June 19, 2025 • 33 mins
Today's Mystery: After a tragic suicide, Sergeant Cuff's dismissed with the theft of the Moonstone still unsolved. A year later, someone else picks up the investigation.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 16, 1948
Originating from Chicago
Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake; Geraldine Kaye as Rachel Verinder; Alma Fox; Jane Elliot; Ruth Shane; Minion Shriver; Sidney Breese; Arthur Peterson, Maurice Copeland
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Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since April 2025
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Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
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Give us a call at 208-991-4783
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Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 16, 1948
Originating from Chicago
Starring: Sherman Marks as Gabriel Betterridge; Arthur Sedgewick as Sergeant Cuff; Charles Mountain as Franklin Blake; Geraldine Kaye as Rachel Verinder; Alma Fox; Jane Elliot; Ruth Shane; Minion Shriver; Sidney Breese; Arthur Peterson, Maurice Copeland
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jennifer, Patreon supporter since April 2025
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call at 208-991-4783
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we
will bring you Part three of the World's Great Novels
adaptation of The Moonstone. But first, I do want to
encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow
(00:50):
us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to
encourage you to check out my ebooks. All I needed
to know I learned from Colombo, and all I needed
to know I learned from Dragnet. These ebooks examined the
careers and histories of seven great fictional detectives and policemen,
and life lessons that can be learned from them. They
(01:10):
are available as ebooks wherever fine ebooks are sold, or
as audiobooks through audible, dot Com or the Apple Store.
Well now from April ninth, nineteen forty eight, here is
The Moonstone, Part three.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
The World's Great Novels. The Wilkie Collins was, by no
means the first English novelist to trace the influence of
circumstance upon character. Present day writers of detective fiction have
(01:47):
learned much from his uncanny gift for creating suspense. By innuendo,
and from the effortless technique with which he heightened the
inevitable steps of a relentless faith. The National Broadcasting Company
now presents it's the third episode in its four part
dramalization of the Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, another in a
series of books that live the world's great novels.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Better had the moonsterne that yellow diamond of evil memory
remained encrusted in the forehead of the Hindu idol from
which it was stolen centuries ago and become, despite its
immense value, the possession of the Verander family, whom I
Gabriel better It served as house steward for most of
my life, a very happy life, indeed, until the coming
(02:46):
of the curse the Moonstone too well do I know
the Moonstone's tragic story, yet sometimes in the telling of it,
I find myself relying on the testimony and knowledge of others. Therefore,
(03:10):
to those most concerned, I may humble apology, yet pointing
out that the role of narrator falls to myself not
by choice but from necessity. And now streaming back into memory,
is that awful moment when with salted Cup, England's most
famous private criminal investigator. I stood at the lonely, shivering sand,
(03:34):
listening to the thunder of an angry sea which had
just claimed alife.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Gabriel, I'm afraid there's no hope, Rosanna spearm in his
dead our footprints lead straight to you on the ledger
jutting rock.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
His foreign to the quicksand lost forever the quicksand will
never give it up.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Yes, there's nothing to keep us here. Come, we'd best
return into the house of your mistress, Lady Vendor.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Hardly as satant cove and I turned back up the
slope of the beach, when running swiftly tortous came one
of the grooms who placed in my hands the first
of a series of faithful messages which were to arrive
at intervals of the troubled months to come.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Speak up, man, what does the letter say?
Speaker 3 (04:26):
It is written in the hand of Rosanna Spearman, Ah
readed men.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Yes, m.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yes.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
When you next see the shivering scend, mister Beetrich, try
to forgive me once more. I've found my grave where
my grave was waiting for me. I've lived and died
so grateful for your kind.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Abriel. Don't touch you, sir, You drove her to it,
control you, to you to control yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
They will sudden Cuff. Let us proceed back to the house,
my mistress, Lady Verinder, we'll be extremely anxious to face you.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
Sergeant Cuff. You alone are responsible. Xandes Pierman was innocent,
and you frightened her into taking her own life. You
and your infernal spying Gabriel. Give this rich whatever money
he requires and release me from the sight of him. Yes,
my lady, believe me. Lady begin Sergeant Cuff. I I
(05:49):
have no wish. I regret if my words have wronged you.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Your ladyship is most kind. You are a good and
gracious person, Sir, I thank you in can conection with
the suicide of mister Rosanna Spearman, I have this to
say before I withdraw from the case. You have indeed
dispensed with my services. Having known, I see then both
(06:14):
you and Gabriel have assigned a motive for the suicide
of Rosanna Spearman, which I deny is true. She took
her life because of some connection with the Moonstone, some
unbearable anxiety about the stolen gem led to her self destruction,
and I know the person capable of deciding whether I'm
right or wrong.
Speaker 7 (06:33):
I see, sergeant, and is that person now in the house.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
She has left the house, Milady.
Speaker 7 (06:40):
Do you refer to my daughter now visiting her around
in town?
Speaker 4 (06:44):
I most certainly do.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
I had hoped you would go without mention again of
my daughter's name, so you would make me believe my
daughter Rachel stole the jewel, which was indeed her own.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Yes, from the very first, she was hostile to all questioning,
the only one to refuse to have her warder to
examined in my search for the paints me had nightgowne.
Speaker 7 (07:04):
The circumstances have misled you, serge.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Then there's this circumstance. I told Miss Rachel her departure
would put obstacles in my way of recovering the Moonstone.
In the face of that statement, you yourself saw her leave.
Miss Rachel is not trying to interfere with the recovery
of the moonstone. What does it mean?
Speaker 7 (07:22):
I don't know. I wish I knew.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
And let us return for a moment to poor Rosanna.
Before she became your housemaid, she was a convicted thief,
having relations, to my certain knowledge, with the most notorious
money lender in London, and I believe Rosanna became your
daughter's unwilling accomplice.
Speaker 7 (07:39):
But why in God's name, why miss.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Rachel, in need of a great sum of money she
must raise privately and secretly, might have stolen the moonstone,
and with the aid of Rosanna Spearman, have sold it
to the money lender Rosanna had trafficked within the past post.
Then may I tell your daughter, and without warning, this
news of Rosanna's suicide, so that I may shock her
into a confession. Do I have your ladyship's consent?
Speaker 7 (08:04):
You have my consent, Sergeant?
Speaker 4 (08:05):
When may I confront her?
Speaker 7 (08:07):
No?
Speaker 4 (08:07):
No, you may not that lady.
Speaker 6 (08:09):
Just a moment, I shall do it myself. Yes, as
boldly as you would, sir.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
But I am soon to leave for London. And how
shall I know the result.
Speaker 7 (08:17):
We shall know before you leave, good day, Sergeant Cuff.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Still no word from her.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
You shall hear from my mistress, Sergeant, as she promised.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
In all my experience, this, without a doubt, is the
most trying investigation I ever attempted to conduct. There is
time now to meet my train, so let me infire Well, Gabriel,
tell you of three things which will happen in the future.
