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July 6, 2025 26 mins
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1927 publication of “The Adventure of Schoscombe Old Place” was dramatized by the BBC for radio broadcast.
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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Us can go in there or reckon, we can't. We're
not rest easy till we get to the bottom of this.
Wait out here for me if you like, No, I
count well, no money, I want nothing say we can
be getting back? What's that over there? Huh? When here?

(00:27):
Oh that's funny, it's boones bones can come The secrets
of an ancient grave set my friend Sharlock Holmes a puzzle.
My name is Watson, Doctor Watson, and I was privileged
to share the adventures of Charlock Holmes. I will tell

(00:49):
you what happened at sostom Old Place, where my long
standing interest in horses er er uh race horses was
turned to good account. As you will see a moment.
You know something of racing, don't you, Watson Hi al to.
I pay for it with about half the woone pension.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
Then I'll make you my handic guide to the turf.
Does the name Sir Robert Norburton recall anything? It is
Amel Place. Norburton nearly came within your province once.

Speaker 1 (01:21):
Oh how is that? It was? When he horsewhipped sambro
a curtain street money lender on new Muggy Heath nearly
killed him. He sounds interesting does he often indulged in
that way? He has the name of being a dangerous man,
a great eye for the ladies, boxer athlete and about
the most dead evil rider in the country. They say

(01:43):
that what he's lost on the turf has got him
so far down Queer Street that you maniver find his
way back again.

Speaker 2 (01:48):
Capital Watson an admirable thumbnail sketch. Now can you give
me some idea of Shostomel Place?

Speaker 1 (01:55):
Well, only it's in the middle of Shoskhombe Park in Berkshire.
Shosombs start in training quarters there and the head trainer
is John Mason, who they didn't look so surprised, my
dear Watson, he was due here some minutes ago. But
do let us have some more about Shoscombe. I seem
to have struck a rich fain. Well, the shoskan spanles

(02:16):
your hear of him in every dog show. They're the
special pride of the lady of Shoscombe Old Place, Sir
Robert Norberton's wife. Oh no, no, he's never married. M
just as well, I think, considering his prospect. He lives
with his widowed sister, Lady Beatrice Poulder. Matter of fact,
the place belonged to our late husband. Norbton has no

(02:36):
claim on it at all. When she dies, it reverts
to her husband's brother, so she only has a life
interest in That's right. She draws the rents and Norverton
spends him. So I've heard she's devoted to him. But
what's some MISSI Shoscombe Homes. Ah, that's just what I
want to do. And here I expect he's the man

(02:59):
who can tell us that. Mister Mason, this is my
friend and colleague, doctor Watson. Already do sir, how do
you do? You had my note, mister Roomes, Yes, but
it explain nothing. Uh it was too delicate thing to
put the details on paper and too complicated. Well here
we are at your disposal. Well, first of all, mister Roomes,

(03:25):
I think my employer, Sir Robert Norburn, has gone mad.
This is Baker Street, mister Mason, not Harley Street. But
why do you say that, oh sir? When a man
does one odd thing or two odd things, that may
be a meaning to it. But when everything he does
is odd, and you begin to wonder. I reckon Shoscombe,
Prince and the Derby have turned his brain between her,

(03:46):
Sir Robert has got to win this derby. He's up
to his neck. It's his last chance. Everything he can
raise or borrow is on that horse, and a fine
odds too. Yes, But who's that, mister Mason? The horse
as good as that, We the public don't know how
good he is, doctor Watson. It seems rather a desperate gamble.
But where does the mapness coming? Well, first of all,

(04:06):
if only got to look at him. He's always a
wild he's down at the stables at all hours. And
there's the way he behaves to Lady Beatrice. Oh well,
they've always been the best of friends. She loves the
horses as much as he does. Boy, he shows come
prince when he heard her come eat. He trot out
to the carriage for his lumber sugar every time her.

