July 29, 2025 • 28 mins
Solve crimes with the great detective in "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories." Featuring classic tales by Arthur Conan Doyle, this podcast brings you the brilliant deductions and thrilling adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of Holmes, these timeless mysteries will keep you captivated.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Capable, my dear Watson, let us return to humble a Vos.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Two to one bee Baker to meet his carriage from London.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We present The Sussex Vampire, a play for radio based
on a short story by Sir Arthur Urnham Doyle, The
Sussex Vampire.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
It was an evening of a dull fogy November day,
Following our usual custom.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Shearlock, Holmes and Eye had.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Taken a stroll about the streets adjoining Regent's Park. With
the poisonous brown air had driven us back thankfully the
warmth and comfort of the sitting room at two to
one bee Vaga Street. As I stretched out my toes
to the welcoming plays, Holmes read Chaffley a note which
the last post had brought him.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Then, with a.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Dry chuckle, which was his nearest approach to a laugh,
he tossed it over to me.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
But a mixture of the modern and the medieval are
the practical and the wildest sensible.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
I think death is surely the limit what you make
of it wasn't. Let's see.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Forty six sold Jury, November the nineteenth Sir, our clients
mister Robert Ferguson of Ferguson werehead tea brokers and mincing
Lene has made some inquiry from us in a communication
of even date concerning.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Vamper vampires go on.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
As our firm specializes entirely upon the assessment of machinery,
the matter hardly comes within our purview, and we have
therefore recommended mister Ferguson to call upon you and lay
the matter of a foil.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
We answer fifthly yours Morrison, Mrrison and Dog. The post
scriptum to that letter which you failed to read out,
my dear advices us that the gentleman himself will be
calling upon us at tennis lot tomorrow morning. I fancy
he may be able to throw some light upon what
(03:11):
he's worrying.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Oh what, you.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Don't look quite the man you did when I threw
you over the ropes into the crowd at the old
Deer Park.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
Ha Ferguson, it's you. Well, I never one instant connected
the name. It's big Bob Ferguson, Holmes.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
How do you do fines?
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Three point of Richmond ever had in those days? I
paid for that Watson. You amaze me. There's no limity
or versatility. You could scarcely picture me playing Rugger as
you see me, know, mister Holmes, no Watson, But say
it down, mister Ferguson, and tell us what brings you
(03:57):
to us?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Thank you now.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Now that's where you live, Lumberless, Sussex, south of Harsham.
The house is called Cheeseman's. I know that part pretty
well full of old houses.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Called out to the men who Builton Oddler's, Harveys, Cantons, Cheesemans.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yes, that's so watsome, but they I am not here
on my own behalf. Oh no, I'm acting for a friend.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I see her pay left has had the particular Yes,
this gentleman married some five years ago a Peruvian lady.
He'd met her during a business trip to South America.
She is very beautiful, but well, what with her alien
(04:47):
ways and so on, it seems as though there are
sides of her character that he can never hope to explore.
In short, he's come to regard their union as a mistake.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
I see.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
He remains as loving and devoted a wife as a
man could wish for. But at the same time she's
begun to show some curious traits quite unlike her general
nature of what kind Well, my friend had been married before.
There's a son of fifteen by the first marriage, a
charming and affectionate lad, unfortunately partially crippled in a childhood accident. Now,
(05:27):
on two occasions, my friend's pleasant wife had been caught
in the act of assaulting this poor lad in the
most unprovoked way.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Good helms.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
There's also child of the present marriage, a dear little
boy just under a year old. On one occasion, about
a month ago, this child had been left by its
nurse for a few minutes. A loud cry from the
baby caught her back. As she ran into the room,
she saw her employer, my friend's wife, leaning over the
(05:59):
baby and apparently biting its neck. Horrible there was a
small wound in the neck, from which a stream of
blood ran down. The nurse was so horrified that she
started to call for the husband, but the lady implored
her not to, and actually gave her five pounds to
keep silent.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I continue, mister Persian.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
As you can imagine, this made a terrible impression on
the nurse's mind, and she began to keep a close
watch on her mistress. It began to seem to her
that even as she watched the mother so the mother
watched her, and that every time she was compelled to
leave the baby, the mother was waiting to get at it.
(06:44):
Day and night the nurse covered the child, and day
and night the watchful mother seemed to be lying in.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Wait as the wolf waits for a lamb.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Incredible, Yes, that's how it must sound to you, Watson.
Yet I am not exaggerating when I say that a
child's life and a man's sanity may depend on it.
My friend well remembers the day when the nurse's nerve
gave way and she told him everything. To him, it
seemed as wild a tale as it may now.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Send to you.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
He knew his wife to be a loving wife and
a loving mother, then why should she assault her steps
and wound her own dear little baby. He told the
nurse that she was dreaming that such libels upon her
mistress were not to be tolerated. Whilst they were talking,
a sudden cry of pain was held. The nurse and
(07:39):
master rushed to the nursery together. Imagined his feelings as
he saw his wife rise from a kneeling position beside
the cot, and saw blood upon the child's exposed neck
and on the sheet with a cry of horror. He
turned his wife's face to the light, and salt blood
all round her lips. It was she, beyond all questions,
(08:02):
who had drunk the.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Poor baby's blood. Great heavens, So who matter stands?
