FORMAN:

Petri Wine brings you...

MUSIC:

THEME ... FADE IN

FORMAN:

Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

MUSIC:

FULL FINISH

FORMAN:

The Petri family - the family that took time to bring you good wine - invites you to listen to Doctor Watson tell us about another exciting adventure he shared with the greatest detective of all time - Sherlock Holmes. Looking at my watch, I can see that you've probably had your dinner by now - and I hope it was a good one. I'm sure it was if, along with your dinner, you had a glass of Petri California Sauterne. Because that Petri Sauterne sure can make good food taste better. You'll know exactly what I mean if you've ever had roast chicken and Petri Sauterne. Mm...mm - a bite of tender golden-brown roast chicken and a sip of that clear golden Petri Sauterne is a flavor combination that's out of this world. You'd need a whole dictionary full of adjectives to really describe it. That Petri Sauterne has a really wonderful flavor...a flavor that's subtle and intriguing...a flavor that reminds you of luscious sun-ripened grapes - picked when they're still covered with early-morning dew. And say - the flavor of that Petri Sauterne is great with fish, too. Or with any kind of seafood for that matter. Try Petri Sauterne - and serve it well-chilled...really cold. You can serve it proudly because it bears the name "Petri" - the proudest name in the history of American Wines.

MUSIC:

"SCOTCH POEM"

FORMAN:

And now for our weekly visit with the genial Doctor Watson. Let's join him in the study of his California ranch house. Good evening, Doctor.

WATSON:

Evenin', Mr. Forman. Sit down and make yourself comfortable.

FORMAN:

Thank you, Doctor, I always enjoy your Monday night stories, but after the hint you gave us last week - well, I can hardly wait.

WATSON:

(CHUCKLING) You mean the -

FORMAN:

I mean the French Chateau and the pistol packing mamma. When did the story begin, Doctor?

WATSON:

In the spring of nineteen-hundred-and-five. Holmes and I were in Paris, when he received a telegram. I find that I still have it filed away with my records of the case.

SOUND EFFECT:

CRACKLE OF PAPER

WATSON:

Listen to this: (READING) If you are half as good a detective as they say you are, you should have no difficulty in earning an old lady's thanks. In return, all you have to do is to catch a ghost. And it's signed (READING) Mrs. Harrison Gibson, Chateau Verlon-sur-Rhone, near Lyons.

FORMAN:

An intriguing telegram, Doctor. By the way, Mrs. Harrison Gibson wasn't your pistol packing mama, was she?

WATSON:

Yes. (LAUGHING) It was probably the politest message she ever sent in her life.

FORMAN:

And Holmes accepted the invitation, of course?

WATSON:

Yes, Mr. Forman. The case sounded interesting, the fee was unusually large, and Verlon-sur-Rhone was right in the heart of the wine-growing country. Holmes was something of a connoisseur of wines, you know, and he'd often expressed a desire to go through those particular vineyards.

FORMAN:

I imagine if he were staying out here with you now, Doctor, he'd like to....

WATSON:

(LAUGHING) Yes, Mr. Forman, I'm sure he'd be interested in your Petri vineyards, too. But if you want me to tell my story, you'd better leave him in Verlon-sur-Rhone, for that's where we found ourselves twenty-four hours after receiving this telegram. We'd spent most of the afternoon gazing out of the train window, as the incomparable French countryside sped past us. Finally, just as dusk was merging into night, the wheezy querulous train drew to a stop (FADING) at our destination....

SOUND EFFECT:

TRAIN DRAWING TO STOP. TOOTING OF HIGH-PITCHED TRAIN WHISTLE

HOLMES:

Wake up, old chap, we're there.

WATSON:

(DROWSILY) What? No need to shake me, Holmes. I wasn't asleep.

HOLMES:

Nonsense. You've been snoring for the last ten minutes.

SOUND EFFECT:

TRAIN STOPPING. HISSING OF STEAM. TOOTING OF WHISTLE.

WATSON:

(OFF A LITTLE) I'll get the bags down....Oh, they are down....

SOUND EFFECT:

CARRIAGE DOOR OPEN. BACKGROUND NOISES (UP)

HOLMES:

Mind the step...that's it.

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS ON STONE

WATSON:

We seem to be the only passengers getting off here.

PORTER:

En voiture! En voiture!

SOUND EFFECT:

THREE SHRILL TOOTS ON WHISTLE. SOUND OF TRAIN RE-STARTING AND FADING OFF

HOLMES:

(AFTER A MOMENT) And there goes our train. Next stop - Lyons.

