Sherlock Holmes - Study in Scarlet Part1

This detective series brings the adventures of the famous sleuth to life, solving complex cases with keen observation and deductive reasoning. The stories are rich in intrigue and suspense.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:14):
Raaffus. I found it. I found a reagent which is
precipitated by humor globan And by that year doctor Watson,
mister Sherlock, home, how are you? How do you do
You've been in Afghanistan? See how on earth do you
know that, mister Holmes. Never mind it was many years ago,

(00:35):
but I shall never forget that faithful meeting in the
laboratory of Bath Hospital. I was home from India, invalided
out of the army and looking for lodgings and keeping
with my pencil homes. Had just found a suite of
woman at number two to one B Baker Street, and
wanted someone to show them I'd been worn. He might

(00:56):
prove a strange companion, and so you didn't do. I
became more and more curious about you, and of course
he quickly noticed it. I to thought that these two
weeks have not provedure that I'm too difficult to fellow

(01:18):
larger after all, Far from it. I don't mind a
getting you puzzle me, the puzzle you well, the way
you work like a fiend. Sometimes and others who lie
on the surfada have the uwering a word or moving
a muscle from morning to night. And there are those
curious visitors of yours in one afternoon, a gray headed
CD fella looking like a peddler. They're an old, white

(01:38):
haired gentleman, a fashion addressed young girl, and a railway porter,
and that little fellow rat faced fellow as trade. We've
been here three times in a single week. But I
always apologize for putting you to any inconvenience in the
matter of Boston. I have to use this room as
a place of business, and these people are my clients.

(01:58):
But what is you? No man, you don't inconvenience me
at all. I'm only two. Please thank you, But tell
me have your observations up here over these weeks reached
any sum total year. You might think of a bit
of a cheek, But I've I've been jotting down all
the various points on which you've shown me that you're

(02:19):
exceptionally well informed. No, indeed, I should much like to
hear it, you would. I've got the paper here somewhere
it is you won't mind, really all well, it runs
this way. Sherlock Holm has limits one knowledge of literature

(02:41):
nile two, knowledge of philosophy nil three, knowledge of astronomy
no knowledge of politics people you go on. Knowledge of
botany variable well up in belladonna, opumen, poisons generally, there's
nothing in pactical gardening, yeah be knowledge of geology practical

(03:02):
but limited. Tells of the glance different soils from each other.
After Walks has shown me stashes one, it doses and
tell me about the color and consistency. What part in
London to receive them? Seven? Knowledge of chemistry profound. Eight
knowledge of anathemy accurate but unsystematic. Nine. Knowledge of sensational
literature immense, it tears. Know every detail of every horror

(03:25):
perpetrated in the century. Ten phase of ale in well,
thank you. Eleven is an expert single stick player, boxer
and swordsman. Twelve is a good practical knowledge of British
laws capital Well, i'd best I'd better provide you with
the answer to it all. You see the theories of
observation and deduction, which I have frequently expressed. You are

(03:48):
really extremely practical, so practical that I depend upon them
for my bread and cheese. But how well I have
a trade of my own. I suppose I'm the only
one in the world. I'm a consulting detective consulting to tick.
Here in London we have lots of government detectives and
lots of private ones. When these fellows are at fault,

(04:09):
they come to me and I managed to put them
on the right sense. Les Trade is a well known detective.
He got himself into a fog recently over a forgery case,
and that was what brought him here. I see, and
these other people, oh, they are most present on by
private inquiry agencies. I listen to their story, they listen
to my comments, and then I pocket my seat. But

(04:30):
do you mean to say that without leaving your room
you can unravel some lot that other men can make
nothing off. I have a kind of intuition that way
observation will be a second nature. You appear to be
surprised when I told you on our first meeting that
you had come from Afghanistan too. My train of reasoning
ran thus, the air is a gentleman of a medical type,

(04:52):
but with the air of a military man, clearly an
army doctor. Then he's just come from the tropics. For
his face is dark, and that's not the natural tindery
skin for his wrist that's there. Oh, he's undergone hardship
and sickness, as his haggard face says clearly his left
arm has been injured. He holds it in a stiff
and unnatural manner. Now where in the tropics could an