Speaker 1 (08:09):
And and my friend appeals to you, mister Holmes. His
wife is now confined to a room. He himself is
half demented. Eight it's vampiresm mister Holmes, mister Ferguson, I
will examine your case with pleasure. My oh, no, no answer.
(08:30):
This agency is not a home for the weak minded.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I see.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
It's no use my pretending to be anyone's deputy. It
is simpler to deal direct. Forgive me, mister Holmes. You
can imagine how difficult it is when you're speaking of
the one woman you're bound to protect. Help I understand? Then?
What am I to do? How am I to go
to the police with the story like this? And yet
(08:56):
I must protect those youngsters? Is it a mad miss,
mister Holmes, something in her blood? Have you experience of
any case like it? For pity's sake, give me some advice.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
I'm at the wits end.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Now sit here and pull your.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Set together, Mister Ferguson, and just give me a cute,
clear answer. Yes, yes, of course.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
I can assure you that I am very far from
being at my wits end, and I am confident we
shall find some solution. Tell me what happened after you
discovered your wife in the sect. We had a dreadful scene.
I suppose I raved at her. She seems horrified. She
wouldn't even speak.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
She only looked.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
At me in a wild, despairing sort of way. Then
she rushed to her room and locked herself in. Since
then she's refused to see me. Who attends to her
once a maid delorys also beloved. Yes, she's been with
my wife for some years. She's more a friend than
a servant. And the child, the baby, the nurses sworn
(09:59):
to me that she will not he night or day.
As for poor Jack, the inoffensive little cripple, I only
hope if she comes out of her room, he won't
happen to be near the hand. What exactly is his
complaint for some injury to the spine? He can get about,
but only in a limited sort of way. And yet
(10:21):
you say, your wife, who is that the loving disposition
has assaulted him twice in what way she struck him savagely.
This made the larees had been with your wife even
before your marriage.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
I take it. Oh, yes, quite some time. Then she
might know more about your wife's character.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Than you yourself. I suppose so.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
Well.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
I fancy I may be of more use at Lamberley
than here. It's eminently a case for personal investigation. If
the lady remains in her room, our presence cannot annoy
or inconvenience. It's what I'd hope to hear you say,
mister Holmes. There's an excellent tree from Victoria too, If
you could manage it with pleasure?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
What comes well us?
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Of course, of course, there are just one or two
points I should like to be sure about before we start. Yes,
this unhappy lady, as I understand it, has appeared to
assault both her own baby and your son. That's so,
But the assaults have taken different forms. Did she give
no explanation why she'd beaten your son, only that she
(11:25):
hated him? Oh, it's not uncommon among stepmothers, you know.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I know there's never been any love between them. Is
your wife jealous by nature? Highly?
Speaker 1 (11:35):
But the boy he's fifteen, I understand, yes, and probably
very developed in mind, since his body has been circumscribed
in action, didn't he explain the assaults? He could find
no reason to see, no doubt you and the boy
were great comrades before this second marriage. Oh yes, indeed
(11:56):
he was my greatest comfort after the loss of my
first wife, and the boy remained devoted to the memory
of his mother.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Most devoted, Most interesting lad. Now I have one final
inquiry to make of you.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Yes, were the strange attacks on the baby and the
assaults on your son made at the same time?
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (12:17):
Ah.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
In the first case, that is, it was as if
as if some friends he had seized her, and she
vented her rage on both of them. But on the
second occasion, when she attacked my son, she made no
attempt on the baby. Oh well, that certainly complicates mathis
I don't quite follow you personally, Not one forms provisional
(12:39):
theories and waits for time or fuller acknowledgment displurred them. However,
I'll only say at this stage that your problem does
not appear to me to be insoluble. The entrance from
Horse in which Bob Ferguson.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Dwelt proved to be a large, straggling place, very old
in the center very new wings.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
An odor of.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Age and decay pervaded the whole crumbling building. The large
central room into which Ferguson letters was a most singular mixture.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
The half paneled walls.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
May well have belonged to the original Yeoman farmer of
the seventeenth century. They were ornamented, however, on the lower
part by a line of world chosen modern watercolors, while above,
where a yellow plaster took the place of oak, there
was hung a fine collection of South American weapons, which
had been brought no doubt by the peruvial lady.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Holmes, with that.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Quick curiosity which sprang from his eager mind, examined them
with some care, and then turned his attention to a
spaniel which came slowly forward from its basket in the corner.
It walked with difficulty to Ferguson and licked his hand.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Dear me, what's the matter with your dog, mister Pergson.
That's what's puzzling the bight. A sort of paralysis, spinal meningitis,
he thought. But it's passing, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Boy. You'll be all right soon.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
Cowly did it come on suddenly and a single night,
how long ago, about four months, very remarkable, very suggested.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
What you mean, mister Holmes, It confirms what I'd already thought.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
For Heaven's sake, what do you think? Look here?