(04:27):
But that's all over now? Why well, she seems to
have lost all interest for a week now. She's just
driven past the stables without so much as a good morning.
You think there's been a quarrel, ah, a bitter quarrel.
If you ask me, sir, or else would he give
away her pet spaniel? Has h She loved it as
if it were a child, But he gave it away

(04:48):
a few days ago to old Barnes. What keeps the
green dragon down? A krendle strange and Neil, he's all changed,
mister Olmes. Everything's changed and something going on, Mark Murray words,
it's something more than alright that the reserve. Night after
night the Master sneaks off down to the crypt of
the old church. Uh oh, it's an old, ruined chapel

(05:10):
in the park. I see haunted, no doubt, al you, Mary, smile,
mister Holmes. It's had a bad name amongst us for generations.
And he waked there. He goes every night, wet or fine.
You interest me more and more, mister Mason. But how
do you know this? Well? It was my head. Lad
Stevens knows him sneaking off first of all, and told

(05:31):
me it's not of our business, perhaps you'll say, But
we went after him. We waited behind a bush and
saw him go inside the crypt us. This jumping work
or white bread be a bad job versus East Butcher's.

(05:53):
And here's Norish picture of persons when he gets darted. Still,
what I mean to see this out? Oh chahn't say
much from air seek we can go inside and take
a look home on your life years for sure much
we can do. Then follow him home again. We'll never know.
He might be carrying something to give us some idea. Hey,

(06:15):
watch out, he's coming out now. They won't keep down.
Then he'll come past these pushes and gever he'll like shoes.
Well he hadn'ts were empty. So where does it get us?
We don't know. We could he take a look inside.

(06:37):
Now he's gone and inside. Oh you know, John, I'm
on mine, Come on the mask can go in there
or reckon. We can not rest easy till we get
to the bottom of this wait out air for me.
If you like, no, I'll come. Well, you know, weren't here.

(07:04):
I don't want nothing, and that's it. We can be
getting back. Hey, what's that over there? Huh? Where here?
Oh that's funny, h it's boons boones. That couldn't this
coul Oh, it just too You been down here before
a fret m once or twice in daylight. Now always

(07:28):
there's some time back when Master. Then take us to
see those ships that weren't camping out in the place,
and these weren't here. Then you shoot it shut and
shunt it might bitchy, you don't reckon all. Oh they're
old balls, these or the hundreds of years old where
they come from? Or should anyone drag 'em out and

(07:49):
leave 'em lying around like this? Eh? It beats me, Fredy,
it beats me, and beat both of us. That didn't miss?
You left the bones aye going in a corner with
a bit of old board over them. And now i'm
it's rooms. Take a look at this, huh a piece

(08:11):
of the bones? No, sir, not them. This was a
day or two later. There's a heating furnace under Lady
Beach's his room. It had been off for some time,
but Sir Roberts started complaining about the coal, so we
started up again. And the other morning, when one of
the boys was raking out the cinders, he found this bone.
You can see it's being burnt. M What do you

(08:32):
make of this, Watson? Hm? Well, it's human, all right,
the upper condyle of a human female exactly. And mister Mason,
could anyone who wanted to visit the furnace? Why, sir?
It was the Robbitt at home on the night before
the boy found this bone? Er, No, sirr he wasn't
he gone off to London then? Whoever was burning bones?

(08:53):
If it's not he, that's true, sir, if you he
wanted to tell me, No, Sir, I think, sir, that's
about all. Roby a few questions.

Speaker 2 (09:02):
Then when did Sir Robert give away his Sister's gone.

Speaker 1 (09:06):
Just a week ago? To date her? Now, who keeps
Lady Beatrice full the company most of the time, whether
as her maid carry She's been with her about tuh
four years? And he's no doct devoted to our mysterses? Well,
uh oh, she's devoted enough, but it'd I'd rather not
say who too. Huh. Well, I I can't tell title
that sorts her.

Speaker 2 (09:27):
I quite understand from doctor Watson's description of Sir Robert,
I can realize that.

Speaker 1 (09:31):
No woman is safe from him.

Speaker 2 (09:33):
Don't you think the quarrel between brother and sister may
lie there?

Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, this can's been pretty clear for a long time. Yeah,
but she may not have seen it before.

Speaker 2 (09:42):
However, this Gartley accounts to charred Bones and these mysterious
visits to the crypt.

Speaker 1 (09:48):
He's been good fishing in that part of Bokshare. Fishings
are fishing, mister Mason. Well, there're a trout in the
mill stream and poike in the old lake. That's good
in her. Watson and I are famous fisherman, are we
not well? Precisely?

Speaker 2 (10:03):
In fact, you may address us in future at the
Green Dragon.

Speaker 1 (10:06):
I think you said it was called just amazing. We
should reach it.

Speaker 2 (10:10):
Tonight, and he'd hardly say that we'd better not be
seen with you down there.