(05:15):
English army doctor seem much hardship and got his arm wounded?
Clearly in Afghanistan. The whole train of thought didn't occupy
a second. It's simple enough that you explain it. But homes,
I don't really think that. I say, Hm, that's Pelado
on sees. I wonder what he's looking for. Oh, you
mean the retired pageant of marine. Oh, now that really

(05:38):
is going too fast. Well, we shall soon see. He's
coming to our door. You know that probably is one
from that. There are no crimes and no criminals these days.
What's the use of having brains in our professions? I
know well that I have it in me to make
my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived,
who had brought the same amount of study of natural

(06:00):
talent for the detection of crime which I have done.
And what's the result. There is no crime to detect
or of most some bungling villany were a MOSTI so
transparent that even a Scotland yard official conceit through it
a person to see you. Oh, thank you, missus Hudson,

(06:21):
come in, let it bore hand for mister Sherlock Holmes.
Thank you. May I ask my good man what your
trade may be A commissioner answer uniformer wiper repairs, and
you will answer raw. Marie nodded, Patersa. No one could

(06:43):
I get went for that? Which, Now, how in the
world did you deduce that? Why? Even when he bet
down in the street, I could see a great blue
anchor tattooed on the back of the fellow's hands. That's
not to the sea. He had a military carriage, however,
and regulation side wiskn there we have the marine. He

(07:04):
was a man with some amount of self importance in
a sertain air of command. You must have observed the
way in which he held his head and sprung his cane.
A steady, respectable middle aged man too on the face
of him, all facts which led me to believe that
he had been a sergeant commonplace. Oh but I said
just now that there were no criminals right who. It

(07:29):
appears that I am wrong? If it is, would you
mind reading it to be alive? My d mister Sherlock Holmes.
There has been a bad business during the night that
three Lorriston Gardens off the Brixton Road. Men on the

(07:49):
beach saw light there about two in the morning, and
as the house was an empty one suspected that something
was ah. It was a miss. He found the door
open and in the front room discovered the body of
a gentleman, well dressed and having cards in his pockets
bearing the name of Enoch J. Dribber, Cleveland or High USA.
There had been no robbery or is there any evidence

(08:12):
as to how the man met his death. The remarks
of blood in the room, but there's no wound upon
his person. We are at a loss as to how
he came into the empty house and heed. The whole
of thows a puzzler. If you can come round to
the house anytime before twelve you'll find me there. Your
faithfully to bas Gregson. Gregsmon is the smartest of the

(08:35):
Scotland yadas. He and less trade at the pick of
a bad lot. They had their knife into one another,
too jealous as a pair of professional beauties. There would
be some fun over this case of the boat put
upon the said fully, there isn't a moment to be lost,
So I go on order you a cab, My dear fellow,
what does it matter to me? Supposing I unravel the
whole matter? You may be sure that gregsmon Less Trade

(08:56):
and Co. Will pocket all the credit he beg you
to help him. He knows that I'm his superior and
acknowledges it to me. But he'd cut his tongue out
before he'd only twenty third person. However, we may as
well go and have a look. I shall work it
out on my own hook. I may have a laugh
at the b I have nothing else. Come on, get

(09:17):
your hat you you wish me to come? Yeah, if
you have nothing better, leady, yeah, right, gimm it up.
I must say, you don't think you've been doing much

(09:37):
thought the matter in him, all that talking to Cab
about Promona Siddils and the difference between the Stadivarius and market.
No data yet, it's the capital the stata theorized before
you have all the evidence. Well, I'll have your data soon,
aren't we go? In all in good time? Watson, Let's

(09:58):
start to observe such a important details as the roadway
mm hm, the pavement m and the grass tringe. Ah, yes,
that is interesting, mister Holmes. It's very kind of good

