep me away.
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Let us prepare our luggage for a trip to Monte Carlo. Watson, mister
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Douglas, Yes, mister Nhel, I am delighted to meet you. More
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than I heard you were coming here to Monte Carlo. I was more stanist
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to see you. Thank you. You know miss Deborah Stevens. I believe
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I know George very well. We're all fen we meet your Devora. Devorah
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lived in Athens and Constantinovu for some time. She and I were very close.
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I first met her when she was dancing professionally. We'll all miss her
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soon she's to be married. I thought you wouldn't mind my bringing Deborah at
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this meeting. We required a witness for whatever wager we shall make, or
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whatever game you choose to play. Oh, I am so pleased you did
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bring her. Mister Duglars Sai closed the door and begin most considerate of the
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management to provide this private room for our game. As you may see,
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mister and Atriosk, the management has provided us with equipment to play whatever we
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choose. Your life day arming, Mister Duglard Wight, you say that we
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would be extremely dull for either of us to indulge in a contest of an
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ordinary sword, who would merely exhaust ourselves only to end with a negligible gain.
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Of a few thousand pounds by one or the other. Then what on
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earth did you expect to play, George? I do not know, Deborah.
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Perhaps together mister Douglas and I may conceive of a game or wager of
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truly fabulous state of infinite excitement. I have a suggestion that might intrigue you.
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Yes, did you know that at this moment, mister Sherlock Holmes is
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on his way here to Monte Carlo? Certainly, mister Holmes has a magnificent
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reputation as a criminologist. Well, Roger, what of it? Mister Holmes's
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mission is undoubtedly to prevent either of us from committing a crime. Mister a
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natrios, I will wager whatever sum you wish on the fact that you cannot
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commit a crime of whatever nature you specify and delude mister Holmes, in short,
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that you cannot commit a crime while he is in the city and go
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scott free. Wonderful suggestion, I accept, witness deborough. Yes, Roger,
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to make the wager even more alluring, I shall allow you to name
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the sum and the crime fifty thousand pounds, one hundred thousand agreed, and
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the crime no pedestrian crime. Will do. It must be a major crime,
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arson on a gigantic scale, embezzlement for an enormous sum, or better
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yet, murder whatever you like. I control a great and efficient organization.
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I have years of experience in this matter. My performance should be inspired sufficiently
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to baffle mister Sarloc Holmes. Yes, and atrios, murder Roger. You're
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going too far. I thought you two would play a very exciting game of
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cards or or way to battle together against the bank for your one hundred thousand
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pounds. You have a potential, Yes, I believe I do. Have
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you heard of Leslie Dixon Dixon Dixon, Yes, magison, I've seen him
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at cabarets. He is no longer a magician. I discovered he had a
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more valuable talent for manufacturing. Manufacturing. Yes, he had designs for wheels,
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birdcages, marked packs of cards where the results would always be in my
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favor. I placed him in business. But why do you want Leslie killed
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Roger? He wants considerably more money. He's threatened to go to the newspapers.
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Of course I can't thought that, nor could you, an Atrios.
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It would keep the public away from our houses. It's Leslie Dixon is a
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very tent victims. He's here now in Monte Carlo. Leslie Dixon will be
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dead by midnight of one week from tonight, which sir our Combs fails to
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identify the murderer and returns to London defeated. I shall meet you on the
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evening of his departure in the same room where you will pay a hundred thousand
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pounds to me cash, of course, agreed, agreed, ready before your
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evening swim mister Dixon. Yes, rods have my dressing gown and towns.
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That is usual. Yes, they're back in the cottage, sir. I'll
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fetch them lovely to night here on the beach, isn't it Yes, mister
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Dixon. I should return within the customing half hours. Fine, Ranalds,
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how is it fair? Wallace? Wonderful? I see you later. I'm
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swimming. I thought that I ah legs, cramp back legs. Get Reynolds.
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My head dizzy, dizzy, my legs. I can't swim. Reynolds
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head up. Bro there is the body of Minsheer Dixon. Mis your holmes
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washed ashore here on the beach, just as the police founded bewildering your homes
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they say Dixon was in perfect physical condition, superb swimmer. She was very
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calm, no signs of violence. What do you make up? You've very
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interviewed the back Clamberg the police did he is he failed to hear anything.