Speaker 1 (10:15):
But the note will reach us if you wonder. Yes,
thank you, mister Barnes.

Speaker 2 (10:35):
My friend and I are very comfortable, indeed very comfortable.

Speaker 1 (10:39):
But tell me what do you think about the whole
lake and the chance of a fight. All O, No, No,
that wouldn't go daughter, that you might chance to find
yourselves in the lake before you were done portfolio. While
it's Sir Robert Auburton, Sir, he's terrible jealous at Big Martin,

(11:02):
Sir put a few too Stranger's words near his training
quarters is that he'd be after you. Sure as fate.
He ain't taking no chances, Sir Robert Night, I think
I did hear that he has a horse entered for
the dobby. Ah, how good cause it is at all
he's carrying all our money, and Sir Roberts too. By

(11:24):
the way, gentlemen, begging your pardon that is, I suppose
you ain't on the terf yourselves, Oh.

Speaker 2 (11:30):
Nor indeed just two weary Londoners who've said he needs
some good boxer air.

Speaker 1 (11:36):
Well you're in the right place for that. There's a
good deal of it lying about. But mind what I
said about Sir Robert. He's the sort that strikes first
and speaks after the bones. Well, thank you, gentlemen. Oh
mister Barnes, I I wanted to ask you what breed
is that beautiful spaniel I saw in the passage just now? Sir,

(12:00):
that's the real shot gum braider. There ain't up better
in England than that.

Speaker 2 (12:04):
Really, I'm quite a dog fancy on myself. If it's
a fair question, what price for a dog like that?

Speaker 1 (12:12):
Castle? Oh more than OI could Pricer? It was Sir
Robert himself, will give me this one. And I know
that's why you saw he was Toyedo. He'd he'd be
off back to all in a jiffy if for give
me his head. Well, now where you only excuse me, gentlemen? Uh, Well,
Watson are getting some cards in our hands and we

(12:32):
may see our way in a there or two. We'll
ob be back from London soon mustily, I think we
might do well to into the sacred domain tomorrow night
impact to reduce the risk of bodily assault with him
still away, And that there weren't two points I should
like reassure him. So if you when you sell me this, something.

Speaker 2 (12:50):
Happened to be could go which has kept up into
the life of the shaskum myself?

Speaker 1 (12:55):
What was he who biggest consider our data. The brother
no longer visits the beloved invalid's sister. He gives away
her favorite dog, her dog Watson. Does that suggest nothing
to you, loving but the brother's fight, Well it might preserved,

(13:16):
or well there is an alternative. But to continue our
review of the situation from the time that.

Speaker 2 (13:22):
The quarrel began, the lady keeps her room, walters, her habits,
is not seen save when she drives out of her
aid and refuses to stop at the stables, even to
greet her favorite horse.

Speaker 1 (13:33):
That covers the case, Does it not, and save for
the business in the crypt ah, Yes, yes, the crypt
let us suppose that Sir Robert Norburton has done away
with his sis my dear homes. It's out of the
question that.

Speaker 2 (13:46):
It possibly Watson very possibly he's a man of honorable stock,
but you do occasionally find a carrion crow among the eagle.

Speaker 1 (13:55):
Let us argue upon this supposition. For a grew old,
he's utterly in debt and may at any moment be
sold up in his racing stable, seized by his creditors. Granted,
but he could not try the country until he had
realized his fortune, and that fortune.

Speaker 2 (14:09):
Could only be realized by bringing off his wind with
Shostkum prince. Therefore, if he had disposed of his sister,
he would still have to stand his ground. He would
have to get rid of her body in some way,
with the maid as his confidant.

Speaker 1 (14:23):
That would not be impossible.

Speaker 2 (14:25):
The body might be conveyed to the crypto, which is
so seldom visited, and it might later be secretly destroyed
at night on the furnace, leaving behind it such evidence
as we have seen.

Speaker 1 (14:36):
Let's say you to that person, Hm, well, it's he.
He's all possible if you've grant the original supposition. But
that's monstral. I think there's a small experiment which we
might try tomorrow. It may throw some light on the matter.

Speaker 2 (14:49):
Up In the meantime, if we intend to keep up
our characters. I suggest be called for a glass of
wine and build some high converse upon.

Speaker 1 (14:57):
El pa'son River Radio dot Com, your local Rockland counting station. Morning,

(15:17):
Good morning, mister Barns. Well, I should have thought you'd
a menue here of fishing longer for this.