WATSON:

What a gloomy little station. Not a soul in sight.

HOLMES:

Gloomy it may be. But it has some claim to distinction. Don't you remember the Lyons train robbery a few months ago? This station of Verlon figured quite prominently in the case.

WATSON:

By Jove...Yes, I do. Something about a train wreck.

HOLMES:

That's right.

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS STOP

HOLMES:

Well, here we are at the ticket office, Watson. And there's still no sign of a living soul. The ticket window isn't even open.

SOUND EFFECT:

RAPPING OF KNUCKLES ON WOOD

WATSON:

(AFTER A MOMENT CALLING) Anyone here?

HOLMES:

Knock again, old fellow.

WATSON:

This place gives me the creeps.

SOUND EFFECT:

MORE RAPPING ON WOOD. AFTER A MOMENT, PANEL SLIDES OPEN

STATION-MASTER:

(OFF A LITTLE. FRENCH ACCENT. MIDDLE-AGED, SINISTER) Que voulez vous?

HOLMES:

Vous parlez Anglais?

STATION-MASTER:

Oui.

HOLMES:

We want to go to the Chateau Verlon. Can we get a carriage?

STATION-MASTER:

No carriage...and if there were, no one would drive you there. Strange things happen at the chateau. If you are clever men you will not stay here. Wait for the next train and go back to where you came from.

SOUND EFFECT:

PANEL SHUTS. KNOCKING. PAUSE. PANEL OPENS

WATSON:

Now look here, my good man, I don't know what your game is, but you can't frighten us. Just tell us where we can get a carriage, and stop talking nonsense.

STATION-MASTER:

You can get no carriage to drive you to the chateau.

HOLMES:

Hmm. The ghost seems to have made a great impression.

STATION-MASTER:

Do not try to go there! People that go there (FADING) do not come back alive!

SOUND EFFECT:

PANEL CLOSED VIOLENTLY

WATSON:

That man's mad, if you ask me.

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS. DOOR OPENS. WIND UP. DOOR CLOSES

WATSON:

I can't say I'm very impressed with Mrs. Gibson's hospitality. It seems to me that....

SOUND EFFECT:

HORSE CARRIAGE APPROACHING AT FULL GALLOP

HOLMES:

There's our hostess now, unless I'm much mistaken, driving that coach-and-pair. Seems to have changed places with her coachman.

SOUND EFFECT:

CARRIAGE PULLING TO VIOLENT STOP ON GRAVEL ROAD

GIBSON:

(YELLING, OFF. ABOUT FIFTY, RAUCOUS AMERICAN PIONEER TYPE) Whoa, Nellie! Whoa Bess!...Goldarn it! Whoa, can't you!

SOUND EFFECT:

SNORTING OF HORSES, RATTLE OF CARRIAGE STOPPING. (FADING IN)

WATSON:

Good Lord, Holmes. D'you think she can handle those horses?

HOLMES:

I shouldn't worry about that. She's doing an expert job.

SOUND EFFECT:

CARRIAGE STOPPING. NEIGH OF HORSES

GIBSON:

(OFF A LITTLE) You must be Sherlock Holmes?

HOLMES:

Yes, madam. And this is my friend and colleague, Doctor Watson.

GIBSON:

Well, jump' in, boys. Gaston, go get their suitcases.

GASTON:

(FRENCH ACCENT, ELDERLY, SPOOKY, FADING IN) Very well, Madame. Your bags, messieurs....

SOUND EFFECT:

CARRIAGE DOOR OPENING

GIBSON:

(OFF A LITTLE) Settle yourself in the back there, boys. Sorry I wasn't here to meet you, but I was cookin' up a pot roast for dinner. Nothing like a good pot roast after some of these fancified French dishes. Hope you're hungry?

WATSON:

Yes, Madam, I've quite an appetite.

GIBSON:

Let's quit this "Madam" stuff right in the beginning. I come from Cheyenne, Wyoming where they call me "Two-Gun Gibson", on account of I can shoot the skin off a rice pudding at two-hundred yards. (YELLING) Hop up there, Gaston. I guess I'll have to let you drive so that I can talk to the boys.

GASTON:

(OFF) Oui, Madame.

GIBSON:

(FADING IN) What handle do you boys use?

WATSON:

Handle? I don't quite understand you, madam.

GIBSON:

What's your moniker? Your name?

WATSON:

Oh. His name is Holmes....Sherlock Holmes.

GIBSON:

I know that. What's yours?

WATSON:

Watson. Doctor Watson.