Speaker 8 (08:48):
Three things Item one.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
News of Rosanna will come from the yellands of friends,
the fisherfolk, and the three Indians who attempted to steal
the moonstone will be heard from again in connection with
the Veninder family. And news will come of a notorious
money lender connected with Rosanna Spearman in the past. I
suggest you write his name down, mister Septimus Luca, Middlesex Place, Lambert.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
London, Septimus Luca. That's right, Middle Sex Place, Lambeth. As
I repeated Cuff's words, Lady Verinder's message arrived the report
of her interview with her daughter in.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Tom What does she say?
Speaker 3 (09:38):
M Lady Verinder is pleased to state that her daughter
was shocked at the views of Rosanna's suicide, but ads
she had never spoken a single word in private to
the poor girl from the very moment she entered service
in this house. Further, missus Rachel also swears she is
(10:00):
in debt to no living preacher there. What does the
great Sergeant Cuff say to that?
Speaker 4 (10:07):
What do I say as I leave you, Sir, I
say I failed complete.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
The day following the departure of Sergeant Cuff, I had
much to do. Lady Verandon and missus Rachel had to
be packed off in a hurry to their townhouse in London,
and mister Franklin Blake, the hit strong young suitor miss
Rachel still refused to see, also left heartbroken for a
long stay on the continent. The house was now empty
(10:38):
save for a few servants and myself. Then late that afternoon,
the first of Cuff's prophecies came true.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Why it's Lucy Yellen, And where's the man calling yourself?
Speaker 7 (10:55):
Franklin Blake?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Blake gone gone abroad? Why I have something for him?
By a letter, A letter from Rosanna Spearman.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
I a letter from that sweet lovely girl to how
murder A.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Hand it over, Lucy. I'll send it to him, you'll
not I hate him. While she was so dear and
sweet she was, and she said I was to give
it to him and no other one.
Speaker 8 (11:25):
Should he ever.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Return, this Franklin Blake, it will be my pleasure to
hand him the message from the dead myself. And shortly
after another of Kuff's predictions came true. A news clipping
(11:50):
from a London paper sent by Cuff himself.
Speaker 9 (11:52):
Mister Septimus Lucar, the well known money in London dealer
and gems, reported to the police that he has been
annoyed by three Indians hanging about his shop. He asked
police to protect him against further annoyance.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
I had no way of knowing if Kuff's third prediction
that the Indians or to turn up at the Vendor
home in London had also become a fact. But soon
there came news from which I have never recovered. I
refer to the sudden death of my dear Lady Verander,
Rachel's mother. Months crawled by alone in the stately house.
(12:40):
No matter what room I entered, she was there. Her
spirit hung over all, like the lingering scent of primrose
and spring. One day, as I sat in the garden
with my beloved copy of Robinson Crusoe and my lap,
they suddenly appeared before me.
Speaker 8 (12:58):
Gabriel, my old friend.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Oh Lord bless me, How are you, Gabriel. It's mister
Franklin bleak himself. How are you right, dear bay?
Speaker 10 (13:10):
Oh well enough, I suppose, But in times gone past
I've been much better.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
You've you've heard about Lady Vellenders.
Speaker 10 (13:18):
Yes, I came back to Dan the moment I knew.
I tried to see Rachel again, but to.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Oh then, what brings you here, mister Bleek?
Speaker 4 (13:28):
The moonstone?
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Oh, let the diamond be Take my advice, mister Blake.
That cursed Indian jewel has been the ruination of everyone
who's come near it.
Speaker 10 (13:41):
Forget the past, No, I cannot. I am determined to
get to the bottom of it. Rachel believes I had
something to do with its theft. My salvation can come
only by unmasking the criminal who did make off with
the moonstone. If there was something, one little clue to
point to the trail, I must follow me. You will
help me, can you?
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Shortly after you left to go abroad, Lucy Alan came
here with a letter. She said, was for you a letter?
Speaker 11 (14:07):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Who was it from Rosanna Spearman. Rosenna apparently had it
been written shortly before before.
Speaker 11 (14:15):
She passed away.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
Yes, yes, shall we visit Lucy and receive Rosanna's letter?
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Yes, let us go at once.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Never shall I forget the horrible things that crippled Lucy
Galland said to mister Blake before she handed in Rosanna's letter,
which he turned over to me through brimming tears, I
read of a young girl's tragic affection for a man
who could not love her because he loved another. And
then another slip of paper inside the envelope in Rosanna's
(14:43):
spearman's hand.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Go to shivering.
Speaker 12 (14:46):
Sand at the turn of the tide, walk out on
the rock of South Spit follow a direct line from
the coastguard station, and then bend down on a very
lager rock, and you will feel among the seaweed a chain.
Pull that chain.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Have you found the chain?
Speaker 13 (15:17):
Mister?
Speaker 3 (15:18):
She's said to reach down into the seaweed.
Speaker 10 (15:20):
Wait, wait, wait, there is something here.
Speaker 13 (15:23):
Yes, it is a chain with something attached to it,
something which dangles just beneath this ledge of brock.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
Put it's a tin boxes Iveryoneseenter bought for missus Yellen
just before she died.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
This what is inside.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Appears to be some kind of linen. Take it off, Gabriel.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
Why it's a nightgown. And look there, just below the
monogram a paint smear. Sergeant Kuff said, the nightgown of
the person who stole the moonstone will be smeared by paint.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
But whose nightgown is it?
Speaker 3 (16:12):
I can't recall ever having seen it before.
Speaker 10 (16:15):
I have seen it before. Indeed, I have worn it. Gabriel,
this night gown is mine.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Shaken to his soul by the discovery of the accusing
nightgown and convinced that he himself had stolen the moonstone,
Franklin Blake paced the flor as nervously as a cat.
Speaker 10 (16:40):
But Gabriel, how could I have stolen the moonstone without
knowing it?
Speaker 13 (16:44):
Why?
Speaker 11 (16:44):
It's it's fantastic.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
How could I have done it?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
I don't know, mister Blake. Perhaps you were drunk or
her walking in your sleep when you.
Speaker 11 (16:53):
Took the jewel.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
And if you did it the moonstone, what is it now?
Speaker 9 (16:57):
Oh?
Speaker 11 (16:57):
My mind is completely blanket.
Speaker 8 (17:01):
Let me see now.
Speaker 10 (17:02):
Who else was present at Rachel's birthday party the night
the moonstone vanished.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Doctor Kendy for one, Yes, he lives nearby and visit Hall. Oh,
but in the past year he's failed considerably. Can't even
seem to remember where he left his color button. I
doubt he can help you very much.
Speaker 10 (17:19):
Nevertheless, I'm bound to have a try at it.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Doctor Candy must help me.