Speaker 2 (15:23):
Well, as a matter of fact, mister Barnes, my friend
here for father foolishly.

Speaker 1 (15:27):
Forgot to pack our spoon.

Speaker 2 (15:29):
Bait for Jack, and as he gathered there's none to
be had here the bout spool just have.

Speaker 1 (15:34):
To forget about the fish. Well, perhaps you'll think of
taking a walk instead, some very nice walking in these
parts there is, ye As a.

Speaker 2 (15:42):
Matter of fact, that's just what they're off to do now.
I was wondering to my fed, but you might be
persuaded to let us take that dog of yours along
with us.

Speaker 1 (15:53):
I don't see why not at all, gentlemen, that will
be a pleasure.

Speaker 3 (15:57):
I think we need the exercise as much as the
dog does.

Speaker 1 (16:10):
This is the place I imagine. Now.

Speaker 2 (16:12):
Those are the gates the entrance to shoskom Old Place.
I learned that the old lady's carriage comes.

Speaker 1 (16:18):
Through here almost precisely every midday, and she starts after
her drive the mid day, and you having frog him
to more than that.

Speaker 2 (16:27):
The carriage has to slow down while the gates are
being open.

Speaker 1 (16:30):
Huh.

Speaker 2 (16:31):
Now when it comes through, and before it gathers speed again,
I want you to stop the coachman of some question.

Speaker 1 (16:55):
Hit all night, I say, fun me her couldn't come
an he's their Robert Norburton at home today. I I
ain't back from London yet. Why see right right up
here away, get mor right home on right on right
him on lady, two of that come here, boy, come here. Huh,

(17:25):
you are too valuable to lose. Well, Watson has stunning
h sunday cause of excitement. Well what did you see? There?
Just seemed to be two of them in the other
made perhaps some old lady. And yet yes, Watson, well
the dog though exactly he recognized his mistress's carriage, but

(17:45):
found a stranger inside it. Dogs don't make mistakes. But
did you notice anything else? Well? I did think that voice, see,
the one that called him to drive on him, sounded
remarkably like a man.

Speaker 2 (17:59):
And I did one more cards I hand, but it
needs careful playing all the same. I think we'll arrange
for another Rondevus the evening with our friend mister John Mason,
and what better.

Speaker 1 (18:10):
Place than the crypt like that? Say very long, mister Romes.
Roberts expected back any minute. Oh very well, mister Mason.
But before you go, could you show us the bones
you spill? Go? Why here in this corner you would

(18:32):
showing your lunch and doctor Watson was here, you saying
why is her? H that's queer? They gone as I expected.
I don't understand, sir.

Speaker 2 (18:43):
I then say, the ashes of them might even now
we found in that friends who told us about.

Speaker 1 (18:48):
Boy in the world. Would anyone want to burn the
bones of a man who's been dead maybe owners a year?

Speaker 2 (18:52):
Yeah, that's what way he had to find out. It
made mean a long search, and we need not detain you.
I then say, we shall get our solution before morning.

Speaker 1 (19:00):
The very good, sir, And I'll be off if you
don't mind. Oh, I don't want master before me missing.
Thank you, miss the Mason. You'll hear from me soon enough.
Uh huh. Now Watson, let us have a closer look
at some of these tools. What do you hope to find?
Homes m I said, what do you hope to find? Ah?
What have we here a coffin on its in made

(19:25):
a leads from the little good hid Unless I'm very
much mistaken recently tempered with. Just let me get my
legs to it.

Speaker 2 (19:35):
Ah, Yes, as I thought, when someone's tried to open
it and succeeded, I should say, m hm, I think uh,
I think we shall now.

Speaker 1 (19:45):
Do the same, with the assistance of my trustee Kimming,
who was prepared homes when in thenurse now just a
poor Watson if you please and me heavy Noddy. Oh,

(20:05):
this is no ancient cobs homes. This is listen, someone's
coming and who the devil? May you be? You hear me?
What are you doing on my property? I also had
a question to ask you, sir Robert Norvitt, Who are you?
I say, I'll with it or by my name is
Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock Holmes. Very well, mister Holmes. Everything can

(20:37):
be explained I as show you I should like to think. So, oh,
come up to the house please and you can judge
for yourself how things stand. You have gone pretty deeply
into my affairs, mister Holmes. Dr Watson, and I should
not have found you where I did, so you'll know
in all probability that I'm running a dark horse for

(20:58):
the Derby, but everything depends on my success. If I win,
all is easy. If I lose, well, I dare not
think of that. I understand the position. I am dependent
upon my sister, Lady Beatrice, for everything. But if I'm not.