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He digs and called for help that he found. The butler was out of
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your shot. He might simply have developed a sudden cram. I rather doubt
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for what's in A thoroughly experienced swimmer would not enter the water immediately after having
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eaten anything that might cause a cramp, especially miss your Dixon. He was
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most careful about food er gold. May I see now, Watson, I'd
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say this is directly concerned with a visit to Monte Carlo of Messrs Douglas and
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Antrios. Would appear that the two geniuses of crime have concocted a special route
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for me. I'd think Rick behind us trees. When you see a shadow
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with a gun, get down. But it's amazing what people can do working
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together. For instance, more than twelve hundred independent merchants who their tremendous buying
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power and thus make possible Clipper Cram, America's greatest clothing bag. These friendly
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hometown business men know that to get and keep your friendship, they have to
12:05
give you more for your money. And when you get a new spring Clippercraft
12:09
worsted suit for only forty five dollars, an all wool covert cloth top coat
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for forty or an all wool Clippercraft gabbothine top coat or forty two fifty,
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you're getting the most for your mummy. Clippercraft clothes take their name from the
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famous Clipper ships that established honest New England quality everywhere in the world. Yet
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they're as modern as the clipper planes that fly around the world today. Yes,
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you can trust clipper Craft clothes and you can trust the men who sell
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them. That's why men who know insist on Clippercraft clothes bearing the Clippercraft label.
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So be sure to visit the clipper Craft store in your city. These
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leading stores in the metropolitan area are proud to add their names to Clippercraft in
12:54
your suits and top coats. In Manhattan, John Wanna make Her Men's Stores
12:58
Broadway at eight and sixty seven Liberty Street, Zack thirty fourth Broadway at thirty
13:03
fourth in Brooklyn, Abraham and Strous in New York, New Jersey, Boulevard
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Men's Shop, Krasgy Noork and in Jamaica the B and B Clothes Shop,
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one sixty four oh eight, Jamaica Avenue, Doctor Watson, Doctor Watson,
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shall we return to the murder committed on a waiting Yes, mister Harris,
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and to Monte Carlo, where on the beach, in the moonlight we stood
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beside the dead body of Leslie Dixon. As homes bent over to examine the
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body, shots rang out from behind the tree. We fell flat upon our
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faces in the sand. When the firing ceased, I ran toward the trees
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from where the bullets had come. And as I returned, see anyone Watson,
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the escaped just vanished through the doctor very, said Douglas. There after
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humors your home. They are afraid you will solve the murder. Yes,
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their pairs are well grounded. I just the body be removed. I should
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be interested in the results of an autopsy, Yes, but it is obvious
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addictions. I died of dog harning. Nevertheless, I urge an autopsy.
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I have good reason I should join his plugly police. They are most cooperative
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with request made by debate, And as for me, I shall discuss this
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case with someone well qualified in these matters, mister Natriars. But he has
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just attempted to kill you. Now you would walk into his hands. Physical
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defeat has never frightened this arm. It's the danger of mental defeat that lures
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me to whatever Natrios is flanned Cumming Watson dazzling crowded homes, princes, millionaires,
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cabinet officials, diplomatic see the Indian Raja and the ruby trim headdressler irrelevant
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Wompson business with mister Natriars, troupiers said table three h Yes, wouldn't that
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be he, mister Netleos, even mister Holmes. Oh, I'm complimented at
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my pieces internationally the media. I've been expecting you, say, step into
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that private room. I wouldn't if I were you home. You're upset by
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something, doctor Watson. I certainly answer if I were you homes, I
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accept your invitation, mister Netleos. Oh, before we step into the room,
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would you like to hold my gun? Doctor Watson, Well, you're
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here, perhaps it would put you at ease. By jove, I will
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take excellent after you, mister Holmes. Thank you. I shall save a
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great deal of time for you. Mister Holmes. I did not kill Leslie
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Dixon, didn't you. I was in the gambling rooms at the time of
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his death. For two hours. Previous to that, I enjoyed dinner at
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the Hotel Maurice. I can produce a dozen witnesses to that effect. Yes,
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I'd no doubt you have a flawless explanation. Previous to dinner, I
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attended a lawn party again, as many on pizza witnesses as you like.
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See. I'm curious, mister Netrias about the game you played or the wager
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you made with Roger Douglas last night. Could it in any way have been
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connected with the death of Leslie Dixon. Very directly, I wagered, mister
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Douglas that I could murder Leslie Dixon in such a way that you, yes
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you Holmes, would never succeed in proving I had committed the homicide. That
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this som one hundred thousand pounds astunphing of all the effrontery. Throwing the gauntlet
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in your face Homes now is very amusing. Well, there's the motive,
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Homes, there's a man. I say, no reason for concealing the wager.
