Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

00:03 Welcome to Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. I'm Hugh Bonneville, and from the Noiser Podcast Network, this is The Adventure of the Three Garidebs, Part 2. 00:14 Last time, Holmes and Watson met an eccentric London collector, Nathan Garideb, and an American stranger with an extraordinary tale. 00:25 If three men sharing the same surname could be found, a fortune awaited them all. 00:31 Now, as Holmes closes in on the truth, he uncovers a plot built on greed and false identity. 00:38 And when the con unravels, a gun is drawn, leading to a potentially deadly end to the case. 00:46 We join the story with the American John Garideb giving Nathan an important document, one that could be worth a fortune. 01:06 The American lawyer handed over the paper to our client, who stood staring at a marked advertisement. 01:13 Holmes and I leaned forward and read it over his shoulder. This is how it ran. 01:21 Howard Garideb, constructor of agricultural machinery, binders, reapers, steam and hand plows, drills, harrows, farmers' carts, buckboards and all other appliances. Estimates for artesian wells. Apply Grosvenor Buildings Aston. 01:43 "'Glorious!' gasped our host. "'That makes our third man!' "'I had opened up inquiries in Birmingham,' said the American. "'And my agent there has sent me this advertisement from a local paper.' "'We must hustle and put the thing through. I have written to this man and told him that you will see him in his office tomorrow afternoon at four o'clock.' "'You want me to see him?' "'What do you say, Mr. Holmes? Don't you think it would be wiser?' "'Here am I, a wandering American with a wonderful tail. 02:19 Why should he believe what I'd tell him?' But you are a Britisher with solid references, and he is bound to take notice of what you say. 02:30 I would go with you if you wished, but I have a very busy day tomorrow, and I could always follow you if you are in any trouble.' "'Well, I have not made such a journey for years.' "'It is nothing, Mr. Garadab. "'I have figured out our connections. "'You leave at twelve and shall be there soon after two. "'Then you can be back the same night. "'All you have to do is to see this man, "'explain the matter, and get an affidavit of his existence.' By the Lord, he added hotly, considering I've come all the way from the center of America, it is surely little enough if you go a hundred miles in order to put this matter through. 03:11 Quite so, said Holmes. I think what this gentleman says is very true. 03:18 Mr. Nathan Garadeb shrugged his shoulders with a disconsolate air. 03:23 Well, if you insist, I shall go, said he. 03:28 It is certainly hard for me to refuse you anything, considering the glory of hope that you have brought into my life. 03:36 Then that is agreed, said Holmes, and no doubt you will let me have a report as soon as you can. 03:43 I'll see to that, said the Americans. 03:49 "'Well,' he added, looking at his watch, "'I'll have to get on. I'll call tomorrow, Mr. Nathan, and see you off to Birmingham.' "'Coming my way, Mr. Holmes?' "'Well, then, good-bye, and we may have good news for you tomorrow night.' I noticed that my friend's face cleared when the American left the room, and the look of thoughtful perplexity had vanished. 04:15 "'I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. Garadeb,' said he. "'In my profession all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of yours is a storehouse of it.' Our client shone with pleasure, and his eyes gleamed from behind his big glasses. 04:34 "'I had always heard, sir, that you were a very intelligent man,' said he. "'I could take you round now, if you have the time.' "'Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens are so well labelled and classified that they hardly need your personal explanation. If I should be able to look in tomorrow, I presume that there would be no objection to my glancing over them?' "'None at all. You are most welcome. The place will, of course, be shut up, but Mrs. Saunders is in the basement up to four o'clock and would let you in with her key.' "'Well, I happen to be clear to-morrow afternoon. 05:15 If you would say a word to Mrs. Saunders, it would be quite in order. By the way, who is your house-agent?' Our client was amazed at the sudden question. 05:25 "'Halloway and Steele in the Edgware Road, but why?' 05:30 "'I am a bit of an archaeologist myself when it comes to houses,' said Holmes, laughing. "'I was wondering if this was Queen Anne or Georgian.' "'Georgian, beyond doubt.' Really? I should have thought a little earlier. However, it is easily ascertained. Well, goodbye, Mr Garadeb, and may you have every success in your Birmingham journey. 06:01 This September, on the Noiser Podcast Network. On Jane Austen Stories, Dame Julie Andrews continues to bring Austen's beloved classic Emma to life. 06:11 On Short History Of, we're in medieval England for the fascinating story of the Peasants' Revolt. And 25 years on from 9-11, we're on the ground in New York City. On Real Survival Stories, we're on a luscious winery in Northwest America and venturing into a missile silo in the dead of night as the US is threatened with nuclear disaster. 