Speaker 2 (21:13):
Mistaken, her interest in the estate is for her life,
and you know.

Speaker 1 (21:17):
That to them, well, it is so for my own part.
I deeply in the hands of the money lenders. I've
always known that if my sister were to die, my
creditors would be onto my estate like a flock of butchers.
Everything would be seized. My stable's, my horse and everything. Well,
mister Holmes, my sister did die a week ago. You

(21:41):
don't know one, no doctor, Wat's not old, no one.
M Let me see. If I could only stake things
off until the Darby, all would be well. If your
horse wins, well if he doesn't, in any case, surely
your bets on the race and your expectations from it
would own good. Even if your creditors did seize your
estate also be part of my estate. And my chief

(22:01):
creditor happens to be the same rascally fellow sambreer, my
once was compelled to horsewhip our new market heath giuse up,
he would try to save me. So Robert h, what
did your sister die? Drops him? It has plagued her
for years.

Speaker 2 (22:16):
As a doctor certified toditate Now then surely it is
put the current.

Speaker 1 (22:20):
And to decide not you. I catch your meaning, mister Holmes,
But I assure you many doctor would certify that her
end had been in no doubt for months now. But
it decare just too soon for you. Well, what did
you do? You run? Sir? Ah? Yes, Carrie, come in,
come in knowledge, Sir Miter Holmes. This is my late

(22:46):
sister's maid, carry uh missus Norledge, I should say, and
this is our husband knowledge. How do these are the
two people upon earth who can substantiate what I say?
Very well? The body couldn't remain them the house, even
though there was no need for anyone who went to
her room but the maid. So on the first night
Norled and I carried it out to the old well house.

(23:08):
I disclaim all responsibility as I might expect. However, responsibility
is not yours at all. It happens you concealed the
body in the well house. Yes, then there was a
complication over my sister's spannel. It used to follow her everywhere,
turned up at the well house door, stood there, yapping continuously,
wouldn't go away. So you got ready it to the

(23:29):
landlord of the Green Dragon. Yes, even so, I felt
that some more secure place was needed for her body,
and Norledge and I carried it by night to the cryptive.
There is no indignity or irreverence, mister Holmes. I do
not feel I've wronged the dead rule itt and I
I disclaim right. We opened the coffin, removed the contents,

(23:51):
and placed my sister inside as you have seen her.
As to the old relics, they were burnt in the
central furnace of night. Seemed better than to leave the
blind there for intruders to disturb.

Speaker 2 (24:03):
After that, it was but a case of arranging for
someone to ride daily in your late sister's carriage, wearing
her clothes and keeping up the appearance that she was
still alive and will just so.

Speaker 1 (24:13):
Now let me see who could that have been.

Speaker 2 (24:18):
Mister knowleet, I imagine you disclaim all responsibility in this
as well.

Speaker 1 (24:24):
He impersonated my sister and rode each day beside his wife. Here,
you're quite right, mister.

Speaker 2 (24:29):
Holmes, deceiving everyone except an unhappy dog who wondered.

Speaker 1 (24:33):
Where his mistress had got to and you, it seems it.

Speaker 2 (24:37):
Is my business not to be deceived. It was my
duty to bring the facts to light. And there I
am sleeping. As to the morality or decency of your
own conduct.

Speaker 1 (24:48):
It is not for me to express. Oh there you are, Watson.
I thought I had you grow out a few minutes ago.
I did, Fellow, Really, Watson, you've been uncommonly excited all afternoon.
Hester now you're looking as smug as a well filled cat. Pray,

(25:11):
let me into your secret. You know what today's home? Today? Today?

Speaker 2 (25:16):
Christmas Easterns and swithins. I see nothing remarkable about it.

Speaker 1 (25:22):
It's derby day. The derby was run this afternoon. Really,
is that all? I should hesitate? A boil with the particulars?
The derby was won by a horse named Shoscombe Prince,
which doctors heard he carried with him the basing of

(25:43):
my month's wound pension. That is all. The name is familiar.

Speaker 2 (25:49):
Eh my dear Watson, do come and give me the
benefit of your opinion upon this best? Really, if it
were not to the microscope, I do not believe we
should achieve half the results we managed to
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