Speaker 14 (17:32):
Sorry, mister Blake, Sorry, I remember little of what happened
that night. You see, that same evening when I returned
home from Lady Venders. I was taken suddenly ill. My
memory isn't quite what it should be, Sir, I'm afraid
(17:55):
it's a bit off it is.
Speaker 10 (17:57):
Thank you, doctor Candy, you've been most kind. Well, yes,
I'd better be getting back. Good night, doctor, that's that.
Speaker 11 (18:12):
Ah.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Mister Blake, I believe.
Speaker 15 (18:15):
Who are you?
Speaker 4 (18:15):
Said? You're a custom to sneak up on a man.
My apologies, mister Blake. People hereabouts will tell you Ezra
Jennings is not the most popular of men. I am
doctor Candy's assistant. Oh and you can see my appearances
hardly in my favor, and does little do win me? Friends.
My gipsy complexion, fleshless cheeks remind some persons of another
(18:37):
like myself, only he has horns.
Speaker 8 (18:41):
You are very sensitive.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I am very I imagine you find doctor Candy greater chained.
Speaker 8 (18:47):
Oh yes, terribly.
Speaker 11 (18:48):
His memory has been gravely affected.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
It's been failing for nearly a year. On his way
home from the birthday party in Lady Veranders, he was
caught in the rain and became violently ill, in fact, delirious. Delirious,
you say, indeed, he raved at great length. My curiosity
became aroused I took notes quite unintelligible, of course, of
what he said.
Speaker 10 (19:09):
Mister Jennings, in these wanderings of doctor Candy, did he
mention my name?
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Yes, mister Blake, at one point he did. His mind
seems to have been occupied with something between himself and you.
Speaker 10 (19:21):
And you say you have taken notes of his wanderings
what he said in his deliriums sayd mister Blake.
Speaker 11 (19:26):
Then you will let me examine these notes.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
I am afraid, sir, that is quite impossible. I am
forbidden to disclose the words of my suffering master. Good night,
mister Blake. Mister Jennings, please hear me, please, I'm mister,
mister Blake.
Speaker 11 (19:39):
This is a matter concerning my honor.
Speaker 10 (19:42):
I have reason to believe I am a thief, that I,
without knowing it, have stolen the most valuable diamond.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Without knowing it. Incredible. What wait a moment, mister Blake.
You have suggested more to me than you suppose. I
don't follow you, mister Jennings. Mister Blake, have you ever
been accustomed to the use of gugs? Never in my life?
And you are most fortunate because in me you see
a derelict one become a slave to the dog habit. Oh,
(20:13):
but you needn't be sorry for me, mister Blake. I
am sorry for you, and I have changed my mind.
I will let you see the notes I took the
night doctor Candy and my poor colleague became ill. But
first I have a client critically ill and awaiting me.
I shall return in two hours. At that time we
can dwell upon the subject of doctor Candy's delirium, as
well as other things.
Speaker 13 (20:36):
In two hours, mister Blake's.
Speaker 4 (20:47):
Down as Blake. Thank you. Now to climb straightway into
what doctor Candy spoke of during his critically illness, Here
is a significant part of the memorandum I made. Go
on Jennings listen. Mister Franklin Blake is clever and agreeable,
but wants taking down a peg. When he talks of medicine,
he confesses he's been suffering from want of sleep at night.
I tell him his nerves are out of order, that
(21:07):
he should take medicine. He tells me that taking medicine
and groping in the dark are one and the same thing. Now,
mister Blake, did you have difficulties sleeping a year ago
this time?
Speaker 10 (21:19):
Yes, yes, I slept wretchedly. Doctor Canty had tried to
get me to take some medicine that I refuse.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
And on the night of the bed and a birthday party,
how did you sleep? It is most important try and remember.
I do remember I slept soundly.
Speaker 7 (21:32):
Like a top.
Speaker 4 (21:32):
Then, mister Bake, I am convinced, absolutely convinced, from what
doctor Candy revealed in his delirium that on the night
the moonstone was stolen, you slept under the influence of
a drug which doctor Candy administered to you in secret.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I don't know, can only follow your opinion.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
But mister Blake, are you the man to try a
bold and daring experiment?
Speaker 10 (21:52):
I will do anything to clear myself of the suspicion
which rests upon me.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Now, will you put yourself completely in my hands, be
guided implicitly by my advice, even though it may expose
you to the ridicule of fools. Yes, I will. But
what am I to do, mister Jennings. We shall simulate
the conditions I refer to the physical appearances of the
Berender household as those conditions existed nearly a year ago.
But the real experiment, Sir, shall be conducted with you yourself
(22:16):
playing the part of the innocent victim. I don't quite
follow you. We shall duplicate, sir, your physical and mental
condition on the night the moonstone disappeared, and then just
before you go to bed, a drug will be administered
to you.
Speaker 8 (22:29):
But why why.
Speaker 10 (22:30):
Should I be given a drug?
Speaker 4 (22:31):
Why? Yes, what will I do this, mister Blake, in
the presence of witnesses whose testimony will be beyond all dispute,
you shall steal the moonstone a second time.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Why it was the maddest scheme of a herd, of
the mouth of any man I had even known the
very appearance of this person. Jennings, give me the walking shutters.
He stopped the house like a proprietary ghost, but urged
on by Franklin Blake, I kept hard at work restoring
(23:04):
all the furnishings of the empty house to their places
and conditions as they were in the night of the robbery.
Mister Blake gave himself completely over to his reginnings. Over
All the world reminded me of a cat watching a
silly mouse, And each day misters Jennings would note in
his diary the decline under his careful suggestions. In mister
(23:25):
Blake's physical and mental condition June eighteenth.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
In keeping with my plan, and because mister Blake had
at this time one year ago given up smoking cigars,
I have now forbidden him to smoke. He is, as
I hoped, becoming increasingly nervous and irritable. June twentieth. The sooners,
the rooms are returned to their appearance as of the
night in question. The better mister Blake now grows more
(23:50):
and more restless. June twenty third. Mister Blake is overwrought,
highly nervous, just as I need him to be. I
myself now begin to feel the last and terrible effects
of the dead habit which I am enslaved. I pray
for strength to carry on, or the happiness of others
is at stake. Two days more and then the experiment.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Then came the fateful day of the experiment. The witnesses,
as Jennings was pleased to call them, began arriving first
as mister Bruff, the Verander's family lawyer, and quite crumpy
he was.
Speaker 9 (24:32):
But this is madness, Gabriel Chaw.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
Madness.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
I am now in forever opposed to this so called experiment.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
And when the matter had been explained to Miss Rachel,
my young lady of the house. She consented to come
with her companion, Missus Meridieu, who apparently did not quite
comprehend the matter at hand.
Speaker 6 (24:48):
At what time, Gabriel is the explosion to take place?