GIBSON:

Didn't they give you a first name?

WATSON:

(BEWILDERED) First name?

HOLMES:

Really, Watson, you're being very obtuse. His first name is John. John H. Watson.

GIBSON:

Then I'll call you Johnny and Sherlock. Never could get along with this fancy "mister" and "madame" stuff. (YELLING) What are you waiting for, Gaston? For Pete's sake get going! I've got a pot roast waiting.

GASTON:

(OFF) Very good, Madame....

SOUND EFFECT:

CRACK OF WHIP. CARRIAGE STARTING. ESTABLISH HOOFBEATS THEN DOWN AND UNDER ENSUING

GIBSON:

(MUTTERING) Madame. Well, boys, you probably wonder what I brought you here for an' why I plan to give you five grand?

HOLMES:

Your telegram was....

GIBSON:

(INTERRUPTING GUSTILY) Forget the telegram. My daughter sent that because she figured the one I wrote hadn't any class. Here's the whole thing in a nutshell. When my better half died, three years ago, he left me two-million in cash, and as much again on the hoof.

WATSON:

On the hoof?

GIBSON:

Beeves, Johnnie. Beeves! But I've always had a yen to get the stink of cattle out of my nostrils. My daughter Susie - you'll meet her in a few minutes - had been educated in France an' was crazy about the place. And so, a year ago we came here and I bought this hunk of old masonry they call the Chateau Verlon for three times what it's worth, just to make my gal happy, an' to get away from the smell of them beeves. (YELLING) Gaston, if you can't go any faster we'll get out and push.

SOUND EFFECT:

CRACK OF CARRIAGE NOISES INCREASE IN PACE

GIBSON:

That's better. Now listen, boys, here's the trouble. This chateau of mine's haunted.

WATSON:

Haunted? Good Lord.

GIBSON:

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not frightened. There's nothing can scare me that a six-shooter couldn't take care of. But I can't get any servants, except that old buzzard you see sitting up on the box there. He's been with the chateau since it was built, I guess.

HOLMES:

You say the chateau is haunted. What exactly has taken place that frightens the servants away?

GIBSON:

Oh, nothing to get het up about. We've heard some funny sounding noises in the night, and there's a piece of furniture keeps movin' around. My gal Susie's frightened to death. And now we've got her count, or vicomte, or whatever he calls himself, staying with us. The kids are engaged.

WATSON:

Really? Your daughter is engaged to a vicomte?

GIBSON:

You're darned tootin' she is! Anything wrong with that?

WATSON:

No, no. Oh certainly not.

GIBSON:

He's got the blue blood and the handle, an' ten cents to his name. Susie's got a nice figure, blue eyes, an' a bank roll you could choke a horse with. That's a fair exchange. (SUDDENLY) There you are! There's the Chateau Verlon now.

WATSON:

(ENTHUSIASTICALLY) What a beautiful place. Perched on the edge of the hillside and looking right out over the valley below.

HOLMES:

Magnificent architecture. Must be fifteenth or sixteenth century.

GIBSON:

Yep. An when you try the plumbing you'll believe it, Sherlock. And the whole house is built backwards. The hall's on the ground floor. You go downstairs to the parlor, an' down some more stairs to the bedrooms. (YELLING) Whoa! Nellie! Whoa, Bess! What are you trying to do, Gaston? Drive us right into the hallway?

SOUND EFFECT:

CARRIAGE DRAWING TO STOP ON GRAVEL

GIBSON:

Now skip out, boys, and I'll take you in to meet Susie and her boyfriend. I always call him "Butch", an' it makes him madder'n fifteen scalded wildcats. Open up the door there, Johnnie.

SOUND EFFECT:

CARRIAGE DOOR OPENED

GIBSON:

That's it. Jump out, (FADING A LITTLE) Gaston...you leave the bags in the hallway, and then take the carriage to the stable.

GASTON:

(OFF) Very good, Madame.

GIBSON:

(FADING IN) Straight ahead, boys. The door's open.

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS

WATSON:

After you, madam.

GIBSON:

Quite a one with the ladies, aren't you, Johnnie?

SOUND EFFECT:

HEAVY DOOR BEING OPENED

WATSON:

(MUMBLING) Only natural that I should....

GIBSON:

Don't mumble, Johnnie. I can't understand a word you say.

SOUND EFFECT:

DOOR CLOSE. FOOTSTEPS ON WOOD. SLIGHT ECHO

GIBSON:

Leave your coats and hats there...That's right...and now down these stairs...