Speaker 1 (14:35):
This may be just an intellectual puzzle to you, but
it's life and death to me. My wife would be murderer,
my child in constant danger. Don't play with me home.
I'm afraid there is pain for you, mister Ferguson. Whatever
the solution may be, I would spare you all I can.
I can say no more for the moment. But before
I leave this house, I hope I may have something
(14:56):
definite right, Please God, you may I ask your pardon,
mister Holmes, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll go up
to my wife's room and see if there's been in
a change.
Speaker 8 (15:10):
Come on, Carlo, Well, homes a charming our room, Watson.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Just look at those out beads, magnificent homes.
Speaker 9 (15:25):
See that arm past me sixteen seventy, and all these
fascinating weapons and trickies, and this interesting collection.
Speaker 6 (15:35):
My dear Holmes, I do wish to do you, sir,
please me, Yes you are doctor, sir, I am, oh
my mistress, very ill.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
She know what food? Very ill she need? Doctor? You
are delorded? Would your mistress see this gentleman she needs? Sir,
she see him? I say so, But you will not
see mister Percy. Sir.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
But there's of course how girl? Will you have any us?
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Sir? I thank you? Wait thousand times? You follow me? Now, sir? Quick? Oh? Oh,
she like that one day?
Speaker 6 (16:24):
Okay, I've already she died, lorriss.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Is that you the other?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Who are you? I am a doctor? Man? Hey? Doctor?
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Did my husband send for you? Where is he? He's
in the house. He's only waiting for you to say
you will see him?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
No, No, I will not. Oh what shall I do?
Speaker 1 (16:48):
What shall I do.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
In this thing?
Speaker 7 (16:51):
This demo?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Madam? I'm here to help you. No, I'm gonna it
is finished?
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Tolling this true? Ever I do?
Speaker 2 (17:02):
This is true? No, madam, Your husband loves you dearly.
He is deeply grieved at what has happened. Do I
not love him?
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Then?
Speaker 6 (17:11):
Do I not love him enough to sacrifice myself rather
than break.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
His dear heart?
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Doctor, that is how I love him.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
And yet he can think such things of me, speak
of me in such a way.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Oh, ma'am. He doesn't understand. He does not understand, but
he should trust me.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
No, No, I cannot forget those terrible words, nor we
look on his face. But I can promise you, mad no,
I will not see him go away. You can do
nothing for me. Well tell him only one thing.
Speaker 6 (17:54):
I want my child.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I have a right to my child.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
That is the only consent to do. Oh the diffult?
Can I send the child to her? How do I
know what you might do to it? Well, I'll never
never forget seeing her beside it with its blood on
her lips.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
No child stays with missus Mason.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
Where you see? Oh, Daddy, Jackie, my boy, come in, lad,
I didn't know you were home yet, Daddy, I'd have
been here to meet you.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
That's all right, old Chad.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I came home early because my friends mister Holmes and
doctor Watson have come to spend an evening with us. Hello, Jackie,
is that mister Holmes the detective?
Speaker 2 (18:52):
None other? My boy? How do you do, Jackie?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And what about your other child? At the Peginston I
make the acquaintance of the baby. Come on, Oh what
big pardon sir? Wait, no wait, missus Mason, don't go
very good sir, I just bought baby phrase.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Good night, Sir.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
I didn't know he was engaged here he is, mister Holmes,
your requested dain do in an instant?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Isn't he a fine little failure? Je mister Holmes home?
What do you think of it?
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (19:39):
My word? Yes? Yes, his father miniature? Do you think so? Hey?
Whatsn't well? Well? Jackie?
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I'm sure you like your little brother. Jackie has a
very strong likes and dislikes. Luckily I am one of
his likes?
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Am I not glad you know you are? Daddy? Thank you,
missus Mason, sir, good night, little one.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
You'll keep him safe, dear little thing.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Fancy anyone having the hat to hurt him? Right right now?
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Go along, Jackie. These gentlemen and I have important letters
to discuss.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
All right, Daddy, don't be too long? Oh I won't
h poor boy.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
If mister Holmes, I'm beginning to feel that I brought
you on a fool's land? What can you possibly do?
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Say? Give me your sympathy.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
This whole affair must appear the most exceedingly delicate and complex.
It is certainly delicate, but I haven't been struck up
to now. But its complexity, have you not. It's been
a case for intellectual deduction. But when this intellectual deduction
is confirmed by point, by quite a number of independent incidents,
then we can say confidently that we have reached our
(21:20):
girl reached, Sir, I had in fact reached it before
we left Baker Street. The rest has merely been observation
and confirmation. For Haydn's sake, Holmes, if you can see
the trust in this matter, don't keep me in suspense.
What's it all come to? What shall I do about it?
I don't give a hang how you've found your facts?
So long as you really have found them, Well, certainly
(21:42):
I owe you an explanation, and you shall have it.
But you'll permit me to handle the matter in my
own way.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
But I don't say. Is missus Ferguson capable of seeing
a Spotson?