(10:19):
to come, Inspector Gregson. This is my friend, doctor Watson.
I've had everything they've untouched except the past day after
the house. Huh. If I heard of buffalo and passed along,
there couldn't be a greater mess, no doubt. However, you
had drawn your own conclusions before you permitted it. I've
had so much to do inside the house with homes.
My colleague, mister lest Trade is here. I relied upon

(10:42):
him to look after the path. With two such men
as yourself and as Trade upon the ground, there will
not be much for a third party to find out. Well,
I think we've done all that can be done. It's
a queer case. So and well, I know your taste
for those things. Did you come hear in the cab, Gregson?
Did less trade? Nosa and let us go and look
at the room. Ah, good morning, good morning, mistrade. I

(11:13):
think you've met that about something. Of course, it's your room, stir.
Don't this case will make a source. It's anything I've seen,
and I'm no chicken. You found no clue none at all.
Your shirt there is no wound, but as patches of
blood all over the place, no part of it. And
of course this blood belongs to the second individual, because
you would be as a murderer if murder has been committed.

(11:36):
It reminds me of the circumstances dependent on the death
of Van Jansen. A new trek. You remember the case
trap a Loser? Read it up, you really should. There's
nothing new under the fund. It's all been done before.
You want to examine the body. So yes, it's just
a quick look, I think, yeah, loose m Well that

(12:04):
seems to be all. Just to sniff at his lips
and the glance at the soles of these patent leather boots.
M hm, yeah, well, I think I've seen everything I
need to see. He's not being moved at all. No
more of them was necessarily for the purposes of our examination.

(12:27):
Then you can take into the mortuary. There's nothing more
to be learned, right, Look at this clitter? Hellone, what's
that work? It's a ring? There's been a woman here?
Wait's a woman's waiting ring. Well, this does complicate members,
even though they were complicated enough before. Yeah, sure, it
doesn't simplify them. Simplify more. Eyes didn't game Away said,

(12:53):
come come, there's nothing to be learned by tearing at
the ring. But did you find it this puppet? Go
watch and shame go ring with a Masonic device, Go
pin bullo on his head with the movies and eyes
cards of Enoch J. Grebber of Cleveland, corresponding with the
EJ D. Upon the linen, No purse but loose money

(13:14):
to the extent of seven pounds thirteen shillings, oh and
two rappers, one addressed to J. Drebber and one to
Joseph Stangerson at what a dreaded American Exchange trand to
be left till called for. They are both from the
Guion Steamship Company and refer to the sailing of their
boats from Liverpool to New York. Have you made any
inquiries as to this man Stangerson? I did it once their.

(13:36):
I've had advancements sent to all the newspapers, and one
of my men has gone to the American Exchange, but
he has not yet returned. Have you sent to Cleveland?
Did anywhere this morning? How did you word your inquiries?
We simply detailed the circumstances and said that we should
be cleared of any information that could help us. He
didn't out put particulars on any point of which appear
to you to be crucial by us about Stangerson? Nothing else?

(13:58):
Is there a circustance upon which this pope it appears
to hinge? Will you not telegraph again? I've said all
I had to say, mister Holmes Smithtic Maxon. I have
just made a discovery of the highest importance, and one
which would have been overlooked and I not made a
careful examination of the walls. Oh, mister Leslade, and what
is it? Look here on this wall. I'll stand there,

(14:18):
I'll strike a match. Look at that? What did it say?
Come glad? See r A c h E rate. Why
do you think of that? The merger has written it
with his or her own blood? You see this smell
where it strickled down the wall. That disposes of the
idea of suicide? Anyhow, Hey, why was that corner chosen

(14:41):
to write it down? I'll tell you you see that
camera on the mantelpiece. It was lit at the time,
and if it was lit, this corner would be the
brightest instead of the darkest portion of the wall. What
does it mean then you have found it? Why? It
means that the writer was going to put the female
name Rachel, but was disturbed before he or she had
tried to finish you marked thy words. When this case
comes to be clear up, you will find that a

(15:02):
woman made Way something to do with it. Oh, I
will for you all laugh as I shall homes. You
may be very smarting for us, but the old round
is the best one, all cut and done. So I
really beg your pardon to say you certainly have the
credit of being the first of it to find the fire.
And as you say, there's a remark of having been
written by the other participant in the last time's mystery.