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS

GIBSON:

I'll just introduce you to the lovebirds and then beat it. Gotta keep my eye on that pot roast. (YELLING) Susie! Butch! Where are you?

SUSIE:

(AMERICAN, YOUNG, CULTURED AND CHARMING) Here we are, Mother.

GIBSON:

Come here, lovey. I want you to meet Sherlock Holmes, and his friend, Johnny Watson.

AD LIB:

HOW DO YOU DO'S

GIBSON:

Where's Butch? Oh, there you are...Come here, Butch.

SUSIE:

(SOTTO VOCE) Mother, don't. You know how it embarrasses him. (LOUDER) Gentlemen, allow me to introduce my fiancée, Vicomte de Verlon.

FURTHER HOW DO YOU DO'S

VERLON:

(THIRTY, EXCESSIVELY SUAVE, ALMOST DANDIFIED, STRONG FRENCH ACCENT) Enchanté, messieurs. I am so 'appy that Madame has brought you 'ere.

GIBSON:

He's got a smooth line, hasn't he boys? Well, I must go and take a peek at that pot roast. (FADING) Butch, you show the boys to their room.

SUSIE:

You mustn't mind Mother, gentlemen. She's on awfully nice person when you get to know her.

VERLON:

Mais oui. Her...'ow you say...Her bite is worse than her bark.

SUSIE:

No, darling. It's the other way around, but never mind. Why not show the gentlemen to their room? (FADING) I'll see you all at dinner. I must help Mother....

SOUND EFFECT:

DOOR CLOSES

HOLMES:

Amazing view from this room, Vicomte. Just look at the valley spreading out there below in the moonlight.

VERLON:

You think that is beautiful. Let me open the French windows....so....

SOUND EFFECT:

FRENCH WINDOWS BEING OPENED. WIND UP IN BACKGROUND

VERLON:

And now step on the terrace 'ere.

WATSON:

(AFTER A MOMENT) Magnificent! That sheer drop below. Gives one the feeling of being suspended in space.

HOLMES:

Quite an architectural feat, building the chateau on the side of a mountain.

VERLON:

Oui, and when you consider the castle was built 'ere in 1734, it makes it even more remarkable. And now, messieurs, I will show you to your room.

SOUND EFFECT:

FRENCH WINDOWS BEING CLOSED. WIND OUT. FOOTSTEPS ON WOOD

HOLMES:

I notice, Vicomte, that your name is the same as that of the chateau.

WATSON:

Just going to comment on that myself. I imagine it's not coincidence, sir?

VERLON:

Oh no, it is not a coincidence.

GASTON:

(FADING IN) Here are the bags, messieurs.

WATSON:

Put them down, my good man. We'll carry them.

GASTON:

Merci, messieurs. (FADING) I am not as strong as I was.

VERLON:

Poor Gaston...he's so old and decrepit...but he is the only servant who will stay. I hope you don't mind carrying your own bags, messieurs?

HOLMES:

Of course we don't.

VERLON:

I would 'elp you...but as you see, 'ere on my hand, I have a bad burn. I did it trying to cook my breakfast this morning.

WATSON:

That's a nasty burn, my boy. Better let me dress it for you. I'm a Doctor y'know.

VERLON:

It is nothing. This way, messieurs. Down these stairs....

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS OF STAIRS. (SLIGHT ECHO)

VERLON:

You mentioned just now that my name is the same as that of the chateau. Messieurs...this was my family's chateau. Mais non. Madame 'as ben very good to me. When she bought it, she insisted that I stay on here. But of course it is not the same. We Verlons have great pride in the chateau. Someday, maybe, I make money and buy it back again.

SOUND EFFECT:

HEAVY DOOR OPEN. FOOTSTEPS STOP

VERLON:

'Ere is the room, messieurs. I hope you will be very comfortable.

HOLMES:

I'm sure we shall. It's palatial.

VERLON:

(WISTFULLY) It was palatial, but I'm afraid it's a little faded now...like the Verlon fortunes.

WATSON:

Vicomte, what do you think of this story that the Chateau is haunted?

VERLON:

(SIMPLY) Oui, it is haunted. It has always been so...'ow shall I say...sympathetique. But we Verlons do not mind. No one 'as been hurt. Guests have been frightened because they have not been...how shall I say...sympathetique. But, messieurs, I leave you now. I 'ave talk too much. Dinner will be -

GIBSON:

(OFF YELLING) Boys! Boys! Where are you?

VERLON:

(CALLNG) Down 'ere, Madame.

