This episode from the Life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by short wave and through the world wide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service.

Petree Wine brings you Dazzle, Lafbone and Nigel Bruce and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Dark Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master Detective Sherlock Holmes.

And if you don't mind, I'd like to suggest something that you might share with your friends.

And that's something is a glass of sherry before dinner.

Naturally, a glass of Petrie California sherry.

I say Petrie Sherry because it's the perfect before dinner wine.

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But if you want to learn for the first time with those words rich and nut like really.

Mean, you just taste Petree Sherry.

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Serve petrie sherry by itself, or serve it with all derves or those little cocktail sandwiches.

And incidentally, if you prefer to sherry dry, you know, not sweet, just ask your wine merchant for petree pale dry sherry.

Well, the important thing to remember is if you want sherry, you want petree sherry, because that means good sherry.

And now let's look in on our genial friend and good host, doctor Watson.

Good evening, Doctor, good eveningsbot punctual to the minute, to usual.

Never keep it doctor waiting, I always say, particularly doctor Watson, thank you all ready to tell us the Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band.

Yes, I'm already, mister Bartow.

Say doctor, just what does a speckle band mean?

You wait until I've told you the story?

Young fullam a lad you find out your silver sorry the floor, as are yours?

Doctor.

The Adventure of the Speckled Band began on a rainy April morning in eighteen hundred and eighty three, an urgent call from one of my patients that kept me up most of the night before, and in consequence I came down to my breakfast rather later than usual to find that homes already left our house some hours earlier.

As I sat there reading the morning paper and consuming my two lightly boiled eggs, was a knock at the door.

It opened to disclosed a typical example of the British working man, a bag of tools in one hand and a grimmy cap in the other.

That he spoke to me from the doorway.

You then for me, mister Rams, I'm not mister Holmes, I beg.

Your pardon godnor not condom in the guest bracket over the mantelpiece.

Oh what's wrong with them?

I can lick in it, wor well?

Will get along with your work?

Yes, Sair, I won't be disturbing your No.

No, no, it's all right.

The man don't mind me, don't mummy?

Very untidy man, mister m what do you mean by that?

Well, you can't help notice the.

Miss this rooms in Arvid say he was as tiny as anybody started, but he learned bad habits from what lived with him, doctor watching all of his name.

You in Pertlan, why do you talk to me like that?

I've got a good look for ready as you go to here.

You've come out of there that's mister Holmes's room.

I'll be angry with him.

Watson, what's stepping up of these grimy rags into a dressing gown?

You?

Von Massola.

I've never recognized you, But why in the disguise in case?

My dear watching the case one of those small problems which are trusting public occasionally confides to my investigation.

Uh huh.

To the British workman, o chap all doors are open, his costume is unostentatious, and his habits are sociable.

Tool bag is an excellent.

Passport, and attorney mustache toure, the cooperation of aids.

And what's the case home?

Or modest little drama of life in the kitchen?

One of those seemingly inconsequential affairs.

And yet Watson, the honor of a duchess is at stake.

Had world no masters in that world.

Ah, now I'd feel a little more comfortable.

Let's return to the sitting room, shall we.

Strong cup of tea would be most successful.

You'd tell me about the duchess, life in.

The kitchen, homes another time, offellow, some other time.

At the moment, suppose you tell me what you know about miss Helen Stoner.

I received a letter from her this morning in which she informed me that you would be calling here at eleven, and also that she was a friend of.

Your Helen Stoner.

Oh yes, yes, sir, a charming girl.

And you want me a cup of tea Watson and tell me about her well.

I befriended her at the time of the tragic death of her sister two years ago.

I told you about the case.

Remember the sudden death of Varlet Stoner at an old house in Stoke.

Brand Yes, yes, yes, it all comes back to me now.

There was a There was an inquest, wasn't there with a bring of stupid, ineffective witnesses.

I was well of them.

Oh I'm sorry.

Hellow then you were the exception of course.

Wait a minute, Wait a minute, Let me see I docketed the evidence on the case.

Where is it?