(15:24):
I have not had time to examine this room yet,
but with your permission, I shall do so. Now, Now
where's my lemb there? I think that will do twenty
two minutes. That's a humor. Zones are to the spread

(15:46):
of the trouble and vibe. They say the genius is
an infinite capacity for taking pains. It's a very bad definition,
but it does apply to detective Way. What do you
think of itself? Oh, it would be robbing you of
the credit of the case if I were to presumed
to help you. You're doing so well now that it
would be a pity for anyone to d this here.
If you let me know how your investigations go, I

(16:07):
for they happy to give you any help I can.
In the meantime, I should like to speak to the
constable who found the body. Is he here? No, he's
off guilty Now then can you give me his name
and address? Yes, sir, his name is John Ratzon. You'll
find him at forty six Ordly fourt, Kennington Park Gate,
Kennington Far Gate. Thank you, Come along, doctor, we shall

(16:31):
go and look him up. Oh gentlemen, I'll tell you
one thing which may help you in the case. What's denser.
There has been murder done, and the murderer was a man.
He was more than six feet high, was in the
prime of life, had small feet for his height, wore coarse,
square flat boots, and smoked a kitchen up lay cigar.

(16:55):
He came here with his victim in a four wheeled
cab which was drawn by a horse. For three old
shoes and one new one on his off fore leg.
In all probability of the murderer had a florid face,
and the fingernails of his right hand were amostly long.
These are only a few indications, but then nailsstrue. A
business man was murdered. How was it done? Poison? One

(17:18):
other thingles straight. We don't waste your time looking for
miss Rachel Rache is the German for revenge. Come along, doctor,
I have a telegram to send. I'm coming home. Now

(17:44):
that I have sent my telegram, we can go and
see this Constable John Rence. You can, he'll be able
to help us. There's nothing like first tand evidence. The
matter to take my mind is entirely made up on
the case. But still we may as well learn all
that is we learn. Yes, you amazing hopes, only you're
not as sure as you pretend to be. Of all
as particular as you gave. There's no room from stay.

(18:06):
The very first thing which I observed on the riding
there was that a cab had made two rufts with
its fields close to the curb. Now, up to last night,
we've had no rain for a week, so that those
fields which left such a deep impression must have been
dead during the night. There were the marks of the
horses hoofs too, the outline of one of which was
far more clearly cut than that of the other three,

(18:27):
showing that that was a new shoe. Since the cab
was there after the rain began, and was not there
at any time during the morning, I have Gregson's word
for that. It follows that it must have been there
during the night, and therefore that it brought those two
individuals to the house. Well, that seems simple enough, But
how about the other man's fight. Why the height of

(18:47):
a man, in nine cases out of ten, can be
told by the length of his tribe. It's a simple
calcuation enough, though, There's no use my boring you with figures.
I had this fellow's tribe both on the clay outside
and on the dust within. Then I had a way
of checking my calculations. When a man writes on a wall,
it instinct leads him to write about the level of

(19:07):
his own eyes. Now that writing was just over six
feet from the ground. There's childless any age. Well, if
a man can stride form a half feet without the
smallest effort, he calp it fight in the sere and yellow.
This was the breadth of a puddle on the garden
path that she had evidently walked across. Patent leather boots

(19:28):
had gone round, and square toes had stepped over. There's
no mystery about it at all. I'm simply applying to
ordinary life a few of those precepts of observation and
deduction which I advocated in the arcicle Santariga. Is there
anything else that posed you well? The finger nails and
the trichinopolis have gone. The writing on the wall was

(19:49):
done with a man's forefinger dipped in blood. My glass
allowed me to observe that the plaster was slightly scratched
in doing it, which would not have been the case
had the man's nail been trimmed. M I gathered up
some scattered ash from the floor. It was dark in
color and flaky, such an ash as is only made
by a prechernotoly. I did a special study a cigar ashes,

