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Sherlock Holmes: The Dying Detective (EP0930) · 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 dot net, Follow us on Twitter at
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slash Radio Detectives. Well, today's episodes brought to you by the financial support
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of our listeners. Let's go ahead and we'll take a listen to today's episode,
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The Adventure of the Dying Detective. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Where's
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Sir John Gilgot and Sherlock Holmes and Sir Ralph Richardson as our storyteller, Doctor
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James Watson, Doctor Watson, he's dying. It's bestrown him sovere class to
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another day. What shall I do? Doctor haven't helped him. Mister Holmes
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is dying. I'll never forget that terrible November day in eighty nine. I
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was in practice in Paddington and missus Hudson, Old Baker Street land lady somehow
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made her way to my rooms through the fog with that dreadful message. I
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was horrified. I've heard nothing of Sherlock Holmes's illness. I've seen little enough
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of the men himself for some time, knowing that he was engaged in a
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very complex case somewhere. But I need hardly say that. When I can't
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missus Hudson as best I could, I snatched my coat and head and I
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rushed out with her to a handsome doctor weggains and no bed heavens man comes,
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you'll go past. I'm a doctor. Man's life depends on it.
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Hope she not in this one. Can't army see you your more careful man.
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Sorry, don't man. It always nearly went into that dray I did
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blind Mary? Or do what you can tell the side streets now likeing of
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godness? What number was if you said in Faker Street you to one be
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mister Sherlock Holmes, Is it Kim that's going? It is? Honey man?
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Do you have double pair? I don't mean the pair, but it
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is mister Sherlock owns its different army. Yes, Missus Hudson, Missus Hudson,
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I really must be, because the thing's budding enough without tears. Oh
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my god, noo, bit doctor on it. I'll let up so you
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think you are good to me always yes, I know. I'm sorry.
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How long has he been like this? So ill? Three days? It's
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been thinking faster? Oh, it's beautiful steam lying there? Well on earth?
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Didn't you tell me before? At least you could have got some kind
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of medical help on me, you know how masterfully is. I couldn't build
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it anymore. And I saw him lying there this afternoon then bones sticking out
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of his face, and his great bright eyes sty at me. Oh,
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we'll never get out of his bed again? Do it? O pray Heaven
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I can do something to prevent death, Missus Hudson. I told him I
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wouldn't find another minute. I was going to fit to doctor Willis, leave
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or without, I said, And he said, gif a doctor Watson.
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Then he said, so I cancer. Thank him what you've been doing lately?
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Do you know? I never do, sir? But he did take
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something about a case down at the other live the river and this fog he's
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picked up some infection. We've really done his shirts theirs? Do do want
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be Baker Street to take the stove? And missus Hudson, and do you
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settle with the driver while I run straight upstairs? Well, the old gift
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did you hit the world dream hold great hells homes. Well, Whatson,
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back to the old horns again. I see you never could escape from Baker
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Street for long, but we've fallen on evil days, you see, my
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dear fellow. No, Watson, key back and one step near. I
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saw you under the house, such a sick and dip homes. I'm a
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doctor. What I see? Watson? Stay where you got in a fever?
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This is Hudson was right. I've never seen the brightness in man's eyes.
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Yes, and this full crust on my lips and my bones almost breaking
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through the skin. Oh, I don't think I haven't seen a water.
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I don't think I haven't kept turning into the middle these last three days,
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just waiting waiting for confirmation. Well, I've suspected from the size. Well
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now let me no, no, no, non'll be angling that Watson.
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You're a good fellow, but it's your own sake and you must keep your
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distance. Don't come near me. My sake homes your But I know you
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see, I know what's the matter. It's the cooler diseases you match on
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what. I don't know more about it than we do. But even though
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they've hardly made much of it, it's deadly and horribly contagious scoret heavens,
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Holmes, do you suppose that all hint to me? It's my job man
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a good the other stranger and such circumstances. Let alone our old friend.