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Well, she's ill that she's quite rational.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
Yes, very good.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
It's only in her presence that we can clear the
matter up.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Let's go for her.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
But she won't see me, Oh yes she will. Oh,
excuse me one moment, mister Ferguson, my life, Just right
this Watson, You at least have the old tray, have
the goodness to give the lady this note, mister Ferguson,
(22:23):
and I will follow in two or three minutes. I
fancy she'll be ready enough to receive us by then.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Come in, gentlemen, please come in see you darling.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
No you're not but home all in good time, mister Ferguson. Oh,
I think we can dispense what the lauries. No, she
must stay or you must go.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Very well, madam, that is what you wish now, mister Ferguson.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
I'm a busy man with many calls on my time,
and my methods had to be shortened direct The swiftest
surgery is the least painful. That they first say, what
will ease your mind?
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Your wife is.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
A very good, a very loving, and a very ill
used woman. Mister Holmes, prove that I'm in your date
for life. I will, But in doing so I must
wound you deeply in another direction. Why I don't care
so long as you cleared my wife. Everything else on
else is insignificant.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Prior to that.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Then, let me tell you the train of reasoning which
passed through my mind in Baker Street. The idea of
a vampire was absurd to me. Such things do not
happen in criminal practice in England. And yet your observation
was precise. You had seen the lady rise from beside
the child's caught with blood on her lips. I did.
Didn't it occur to you that a bleeding wound may
be sucked for other reasons than to draw the blood
(23:50):
from it? What wasn't there a queen in English history
who sucked such a wound to draw poison from it?
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Poison? Here?
Speaker 1 (23:59):
It was a South America household. My instincts felt the
presence of those weapons on your walls downstairs before my
eyes ever saw them. It might have been some other poison,
but that was what occurred to me when I saw
that little empty quiver beside the bird bow down there.
It was just what I expected to see. What do
you say if the child were pricked with one of
(24:20):
those arrows dipped in currari or some other devilish drug,
it would mean death if the venom were not sucked down,
I don't understand. And the dog, if one were to
use such a poison, wouldn't one try it first in
order to see that it hadn't lost its power? I
didn't foresee the dog, but at least I understood why
he was crippled, and he fitted into my reconstruction. Now
(24:42):
do you understand your wife feared such an attack. She
saw it made and saved the baby's life, and yet
she shrank from killing you all the truth. But she
knew how you loved the boy and feared it might
break your heart. The boy, Jackie, I watched him as
you fondled the baby downstairs just now. His face was
(25:04):
clearly reflected in the glass.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Of the window where a shutter from the background.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as I have.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Seldom seen in a human face.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Why Jackie, mister Ferguson, It's more painful for you because
it is love, a distorted, niacal, exaggerated love that has
prompted his action, love for you and possibly for his
dead mother. Oh, his very soul is consumed with hatred
for that delightful baby. It's health and beauty are a
(25:35):
contrast to his own weakness.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
It's incredible. Have I spoken the truth, Madam? How could
I tell you the truth?
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Bob?
Speaker 2 (25:45):
I knew what blow it would be to you. I
could not. I could not tell you.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
I understand, Oh, my Darling, I hadn't the feast.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
To trust you. I suspected you at once.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
I accused you call you those vile names no more, dear, But.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
You were not to know.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
I think a year at sea would be my prescription
for Master Jackie. Mister ferguson By, You're right. Only one
thing puzzles me still, Madam. Yes, how could you dare
to remain silent and leave your baby open to another attack?
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (26:22):
I had told missus Mason everything she knew.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Ah, I thought this much, by Darling, What a dreadful
experience for you and you.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
I did not know what to do. Who am Watson?
Speaker 1 (26:39):
This I fancy is the time for our exit. If
you will take one elbow the two faithful dolorss what
are you doing to me?
Speaker 2 (26:47):
I will take the other.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
I think we may leave your friend and his wife
to settle the.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Rest between.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
I have only one further note of this case gives
the letter which Holmes wrote in final answer to that
with which my narrative began. It realm Us.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Baker Street, November twenty first read Vampires, Sir. Referring to
your letter the nineteenth, I beg to state that I
have looked into the inquiry of your client, mister Robert
Ferguson of Ferguson and mer Head Tea Brokers of Mincing Lane,
and that the matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
(27:34):
But faiths for your recommendation, I am Sir faithfully yours,
Sherlock Holmes. That was The Sussex Vampire by Michael Hardwick,
based on the short story by Sir Arthur Kernan Doyle.
Sherlock Holmes was laied by Carlton Hobbs and Dr Watson
(27:57):
by Norman Shelley. Production for the BBC was by Graham Gould.
Capable, my dear Watson, let us return to humble a Vos.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Two to one bee Baker to meet his carriage from London.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
We present The Sussex Vampire, a play for radio based
on a short story by Sir Arthur Urnham Doyle, The
Sussex Vampire.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
It was an evening of a dull fogy November day,
Following our usual custom.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Shearlock, Holmes and Eye had.