06:31 And in Sherlock Holmes' Short Stories, get two episodes each week as Hugh Bonneville explores Conan Doyle's great novel, A Study in Scarlet. 06:40 Get all of these shows and more early and ad-free on Noiser Plus. 06:49 The house agents was close by, but we found that it was closed for the day, so we made our way back to Baker Street. 06:55 It was not till after dinner that Holmes reverted to the subject. "'Our little problem draws to a close,' said he. 07:07 No doubt you have outlined the solution in your own mind.' "'I can make neither head nor tail of it.' "'The head is surely clear enough, and the tail we should see tomorrow. 07:20 Did you notice nothing curious about that advertisement?' I saw that the word plough was misspelt. 07:28 Oh, you did notice that, did you? Come, Watson, you improve all the time. Yes, it was bad English, but good American. 07:38 The printer had set it up as received, then the buckboards... 07:43 "'That is American also, and artesian wells are commoner with them than with us. 07:51 It was a typical American advertisement, but purporting to be from an English firm. What do you make of that?' "'I can only suppose that this American lawyer put it in himself. What his object was I failed to understand.' Well, there are alternative explanations. Anyhow, he wanted to get this good old fossil up to Birmingham, that is very clear. I might have told him that he was clearly going on a wild goose chase, but on second thought it seemed better to clear the stage by letting him go. 08:27 Tomorrow, Watson? 08:29 Well, tomorrow will speak for itself." Holmes was up and out early. When he returned at lunchtime I noticed that his face was very grave. "'This is a more serious matter than I had expected, Watson,' said he. "'It is fair to tell you so, though I know it will only be an additional reason to you for running your head into danger.' "'I should know my Watson by now, but there is danger, and you should know it.' "'Well, it is not the first we have shared, Holmes. 09:07 I hope it may not be the last. What is the particular danger this time?' "'We are up against a very hard case. 09:16 I have identified Mr. John Garideb, Councillor at Law. He is none other than Killer Evans of sinister and murderous reputation.' "'I fear I am none the wiser.' "'Ah! 09:31 It is not part of your profession to carry about a portable Newgate calendar in your memory.' I have been down to see friend Lestrade at the yard. There may be an occasional want of imaginative intuition down there, but they lead the world for thoroughness and method.' I had an idea that we might get on the track of our American friend in their records. Sure enough, I found his chubby face smiling up at me from the rogue's portrait gallery. 10:02 James Winter, alias Moorcroft, alias Killer Evans, was the inscription below. 10:10 Holmes drew an envelope from his pocket. 10:14 I scribbled down a few points from his dossier. Aged 44, native of Chicago, known to have shot three men in the States. 10:24 Escaped from penitentiary through political influence. Came to London in 1893. Shot a man over cards in a nightclub in the Waterloo Road in January 1895. Man died, but he was shown to have been the aggressor in the row. 10:39 Dead man was identified as Roger Prescott. famous as Forger and Coiner in Chicago. 10:46 Killer Evans, released in 1901, has been under police supervision since, but so far as known has led an honest life. 10:56 Very dangerous man, usually carries arms and is prepared to use them. 11:03 That is our bird, Watson, a sporting bird, as you must admit. 11:09 But what is his game?" "'Well, it begins to define itself. I have been to the house agents. Our client, as he told us, has been there five years. It was unlet for a year before then. The previous tenant was a gentleman at large named Waldron. 11:28 Waldron's appearance was well remembered at the office. He had suddenly vanished, and nothing more been heard of him.' He was a tall, bearded man with very dark features. Now, Prescott, the man whom Killer Evans had shot, was, according to Scotland Yard, a tall, dark man with a beard. 11:49 As a working hypothesis, I think we may take it that Prescott, the American criminal, used to live in the very room which our innocent friend now devotes to his museum. 12:03 So at last we get a link, you see. 12:07 And the next link? Well, we must go now and look for that. 12:14 He took a revolver from the drawer and handed it to me. 12:19 I have my old favourite with me. If our Wild West friend tries to live up to his nickname, we must be ready for him. 12:28 I'll give you an hour for a siesta, Watson, and then I think it will be time for our Rider's Street adventure. 