(20:12):
in that I've written a monograph upon the subject. Here
I flatter myself that I can distinguish at a glance
the ash of any known brand, either of a cigar
or tobacco. It's just in such details. But the skills
detective differs from the grapesmoonless trade type and the florid face. Then, ah,
that was a more daring shot. Though I have no

(20:33):
doubt that I was writing. You mustn't ask me that
the present state of the affairs. My head's in a whirl.
The more one thinks it, the more mysterious it grows.
How came these two men? If they were two men
into an empty house? How could one man compel another
to take poison? Where did the blood come from? What

(20:53):
was the object of the murderer? Since robbery had no party?
How came the woman's ring? There? And above? Why should
the second man right up the German word racha before
DECAMPI I confess, and I can't see any possible way
of reconciling all these facts. You're some up. The difficulties
of the situation sucked simply and well, Watson, there is

(21:13):
much that is still obscure, though I've quite made up
my mind on the main facts to poor illustrated. The
discovery was simply a blind intended to put the police
upon a wrong track by suggesting socialism and seek his societies.
It was not done by a German. Oh, if you
notice the A was printed somewhat after the German fashion.
Now a real German, invariably Prince sim the Latin character.

(21:37):
Since we may safely say that this was not written
by one but by a clumsy imitator who overdid his party.
Or no, there's simply a ruse to divert inquiry into
a wrong channel. I'm not saying to tell you much
more of the case. Doctor. You know, a tanjurer gets
no credit. But once he's explained his tricky and if
I show you too much of my method of working,

(21:59):
you will come to the inclusion that I'm a very
ordinary individual. After room, never do that. You have brought
detectionists near to an exact science as it ever will
be brought in this world. I'll tell you one other thing.
Patent letters and square toes came in the same cab.
When they walked down the pathway together as friendly as possible,

(22:21):
whilem in arm in all probability. When they got inside,
they walked up and down the room or other patent
letters could still while square toes walked up and down.
I could read all that in the dust, and I
could read that as he walked. He grew more and
more excited. That's shown by the increased length of his tribe.
He was talking all the pile and working himself up

(22:41):
now out into a fury. Then the tragedy occurred. Well,
I told you all I know myself, for the rest
is mere surmise and conjecture. We have a good working basis, however,
with the stars and now we met Parry for I
particularly want to visit comfortable rents and let's go find

(23:02):
a cab. Yes, what is it? You are Constable John
Wren Well of it? He wants to know. My name
is chellas infect on less trade that I can find

(23:24):
you here. It's about the business at Larston Gardens, Brixton Road,
b by report at the office. Come a man, get
a bit of rest when it's off duty. We we
thought that we should like to hear it all from
your own lips. Well, I shall be most happy to
tell you anything I can. It's coming you sut you're

(23:51):
down on the now? What was it? Just let us
hear it all in your own where is it? As?
Very well? My time is from ten at night till
six in the morning. At eleven there was a fight
at the White Hart, but bar that wall was quiet

(24:12):
enough on the beach, but one o'clock it began to rain.
I met Barry March sure as the Holland Grove. We
stood together at the corner of Henrietta Street. Are talking
well presently maybe about two a little laughter, I thought
I'd take a look around and see that all was
right down the Brixton Road. It was precious, dirty and lonely,

(24:38):
not a soul, and I'll meet all the way down.
Though the caver two went past me. I was strolling
down and thinking between ourselves our uncommon handy afford us
do not would be when when suddenly the glint of
the light caught my eye in the window of that

(24:58):
same house, I knew that them two hourses in Morriston
Garden was empty one account of him that ow't and
won't have the drains seemed to though the very last
tenant that lived in one of them died a typhoid fever.
So I was not tall in heat, but seeing a
light in the window, and I suspected that something was wrong.