Speaker 3 (24:53):
And then, of course there was Missus Rachel herself, who
surprisingly could think to ask.
Speaker 7 (24:57):
Only Gabriel, how is Franklin and when can I see?
Speaker 3 (25:01):
As the time for the experiment drew near, I was
fairly beside myself with nervousness and concern for the welfare
of Franklin Blake. But eleven o'clock finally came and mister
Blake was impeded. Under the direction of Ezra Jennings, I
myself brought the drink to mister Blake, the drink to
which had been added the drug.
Speaker 8 (25:20):
Mister Blake drank deeply.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Missus Rachel's sitting room was directly across the hall from
mister Blake's bedroom. A piece of crystal had been placed
in the drawer of the engine cabinet in Miss Rachel's
sitting room to represent the moonstone where it had been
seen last. The witnesses were Missus Rachel and mister Bruff
missus Marrotuwitt since retired, and they took their places in
the sitting room, watching the door and the engine cabinet.
(25:46):
Jennings and I sat by mister Blake's bed. He lay
there like a man struck insensible. Then mister buff depute
in no longer able to restrain his impatience.
Speaker 14 (25:55):
I've insakes, Jennings, when will the drug begin to walk?
Speaker 4 (25:59):
Say nothing, Go back to the sitting room. We should
not have too long to wait.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Mister Bruff left. I looked at Franklin Blake. It opened
his eyes and in them flamed something I had never
before seen. The view of perspiration appeared on his face,
and he began to mumble. And then suddenly Franklin Blake
was up and out of bed, and though speaking as
if in a trance, his words came quite distinctly.
Speaker 16 (26:26):
Wish I'd never taken it out of the bank. I'm
safe in the bank. How do I know the Indians
may be hidden in the house. Besides, the moonstone isn't
even locked up. So in the drawer of Rachel's Indian cabinet,
and the drawer doesn't lock, I'd better take a candle
(26:50):
and go have a look at it. Oh, there's the candle.
Speaker 4 (26:55):
H there it is.
Speaker 11 (26:59):
Star Indian cabin.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
And so candle and hand. Franklin Blake moved heavily towards
the sitting room. I crept after him as he walked
straight to the engine cabinet. Then he stopped and placed
the heavy on eight candle holder atop the cabinet. And
then he began opening and shutting one drawer after another.
Speaker 11 (27:20):
The moonstone, Where is it? Where?
Speaker 16 (27:23):
Ah ah, I'll take it. Where's where's the candle? Yes, sir,
I'll go back.
Speaker 11 (27:35):
Oh, cap cat hold strange legs, heavy everything heavy, candle, candle,
too heavy, even even moonstone can't carry it.
Speaker 8 (27:57):
Oh, thank Franklin.
Speaker 7 (28:01):
Oh my darning, Oh my dear.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Franklin Blake had indeed taken the Moonstone from the drawing
of the Indian Cabinet, but after it had fallen on
the floor.
Speaker 8 (28:13):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
A Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is one of the world's
great novels, brought to you each week by the NBC
University of the Air. Listen next week to the final
episode of this four part radio version of The Moonstone,
and remember that your local public library can be a
constant source of information and entertainment. To add to your
enjoyment of this series, we recommend the Handbook of the
(28:52):
World's Great Novels, which you may obtain by sending twenty
five cents The World's Great Novels Post Office Box, Station JAY,
New York, twenty seven, New York. That's Post Office Box thirty,
Station J, New York, twenty seven. The Moonstone is adapted
(29:17):
for radio by Robert Saxon. The music was composed by
Amel Soderstrom, and the orchestra was directed by Bernard berquinst
The entire production was under the direction of Homer Heck.
Sherman Marx is featured as Gabriel Betteridge and Charles Mountain
as Franklin Blake. Rachel is played by Geraldine Kay, Lady
Barnder by Almah Plattz, and Rosanna by Ruth Shames. Sergeant
(29:40):
Kuff is played by Arthur Sedgwick, Ezra Jennings by Maurice Copeland,
and Doctor Candy by Arthur Peterson.
Speaker 4 (29:47):
This is John Conrad.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
This program comes to you from Chicago and is a
presentation of the National Broadcasting Company and its affiliated independent stations.
This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Welcome Back, I continue to love this adaptation. This really
brings out the best parts of the novel, and I
like how they chose some poignant passages for Gabriel to
read well. I liked reading Gabriel when I was reading
the book. He could go on a bit, but they
chose some solid bits for him to narrate, and the
(30:33):
way he reflected on the passing of his lady was
just beautifully done. Still got into Robinson Crusoe reference because
it wouldn't be Gabriel without it. It's interesting the degree
to which the mystery has serious consequences, particularly compared to
some later work. Certainly the suicide of Rosanna looms large,
(30:55):
but you also have the way things played out between
Rachel and Front as a result of the whole theft.
And while it's a melodramatic idea and modern readers and
listeners can question how well this reenactment would have worked
in reality, it was effective in the story and sets
up a nice cliffhanger for the concluding episode. I will
(31:18):
say the doctor deciding to show Franklin the power of
medication by surreptitiously drugging him is a bit dubious ethically,
even by nineteenth century standards. But perhaps he was already
starting to go downhill mentally and that's why he did.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
Such a thing.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
All right, Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback,
Diane writes on Instagram listen to part one, looking forward
to hearing more. Well, thanks so much, Diane. Now it's
time to think our Patreon supporter of the day, and
I want to go ahead and thank Jennifer, Patreon supporter
(31:57):
since April, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant
level of seven dollars and fourteen cents or more per month.
Thanks so much for your support, Jennifer, and that will
do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please
follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure
to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from.
(32:18):
We'll be back next Thursday with the final episode of
The Moonstone. But join us back here tomorrow for yours truly,
Johnny dollar Ware.
Speaker 15 (32:29):
All right, just tell me why you've had me come
all the way down here to investigate? Allows you two
thousand dollars claim? I told you I don't really know,
all right? National security is in five yes? Well, okay, Jenny,
I issued a policy covering the chemical plant of doctor
John c Olworth. What kind of chemicals?
Speaker 4 (32:50):
Well, you see, I don't know, huh.
Speaker 15 (32:53):
I issued the policy at the specific request of Todd
Swamp's Chamber of Commerce knows more about this whole area
and it's people in anyone else? Well, surely you've seen
this chemicalland no I haven't. You want as a matter
of fact, its exact location is a complete sequon. Now, look, earl,
if you've issued a policy, if you're ready to pay
off acclaim, But if you haven't seen, how do you
(33:14):
know a couple of thousand dollars worth of damage occurred.
I've taken Todd Swam's word for it.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
I trust him implicit.
Speaker 15 (33:19):
This is the dog on this earl. How can I
possibly investigate something? If I can't, if nobody knows what
I hope you'll.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Be with us then in the meantime, send your comments
to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot yet, follow us
on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com, slash Great Detectives from Boise Ataho. This is
your host, Adam Graham, Sign and off.
