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