Speaker 3 (01:30):
Taken a stroll about the streets adjoining Regent's Park. With
the poisonous brown air had driven us back thankfully the
warmth and comfort of the sitting room at two to
one bee Vaga Street. As I stretched out my toes
to the welcoming plays, Holmes read Chaffley a note which
the last post had brought him.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Then, with a.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Dry chuckle, which was his nearest approach to a laugh,
he tossed it over to me.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
But a mixture of the modern and the medieval are
the practical and the wildest sensible.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
I think death is surely the limit what you make
of it wasn't. Let's see.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
Forty six sold Jury, November the nineteenth Sir, our clients
mister Robert Ferguson of Ferguson werehead tea brokers and mincing
Lene has made some inquiry from us in a communication
of even date concerning.
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Vamper vampires go on.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
As our firm specializes entirely upon the assessment of machinery,
the matter hardly comes within our purview, and we have
therefore recommended mister Ferguson to call upon you and lay
the matter of a foil.
Speaker 1 (02:50):
We answer fifthly yours Morrison, Mrrison and Dog. The post
scriptum to that letter which you failed to read out,
my dear advices us that the gentleman himself will be
calling upon us at tennis lot tomorrow morning. I fancy
he may be able to throw some light upon what
(03:11):
he's worrying.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Oh what, you.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
Don't look quite the man you did when I threw
you over the ropes into the crowd at the old
Deer Park.
Speaker 5 (03:23):
Ha Ferguson, it's you. Well, I never one instant connected
the name. It's big Bob Ferguson, Holmes.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
How do you do fines?
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Three point of Richmond ever had in those days? I
paid for that Watson. You amaze me. There's no limity
or versatility. You could scarcely picture me playing Rugger as
you see me, know, mister Holmes, no Watson, But say
it down, mister Ferguson, and tell us what brings you
(03:57):
to us?
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Thank you now.
Speaker 1 (04:00):
Now that's where you live, Lumberless, Sussex, south of Harsham.
The house is called Cheeseman's. I know that part pretty
well full of old houses.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Called out to the men who Builton Oddler's, Harveys, Cantons, Cheesemans.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yes, that's so watsome, but they I am not here
on my own behalf. Oh no, I'm acting for a friend.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I see her pay left has had the particular Yes,
this gentleman married some five years ago a Peruvian lady.
He'd met her during a business trip to South America.
She is very beautiful, but well, what with her alien
(04:47):
ways and so on, it seems as though there are
sides of her character that he can never hope to explore.
In short, he's come to regard their union as a mistake.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
I see.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
He remains as loving and devoted a wife as a
man could wish for. But at the same time she's
begun to show some curious traits quite unlike her general
nature of what kind Well, my friend had been married before.
There's a son of fifteen by the first marriage, a
charming and affectionate lad, unfortunately partially crippled in a childhood accident. Now,
(05:27):
on two occasions, my friend's pleasant wife had been caught
in the act of assaulting this poor lad in the
most unprovoked way.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Good helms.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
There's also child of the present marriage, a dear little
boy just under a year old. On one occasion, about
a month ago, this child had been left by its
nurse for a few minutes. A loud cry from the
baby caught her back. As she ran into the room,
she saw her employer, my friend's wife, leaning over the
(05:59):
baby and apparently biting its neck. Horrible there was a
small wound in the neck, from which a stream of
blood ran down. The nurse was so horrified that she
started to call for the husband, but the lady implored
her not to, and actually gave her five pounds to
keep silent.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
I continue, mister Persian.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
As you can imagine, this made a terrible impression on
the nurse's mind, and she began to keep a close
watch on her mistress. It began to seem to her
that even as she watched the mother so the mother
watched her, and that every time she was compelled to
leave the baby, the mother was waiting to get at it.
(06:44):
Day and night the nurse covered the child, and day
and night the watchful mother seemed to be lying in.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Wait as the wolf waits for a lamb.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Incredible, Yes, that's how it must sound to you, Watson.
Yet I am not exaggerating when I say that a
child's life and a man's sanity may depend on it.
My friend well remembers the day when the nurse's nerve
gave way and she told him everything. To him, it
seemed as wild a tale as it may now.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
Send to you.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
He knew his wife to be a loving wife and
a loving mother, then why should she assault her steps
and wound her own dear little baby. He told the
nurse that she was dreaming that such libels upon her
mistress were not to be tolerated. Whilst they were talking,
a sudden cry of pain was held. The nurse and
(07:39):
master rushed to the nursery together. Imagined his feelings as
he saw his wife rise from a kneeling position beside
the cot, and saw blood upon the child's exposed neck
and on the sheet with a cry of horror. He
turned his wife's face to the light, and salt blood
all round her lips. It was she, beyond all questions,
(08:02):
who had drunk the.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Poor baby's blood. Great heavens, So who matter stands?
Speaker 1 (08:09):
And and my friend appeals to you, mister Holmes. His
wife is now confined to a room. He himself is
half demented. Eight it's vampiresm mister Holmes, mister Ferguson, I
will examine your case with pleasure. My oh, no, no answer.