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we
will bring you Part three of the World's Great Novels
adaptation of The Moonstone. But first, I do want to
encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow
(00:50):
us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to
encourage you to check out my ebooks. All I needed
to know I learned from Colombo, and all I needed
to know I learned from Dragnet. These ebooks examined the
careers and histories of seven great fictional detectives and policemen,
and life lessons that can be learned from them. They
(01:10):
are available as ebooks wherever fine ebooks are sold, or
as audiobooks through audible, dot Com or the Apple Store.
Well now from April ninth, nineteen forty eight, here is
The Moonstone, Part three.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
The World's Great Novels. The Wilkie Collins was, by no
means the first English novelist to trace the influence of
circumstance upon character. Present day writers of detective fiction have
(01:47):
learned much from his uncanny gift for creating suspense. By innuendo,
and from the effortless technique with which he heightened the
inevitable steps of a relentless faith. The National Broadcasting Company
now presents it's the third episode in its four part
dramalization of the Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, another in a
series of books that live the world's great novels.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Better had the moonsterne that yellow diamond of evil memory
remained encrusted in the forehead of the Hindu idol from
which it was stolen centuries ago and become, despite its
immense value, the possession of the Verander family, whom I
Gabriel better It served as house steward for most of
my life, a very happy life, indeed, until the coming
(02:46):
of the curse the Moonstone too well do I know
the Moonstone's tragic story, yet sometimes in the telling of it,
I find myself relying on the testimony and knowledge of others. Therefore,
(03:10):
to those most concerned, I may humble apology, yet pointing
out that the role of narrator falls to myself not
by choice but from necessity. And now streaming back into memory,
is that awful moment when with salted Cup, England's most
famous private criminal investigator. I stood at the lonely, shivering sand,
(03:34):
listening to the thunder of an angry sea which had
just claimed alife.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Gabriel, I'm afraid there's no hope, Rosanna spearm in his
dead our footprints lead straight to you on the ledger
jutting rock.
Speaker 3 (03:50):
His foreign to the quicksand lost forever the quicksand will
never give it up.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Yes, there's nothing to keep us here. Come, we'd best
return into the house of your mistress, Lady Vendor.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Hardly as satant cove and I turned back up the
slope of the beach, when running swiftly tortous came one
of the grooms who placed in my hands the first
of a series of faithful messages which were to arrive
at intervals of the troubled months to come.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Speak up, man, what does the letter say?
Speaker 3 (04:26):
It is written in the hand of Rosanna Spearman, Ah
readed men.
Speaker 4 (04:31):
Yes, m.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Yes.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
When you next see the shivering scend, mister Beetrich, try
to forgive me once more. I've found my grave where
my grave was waiting for me. I've lived and died
so grateful for your kind.
Speaker 4 (04:57):
Abriel. Don't touch you, sir, You drove her to it,
control you, to you to control yourself.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
They will sudden Cuff. Let us proceed back to the house,
my mistress, Lady Verinder, we'll be extremely anxious to face you.
Speaker 6 (05:28):
Sergeant Cuff. You alone are responsible. Xandes Pierman was innocent,
and you frightened her into taking her own life. You
and your infernal spying Gabriel. Give this rich whatever money
he requires and release me from the sight of him. Yes,
my lady, believe me. Lady begin Sergeant Cuff. I I
(05:49):
have no wish. I regret if my words have wronged you.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Your ladyship is most kind. You are a good and
gracious person, Sir, I thank you in can conection with
the suicide of mister Rosanna Spearman, I have this to
say before I withdraw from the case. You have indeed
dispensed with my services. Having known, I see then both
(06:14):
you and Gabriel have assigned a motive for the suicide
of Rosanna Spearman, which I deny is true. She took
her life because of some connection with the Moonstone, some
unbearable anxiety about the stolen gem led to her self destruction,
and I know the person capable of deciding whether I'm
right or wrong.
Speaker 7 (06:33):
I see, sergeant, and is that person now in the house.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
She has left the house, Milady.
Speaker 7 (06:40):
Do you refer to my daughter now visiting her around
in town?
Speaker 4 (06:44):
I most certainly do.
Speaker 6 (06:46):
I had hoped you would go without mention again of
my daughter's name, so you would make me believe my
daughter Rachel stole the jewel, which was indeed her own.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Yes, from the very first, she was hostile to all questioning,
the only one to refuse to have her warder to
examined in my search for the paints me had nightgowne.
Speaker 7 (07:04):
The circumstances have misled you, serge.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Then there's this circumstance. I told Miss Rachel her departure
would put obstacles in my way of recovering the Moonstone.
In the face of that statement, you yourself saw her leave.
Miss Rachel is not trying to interfere with the recovery
of the moonstone. What does it mean?
Speaker 7 (07:22):
I don't know. I wish I knew.
Speaker 4 (07:25):
And let us return for a moment to poor Rosanna.
Before she became your housemaid, she was a convicted thief,
having relations, to my certain knowledge, with the most notorious
money lender in London, and I believe Rosanna became your
daughter's unwilling accomplice.
Speaker 7 (07:39):
But why in God's name, why miss.
Speaker 4 (07:42):
Rachel, in need of a great sum of money she
must raise privately and secretly, might have stolen the moonstone,
and with the aid of Rosanna Spearman, have sold it
to the money lender Rosanna had trafficked within the past post.
Then may I tell your daughter, and without warning, this
news of Rosanna's suicide, so that I may shock her
into a confession. Do I have your ladyship's consent?
Speaker 7 (08:04):
You have my consent, Sergeant?
Speaker 4 (08:05):
When may I confront her?
Speaker 7 (08:07):
No?
Speaker 4 (08:07):
No, you may not that lady.
Speaker 6 (08:09):
Just a moment, I shall do it myself. Yes, as
boldly as you would, sir.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
But I am soon to leave for London. And how
shall I know the result.
Speaker 7 (08:17):
We shall know before you leave, good day, Sergeant Cuff.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
Still no word from her.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
You shall hear from my mistress, Sergeant, as she promised.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
In all my experience, this, without a doubt, is the
most trying investigation I ever attempted to conduct. There is
time now to meet my train, so let me infire Well, Gabriel,
tell you of three things which will happen in the future.
Speaker 8 (08:48):
Three things Item one.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
News of Rosanna will come from the yellands of friends,
the fisherfolk, and the three Indians who attempted to steal
the moonstone will be heard from again in connection with
the Veninder family. And news will come of a notorious
money lender connected with Rosanna Spearman in the past. I
suggest you write his name down, mister Septimus Luca, Middlesex Place, Lambert.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
London, Septimus Luca. That's right, Middle Sex Place, Lambeth. As
I repeated Cuff's words, Lady Verinder's message arrived the report
of her interview with her daughter in.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Tom What does she say?