12:42 I'm Julie Andrews, and it is my great pleasure to return to Jane Austen Stories. This time, I'll be reading another beloved classic, Emma. Join me as we step into the village of Highbury, home to the handsome and clever Emma Woodhouse. But as new visitors arrive and quiet mysteries unfold, what will our strong-willed heroine learn, both of the secrets of others and of her own heart's desires? 13:15 Listen to Jane Austen Stories now wherever you get your podcasts. 13:25 It was just four o'clock when we reached the curious apartment of Nathan Garideb. Mrs Saunders, the caretaker, was about to leave, but she had no hesitation in admitting us, for the door shut with a spring lock and Holmes promised to see that all was safe before we left. 13:43 Shortly afterwards, the outer door closed, her bonnet passed the bow window, and we knew that we were alone in the lower floor of the house. 13:53 Holmes made a rapid examination of the premises. There was one cupboard in a dark corner which stood out a little from the wall. It was behind this that we eventually crouched, while Holmes, in a whisper, outlined his intentions. 14:09 He wanted to get our amiable friend out of his room. That is very clear. 14:15 And as the collector never went out, it took some planning to do it. 14:20 The whole of this Garideb invention was apparently for no other end, I must say, Watson. that there is a certain devilish ingenuity about it. Even if the queer name of the tenant did give him an opening which he could hardly have expected, he wove his plot with remarkable cunning. 14:42 But what did he want? 14:44 Well, that is what we are here to find out. 14:48 It has nothing whatever to do with our client, so far as I can read the situation. It is something connected with the man he murdered, the man who may have been his confederate in crime. 15:02 There is some guilty secret in the room. That is how I read it. 15:08 At first, I thought our friend might have something in his collection more valuable than he knew, something worth the attention of a big criminal. 15:17 But the fact that Roger Prescott, of evil memory, inhabited these rooms points to some deeper reason. 15:25 Well, Watson, we can but possess our souls in patience and see what the hour may bring. 15:36 That hour was not long in striking. We crouched closer in the shadow as we heard the outer door open and shut. 15:45 Then came the sharp, metallic snap of a key, and the American was in the room. 15:52 He closed the door softly behind him, took a sharp glance around him to see that all was safe, threw off his overcoat and walked up to the central table with the brisk manner of one who knows exactly what he has to do and how to do it. 16:09 He pushed the table to one side, tore up the square of carpet on which it rested, rolled it completely back, and then, drawing a jemmy from his inside pocket, he knelt down and worked vigorously upon the floor. 16:23 Presently, we heard the sound of sliding boards, and an instant later a square had opened in the planks. Killer Evans struck a match, lit a stump of candle, and vanished from our view. 16:36 Clearly, our moment had come. 16:39 Holmes touched my wrist as a signal, and together we stole across to the open trapdoor. 16:45 Gently as we moved, however, the old floor must have creaked under our feet, for the head of our American, peering anxiously round, emerged suddenly from the open space. 16:57 His face turned upon us with a glare of baffled rage, which gradually softened into a rather shamefaced grin as he realized that two pistols were pointed at his head. 17:12 Well, well, said he coolly as he scrambled to the surface. 17:18 I guess you have been one too many for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I suppose, and played me for a sucker from the first. 17:28 Well, sir, I hand it to you. You have me beat and... 17:33 In an instant, he had whisked out a revolver from his breast and had fired two shots. 17:40 I felt a sudden hot sear, as if a red-hot iron had been pressed to my thigh. 17:45 There was a crash as Holmes' pistol came down on the man's head. I had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor with blood running down his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons. Then my friend's wiry arms were round me and he was leading me to a chair. You're not hurt, Watson. For God's sake, say that you are not hurt. 18:05 It was worth a wound, it was worth many wounds, to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. 18:19 For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart, as well as of a great brain. 18:26 All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation. 18:35 "'It's nothing, Holmes, it's a mere scratch.' He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife. "'You are right,' he cried with an immense sigh of relief. "'It is quite superficial.' His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. "'By the Lord, it is as well for you. "'If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive.' Now, sir, what have you to say for yourself? 