(08:30):
This agency is not a home for the weak minded.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
I see.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
It's no use my pretending to be anyone's deputy. It
is simpler to deal direct. Forgive me, mister Holmes. You
can imagine how difficult it is when you're speaking of
the one woman you're bound to protect. Help I understand? Then?
What am I to do? How am I to go
to the police with the story like this? And yet
(08:56):
I must protect those youngsters? Is it a mad miss,
mister Holmes, something in her blood? Have you experience of
any case like it? For pity's sake, give me some advice.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
I'm at the wits end.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Now sit here and pull your.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Set together, Mister Ferguson, and just give me a cute,
clear answer. Yes, yes, of course.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
I can assure you that I am very far from
being at my wits end, and I am confident we
shall find some solution. Tell me what happened after you
discovered your wife in the sect. We had a dreadful scene.
I suppose I raved at her. She seems horrified. She
wouldn't even speak.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
She only looked.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
At me in a wild, despairing sort of way. Then
she rushed to her room and locked herself in. Since
then she's refused to see me. Who attends to her
once a maid delorys also beloved. Yes, she's been with
my wife for some years. She's more a friend than
a servant. And the child, the baby, the nurses sworn
(09:59):
to me that she will not he night or day.
As for poor Jack, the inoffensive little cripple, I only
hope if she comes out of her room, he won't
happen to be near the hand. What exactly is his
complaint for some injury to the spine? He can get about,
but only in a limited sort of way. And yet
(10:21):
you say, your wife, who is that the loving disposition
has assaulted him twice in what way she struck him savagely.
This made the larees had been with your wife even
before your marriage.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
I take it. Oh, yes, quite some time. Then she
might know more about your wife's character.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Than you yourself. I suppose so.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
Well.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
I fancy I may be of more use at Lamberley
than here. It's eminently a case for personal investigation. If
the lady remains in her room, our presence cannot annoy
or inconvenience. It's what I'd hope to hear you say,
mister Holmes. There's an excellent tree from Victoria too, If
you could manage it with pleasure?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
What comes well us?
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Of course, of course, there are just one or two
points I should like to be sure about before we start. Yes,
this unhappy lady, as I understand it, has appeared to
assault both her own baby and your son. That's so,
But the assaults have taken different forms. Did she give
no explanation why she'd beaten your son, only that she
(11:25):
hated him? Oh, it's not uncommon among stepmothers, you know.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I know there's never been any love between them. Is
your wife jealous by nature? Highly?
Speaker 1 (11:35):
But the boy he's fifteen, I understand, yes, and probably
very developed in mind, since his body has been circumscribed
in action, didn't he explain the assaults? He could find
no reason to see, no doubt you and the boy
were great comrades before this second marriage. Oh yes, indeed
(11:56):
he was my greatest comfort after the loss of my
first wife, and the boy remained devoted to the memory
of his mother.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Most devoted, Most interesting lad. Now I have one final
inquiry to make of you.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Yes, were the strange attacks on the baby and the
assaults on your son made at the same time?
Speaker 2 (12:16):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (12:17):
Ah.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
In the first case, that is, it was as if
as if some friends he had seized her, and she
vented her rage on both of them. But on the
second occasion, when she attacked my son, she made no
attempt on the baby. Oh well, that certainly complicates mathis
I don't quite follow you personally, Not one forms provisional
(12:39):
theories and waits for time or fuller acknowledgment displurred them. However,
I'll only say at this stage that your problem does
not appear to me to be insoluble. The entrance from
Horse in which Bob Ferguson.
Speaker 3 (12:53):
Dwelt proved to be a large, straggling place, very old
in the center very new wings.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
An odor of.
Speaker 3 (13:02):
Age and decay pervaded the whole crumbling building. The large
central room into which Ferguson letters was a most singular mixture.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
The half paneled walls.
Speaker 3 (13:12):
May well have belonged to the original Yeoman farmer of
the seventeenth century. They were ornamented, however, on the lower
part by a line of world chosen modern watercolors, while above,
where a yellow plaster took the place of oak, there
was hung a fine collection of South American weapons, which
had been brought no doubt by the peruvial lady.
Speaker 1 (13:35):
Holmes, with that.
Speaker 3 (13:36):
Quick curiosity which sprang from his eager mind, examined them
with some care, and then turned his attention to a
spaniel which came slowly forward from its basket in the corner.
It walked with difficulty to Ferguson and licked his hand.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
Dear me, what's the matter with your dog, mister Pergson.
That's what's puzzling the bight. A sort of paralysis, spinal meningitis,
he thought. But it's passing, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Boy. You'll be all right soon.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
Cowly did it come on suddenly and a single night,
how long ago, about four months, very remarkable, very suggested.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
What you mean, mister Holmes, It confirms what I'd already thought.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
For Heaven's sake, what do you think? Look here?
Speaker 1 (14:35):
This may be just an intellectual puzzle to you, but
it's life and death to me. My wife would be murderer,
my child in constant danger. Don't play with me home.