Scrap Here we are here, we are Let me see s.

S.

S.

Salisbury hatchet murder, Lord sin Sin Here we are here, we are Stop Moran, Yes, I remember the affair.

Well.

The villain of the piece was doctor Grimsby Roylet, wasn't he.

It's a dreadful fellow.

He's a stepfather of the girl's Violet, the one that died so mysteriously, Helen, the one who's coming here to see you.

Dr Roylett is a pretty record fifty five years of age, killed his Kitmagan, India once in an insane asylum, married money wife, died distinguished surgeon will Watson.

I wonder what the distinguished surgeon has been up to now, devil?

Why you say that you remember that this Violet Stoner's death followed close upon the announcement of her engagements.

Well, I met miss Helen's Stone on the street a few weeks ago.

She told me that she'd just become engaged to.

A young fellow in the army who was leaving for.

The Far East.

She was really upset the thought of being alone with her stepfather.

That Stone, who naturally was hmm.

Doctor Rylett stands to lose a considerable sum of money in the event of his stepdaughter's married.

Yes, they both.

Had a trust fund which he administered only as long as the girls were unmarried.

That fact was brought out of the coroner's inquest two years ago.

But if Riolet did poison.

The other stepdaughter, and I'm pretty.

Convinced that he did it, seems unlikely that you try it again.

Two sudden deaths at the same household would hardly pass the coroner.

Oh no, my dear Watson, you're making the mistake of putting your normal brain into Rollot's abnormal.

Beat that the stream is stonn arm.

Yeah, let me see.

It's precisely eleven o'clock.

Well, let's see what we can do for that.

Well, I hope you can help her homes.

She's extremely nice girl.

Yes, missus Hudson, there's a Mischill and stoneers to see you, sir, She says, she hasn't appointment.

Show her, please, missu Hudson.

Ay, sir, come in, my dear, thank you.

I'm Misterner.

I'm I'm so glad to see you again.

How do you do, doctor Watson?

And this must be your friend?

Yes, Missterner, I'm sure I home.

Sit down to the five one?

Does please?

You matter?

Hello?

You're you're trembling with cold.

It's not cold, miss me shiver.

Tell me mister Holmes.

Has my stepfather, Doctor Grimsby Royle has been here?

He hasn't He saw me in the street.

I dashed by him in a handsome care but he saw me our eyes let and he waved me to stop.

But I came here as fast as I could made a sensible move.

Doctor Watson has already given me several pints to your present problem, as well as having refreshed my memory as to the circumstances of your sister's death.

My problem is a simple enough one, mister Holmes.

I'm I'm waiting to be murdered.

Life more exquisit, Missterner?

Very well, mister Holmes.

My fists is leaving for the Far East today, and he leaves, I shall be alone with my stepfather at Stoke Morne.

He plans to murder me, just as he murdered my fist.

What makes you say that, Missterna?

Many strange things have happened recently.

For instance, he's just moved me into the bedroom in which my sister died.

What reason did he give for changing your room?

That my old room needed repainting?

It didn't need it, but doctor Roylett did need to move me into that horrible room.

And other things have happened.

I i'd heard the music again, want music.

My sister first heard it a few days before she died.

I heard it myself on that dreadful night, she breathed her last.

Who isn't terrible, my dear pleasing body any more?

You have friends to help you.

Now you mind if I ask you a few questions?

Nos?

Not?

Nut's music?

Does it seem to come from inside the house or outside?

Well, it's it's hard to say it.

It sounds so faint.

What's it like?

A sort of soft drowning.

Sound, like a fruit or a pipe?

Yes, it reminds me of native music I heard during my childhood.

In India, India.

Well, there's one other thing that puzzles me, mister Holmes.

My sister's dying words.

As she lay in my arms, she gasped out two words.

What were they?

Band?

And speckled?

You remember that evidence from the inquest, don't you doctor watching?

Yes?

Yes, as I do.

I couldn't make her to tell o band speckled Indian music?

Miss Toner.

Do you sleep at your door and windows fastened?