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Day where you are saying, do I have to ask again? Sit there
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and I'll go on talking. Otherwise you'll have to leave me alone to die
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in peace, our holmes, I want you. You can be master elsewhere,
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but at least I'm master in the sick room. I'm going to examine
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your symptoms, treat you for then very well, Watson, I must say,
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if I am to have a doctor, I must at least have a
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man whom I have some confidence you'll you'll none in me then, or in
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your friendship. Of course, we've been through so much together. I know
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you're worth man, but how fact a fact, and your experience is very
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limited, and your qualifications rather a mediocre Watson, I see, I do
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you think I wanted to say an old friend. I hated to do it,
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but I had to forgive me this. Yes, of course, But
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if you've no confidence in me, after all we've been to each other,
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I won't intrude my services for a moment. Oh yes, but at least
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you'll permit me to bring someone else. Then I can't sit here and once
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you die, even if you have hurt me. So now, let me
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bring Penrose Fisher, any of the best men in London. So well,
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Watson, you always did you want me to demonstrate your ignorance? What do
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you know, Tampa Newly Fever? What do you know? The black foremos
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a corruption? I admit I've never heard of adol. You see, there's
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so many problems of disease in the East, Watson. I've learned so much
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lately. That's how I became infective case? Am I some coolist at the
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dots? You can't do anything I can. I've suddenly remembered entries in London.
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He's the greatest living authority on tropical disease. I'm going to fetch him,
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Holmes, this instant, Watson, stay where you are. I'm not
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idiot, and you want past this door while I've strength to stand up in
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front of his great Heavens home. Good. There you see it's locked and
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you won't get this key from me by force. Watson, I've got you,
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my friend, Holmes. This is insanity, is it? Those are
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the final symptoms. I believe. Stand over there, A little is there
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by the table. Let me pass around you. You get back to bed.
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Oh lord, the pains. Please let me give you some water,
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Hi, Dad, I can reach it if I wanted. You shall have
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your way, Watson, if you'll just have patience, only give me a
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moment, he get my strength. I seem to have no choice. I'll
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let you go, Watson. Yes, in a quarter of an hour.
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I'll let you go, but you will seek help. I only live from
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the man. I choose as long as I can bring someone. Yeah,
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you shall, I promise. There's only one thing, just one thing,
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old friend. But what is it? I'll do anything. Have you any
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change in your pocket, James? I think so? Yes? Any silver
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yre's a good deal? Have any half crowns? Half crown? You quickly
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cut the Watson five to fuel to fuel? Too few for what must do?
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What we can? Okay? Put them all into your watch pocket,
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watched, and all the rest of your money in your left trouser pocket.
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Thank you. They don't They don't balance you so much? Did you see?
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Oh? Yea like the guests. Now will you I'll let your move
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to like the guests, but you would be careful, for one instant must
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have been more than a half on implore your watched, otherwise the balance of
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your silver will be altered again, Thank you, thank you. Wait are
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you doing man? Nothing, nothing, I'm just putting the matches back on
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the table. Hello. Hell, curious little ivory box. Put it down
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this instant to me here, My dear Holmes, they they hate things.
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I'm touched. You know that. Oh you, Fidget may be young endurance.
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You will docturg You're enough to drive a patient to an asylum. You
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will find a sugar tongs on the ample piece. Sugar Tom to lift the
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box. Manah, that little library box. Set it closer to me here
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where I can watch it so you see it might be full of oysters.
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Oysters. Yeah, of course that's a prettifig. What's everywhere? Everywhere?
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Yeah, but I think you wanted wanted to go now now that your silver
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balance is anywhere to get helpful. I can't bear to see you like this,
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Holmes. Very well, it's time. Now you can go and fetch
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mister Calverton Smith to me number thirteen Lower Bird Street, Calverton Smith. I've
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never heard the name and had heard. It may surprise you that the one
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man on earth who really knows about this disease isn't a medical man at all,
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but a planter. He's a well known resident of too much home.
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Only my god once, if you'll give me the key as to say that,
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I'll throw it up at the table. There's only one thing more,
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Watson, one more. What is it you? You may have to plead
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with him to come to plead. Yes, there's no good feeling between us.