GIBSON:

(YELLING) The pot roast's ready! (CHANTING) Come and get it!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

WATSON:

That was certainly a most delicious dinner you cooked, Mrs. Gibson.

GIBSON:

Give me a piece of Wyoming beef an' I could really show you something.

HOLMES:

Mrs. Gibson, before we retire for the night, there are one, or two questions I'd like to ask you.

GIBSON:

Sure, while the lovebirds are still out on the balcony, I might as well tell you exactly what's been going on here. Besides those rumblings and clankings late at night, there's been a peculiar smoky smell in this room, even when we've had no fire.

HOLMES:

I see. You mentioned a piece of furniture being moved?

GIBSON:

Yep. You see that armchair by the bookcase there? Three times now, I've come up here in the morning and found that chair moved from where it's been left the
night before.

WATSON:

Couldn't the servant Gaston have moved it when he cleaned out the fireplace in the mornings?

GIBSON:

Yeah, Johnnie, but he didn't, because I'm always up first - that's a hangover from my Cheyenne days.

HOLMES:

I see. When was the last occasion this happened?

GIBSON:

Three nights ago. The next morning, I sent you that telegram.

SOUND EFFECT:

FRENCH WINDOWS OPEN AND CLOSE (OFF). APRROACHING FOOTSTEPS

GIBSON:

Here come the lovebirds now. How was the moon tonight, kids, or (MEANINGLY) mebbe you weren't looking at it? (SHE ROARS WITH LAUGHTER)

SUSIE:

Mother, don't.

GIBSON:

Rubbish. Don't be so touchy. Go along down to bed now, Susie.

SUSIE:

All right, Mother. (FADING) I am rather tired.

VERLON:

I'll walk to your room with you, darling, so you won't be frightened.

GIBSON:

Yes, Butch, and you'll come right back and lock up.

SUSIE:

(OFF) Good night, everybody.

AD LIB:

GOOD NIGHTS

GIBSON:

(CONFIDENTIALLY) They're plannin' to get married in three weeks, you know. Well, I think I'll hit the hay, too. (FADING) Good night, boys. See you in the morning.

HOLMES AND WATSON AD LIB GOOD NIGHTS

WATSON:

What d'you make of it, Holmes?

HOLMES:

A very interesting case, old fellow. Very interesting. Come on.

WATSON:

But where are we going?

HOLMES:

To bed.

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS

WATSON:

I'm not tired.

HOLMES:

Nor am I, old chap.

WATSON:

Then why....

HOLMES:

I merely suggest that we go downstairs to our bedroom and wait.

WATSON:

Wait? What for?

HOLMES:

Remember the old Scotch saying? "For ghoulies and beasties - and long legged ghosties - and things that go bump in the night...."

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

WATSON:

(SLEEPILY) Holmes, it's nearly one o'clock. When are we going to turn in?

HOLMES:

How can we catch a ghost if we don't wait up for him?

WATSON:

What's that paper you're reading?

HOLMES:

An old newspaper I found in the chest of drawers. Oddly enough, it has a front page story about that train robbery I mentioned earlier on. A special train carrying carloads of gold passed this station safely, but arrived in Lyons half-an-hour late, crashing into the buffers, with the crew shot and the gold missing. Too bad that in these reports more stress is laid on the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details of the case.

SOUND EFFECT:

SCUFFLE OF MUFFLED FOOTSTEPS OFF, THUD. CRY

WATSON:

What's that?

HOLMES:

Come on, Watson! That came from the living room above us.

SOUND EFFECT:

DOOR WRENCHED OPEN. RUNNING ON STAIRS. (AFTER FOOTSTEPS ARE ESTABLISHED, A HORRIBLE MOANING FADING IN)

WATSON:

Great Scott! Listen to that!

SOUND EFFECT:

DOOR WRENCHED OPEN. FOOTSTEPS STOP. MOANING UP STRONG

WATSON:

Look, Holmes! Over there...There's someone moving!

SOUND EFFECT:

PING OF SNAPPING WIRE

HOLMES:

(VIOLENTLY) Watson!

SOUND EFFECT:

CRASH OF CHANDELIER FALLING. TINKLE OF GLASS. MOANING CEASES

WATSON:

Great Scott, Holmes! The chandelier! If you hadn't pushed me out of the way, it would have killed me!

HOLMES:

Yes. I fancy it was intended for both of us. Here, I'll strike a match.

SOUND EFFECT:

MATCH BEING STRUCK

WATSON:

I'll light the gas. That's better.... (AFTER A MOMENT) Holmes...look! Under that fallen chandelier!