Yes, mister Holmes, But so did poor Violet.

It didn't save her, though.

Why don't you gather from your sister's dying allusion to the band, the speckled band?

Well, sometimes I thought it was merely the wild talk of delirium, and sometimes that it referred to a band of people.

I remembered that there were some Gypsies in camp quite nearest at the time of Violet's death.

Gypsy say yes, and it.

Occurred to me that they spotted gaily colored kerchiefs, which so many of them were over their heads, might have suggested the unusual adjective which my sister used.

Mister hung, is it since you heard this strange music that you've told us about?

I heard it last night.

Dar Dansey lives to Leaves to day.

Say yes to Holmes, well, Astona, I should do everything I can to help you.

If we were to come to Stoke Moran to day, it would it be possible to see over your rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather?

I think so.

He told me this morning that he intended to take a late train home tonight.

That's splendid Watson up at the time table, old fellow, and look up the trains to Stoke, my ramps.

That's my stepfather.

I know it.

Oh yes, just there he is on the doorsteps followed me, what time do you find me here?

By Misson, Please don't bory.

There's a private exit through that room.

There watch them the way.

Will you come along with me and you will come down to Davis.

Homet me, my dear misterner.

I'll telegraph you the entire time of our goodbye and courage, my dear.

Goodbye, mister Holmes, and thank you coming along quickly?

Come in?

Yes, missus Hudson.

A gentleman, Sir.

I told him you wouldn't see anyone without an appointment.

But out of the way, woman, push me like that.

I'm sorry, mister Holmes.

That's all right, Missushudson, you can leave us.

What kind of gentleman does he call himself?

Pushing an old lady?

Oh you're sure you have the advantage of me, sir.

Your name is my name, sir is Roilet, Doctor Grimsby, Roylet of Stoke, Moran.

Yes, yes, of course a charming place I hear, and obviously good.

To the London.

You won't trifle with me if you know what's good for it.

Oh?

What's may you are?

And how was the uh?

The experiment?

Very successful?

Homes good day?

You got the roilet.

I haven't seen you since I gave evidence that your stepdaughter's inquest.

Yes, yes, I remember you, doctor Watson.

Now listen to me, you too.

My stepdaughter's been here, I've placed her.

What's she been saying to your little cold at.

This time of the year, isn't it you answer me?

I hear that the circuses promised.

Well do you dare to try and put me after you?

I know you, you scoundrel.

Your homes the meddler.

I'm homes a.

Visit, but I believe that a man should occupy his homes.

The Scottland yard check in office.

When you go out, close the door won't show.

There's a draft.

I'll go when I've had my seat.

Keep your nose out of my affairs.

You hear, oh, yes, getting his x men.

Thank you and your addiction and delivery most possible.

But time flies, my dear doctor.

Time flyers, and life has its duties as well as pleasures.

Goodbye, insolent ha rascal.

Here see this poker.

Oh, the fire doesn't need poking, Thank you doctor.

But I should be obliged if you put.

Some more cold upon me.

You laugh at me.

You don't know my straight Look there, your poker has been double.

That's what I'll do to both of you.

Don't keep out of fire pairs.

I had a presentiment that he'd slammed the door.

Phew, he's an ugly customer.

Player as well as figuratively.

What's not be much obliged If you get your volder, it may prove to be an excellent argument with a gentleman who twists iron pocus into knots.

The fellow is amazingly strong.

Just look at it.

I don't want to a care flamboyant, but ah ah, there we are great cut homes.

You straighten the poker out again.

Yes, but utterly useless in its former shape.

And now what's on the time table?

We'll catch the next past paint a stop.

Bram home is Holmes.

Dr Watson, I'm so relieved that you come.

But don't you think my stepfather might have followed you down.

Here to take that chance by stoner, a few hours delay might mean the difference between our life and death.

It was in Eric that we examine this room of yours before doctor Rodert returned.

Anyway, my deare, you mustn't worry anymore.

We're here in your house and we're going to take good curl no matter what harm befalls you.