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Besides, it would be unjust of me to collect. I did not
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kill Dixon. I intended to, yes, but I was late. I
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hadn't even started my plans when I had had the news of his death,
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hadn't you? Perhaps it's a move by Roger Douglas. He wanted Dixon to
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die. He suggested the wager. He might eliminate me. That way,
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as a competitor his own men execute the crime in their own manner, being
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sure it's done properly, the guilt would seem to be mine. Ah,
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mister Douglas, you know, mister Holmes, said doctor John. We were
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discussing the late mister Dixon. Really, I was at the theater when he
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died. Can you prove that, sir? Of course, doctor Watson,
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I can prove my whereabouts throughout the entire evening. I had told mister Holmes
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about our wager. You did, Why shouldn't I aren't you writing an invitation
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to the gallows for yourself? Not at all? Mister Holmes must produce concrete
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evidence before I lose. Evidently he's finding it impossible. Oh, quite the
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contrary. We're leaving, Watson. May I offer my carriage, mister Holmes,
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thank you. No, I don't believe it's much of a walk to
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the morgue. The morgue, yes, Watson, if you'll excuse us,
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gentlemen, I must visit the morgue. The dead, you see, are
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often more articulate for the living. Well, there's the body on that slub
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hose. The police surgeon said you could examine whatever you wished. Yes,
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I see they've already performed the autopsia. Dixon drowned hers What the dickens are
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you probing about? For his lungs there show clearly that he was drunk.
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Yes, why did he drown? As I thought? What'd you see?
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I see that I must pay a visit to the late mister Dixon's cottage,
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or Holmes, if you insist upon being secure. Watson returned at the casino.
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Keep an eye on a Natrios and his associates. I shall meet you
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at the casino very shortly with a thorough explanation of the murder and the identity
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of the killer. Thank you driver, That was indeed fast enough. Holmes,
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I've been waiting for you here on the steps of the casino for two
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hours. Did you go to Dixon's cottage speak to the butler? What have
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you found? Where are a Natrios and Douglas and their crew. Well,
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they're having cigars and brandy on the terrace. It's a terrace on the cliff
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overlooking the sea. Harry Watson, we must find them. I have the
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evidence. Yes, where is it? Here in my hand? In your
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hand? What is it? This small bottle of salad oil? There they
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are, Holmes, with that girl the table of the railings. I regret
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disturbing you, gentlemen, mister Holmes, and you've met mister Douglas. This
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is Debora Stephens. I presume, mister Holmes, you have some sort of
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evidence you believe will prove killed Leslie Dixon. And no, mister Natrios,
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your remarkable instincts are wrong. For once, then, I'm sure, mister
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Holmes, you are prepared to accuse me believing I carried out the crime,
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having engineered it so that a Natrios would suffer upon it. No, mister
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Douglas Holmes, one of them can. Neither of them, my dear Watson,
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the butler, nor the butler. Mister Leslie Dixon was killed by you,
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miss Stephens, with this innocent looking small bottle of salad oil. Where
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did you find that? You know you are talking about home. It was
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obvious someone had contrived for Dixon to drown, but how there was no external
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evidence of violence. Know, the sole possibility was that he'd been given something
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internally, in all likelihood, something that would cause him to lose control of
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his arms and legs, that would cause unconsciousness, so that when he set
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off on his knightly swim alone, he drowned. Stay where you are,
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Miss Stevens. I've had my service Revolver along this trip. I knew i'd
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have use for it go on, so I insisted upon an autopsy. It
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revealed to me that Dixon's stomach lining was affected by an extreme irritant. It
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confirmed my suspicion Dixon was subtly poison I won't listen to this. You'd better,
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miss Stephens. It's your death warrant. I raised to Dixon's cottage.
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I spoke with the butler about what mister Dixon had ham for dinner prior to
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his swim. His dinner included a salad prepared with a small bottle of oil.
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This bottle, which had been presented that afternoon as a gift to mister
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Dixon by Miss Deborah Stephens, This oil contains an overdose of camphor. Camper,
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What sort of diabolical looke? Camphor? As you know Watson, is
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soluble in oil but not in water. The salad oil was a magnificent idea.
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The minute amounts of camphor could easily be blended with other flavors and odors,
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so its presence might not be detected. Camphor, Miss Stevens, is
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obtainable easily at a chemists, isn't it. There's no suspicion of poison when
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you purchase camper? Is that? And just a bit too much of it
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will cause leg cramps and dizziness, will it not, Miss Stevens? And
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an autopsy might well be a routine drowning report without evidence of poisoning? Am
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I correct? Miss Stevens? Yes, yes, you're quite right. At
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one time or another, She's been associated with all kinds of men. Lord
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knows what sort of mess she was in with Dixon. I was to be
22:03
married next week. Dixon knew about where I've been and what I've been.
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He was very much in love with me ever since we met. When I
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was dancing in cabarets and he did his magic act, I lowed him.
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Every time I had a chance to marry, he would speak to my fiance
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and break it up. He was going to do it again. So you
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couldn't wait, could you, miss Stevens. You couldn't wait for mister and
22:21
Natrios to eliminate Dixon. Besides, it was an ideal circumstance. If there
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were any suspicion of murder, it would point to a natriosis. Homes the
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shots on the beach hired by you, miss Stevens, to create the impression
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that an organized gang would rescribe. I won't got a prison, think them,
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won't have another victory over me. I won't allow his death to send
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me to even more misery. No, I won't go. Let's go.