HOLMES:

The body of the stationmaster we met earlier on this evening.

WATSON:

Killed by the chandelier falling on him...a death intended for us!

HOLMES:

Oh no. He was already dead, Watson. If you'll look closely, you'll observe there's a dagger through his chest. D'you notice anything else?

WATSON:

No. What?

HOLMES:

The armchair - by the bookcase. It's been moved again - just as Mrs. Gibson told us.

WATSON:

And the room's empty. Yet I swear I saw a figure in the moonlight as we came in. Holmes, I don't believe in the supernatural...but....

HOLMES:

Nonsense. Somewhere in this house there's a flesh-and-blood murderer...and it's our job to find him!

MUSIC:

UP STRONG INTO....

FORMAN:

"The Case of the Haunted Chateau" will continue in just a few seconds - which is all the time I need to remind you that no matter how good a cook you are, when it comes to cooking a roast or broiling a steak, that roast and that steak will taste infinitely better if served with a Petri California Burgundy. Petri Burgundy is a he-man wine - rich red in color...hearty and full in flavor. One sip tells you that the flavor of Petri burgundy comes right from the very heart of the grape. And say, you just haven't been around until you've had an old-fashioned spaghetti dinner...served with thick slices of French bread and big glasses of colorful Petri Burgundy! Mister - that's eating! Or tell you what - try that Petri burgundy together with a juicy hamburger steak or with any meat or meat dish. If you like good things to eat - you should certainly find out immediately about Petri Burgundy...it's terrific!

MUSIC:

"SCOTCH POEM"

FORMAN:

And now, back to tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure. In answer to a telegram from Mrs. Gibson, Holmes and Doctor Watson have come to an old chateau in the south of France - a chateau reputed to be haunted. On the night of their arrival, a man has been murdered, and Holmes and his colleague have narrowly escaped death from a falling chandelier. As we rejoin our story, it is after dinner the next day, and bitter argument is (FADING) going on amongst the family....

GIBSON:

A fine thing...the local stationmaster smeared all over my best carpet with a knife through him - and no one even knows how he got here. An expensive chandelier smashed to pieces. The cops here all day an' they can't figure the thing out. A fancy detective snoopin' around and he's no smarter. I'll pay you your five grand, Sherlock, because I'm a woman of my word, but I don't think you've earned it.

HOLMES:

Madam, I shouldn't dream of accepting your fee without solving the case...and that I propose to do before the night is out.

GIBSON:

You mean you've got an idea who's back of all this?

HOLMES:

Madam, my day has not an idle one.

GIBSON:

Well, I can tell you, my night's not going to be an idle one, Sherlock. Personally, I'm going to sit up with a six-shooter in that armchair that moves itself around. This chateau's no more haunted than my Uncle Elmer, an' I'm going to prove it, too!

VERLON:

Perhaps you should not have bought the chateau, Madame. There has never been trouble 'ere until you came. If you want to sell, for not too big a price. I will raise the money to buy it back.

GIBSON:

Sure you will, you slinky two-timer! You probably organized the whole thing so that you could get your chateau back for a song, trying to frighten me off my property. Well, I don't scare easy, see, an' if you....

VERLON:

(ANGRILY) Madame! You have insulted me! If you were a man, my seconds would call on you in the morning. I shall (FADING) leave Verlon by the next train.

GIBSON:

Good riddance of bad rubbish!

SUSIE:

Mother! You don't mean that. Say you're sorry.

GIBSON:

You're darned tootin' I mean it. I never did like him anyway. I only put up with him because of you, Susie.

SUSIE:

(HYSTERICALLY) Well, I'm going to marry him...whether you like it or not! And if he goes on the next train (FADING) I'm going with him....

SOUND EFFECT:

DOOR SLAM

GIBSON:

Gol-ding it! Now I've upset Susie. Sherlock, stop dropping your cigar ashes on my stylish carpet.

WATSON:

(VERY SLEEPILY) Just what I was going to say. I've been watching you, Holmes. You've been knocking your cigar ash all over the place.

GIBSON:

Thought you were asleep, Johnnie. You haven't opened your trap for quarter-of-an-hour.

WATSON:

I do feel...very sleepy, I must say.

HOLMES:

Better wake up, old fellow. We have work to do.

GIBSON:

You and me both, Sherlock. Though from what I've seen of you in action, so far, I'll back my shooter (FADING) against your brains. See you later....

SOUND EFFECT:

DOOR CLOSE (OFF)

HOLMES:

(URGENTLY) Watson! Did you drink that coffee tonight?