Thank you, doctor Watson.

This is the Roman which Chard's sister died?

Is it as much as I picked it?

And Dr Royer's room it joins this one, you say, Misterner.

Yes, doctor on that side the room which it joins it.

On the other side is my right the.

Bedroom I one that's being so conveniently painted.

Day.

Well, let's examine this room.

No trap doors or sliding pannels.

I suppose sounds solid enough?

Home, Yes, I think it is.

What's it?

Are you aware that this bed is camped to the floor, Miss Stoner?

Why no, No, mister Holmes, are did so.

The struggling is the bed in your other room anchored?

Also?

I know, I don't think it was very illuminating.

And this bell pull hanging against the wall above your bed.

Oh that it doesn't work?

If you want to ring, there's another one on the other wall over there.

No, why this one?

Well, I don't know.

My stepfather made a number of changes after we came here.

There's quite a burst of activity apparently, and it took some sprange shapes.

Why are you standing on the bed at home?

I'm curious, my dear pee.

Ah, it may interest you to know that this bell rope is past into a brass hook.

There's no wild attachment.

It's a dummy.

The dummy why there's a small screen about it.

It's a ventilator, I.

Suppose, yes, mister Holmes, Yes.

A ventilator leading into your stepfast room.

Curious, I noticed there's no means of opening the ventilator on this side.

Can only be operated from your stepfather's room next door.

I wonder if you'd mind taking us in there.

Of course, mister Holmes, follow me.

We'll do you make him at homes there's devil's work a foot old chap.

Nearly are mister Holmes?

What's the same as the other rumor?

Bit bigger pheads?

That large safe against the walls seems to be an unusual piece of bedroom furniture.

What is it, miss Doner?

My stepfather's business papers.

You've seen inside it then only once.

Some years ago.

I remember that it's full of documents.

That's the sauce of nook doing on top of it.

Does doctor Roler keep a cat?

No, but he does have a cheetah and have a boon as pets.

He brought them with him from India.

Will Holmes, cheetah is just a big cat.

Prove But I doubt if the saucer of look would goby far and satisfying the appetite of a cheetah.

Well, i think I've seen enough.

This matter is too serious for hesitation.

Our life made it upon your following my instructions, Miss Homer.

I'll do anything you say, mister Holmes.

Anything is that village in my sea through the trees from this window?

Yes, the Queen's arm Your bedroom.

Windows would be visible from there.

Yes, Then Watson and I will go there now and obtain accommodations.

When your stepfather returns, just confine yourself to your room on the pretense of a headache.

You follow me, pert, When Dr Rylert returns for the night, MS to open your bedroom window and put your lamp on the sill as a signal to us at the m Then with draw quiet.

Let your usual bedroom, the one that's being painted.

I'm sure that you could manage there.

For one night, of course, but what will you do when we.

Get your signal?

Dr Watson and I will come here and spend the night in your dead sister's room.

We are going to solve this mystery of the dummy bell rope and the unusual ventilator and the strange music in the night.

You'll hear the remainder of.

Doctor Watson's story in just a second.

So I'm just going to point out that there has any really important dinner, you know, like when Diplomets get together, you'll find wine on the table, Because for years it's been a known fact that good wine makes.

Good food taste.

Better prove that to yourself tomorrow night by having your dinner together with a glass of Petree wine.

If you prefer red wine for any meat or meat dish, try a Petrie California Burgundy.

That rich, hearty red Petrie Burgundy is really out of this world.

Now, if you'd rather have a subtle, intriguing white wine, let's say, to go with chicken or fish, then try Petrie California so turned but so turned or Burgundy.

To make sure it's good.

Make sure it's Petree, won't you.

Well, Doctor, it's a rattling good story so far.

What happened next?

You went to the local inn, I guess, and waited for that lantern to appear in the bedroom winter Doctor Roylot's house was about.

Tell We had an early dinner at the Queen's Arms and then retired to our upstairs bedroom and set there side by side, puffing away at our pipes, ice trainings with the darkness tell Taylor Lantern to give us a signal that there was dangerous work ahead for us.