19:07 He had nothing to say for himself. He only sat and scowled. 19:12 I leaned on Holmes's arm, and together we looked down into the small cellar which had been disclosed by the secret flap. 19:20 It was still illuminated by the candle which Evans had taken down with him. 19:25 Our eyes fell upon a mass of rusted machinery, great rolls of paper, a litter of bottles, and, neatly arranged upon a small table, a number of neat little bundles. 19:38 A printing press, a counterfeiter's outfit, said Holmes. 19:44 Yes, sir, said our prisoner, staggering slowly to his feet and then sinking into the chair. 19:53 the greatest counterfeiter London ever saw. 19:57 That's Prescott's machine. 20:00 And those bundles on the table are 2,000 of Prescott's notes worth 100 each and fit to pass anywhere. 20:10 Help yourselves, gentlemen. 20:12 Call it a deal and let me beat it. 20:19 Holmes laughed. 20:22 "'We don't do things like that, Mr. Evans. There is no bolt-hole for you in this country. 20:29 You shot this man, Prescott, did you not?' "'Yes, sir. I've got five years for it, though it was he who pulled on me five years, when I should have had a medal the size of a soup plate.' No living man could tell a Prescott from a bank of England, and if I hadn't put him out, he would have flooded London with them. 20:54 I was the only one in the world who knew where he made them. 20:59 Can you wonder that I wanted to get to the place? 21:02 And can you wonder that when I found this crazy boob of a bug hunter with the queer name squatting right on the top of it and never quitting his room, I had to do the best I could to shift him? 21:18 Maybe I would have been wiser if I had put him away. It would have been easy enough, but I'm a soft-hearted guy that can't begin shooting unless the other man has a gun also." But say, Mr. Holmes, what have I done wrong anyhow? 21:36 I've not used this plant. I've not hurt this old stiff. 21:41 Where do you get me? 21:44 Only attempted murder, so far as I can see, said Holmes. But that's not our job. They take that at the next stage. 21:54 What we wanted at present was just your sweet self. 21:58 "'Please give the yard a call, Watson. It won't be entirely unexpected.' So those were the facts about Killer Evans and his remarkable invention of the Three Garridebs. 22:17 We heard later that our poor old friend never got over the shock of his dissipated dreams. 22:23 When his castle in the air fell down, it buried him beneath the ruins. 22:30 He was last heard of at a nursing home in Brixton. 22:34 It was a glad day at the yard when the Prescott outfit was discovered, for, though they knew that it existed, they had never been able, after the death of the man, to find out where it was. 22:47 Evans had indeed done great service, and caused several worthy C.I.D. men to sleep the sounder, for the counterfeiter stands in a class by himself as a public danger. 23:00 they would willingly have subscribed to that soup-plate medal of which the criminal had spoken. 23:08 But an unappreciative bench took a less favourable view, and the killer returned to those shades from which he had just emerged. 23:26 In the next episode, we set aside the short stories again to go back to the very beginning, the first meeting between Holmes and Watson, and the world's first introduction to one of the greatest pairings in all of literature. 23:41 Over the next seven episodes, we'll be bringing you Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's debut novel, A Study in Scarlet. 23:48 When this story was first published in Beaton's Christmas Annual 1887, the 27-year-old writer could scarcely have guessed that it was the work that would define his entire career. 24:00 let alone that his new character, a consulting detective called Sherlock Holmes, would prove so popular that we'd still be reading and dissecting his adventures more than a century later. 24:12 So join us as we go back to where it all began, with a mysterious double murder in London that has its roots thousands of miles away in the desert plains of Utah. 24:25 That's next time. 24:35 Can't wait a week until the next episode? Well, listen to it right away by subscribing to Noiser Plus. Head to www.noiser.com slash subscriptions for more information or click the link in the episode description. 24:53 This September on the Noiser Podcast Network. On Jane Austen stories, Dame Julie Andrews continues to bring Austen's beloved classic Emma to life. 25:02 On Short History Of, we're in medieval England for the fascinating story of the Peasants' Revolt. And 25 years on from 9-11, we're on the ground in New York City. On Real Survival Stories, we're on a luscious winery in Northwest America and venturing into a missile silo in the dead of night as the US is threatened with nuclear disaster. 25:23 And in Sherlock Holmes' Short Stories, get two episodes each week as Hugh Bonneville explores Conan Doyle's great novel, A Study in Scarlet. 25:31 Get all of these shows and more early and ad free on Noiser Plus.