I'm afraid there is pain for you, mister Ferguson. Whatever
the solution may be, I would spare you all I can.
I can say no more for the moment. But before
I leave this house, I hope I may have something
(14:56):
definite right, Please God, you may I ask your pardon,
mister Holmes, if you'll excuse me, gentlemen, I'll go up
to my wife's room and see if there's been in
a change.
Speaker 8 (15:10):
Come on, Carlo, Well, homes a charming our room, Watson.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Just look at those out beads, magnificent homes.
Speaker 9 (15:25):
See that arm past me sixteen seventy, and all these
fascinating weapons and trickies, and this interesting collection.
Speaker 6 (15:35):
My dear Holmes, I do wish to do you, sir,
please me, Yes you are doctor, sir, I am, oh
my mistress, very ill.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
She know what food? Very ill she need? Doctor? You
are delorded? Would your mistress see this gentleman she needs? Sir,
she see him? I say so, But you will not
see mister Percy. Sir.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
But there's of course how girl? Will you have any us?
Speaker 1 (16:10):
Sir? I thank you? Wait thousand times? You follow me? Now, sir? Quick? Oh? Oh,
she like that one day?
Speaker 6 (16:24):
Okay, I've already she died, lorriss.
Speaker 1 (16:31):
Is that you the other?
Speaker 2 (16:34):
Who are you? I am a doctor? Man? Hey? Doctor?
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Did my husband send for you? Where is he? He's
in the house. He's only waiting for you to say
you will see him?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
No, No, I will not. Oh what shall I do?
Speaker 1 (16:48):
What shall I do.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
In this thing?
Speaker 7 (16:51):
This demo?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Madam? I'm here to help you. No, I'm gonna it
is finished?
Speaker 1 (16:58):
Tolling this true? Ever I do?
Speaker 2 (17:02):
This is true? No, madam, Your husband loves you dearly.
He is deeply grieved at what has happened. Do I
not love him?
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Then?
Speaker 6 (17:11):
Do I not love him enough to sacrifice myself rather
than break.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
His dear heart?
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Yes?
Speaker 1 (17:17):
Doctor, that is how I love him.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
And yet he can think such things of me, speak
of me in such a way.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Oh, ma'am. He doesn't understand. He does not understand, but
he should trust me.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
No, No, I cannot forget those terrible words, nor we
look on his face. But I can promise you, mad no,
I will not see him go away. You can do
nothing for me. Well tell him only one thing.
Speaker 6 (17:54):
I want my child.
Speaker 2 (17:57):
I have a right to my child.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
That is the only consent to do. Oh the diffult?
Can I send the child to her? How do I
know what you might do to it? Well, I'll never
never forget seeing her beside it with its blood on
her lips.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
No child stays with missus Mason.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
Where you see? Oh, Daddy, Jackie, my boy, come in, lad,
I didn't know you were home yet, Daddy, I'd have
been here to meet you.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
That's all right, old Chad.
Speaker 1 (18:41):
I came home early because my friends mister Holmes and
doctor Watson have come to spend an evening with us. Hello, Jackie,
is that mister Holmes the detective?
Speaker 2 (18:52):
None other? My boy? How do you do, Jackie?
Speaker 1 (18:57):
And what about your other child? At the Peginston I
make the acquaintance of the baby. Come on, Oh what
big pardon sir? Wait, no wait, missus Mason, don't go
very good sir, I just bought baby phrase.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
Good night, Sir.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
I didn't know he was engaged here he is, mister Holmes,
your requested dain do in an instant?
Speaker 2 (19:25):
Isn't he a fine little failure? Je mister Holmes home?
What do you think of it?
Speaker 1 (19:39):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (19:39):
My word? Yes? Yes, his father miniature? Do you think so? Hey?
Whatsn't well? Well? Jackie?
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I'm sure you like your little brother. Jackie has a
very strong likes and dislikes. Luckily I am one of
his likes?
Speaker 2 (20:05):
Am I not glad you know you are? Daddy? Thank you,
missus Mason, sir, good night, little one.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
You'll keep him safe, dear little thing.
Speaker 2 (20:25):
Fancy anyone having the hat to hurt him? Right right now?
Speaker 1 (20:31):
Go along, Jackie. These gentlemen and I have important letters
to discuss.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
All right, Daddy, don't be too long? Oh I won't
h poor boy.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
If mister Holmes, I'm beginning to feel that I brought
you on a fool's land? What can you possibly do?
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Say? Give me your sympathy.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
This whole affair must appear the most exceedingly delicate and complex.
It is certainly delicate, but I haven't been struck up
to now. But its complexity, have you not. It's been
a case for intellectual deduction. But when this intellectual deduction
is confirmed by point, by quite a number of independent incidents,
then we can say confidently that we have reached our
(21:20):
girl reached, Sir, I had in fact reached it before
we left Baker Street. The rest has merely been observation
and confirmation. For Haydn's sake, Holmes, if you can see
the trust in this matter, don't keep me in suspense.
What's it all come to? What shall I do about it?
I don't give a hang how you've found your facts?