As we sat there discussing the various aspects of the case, I remember that Holmes was very concerned about my own safety.

I I really have some scruples about taking you with me tonight.

This is an infernally dangerous business.

What about that poor girl alone in the house with that fiend toilet can handle the case by myself?

Oh yep, I'm coming with you.

Holmes.

You speak of danger.

We haven't seen more in those rooms than was visible to.

Me, but possibly I've deduced a little more.

And I imagine you saw all that I did.

I saw.

I think remarkable to set the bell rope, and what purpose that could answer?

I can for this is more than I can imagine.

Or a ventilator too.

Yes, I don't think such an unusual thing to have an opening between two rooms.

It's so small that a mouse could hardly pass through it through.

But at least you will admit there was a curious sequence of coincidences.

A ventilator is constructed, a bell cord hung from it.

A lady asleeps in a bed directed below the ITTI later a bed that is anchored to the floor.

A lady dies.

Begin to see what you're driving at homes?

Look, look, look, look, there's a lantern in miss Tullis window.

It's our signal, all right, Come on, Watson, our night's vigil begins.

What a full night, all night a foul business.

Watson, Come on through these lower bushes.

It's only another fifty yards to the house.

The lanterns still burning away in the bedroom window.

Yes, all the other lights throughout, including.

The one in doctor Browler's rum.

He must have gone to sleep for.

Dead, possibly Watson, but not I think to sleep.

Great Heaven's homes.

Look at that frightful creature leaving out in the moonlight.

It looks like some hide child.

That's doctor Royalist pet the boom looks positively human.

Yeah, that's probably a great deal more so than it's master.

I directly blow the window.

Now his eye, who provides a most convenient ladder.

I've got first as carefle horse carefol Wait a minute, I.

Hope for things strong enough to hold us both.

He's look, which is stupid little our backs in the muth.

Get a hand me house.

I can't quite get my leg up over the window escaper.

Thanks some one, Oh say, phew, how to close the window shutters?

This room looks exactly like the same as who did this afternoon.

The sound would be fatal to our plans.

Keep the rat cupboard so that.

If the ventilator is open from Doctor royleert trum no light or soul from in there.

I said, why are you carrying that stick home?

Prepared for a visitor that I expect before the night is over?

A visitor who herald his entrance with faint music from an Indian pipe.

You mean the music is a signal exactly, your fellow, the signal to an a compass who can enter a room with locked doors, and a compass who kills and leave no phrase.

You mean that sh and we're talking, Watson.

I'll sit on the edge of the bed here.

You sit on that chair.

Have your revolved already in case you you should need it about you arm.

Have the lantern ready too, and I shout, Now turn the light from on the top of the bell rope.

You understand He's perfectly good.

Now we must wait, perhaps for some time, but don't go to sleep, Watson.

You've got to sleep if very look may depend upon it.

Ooh, what's it?

Yes, you're not smoking?

Are you?

I smoked?

Aback of smoking must be drifting from the vent exactly, have to roll it up, No, doctor, there's a dandy shot of light showing up to the Becla.

Listen that's the music, yes, herold England.

Listen to her death.

Have you a lantern ready?

Watson?

Now what's the great heavens?

This is flitting down the road?

You talk?

It wants to go on the way.

Let me gotta tell you this.

Why a back way cat take to event later?

What a feenish plan?

Oh?

Cut?

What's that?

I think the devil has turned on its master.

Come on, Watson to doctor Roler trump it don't to roy it.

Come good, Lord Holmes.

Look at him spot on the bed, look at his eyes.

Yes, and see what his coil around his forehead.

It's the snake, yes, the band, the speckled danned.

He's dead, Holmes.

Yes, he's been bitten up.

A dead just taking the world the Indian swamp error.

Deadly fangs produce death within ten seconds, well, Watson, violence does in truth recoil upon the violent and the schema falls into the pit which he digs for another What should we do.

Now, homes We must remove.

The macabre gear from the dead doctor and return the snake to its den.