(25:21):
When I got to the door, I felt and then
walked back to the garden gate. What did you do? That?
That's true, sir? I did, though, Oh you come to
know it haven't only knows what you watching? None they
go on answer my question, wit me get your see.
When I got up to the door, it was so
still and so lonesome that I thought I've belong the

(25:43):
worst for some one with me. I ain't afeared of
anything on this side of the grave, but I thought
that maybe it was him that died of the typhoid.
Inspecting the drains what killed him? Sure thought gave me
that kind of turn. And I walked back to the
gate to see if I could see merchants lentn That
was no sign of him, nor of anyone else. There

(26:05):
was no one in the seat, not a living sorcerer.
Pulled myself together, went back and pushed the door up.
Who was quiet inside? So I went into the room
where the light was a burning. There was a candle
flickering on the mental fiece, a red wax one light side. Yes,
I know all that you saw. You walked round the

(26:28):
room several times, and you knelt down by the body,
and then you walked through and tried the kitchen door.
And then where would you hit to see all that?
Seems to me that you that was a good deal.
Moan your short arm. Here's my card. No, don't get
arresting me for the murder. I'm one of the hounds,
not the wolf. Mister Greggson or mister Lestrabile answered, then

(26:50):
go on there, what did you do Negger went back
to the gate and send in a whistler. That brought
Mercher into moret the spot, but the street emptied. Inn
was as far as anybody that could be of any good.
Those what do you mean? I've seen them a drunk
chap in my time. I've never seen anyone that drunk

(27:11):
his a coat. He was at the gate when I
came out of leaning up against the railings, and I
was singing at the picture of his lungs about Columbines,
new fangled banner and some such stuff. He couldn't stand
for ourself. What sort of a man? Watch, you know?
Common drunk sort of man? He'd found himself at the
station if we had mince took up his feet. He's dressed.

(27:31):
Didn't you notice him? Bush? Should think I didn't notice him,
seeming that I had to pop him up, being merchant
between us? He was our long chap well, red face,
the lower part muffled round. What became of him? You
have to do that looking after him? No Wager, he
found his way. I'm all right? How was he dressed? Down? Overcoat?

(27:53):
And he whipped in his hand whipped, No, he must
have left it behind. You didn't happen to you. Hear
a cab after that, Well, there's half a sovereign for you. No,
thank you, sir, I'm afraid grants that you will never

(28:13):
rise in the force. That head of yours should be
for use as well as ornament. You might have gained
your sergeant stripes last night. The man who you held
in your hand is the man who holds the clues
in this mystery and whom we are seeking. But I
have no use arguing about it now. I tell you
that it t is though, Come along, doctor, do one

(28:46):
d baker fit that it o God, the blundering fool,
just to think of it's having such an incomfortable bit
of good luck and naughty me advantage of my mother
in the dark. Still, it's true that the description of
this man tells your idea of the second garden this mystery.

(29:08):
But why should he come back to the house after
leaving the ring man? The ring? That was what he
came back for. If we have no other way of
catching him, we can alway vatar line with a ring.
I shall have him, doctor. I'll lay you two to
one that I have him. I mistake you for it
all I might not have gone but for you, and
so miss the finest study I ever came across, A

(29:33):
study in scarlet. Yeah, why shouldn't we use a little
art jargon. There's the scarlet tread of murder running through
the colorless skein of life, and our duty is to
unravel it and isolate it and expose every inch of it.

(29:56):
What's what's the matter? You're not looking quite yourself? This
Brixton Road affairs upsets you well till the truth it
has I want be more case on not my afghanistanirs,
isn't I saw my own comrades hacked pieces of my
wand without losing my nerve. But I've gone over this
this is again and again this afternoon. Who I doves

(30:19):
off it is? I can understand. There's a mystery about
this which stimulates the imagination. Where there's no imagination, there's
no horror. Have you seen? The evening paper gives a
fairly good account of the affair. It doesn't mention the
fact when the man was raised up on the stretch

(30:40):
of a woman's wedding ring fell upon the floor. It's
just as well it does. Why look at this advertisement? Well,
I have one said to every paper this morning, immediately
after the affairs well in me the fan column, Yes
yes yes. In Brixton Road this morning a plain gold
wedding ring found in the roadway but didn't know