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His nephew, a young fellow called Victor Savage. He died recently.
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I had suspected foul play, and I let Calverton Smith see that. I
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suspected. Said that the fellow has a graduate against which will beg him Watson.
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Employment get him here by any means. He's the only man all the
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world who can save me. I'm bringing it. I had to carry him
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that thing of the sort. Persuade him to come. But come back yourself
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first. Yes, make any excuse so as to reach me before he dies.
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You won't fail me, Watson. I never did, I think,
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no, bless who wants never? Here's the key? He'd lower back street
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Carvin Smith. Yeah, you and I watch I've done our apart. The
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world might still be overrun by oyster, all ghastly, foggy wonder swom I'm
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so with a heavy heart, shocked at the wreck of that magnificent intellect,
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I left him, babbling like a foolish child. The fog had lifted a
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little, the progress of the gas lit streets was still delayed. I found
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my destination at last, thirteen Lower Burke Street, and feeling desperate, I
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forced my way in, passed the man servant who opened the door. I
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found myself in the dark hall, confronting the figure of a man that is
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small and twisted in the shoulders and back, but with a skull of enormous
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capacity, and the face coarse, grained and strangely yellow. Mister Calverton,
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mister Carlton's lift, what is the meaning of this intrusion? I'm sorry,
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but the matter simply can't be delayed. My friend, mister Sherlock Holmes,
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you'll come from Sherlock home this instant. My name's Watson. What about Holmes?
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How is he desperately? That's why I've come. I'm sorry to hear
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it. Do sit down, mister Watson. Doctor doctor, indeed a professional
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in my own amateur landing, and Holmes as his enemies too in crime of
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course where ours and among the micro I caun't of your special knowledge that mister
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Holmes wanted to see you, mister Smith. He's a high opinion of your
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skill in Eastern diseases. Indeed, are you confess the subject is a particular
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hobby of mine? But then why did mister Sherlock Holmes fancy this disease?
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If was Eastern? He's been working on a case among some Chinese sailors down
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by the docks. Ah, that's it, is it? Well? We
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must trust that the metter isn't as grave as you suppose. How long has
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he been ill? Three days? Is he delirious? I'm afraid so quite
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severely. It sounds serious enough. Then I'll come with you at once.
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Oh, thank you, thank you, But I'm afraid I have another appointment,
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mister Smith. You will find the street door Ajar his lambled him may
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not be back. Now I must hurry, mister Smith. Oh, oh
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very well, I'll go alone. Then, I know the best you can
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rely on my being there within half an hour. Thank you. Good evening
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to Watson, A very good evening. To you, sir. Who's that
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all right? All right? Oh Watson, that's good. Did you see
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him? Yes, he's coming badmiable. You are the best of messengers,
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Matte Watson. He wanted to come back with me. Ah, that would
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never have done. What's would it be? But why, well, he
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asked, what was wrong with me? Of course? Well? I told
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him about the Chinese in the East End. Exactly, You've done all that
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a good friend could. I'm very much obliged. Well, now you must
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disappear from the scene entirely. I must waiting here his opinion of Holmes.
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You can't deny me that. Oh yeah, yes, of course you must.
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I wouldn't dream of depriving you of it. But he's such a curious
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fellow, wasn't I have reason to believe his opinion would be more valuable if
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he thinks that he and I are quite alone. I believe there's just room
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for you here here behind, behind the head of my bed, I think,
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my dear, Oh yes, there's no alternative man who the old room?
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Doesn't then so much to concealment? Does it? Quick? Watson?
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If you love me, do you hear what I say? What does I
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kept drawing up, But I must say homes and if it look at heimsi
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quick, keep quiet, don't speak, don't move. Whatever happens, just
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listen, Watson, listen with all your ears. Well, well if you
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say so that this is this is really hardly hardly he's coming man, quiet,
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Oh, home home, don't you? Yeah me Holmes Smith, that's
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your Oh? Thank you? I should imagine not indeed, and yet I
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didn't you see coals of fire, mister Sherlock Hover. Yes, it's very
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good of you, better noble of you. I appreciate your special knowledge.