Speaker 3 (09:38):
M Lady Verinder is pleased to state that her daughter
was shocked at the views of Rosanna's suicide, but ads
she had never spoken a single word in private to
the poor girl from the very moment she entered service
in this house. Further, missus Rachel also swears she is
(10:00):
in debt to no living preacher there. What does the
great Sergeant Cuff say to that?
Speaker 4 (10:07):
What do I say as I leave you, Sir, I
say I failed complete.
Speaker 3 (10:17):
The day following the departure of Sergeant Cuff, I had
much to do. Lady Verandon and missus Rachel had to
be packed off in a hurry to their townhouse in London,
and mister Franklin Blake, the hit strong young suitor miss
Rachel still refused to see, also left heartbroken for a
long stay on the continent. The house was now empty
(10:38):
save for a few servants and myself. Then late that afternoon,
the first of Cuff's prophecies came true.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Why it's Lucy Yellen, And where's the man calling yourself?
Speaker 7 (10:55):
Franklin Blake?
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Blake gone gone abroad? Why I have something for him?
By a letter, A letter from Rosanna Spearman.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
I a letter from that sweet lovely girl to how
murder A.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
Hand it over, Lucy. I'll send it to him, you'll
not I hate him. While she was so dear and
sweet she was, and she said I was to give
it to him and no other one.
Speaker 8 (11:25):
Should he ever.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
Return, this Franklin Blake, it will be my pleasure to
hand him the message from the dead myself. And shortly
after another of Kuff's predictions came true. A news clipping
(11:50):
from a London paper sent by Cuff himself.
Speaker 9 (11:52):
Mister Septimus Lucar, the well known money in London dealer
and gems, reported to the police that he has been
annoyed by three Indians hanging about his shop. He asked
police to protect him against further annoyance.
Speaker 3 (12:07):
I had no way of knowing if Kuff's third prediction
that the Indians or to turn up at the Vendor
home in London had also become a fact. But soon
there came news from which I have never recovered. I
refer to the sudden death of my dear Lady Verander,
Rachel's mother. Months crawled by alone in the stately house.
(12:40):
No matter what room I entered, she was there. Her
spirit hung over all, like the lingering scent of primrose
and spring. One day, as I sat in the garden
with my beloved copy of Robinson Crusoe and my lap,
they suddenly appeared before me.
Speaker 8 (12:58):
Gabriel, my old friend.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Oh Lord bless me, How are you, Gabriel. It's mister
Franklin bleak himself. How are you right, dear bay?
Speaker 10 (13:10):
Oh well enough, I suppose, But in times gone past
I've been much better.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
You've you've heard about Lady Vellenders.
Speaker 10 (13:18):
Yes, I came back to Dan the moment I knew.
I tried to see Rachel again, but to.
Speaker 3 (13:24):
Oh then, what brings you here, mister Bleek?
Speaker 4 (13:28):
The moonstone?
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Oh, let the diamond be Take my advice, mister Blake.
That cursed Indian jewel has been the ruination of everyone
who's come near it.
Speaker 10 (13:41):
Forget the past, No, I cannot. I am determined to
get to the bottom of it. Rachel believes I had
something to do with its theft. My salvation can come
only by unmasking the criminal who did make off with
the moonstone. If there was something, one little clue to
point to the trail, I must follow me. You will
help me, can you?
Speaker 3 (14:00):
Shortly after you left to go abroad, Lucy Alan came
here with a letter. She said, was for you a letter?
Speaker 11 (14:07):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Who was it from Rosanna Spearman. Rosenna apparently had it
been written shortly before before.
Speaker 11 (14:15):
She passed away.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
Yes, yes, shall we visit Lucy and receive Rosanna's letter?
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Yes, let us go at once.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Never shall I forget the horrible things that crippled Lucy
Galland said to mister Blake before she handed in Rosanna's letter,
which he turned over to me through brimming tears, I
read of a young girl's tragic affection for a man
who could not love her because he loved another. And
then another slip of paper inside the envelope in Rosanna's
(14:43):
spearman's hand.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
Go to shivering.
Speaker 12 (14:46):
Sand at the turn of the tide, walk out on
the rock of South Spit follow a direct line from
the coastguard station, and then bend down on a very
lager rock, and you will feel among the seaweed a chain.
Pull that chain.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Have you found the chain?
Speaker 13 (15:17):
Mister?
Speaker 3 (15:18):
She's said to reach down into the seaweed.
Speaker 10 (15:20):
Wait, wait, wait, there is something here.
Speaker 13 (15:23):
Yes, it is a chain with something attached to it,
something which dangles just beneath this ledge of brock.
Speaker 3 (15:28):
Put it's a tin boxes Iveryoneseenter bought for missus Yellen
just before she died.
Speaker 7 (15:41):
This what is inside.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Appears to be some kind of linen. Take it off, Gabriel.
Speaker 3 (15:53):
Why it's a nightgown. And look there, just below the
monogram a paint smear. Sergeant Kuff said, the nightgown of
the person who stole the moonstone will be smeared by paint.
Speaker 7 (16:09):
But whose nightgown is it?
Speaker 3 (16:12):
I can't recall ever having seen it before.
Speaker 10 (16:15):
I have seen it before. Indeed, I have worn it. Gabriel,
this night gown is mine.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Shaken to his soul by the discovery of the accusing
nightgown and convinced that he himself had stolen the moonstone,
Franklin Blake paced the flor as nervously as a cat.
Speaker 10 (16:40):
But Gabriel, how could I have stolen the moonstone without
knowing it?
Speaker 13 (16:44):
Why?
Speaker 11 (16:44):
It's it's fantastic.
Speaker 8 (16:45):
How could I have done it?
Speaker 3 (16:46):
I don't know, mister Blake. Perhaps you were drunk or
her walking in your sleep when you.
Speaker 11 (16:53):
Took the jewel.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
And if you did it the moonstone, what is it now?
Speaker 9 (16:57):
Oh?
Speaker 11 (16:57):
My mind is completely blanket.
Speaker 8 (17:01):
Let me see now.
Speaker 10 (17:02):
Who else was present at Rachel's birthday party the night
the moonstone vanished.
Speaker 3 (17:07):
Doctor Kendy for one, Yes, he lives nearby and visit Hall. Oh,
but in the past year he's failed considerably. Can't even
seem to remember where he left his color button. I
doubt he can help you very much.
Speaker 10 (17:19):
Nevertheless, I'm bound to have a try at it.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Doctor Candy must help me.
Speaker 14 (17:32):
Sorry, mister Blake, Sorry, I remember little of what happened
that night. You see, that same evening when I returned
home from Lady Venders. I was taken suddenly ill. My
memory isn't quite what it should be, Sir, I'm afraid
(17:55):
it's a bit off it is.