WATSON:

Course I did...Love coffee....

HOLMES:

You fool! You blithering idiot. I told you not to.

WATSON:

(HAZILY) Why are both of you...droppin' cigar ash?

HOLMES:

Both of me? Why didn't you listen to me? Watson! (URGENTLY) Watson!

MUSIC:

BRIDGE

HOLMES:

Watson, drink this.

WATSON:

(WOOZILY) Whatizzit...? Why are we in our bedroom?

HOLMES:

Never mind that. Drink this.

WATSON:

All right. (AFTER A MOMENT) Ohh....

HOLMES:

Feel better?

WATSON:

Yes. What happened, Holmes?

HOLMES:

The coffee at dinner was drugged. I told you not to drink it, I poured mine into a nearby vase. One sip told me the story.

WATSON:

Drugged...But why?

HOLMES:

To keep us out of the way, of course.

WATSON:

Who did it?

HOLMES:

I'm not certain - but I have very strong suspicions.

WATSON:

You know, Holmes, I think...that Verlon boy's behind this.

HOLMES:

Possibly.

WATSON:

I'm sure he is. He wants the chateau back and he....

SOUND EFFECT:

THUMPING SOUND OFF. CRY. MUFFLED THUD OF FALLING BODY

HOLMES:

Come on, Watson! Up the stairs!

SOUND EFFECT:

RUNNING FOOTSTEPS. AFTER A MOMENT, STRANGULATED GURGLE FADING IN. DOOR WRENCHED OPEN. GURLGE (UP)

WATSON:

Great Heavens! Young Verlon! With a sword through his heart!

HOLMES:

Yes. And Mrs. Gibson. She's blue in the face. Better look at her, Watson.

WATSON:

(AFTER A MOMENT) She's been half-strangled! Look at these finger marks on her throat.

HOLMES:

Can we leave her safely for a few minutes?

WATSON:

Yes. She's just in a faint. She'll be all right.

HOLMES:

Good, because our murderer can't be far away.

WATSON:

I was convinced young Verlon was the murderer, and there he is dead. D'you suppose Mrs. Gibson stabbed him?

HOLMES:

Use your intelligence, old fellow. She has a six-shooter in her hand - why would she use a sword? And do you suppose she tried to cover her tracks by partially strangling herself afterwards?

WATSON:

I suppose not. Then why...? (SUDDENLY) What are you doing, Holmes?

HOLMES:

(OFF A LITTLE) You commented on my dropping cigar ash earlier on. There was a reason for it. Cigar ash forms an excellent medium for recording footprints...Yes...These footprints lead to the bookcase here. Obviously, there is a secret door.

WATSON:

By Jove, Holmes, there's the answer to the moving armchair! It usually stands directly in front of the bookcase.

HOLMES:

Precisely. Anyone entering the secret door would have to move the chair to enter, Watson.

WATSON:

Yes, and once inside, he would be unable to move the chair back into position again.

HOLMES:

You will observe the chair is out of position now. Therefore, we may assume the murderer is waiting for us somewhere behind this bookcase. You noticed how the chateau is built on the side of a hill. Three sides project into space. The only place where there could be a secret room is on the closed side...and unless I'm much mistaken, this will be the entrance to it. The question is...Ah, here we are...Behind this well-thumbed book we find a button. We press it...so....

SOUND EFFECT:

HEAVY CREAKING PANEL OPENING

HOLMES:

And "Open Sesame"! The bookcase swings back -

WATSON:

And discloses a tunnel.

HOLMES:

Exactly. Come on, Watson!

SOUND EFFECT:

RUNNING FOOTSTEPS, ON ECHO, FOR A MOMENT, THEN STOP (NOTE: IN ENSUING SCENE, ALL VOICES ON ECHO)

WATSON:

Good Lord, Holmes...a great cave. And look at those gold bars and machinery there...it looks like the mint.

HOLMES:

Exactly. Here's the answer to two stories. The haunted chateau and the Lyons Train Robbery. (CALLING) Gaston, you have visitors!

WATSON:

Gaston!

GASTON:

Bon Soir, messieurs.

HOLMES:

Gaston, will you tell the story, or shall I?

GASTON:

There is no story.

HOLMES:

Very loyal of you, Gaston, but not true. Here are the facts, Watson. Young Verlon staged the train robbery to pay off the mortgage on the chateau. I'm sure it wasn't hard to persuade Gaston, loyal servant that he is, to help him. But gold ingots aren't easy to sell, and so they installed the machinery that you see here, to convert the gold bars into coins.