Ah and I suggest we tell miss Turner that there's no more danger under this roof.

After that we can tell the matter over to the local police.

All is done, how mister Holmes, Dr Watsner, I can't tell you how greatly and that you brought me back into basis.

Turner would have been in human to leave you in that house of horror and death.

We have a spare bedroom, and missus Hudson is a motherly and understanding woman, and I can assure you that Doctor Watson and I will be delighted to have you stay with this year until you've decided on your future plan.

Of course we will mind.

As a matter of fact, we're rather refreshing to have a touch of youth about the place.

You're both so kind, mister Holmes.

I think it's wonderful how you foil my stepfather's devilish pens.

Yes, wasn't it a remarkable example of logical to doros Nodo?

At first, you're mention of the gypsies, Miss Turner, and the use of the word ben put me on an entirely wrong scent.

However, when we examine the fatal room, I drew the obvious conclusion it was.

A dummy bell rope, the ventilator and the immovable bed.

Yes o color.

It instantly gave rise to the suspicion that.

The rope was there as a bridge for something coming through the ventilator and traveling to the bed.

I once fought a snake.

When I saw the sourceer of milk on top of the safe, my suspicions crystallized into a certainty.

A fend Yes, an extremely clever one too exactly.

My stepfather must have trained the to return to him, and he played the music.

Yes, he put it through the ventilator, and with a certain tip, it would crawl down the rope.

And land on the bed.

It might or might not fite the occupant.

Perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sooner or later she must follow victim.

Thank Heaven, I came to you, mister Holmes.

Amen to that, mister Holmes.

If you hadn't lasted at the snake with your stick, I bet it wouldn't turned back on its old chap in that way, I am no.

Doubt indirectly responsible for doctor Grimsby run It's death, but I can't say it's a fact.

That's rightly too.

Heavily on my conscience.

Doctor, that was quite a fascinating story, you know.

So I'm not exactly a coward, but not kidding.

My toes really curl when I get mixed up with snake, not.

Alone in that respect with Sparkle.

I must admit that I like to have a revolver.

At least twenty feet twe me in any snake it wants to cross my phone.

Well, if you want a revolver in twenty feet, I'll take a cannon in twenty miles.

It's fund that you're a wine expert, mister Mattoon, not a detective of infaid.

You wouldn't do should we say fine?

Detecting to your liking?

We certainly shall say it.

And incidentally, I'm not a wine expert.

Doctor.

All I know about wine is that it either tastes good or it doesn't.

And I also know that Petree wine always tastes good.

The Petrie family says to that the name Petrie on the label is the personal assurance of the Petrie family that every drop of wine in that bottle is good wine, and they know how to make it good because they've been making fine wine for generations, handing down from father to son, from father to son, every secret, every skill of the wine maker's art.

Yes, the Petrie family took time to bring you good wine.

That's why I no matter what type of wine you wish, you can't go wrong with a Petrie wine.

Well, doctor Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story you play?

I need to tell us next world now the Messina next week, mister Bartex, I'm we I'll tell you an adventure that took place at a gambling casino in the south of France, A strange story of sudden tragedy of death.

I call it the Adventure of the Double Zero.

Sounds well, we'll all be lesling you.

And mister Barteaux.

Before I go, I want.

To say that everyone of our friends bought war bonds to help our boys win the war.

Now, let's all buy victory.

Bonds to help bring our boys back home again.

Yes, and let's buy.

Victory bonds to make sure that the men were wounded are at the finest possible care.

Those same victory.

Bonds will not make the gi Bill of Rights success too, and they'll help provide for the families of those men who gave everything, including their lives.

The men of our armed forces finished their job.

Now let's finish ours.

Buy victory bonds tonight.

Sherlock Holmes Adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and is an adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story.

The Adventure of the Speckled Band Music is by Dean Fossler.

Mister Rathborne appears through the courtesy of Metro Golden Mayor and mister Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series.

The Petrie Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.

This is Hal Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family.

Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studios.

This is the mutual broadcasting Sister