Speaker 10 (17:57):
Thank you, doctor Candy, you've been most kind. Well, yes,
I'd better be getting back. Good night, doctor, that's that.
Speaker 11 (18:12):
Ah.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
Mister Blake, I believe.
Speaker 15 (18:15):
Who are you?
Speaker 4 (18:15):
Said? You're a custom to sneak up on a man.
My apologies, mister Blake. People hereabouts will tell you Ezra
Jennings is not the most popular of men. I am
doctor Candy's assistant. Oh and you can see my appearances
hardly in my favor, and does little do win me? Friends.
My gipsy complexion, fleshless cheeks remind some persons of another
(18:37):
like myself, only he has horns.
Speaker 8 (18:41):
You are very sensitive.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I am very I imagine you find doctor Candy greater chained.
Speaker 8 (18:47):
Oh yes, terribly.
Speaker 11 (18:48):
His memory has been gravely affected.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
It's been failing for nearly a year. On his way
home from the birthday party in Lady Veranders, he was
caught in the rain and became violently ill, in fact, delirious. Delirious,
you say, indeed, he raved at great length. My curiosity
became aroused I took notes quite unintelligible, of course, of
what he said.
Speaker 10 (19:09):
Mister Jennings, in these wanderings of doctor Candy, did he
mention my name?
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Yes, mister Blake, at one point he did. His mind
seems to have been occupied with something between himself and you.
Speaker 10 (19:21):
And you say you have taken notes of his wanderings
what he said in his deliriums sayd mister Blake.
Speaker 11 (19:26):
Then you will let me examine these notes.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
I am afraid, sir, that is quite impossible. I am
forbidden to disclose the words of my suffering master. Good night,
mister Blake. Mister Jennings, please hear me, please, I'm mister,
mister Blake.
Speaker 11 (19:39):
This is a matter concerning my honor.
Speaker 10 (19:42):
I have reason to believe I am a thief, that I,
without knowing it, have stolen the most valuable diamond.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Without knowing it. Incredible. What wait a moment, mister Blake.
You have suggested more to me than you suppose. I
don't follow you, mister Jennings. Mister Blake, have you ever
been accustomed to the use of gugs? Never in my life?
And you are most fortunate because in me you see
a derelict one become a slave to the dog habit. Oh,
(20:13):
but you needn't be sorry for me, mister Blake. I
am sorry for you, and I have changed my mind.
I will let you see the notes I took the
night doctor Candy and my poor colleague became ill. But
first I have a client critically ill and awaiting me.
I shall return in two hours. At that time we
can dwell upon the subject of doctor Candy's delirium, as
well as other things.
Speaker 13 (20:36):
In two hours, mister Blake's.
Speaker 4 (20:47):
Down as Blake. Thank you. Now to climb straightway into
what doctor Candy spoke of during his critically illness, Here
is a significant part of the memorandum I made. Go
on Jennings listen. Mister Franklin Blake is clever and agreeable,
but wants taking down a peg. When he talks of medicine,
he confesses he's been suffering from want of sleep at night.
I tell him his nerves are out of order, that
(21:07):
he should take medicine. He tells me that taking medicine
and groping in the dark are one and the same thing. Now,
mister Blake, did you have difficulties sleeping a year ago
this time?
Speaker 10 (21:19):
Yes, yes, I slept wretchedly. Doctor Canty had tried to
get me to take some medicine that I refuse.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
And on the night of the bed and a birthday party,
how did you sleep? It is most important try and remember.
I do remember I slept soundly.
Speaker 7 (21:32):
Like a top.
Speaker 4 (21:32):
Then, mister Bake, I am convinced, absolutely convinced, from what
doctor Candy revealed in his delirium that on the night
the moonstone was stolen, you slept under the influence of
a drug which doctor Candy administered to you in secret.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
I don't know, can only follow your opinion.
Speaker 4 (21:47):
But mister Blake, are you the man to try a
bold and daring experiment?
Speaker 10 (21:52):
I will do anything to clear myself of the suspicion
which rests upon me.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Now, will you put yourself completely in my hands, be
guided implicitly by my advice, even though it may expose
you to the ridicule of fools. Yes, I will. But
what am I to do, mister Jennings. We shall simulate
the conditions I refer to the physical appearances of the
Berender household as those conditions existed nearly a year ago.
But the real experiment, Sir, shall be conducted with you yourself
(22:16):
playing the part of the innocent victim. I don't quite
follow you. We shall duplicate, sir, your physical and mental
condition on the night the moonstone disappeared, and then just
before you go to bed, a drug will be administered
to you.
Speaker 8 (22:29):
But why why.
Speaker 10 (22:30):
Should I be given a drug?
Speaker 4 (22:31):
Why? Yes, what will I do this, mister Blake, in
the presence of witnesses whose testimony will be beyond all dispute,
you shall steal the moonstone a second time.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Why it was the maddest scheme of a herd, of
the mouth of any man I had even known the
very appearance of this person. Jennings, give me the walking shutters.
He stopped the house like a proprietary ghost, but urged
on by Franklin Blake, I kept hard at work restoring
(23:04):
all the furnishings of the empty house to their places
and conditions as they were in the night of the robbery.
Mister Blake gave himself completely over to his reginnings. Over
All the world reminded me of a cat watching a
silly mouse, And each day misters Jennings would note in
his diary the decline under his careful suggestions. In mister
(23:25):
Blake's physical and mental condition June eighteenth.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
In keeping with my plan, and because mister Blake had
at this time one year ago given up smoking cigars,
I have now forbidden him to smoke. He is, as
I hoped, becoming increasingly nervous and irritable. June twentieth. The sooners,
the rooms are returned to their appearance as of the
night in question. The better mister Blake now grows more
(23:50):
and more restless. June twenty third. Mister Blake is overwrought,
highly nervous, just as I need him to be. I
myself now begin to feel the last and terrible effects
of the dead habit which I am enslaved. I pray
for strength to carry on, or the happiness of others
is at stake. Two days more and then the experiment.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Then came the fateful day of the experiment. The witnesses,
as Jennings was pleased to call them, began arriving first
as mister Bruff, the Verander's family lawyer, and quite crumpy
he was.
Speaker 9 (24:32):
But this is madness, Gabriel Chaw.
Speaker 4 (24:34):
Madness.
Speaker 10 (24:35):
I am now in forever opposed to this so called experiment.
Speaker 3 (24:38):
And when the matter had been explained to Miss Rachel,
my young lady of the house. She consented to come
with her companion, Missus Meridieu, who apparently did not quite
comprehend the matter at hand.
Speaker 6 (24:48):
At what time, Gabriel is the explosion to take place?
Speaker 3 (24:53):
And then, of course there was Missus Rachel herself, who
surprisingly could think to ask.
Speaker 7 (24:57):
Only Gabriel, how is Franklin and when can I see?