So long as you really have found them, Well, certainly
(21:42):
I owe you an explanation, and you shall have it.
But you'll permit me to handle the matter in my
own way.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
But I don't say. Is missus Ferguson capable of seeing
a Spotson?
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Well, she's ill that she's quite rational.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
Yes, very good.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
It's only in her presence that we can clear the
matter up.
Speaker 2 (21:59):
Let's go for her.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
But she won't see me, Oh yes she will. Oh,
excuse me one moment, mister Ferguson, my life, Just right
this Watson, You at least have the old tray, have
the goodness to give the lady this note, mister Ferguson,
(22:23):
and I will follow in two or three minutes. I
fancy she'll be ready enough to receive us by then.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Come in, gentlemen, please come in see you darling.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
No you're not but home all in good time, mister Ferguson. Oh,
I think we can dispense what the lauries. No, she
must stay or you must go.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
Very well, madam, that is what you wish now, mister Ferguson.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
I'm a busy man with many calls on my time,
and my methods had to be shortened direct The swiftest
surgery is the least painful. That they first say, what
will ease your mind?
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Your wife is.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
A very good, a very loving, and a very ill
used woman. Mister Holmes, prove that I'm in your date
for life. I will, But in doing so I must
wound you deeply in another direction. Why I don't care
so long as you cleared my wife. Everything else on
else is insignificant.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Prior to that.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Then, let me tell you the train of reasoning which
passed through my mind in Baker Street. The idea of
a vampire was absurd to me. Such things do not
happen in criminal practice in England. And yet your observation
was precise. You had seen the lady rise from beside
the child's caught with blood on her lips. I did.
Didn't it occur to you that a bleeding wound may
be sucked for other reasons than to draw the blood
(23:50):
from it? What wasn't there a queen in English history
who sucked such a wound to draw poison from it?
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Poison? Here?
Speaker 1 (23:59):
It was a South America household. My instincts felt the
presence of those weapons on your walls downstairs before my
eyes ever saw them. It might have been some other poison,
but that was what occurred to me when I saw
that little empty quiver beside the bird bow down there.
It was just what I expected to see. What do
you say if the child were pricked with one of
(24:20):
those arrows dipped in currari or some other devilish drug,
it would mean death if the venom were not sucked down,
I don't understand. And the dog, if one were to
use such a poison, wouldn't one try it first in
order to see that it hadn't lost its power? I
didn't foresee the dog, but at least I understood why
he was crippled, and he fitted into my reconstruction. Now
(24:42):
do you understand your wife feared such an attack. She
saw it made and saved the baby's life, and yet
she shrank from killing you all the truth. But she
knew how you loved the boy and feared it might
break your heart. The boy, Jackie, I watched him as
you fondled the baby downstairs just now. His face was
(25:04):
clearly reflected in the glass.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Of the window where a shutter from the background.
Speaker 1 (25:09):
I saw such jealousy, such cruel hatred, as I have.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Seldom seen in a human face.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
Why Jackie, mister Ferguson, It's more painful for you because
it is love, a distorted, niacal, exaggerated love that has
prompted his action, love for you and possibly for his
dead mother. Oh, his very soul is consumed with hatred
for that delightful baby. It's health and beauty are a
(25:35):
contrast to his own weakness.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
It's incredible. Have I spoken the truth, Madam? How could
I tell you the truth?
Speaker 1 (25:44):
Bob?
Speaker 2 (25:45):
I knew what blow it would be to you. I
could not. I could not tell you.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
I understand, Oh, my Darling, I hadn't the feast.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
To trust you. I suspected you at once.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
I accused you call you those vile names no more, dear, But.
Speaker 2 (26:04):
You were not to know.
Speaker 1 (26:07):
I think a year at sea would be my prescription
for Master Jackie. Mister ferguson By, You're right. Only one
thing puzzles me still, Madam. Yes, how could you dare
to remain silent and leave your baby open to another attack?
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (26:22):
I had told missus Mason everything she knew.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Ah, I thought this much, by Darling, What a dreadful
experience for you and you.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
I did not know what to do. Who am Watson?
Speaker 1 (26:39):
This I fancy is the time for our exit. If
you will take one elbow the two faithful dolorss what
are you doing to me?
Speaker 2 (26:47):
I will take the other.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
I think we may leave your friend and his wife
to settle the.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Rest between.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
I have only one further note of this case gives
the letter which Holmes wrote in final answer to that
with which my narrative began. It realm Us.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
Baker Street, November twenty first read Vampires, Sir. Referring to
your letter the nineteenth, I beg to state that I
have looked into the inquiry of your client, mister Robert
Ferguson of Ferguson and mer Head Tea Brokers of Mincing Lane,
and that the matter has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
(27:34):
But faiths for your recommendation, I am Sir faithfully yours,
Sherlock Holmes. That was The Sussex Vampire by Michael Hardwick,
based on the short story by Sir Arthur Kernan Doyle.
Sherlock Holmes was laied by Carlton Hobbs and Dr Watson
(27:57):
by Norman Shelley. Production for the BBC was by Graham Gould.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.