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You do we fortunate day are the only man in London who does you'll know
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what's the matter with you? Say hi, I recognize the symptoms. I
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shouldn't be surprised. And a bad lookout for you. Ses perviector was a
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dead man on the board day Hine you you did it? Smith, Oh
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you did did you? Only you couldn't prove it? So you will bet
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your rotten reports about me and then you come crawling when you're in trouble yourself.
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H h What sort of game is that? For the creature or homes
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to play the bagons with bygons Smith, I get it all cure me and
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forget it all. Forget what but Victor Savages death. You always got a
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submission. Just now that you've done it, can't you remember any unusual incident
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about the time your symptoms began too ill? Didn't anything come by post?
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For instance? A box by chance? Smith Immercy's name was an ivory box.
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He came on Wednesday. You opened it, do you remember? Yes?
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Yes, there was a sharp spring inside it. Some kind of joke,
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joking one, any joke as you find out your cast. I remember
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the spring. It drew blood. That box there on the table. Ah,
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there very won by George, and it may as well leave the room
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in my pocket. There goes your last tread of evidence, Sherlock Holmes.
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But you have the truth at last thing. You can die with the knowledge
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that I killed you. You knew too much about how Victor Savage died,
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so I've sent you to join him. You can't go sit here and watch
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you go. You haven't long now, Yes, earn up the gas Smith.
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Oh, the shadows begin to form to me. Well, the guess
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all the better to see you by the is the is there in it?
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About little service I can do for you? My friend? Yes? Yes,
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if you'd be so good, just give me your hand yea and hill,
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Oh, thank you. I wouldn't struggle if I were you, mister
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Calvit and Smithy's handcuffs are quite strong enough to hold you. You can stand,
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ah, my pipe, you're perfectly well. The best way of acting
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a part, of course, is to be at smith. I give you
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my word that for the last three days I tasted neither food nor drink.
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But really it's the lack of tobacco that I found most irksome. I on
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that almost did my friend. But wait, there's someone coming in I think
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will be delighted to make your acquaintance. Ah, good evening is Victor Morton.
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There's your man. Thank you, mister Holmes. We've been waiting in
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the streets as you told us to and your message. I'm cold enough too.
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I'd fancy on a night like this to save a poor, invalid trouble
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inspector. Mister Smith was so very good as to give you our signal himself
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by turning up the guests. This is an outrage. I'll not stand one
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ticks as good as another, mister Smith, who Expector Morton is from the
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yard and the sergeant, when you better hold out your hands and go quietly
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it comes out. I arrest you on the charge of the murder of one
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Victor seven and the attempted murder one Sherlock Hope. By the way, Morton,
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that prisoner has a small box in his left hand coat pocket, which
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I think it'd be just as well to remove, but handle it gingerly.
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If you please let me pass you with the sugar tongs. Yeah that's it.