Speaker 3 (25:01):
As the time for the experiment drew near, I was
fairly beside myself with nervousness and concern for the welfare
of Franklin Blake. But eleven o'clock finally came and mister
Blake was impeded. Under the direction of Ezra Jennings, I
myself brought the drink to mister Blake, the drink to
which had been added the drug.
Speaker 8 (25:20):
Mister Blake drank deeply.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Missus Rachel's sitting room was directly across the hall from
mister Blake's bedroom. A piece of crystal had been placed
in the drawer of the engine cabinet in Miss Rachel's
sitting room to represent the moonstone where it had been
seen last. The witnesses were Missus Rachel and mister Bruff
missus Marrotuwitt since retired, and they took their places in
the sitting room, watching the door and the engine cabinet.
(25:46):
Jennings and I sat by mister Blake's bed. He lay
there like a man struck insensible. Then mister buff depute
in no longer able to restrain his impatience.
Speaker 14 (25:55):
I've insakes, Jennings, when will the drug begin to walk?
Speaker 4 (25:59):
Say nothing, Go back to the sitting room. We should
not have too long to wait.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Mister Bruff left. I looked at Franklin Blake. It opened
his eyes and in them flamed something I had never
before seen. The view of perspiration appeared on his face,
and he began to mumble. And then suddenly Franklin Blake
was up and out of bed, and though speaking as
if in a trance, his words came quite distinctly.
Speaker 16 (26:26):
Wish I'd never taken it out of the bank. I'm
safe in the bank. How do I know the Indians
may be hidden in the house. Besides, the moonstone isn't
even locked up. So in the drawer of Rachel's Indian cabinet,
and the drawer doesn't lock, I'd better take a candle
(26:50):
and go have a look at it. Oh, there's the candle.
Speaker 4 (26:55):
H there it is.
Speaker 11 (26:59):
Star Indian cabin.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
And so candle and hand. Franklin Blake moved heavily towards
the sitting room. I crept after him as he walked
straight to the engine cabinet. Then he stopped and placed
the heavy on eight candle holder atop the cabinet. And
then he began opening and shutting one drawer after another.
Speaker 11 (27:20):
The moonstone, Where is it? Where?
Speaker 16 (27:23):
Ah ah, I'll take it. Where's where's the candle? Yes, sir,
I'll go back.
Speaker 11 (27:35):
Oh, cap cat hold strange legs, heavy everything heavy, candle, candle,
too heavy, even even moonstone can't carry it.
Speaker 8 (27:57):
Oh, thank Franklin.
Speaker 7 (28:01):
Oh my darning, Oh my dear.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
Franklin Blake had indeed taken the Moonstone from the drawing
of the Indian Cabinet, but after it had fallen on
the floor.
Speaker 8 (28:13):
Oh.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
A Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is one of the world's
great novels, brought to you each week by the NBC
University of the Air. Listen next week to the final
episode of this four part radio version of The Moonstone,
and remember that your local public library can be a
constant source of information and entertainment. To add to your
enjoyment of this series, we recommend the Handbook of the
(28:52):
World's Great Novels, which you may obtain by sending twenty
five cents The World's Great Novels Post Office Box, Station JAY,
New York, twenty seven, New York. That's Post Office Box thirty,
Station J, New York, twenty seven. The Moonstone is adapted
(29:17):
for radio by Robert Saxon. The music was composed by
Amel Soderstrom, and the orchestra was directed by Bernard berquinst
The entire production was under the direction of Homer Heck.
Sherman Marx is featured as Gabriel Betteridge and Charles Mountain
as Franklin Blake. Rachel is played by Geraldine Kay, Lady
Barnder by Almah Plattz, and Rosanna by Ruth Shames. Sergeant
(29:40):
Kuff is played by Arthur Sedgwick, Ezra Jennings by Maurice Copeland,
and Doctor Candy by Arthur Peterson.
Speaker 4 (29:47):
This is John Conrad.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
This program comes to you from Chicago and is a
presentation of the National Broadcasting Company and its affiliated independent stations.
This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
Welcome Back, I continue to love this adaptation. This really
brings out the best parts of the novel, and I
like how they chose some poignant passages for Gabriel to
read well. I liked reading Gabriel when I was reading
the book. He could go on a bit, but they
chose some solid bits for him to narrate, and the
(30:33):
way he reflected on the passing of his lady was
just beautifully done. Still got into Robinson Crusoe reference because
it wouldn't be Gabriel without it. It's interesting the degree
to which the mystery has serious consequences, particularly compared to
some later work. Certainly the suicide of Rosanna looms large,
(30:55):
but you also have the way things played out between
Rachel and Front as a result of the whole theft.
And while it's a melodramatic idea and modern readers and
listeners can question how well this reenactment would have worked
in reality, it was effective in the story and sets
up a nice cliffhanger for the concluding episode. I will
(31:18):
say the doctor deciding to show Franklin the power of
medication by surreptitiously drugging him is a bit dubious ethically,
even by nineteenth century standards. But perhaps he was already
starting to go downhill mentally and that's why he did.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
Such a thing.
Speaker 1 (31:35):
All right, Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback,
Diane writes on Instagram listen to part one, looking forward
to hearing more. Well, thanks so much, Diane. Now it's
time to think our Patreon supporter of the day, and
I want to go ahead and thank Jennifer, Patreon supporter
(31:57):
since April, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant
level of seven dollars and fourteen cents or more per month.
Thanks so much for your support, Jennifer, and that will
do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please
follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure
to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from.
(32:18):
We'll be back next Thursday with the final episode of
The Moonstone. But join us back here tomorrow for yours truly,
Johnny dollar Ware.
Speaker 15 (32:29):
All right, just tell me why you've had me come
all the way down here to investigate? Allows you two
thousand dollars claim? I told you I don't really know,
all right? National security is in five yes? Well, okay, Jenny,
I issued a policy covering the chemical plant of doctor
John c Olworth. What kind of chemicals?
Speaker 4 (32:50):
Well, you see, I don't know, huh.
Speaker 15 (32:53):
I issued the policy at the specific request of Todd
Swamp's Chamber of Commerce knows more about this whole area
and it's people in anyone else? Well, surely you've seen
this chemicalland no I haven't. You want as a matter
of fact, its exact location is a complete sequon. Now, look, earl,
if you've issued a policy, if you're ready to pay
off acclaim, But if you haven't seen, how do you
(33:14):
know a couple of thousand dollars worth of damage occurred.
I've taken Todd Swam's word for it.
Speaker 4 (33:18):
I trust him implicit.
Speaker 15 (33:19):
This is the dog on this earl. How can I
possibly investigate something? If I can't, if nobody knows what
I hope you'll.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Be with us then in the meantime, send your comments
to Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot yet, follow us
on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com, slash Great Detectives from Boise Ataho. This is
your host, Adam Graham, Sign and off.
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