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Let's do it. My revolver from you. And she's tripped. She's falling
22:45
back over the road. Fisherman down below said, Missteven's body struck the rocks
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floated out to see her. Yes, a more satisfactory finished for her,
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Watson, I dare say, avoiding the long, painful trial and inevitable execution
23:15
now, mister Atrios, mister Douglas, excuse me returning to London, mister
23:19
Halls, Yes, and to Baker Street. But before I go, gentlemen,
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I propose a toast. A toast, sir, Yes, the George
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and Atrios Roger Douglas, two surprisingly pleasant scoundrels. You are next meeting your
23:37
next fantastic wager. Well, doctor Watson, that was a very gripping adventure.
23:52
Indeed it was, mister Harris. And what adventure have you for us
23:56
next week? Doctor? I have called it the Adventure of the Unfortunate fallas
24:02
it concerns a medical diagnosis, a restless corps and a domestic quote. The
24:17
makers of Clippercraft clothes and more than twelve hundred stories from coast to coast have
24:21
brought you another in the new series of broadcasts featuring the world's most famous detective,
24:26
Sherlock Holmes. Our stories are based upon the character Sherlock Holmes, created
24:34
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the program is produced and directed by Bassil
24:38
Lachran. Sherlock Holmes is played by John Stanley, Doctor Watson by George Spelton.
24:44
This week's story was written by Howard Merrill with special music by Albert Berman.
24:56
If you don't know your Clippercraft dealer right, Clippercraft two hundred and fifty,
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New York City. A Happy birthday to the Girl Scouts. March twelfth
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is your thirty seventh anniversary. You and Girl Scouting are important and we salute
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all of you all over America. Be sure to listen next week to Sherlock
25:30
Holmes in the Adventure of the Unfortunate Balance. Sosi Harris, speaking for Hippercrime
25:47
Clobes the Mutual Broadcasts, welcome back. Well, I don't think these late
25:52
John Stanley episodes are some of the best in the Shrlock Holmes cannon or in
26:00
the radio shows, but I will say they are perhaps some of the more
26:04
audacious plots and characters. We see a lot of that, so that may
26:11
have been one of the appeal and why that show. I really enjoyed a
26:17
bit of a ratings rebound rebound during this nineteen forty eight forty nine season.
26:25
Now we turn to listener comments and feedback. George says on Facebook, thank
26:32
you for putting these shows together. It makes my workday go by that much
26:38
easier. Then we have an email from Ben who says, I just wanted
26:42
to drop your line and thank you for supplying the digital airwaves with your program.
26:47
I usually listen to the radio through my iPhone when I go to sleep
26:49
at night, but I've grown tired of late night talk shows. I specifically
26:53
listen to Coast to Coast AM, but it has become a gloom and doomed
26:56
spectacular with into the world momentary and the like. Not something that one would
27:03
want to listen to while hoping for good and happy dreams, that is for
27:07
sure. Yeah, there are certain talk shows of various times where do you
27:12
noticed having trouble getting to sleep, or if you're listening to something's drive time
27:17
and you're getting home a little extra cranky, I might want to turn off
27:22
at least during that time. But he goes on to say for late night,
27:26
i'd never heard any last night, I'd never heard any of the old
27:30
time radio shows before, and I thought I would give it a try.
27:33
Johnny Doller has truly opened my eyes to this new old world. Since I
27:37
usually don't only listen for half an hour or so and then shut the radio
27:41
off, these programs are great alternative to the late night fodder. I look
27:47
forward to the Sherlock Holmes episode tonight with more to follow. Thanks again for
27:51
putting this up for our listeners. I don't know if you had to actually
27:55
submit it or not, but I get your podcast on an app called tune
27:57
In Radio, which can connects all sorts of online streaming centers in one convenient
28:03
place. Anyway, thank you again for your the work you are doing,
28:06
and look forward to many hours of listening. Ben. Well, thanks so
28:08
much, Ben. I think I did have to submit to that app,
28:12
and I haven't done submitting feeds places in quite a while, just because listener,
28:21
the show has just grown so well naturally with the places we submitted to
28:26
at the beginning, it really hasn't been something we've had to do. But
28:29
I do think I did do the tune in and it's a very interesting app.
28:33
It's also available for people you can listen to radio stations and feeds.
28:38
I believe they have it for the Roku. All right, Well, that'll
28:42
do it for today, Join us back tomorrow, speaking of yours truly,
28:47
Johnny Doll will be there with that episode tomorrow. In the meanwhile, send
28:53
your comments to Box thirteen at Great Detectors Bought in Net. If you're downloading
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got one hundred and sixty two ratings on the main feet and so everyone helps
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Boise, Otaho. This is your host, Adam Grahamson and Off