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Yeah, yeah, on the table. Thank you so much. A
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nice step pose also, you, Lancy, But you knew witness and whatever
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I was said in this room was only between ourselves and my word, he's
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just as good as yours. H oh, I big your pardon, good
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heavens, my dear Watson. Where are you? Bless you all just behind
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the bed. I a thousand abologies, so I should think, Holmes,
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I've never been so uncomfortable in all my life. Oh, my poor dear
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fellow. I need hardly introduce you to mister Calverton Smith, who I am
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sure will now accept his defeat most gracefully. And now that he sees that
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you were witnessed of his confession, your servant, mister Smith can of found
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you shell homes. Thank you. Take him away, inspector. We can
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make all formal arrangements later. In the meantime, Watson, perhaps you'll be
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good enough to pour me out a glass of brandy. Well thake his other
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arms, hudgeant umise, Jimis Holmes, you'll done it again. Good night,
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sir doctor Watson, Good night modern mister Smith. Well, well there
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you are, then, Holmes. Here's your brandy. Thank you, and
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I should prescribe a couple of biscuits for him to stomach. I think,
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oh, thank you, thank you. I never needed this more. Huh
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huh. I'll never forgive your homes you know that, of course, Oh
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come Watson. Never it was essential now to convince missus Hudson that I was
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a dying man for the cheek could convince you, and you could convince our
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friends to Calverton Smith. Yes, but you should have told me offended,
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Watson, it was really a compliment, you know, compliment well among your
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many talents. The simulation finds no place, old friend, And you could
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never have impressed Smith with the urgency of at all, who hadn't really believed
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it yourself. But that's your your your whole appearance, your ghastly face,
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and those those eyes. Three days of absolute fast, hardly improved one's beauty,
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Watson, and the rest Well, smear dazsiline on the forehead, little
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bella donna in the eyes, a touch of rouge on the cheek, burns,
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and these crusts of beeswax on the lips, A very satisfying effect may
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be produced. I think my lingering is a subject I've often thought of for
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a monogrammic and a little occasional talk about half crowns or oysters, for instance,
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and behold a case of tragic deliverum exactly. But why, why why
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did you never let me in near you? If there wasn't any infection after
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all? Not? That was the unkindness cuts homes it, truly it was.
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You said you'd no confidence in me? I too much, my dear
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Watson. What what did you imagine? I'd have no respect for your medical
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ability? Could I imagine for a moment that your astute judgment would pass a
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dying man who had no rise of pulse or temperature, my dear fellow,
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Well, if you put it that way, but of course I do.
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How else at four yards I could receive you not a foot near her,
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And who then would have brought mister Smith within my grasp? Ah? Yeah,
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yes, but put the little box, a harmless looking little ivory box,
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Nanna Watson, don't touch it, not now. Don't you see the
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way the little sharp infected spring shoots out like a viper's tooth when you look
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down at it. Sideway, he killed his nephew with that device. The
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boy stood between Smith and his inheritance. He died horribly hard to forgive you,
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you know it wanted Missus Hudson and me in consciable. Ah, poor
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Missus Hudson. I'll make it up to her, but you must admit it
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was the work of a true artist. You must permit me my methods.
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What's you of all people? Oh? Oh, come, let me soothe
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your savage breast. And then, perhaps when I've dressed something solid and nutritious,
25:44
at that little chop out of ours in the strand, and not I
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fancy be out of place. I confess that dying is quite one of the
25:49
hungriest hobbies I've ever taken up. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, based on
25:57
the original stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, had been dramatized en You with
26:02
original music composed by Sydney Torch. Sir Ralph Richardson played the part of doctor
26:07
Watson and Sir John Gilgud that of Sherlock Holmes. The program was produced by
26:12
Harry Allen Towers. Welcome back, Well. This was I think absolutely great
26:59
performance by John Gielgud. This is generally not one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes
27:03
stories because to me it always feels like somebody should have caught onto this.
27:11
If not Doctor Watson, then certainly the criminal. But I guess arrogants plays
27:18
a role on that. But absolutely great performance in putting this particular story together
27:29
and creating that sense of drama. So absolutely well done here. Well we
27:34
do turn out a listener comments and feedback and a review of the podcast,
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but actually seems to be more of the app on iTunes. Listeners seek Handy
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Rotts a great variety of detective radio shows. I'm particularly partial to Sherlock Holmes,
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though it was very delighted to be introduced to new shows. The host
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Adam gives energetic information and enjoy I well listening to him. I must say
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I wish all my investments were this rewarding well, thank you so much.
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Glad that money for the app was well spent. We have a couple more
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Brain Freeze forty seven in the app. Reviews says ditto to another reviews,
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This is from doctor J. Todd, Great powdcast. Thank you for
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appreciate it all right. Well, that'll do it for today. We will
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be back on Friday with the second part of Call for a Columnist and also
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a concluding episode of Yours Truly Johnny Doller, a Chesapeake fraud matter. In
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