WATSON:

That would account for the strange noises and the burning smell that Mrs. Gibson mentioned.

HOLMES:

And also the burn on Verlon's hand that prevented him from helping us carry our suitcases yesterday. Am I right, Gaston?

GASTON:

Oui, Monsieur.

HOLMES:

The stationmaster that was murdered last night - he helped you with the train robbery, didn't he?

GASTON:

Oui, Monsieur. He was my cousin.

HOLMES:

And I suppose when he saw us arrive yesterday, he became frightened?

GASTON:

Oui, he recognised you, Mr. Holmes. Last night he came up here and demanded his share in the robbery...and my master killed him.

WATSON:

But who killed your master?

HOLMES:

That's obvious. Gaston did.

WATSON:

Gaston? But why?

HOLMES:

Tell him Gaston.

GASTON:

It is simple. I loved my master, just as I loved his father before him.

HOLMES:

But the honour of the Verlons means more to you than anything else.

GASTON:

Oui, Monsieur. When he killed my cousin, the stationmaster, I kept his secret. Perhaps I could have kept quiet if he had killed you both last night -

HOLMES:

- as he tried to when he cut the chandelier?

GASTON:

But tonight, when I caught him trying to strangle Madame Gibson, I knew that the good blood of the Verlons was getting impoverished. He seemed to have no conscience about killing - he was a bad Verlon - and he would have disgraced the family name. And so, I killed him with his own sword. It is better so.

HOLMES:

I understand your motives, Gaston, but you realise you'll have to pay for this, don't you? Probably with your life?

GASTON:

(SCORNFULLY) My life? What is that worth compared the good name of the Verlons? I am an old man and I am ready to die. But no human judge will sentence me! (QUICK FADE) Au revoir, messieurs!

SOUND EFFECT:

RUNNING FOOTSTEPS (ECHOING)

WATSON:

Look out! He's trying to get away!

HOLMES:

After him, Watson! Come on!

SOUND EFFECT:

FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE, (OFF ECHO)

WATSON:

Gaston...Come away from that balcony!

GASTON:

(VIOLENTLY) There is only one judge...and his court is kinder than this world's....(FADING) I go to him....Le Bon Dieu!

SOUND EFFECT:

CRASH OF BROKEN GLASS

WATSON:

(YELLING) Holmes, he's gone through the windows and over the balcony, poor devil!

HOLMES:

Yes, Watson...poor devil. But I think Le Bon Dieu will understand. Gaston was a faithful servant.

MUSIC:

UP STRONG TO FINISH

FORMAN:

Well, Doctor, that was an interesting story. So the old Chateau wasn't haunted after all.

WATSON:

No...but I don't mind admitting that I certainly was scared when we first opened that secret door into the cave.

FORMAN:

I don't blame you. Although you know, I wish I had a cave like that in my house.

WATSON:

Now wait a minute - you're not thinking of doing a little haunting, are you? (LAUGH)

FORMAN:

(LAUGHS) Without a license? Oh no. I'd like to have a cave like that full of Petri Wine. Oh brother! Then I'd be set for life...because believe me, that Petri wine is good wine. It ought to be...the Petri family has been making wine for generations. As you know, ever since they started the Petri business, way back in the eighteen-hundreds - that business has always been family-owned and operated. So just think of all the experience the Petri family has gained. They've been able to hand on down from father to son, from father to son, all they've ever learned about the art of turning luscious California grapes into fragrant, delicious wine. So whenever you're choosing a wine - a wine to serve before dinner, with dinner...or at any time...you can't go wrong with a Petri wine. Because Petri took time to bring you good wine. And now, Doctor, how about a hint of next week's story?

WATSON:

Next week, Mr. Forman, I'm going to tell you a strange adventure that took place in a circus. It starts in a lion's cage...and ends...on the gallows!

FORMAN:

Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Bruce Taylor and is based on an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story "A Case of Identity". Mr. Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Mr. Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures, where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series.

MUSIC:

THEME UP AND DOWN UNDER

FORMAN:

The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station.

MUSIC:

HIT JINGLE

SINGERS:

The Petri family took the time,
To bring you such good wine,
So when you eat and when you cook,
Remember Petri Wine!

FORMAN:

Yes, Petri Wine made by the Petri Wine Company, San Francisco, California.

SINGERS:

Pet - Pet - Petri Wine!

FORMAN:

This is Bill Forman saying goodnight for the Petri family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from the Don Lee studios in Hollywood. This is the Mutual Broadcasting Network.