Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Missing Heiress 10/05/1947

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

In this classic Old Time Radio episode, Sherlock Holmes investigates the disappearance of Elizabeth Bascombe, a wealthy Canadian heiress, during her first

Key takeaways

• Elizabeth Bascombe planned her own abduction to escape forced marriage and pursue love with Percy Smithers.

Main topics

• Sherlock Holmes detective work

Notable quotes

You're wandering in Strelia, thing of shreds and patches.

Conclusion

The case is resolved when Holmes reveals that Elizabeth intentionally disappeare

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:00) Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we bring to you the greatest old-time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube, and thank you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com. The Speaker 4 (0:30) makers of clipper craft clothes for men and 924 leading retail stores from coast to coast present the world's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. Speaker 4 (0:55) And so once again we find ourselves in Dr. Watson's cheerful Speaker 3 (0:58) firelit study. Speaker 4 (1:00) Outside, a cutting October wind scurries the brittle leaves. But inside, all snug and cozy with his feet on the well-polished fender, sits our favorite host and storyteller. Speaker 5 (1:09) Thank you, Mr. Harris. Thank you. Speaker 4 (1:11) And which of Holmes' fabulous adventures are we to have tonight, sir? Speaker 5 (1:14) Tonight it's the case of the missing heiress. A Canadian heiress, to be exact. Portrait pretty as a picture. And with a mind of her own. I can never forget her father's expression when he discovered the compromising situation she... There I go, getting ahead of myself as usual. Well, now, don't look so worried, Mr. Harris. I hadn't forgotten. This is where we say a few words on behalf of a very generous sponsor. Speaker 4 (1:40) Thank you, Dr. Watson. And our sponsor really is generous in more ways than one. Take the amazing values he gives, for instance. Clipper craft clothes are just about as fine as can be made and so modestly priced. I dare say even a Sherlock Holmes would be stumped at how it's done, but it's elementary, Dr. Watson. Speaker 4 (2:00) And Speaker 5 (2:06) now, Mr. Harris, to our story. The case of the missing heiress. Put your boots on the fender and Speaker 4 (2:12) make yourself comfortable. A perfect combination. A crackling fire to warm one's feet and a hair-raising adventure to chill one's spine. Speaker 5 (2:19) Sounds rather like one of those confounded hot and cold shower baths that are the curse of this modern age. Now, in the good old Baker Street days when... One made one's daily ablutions in a tin tub that was filled from a pair of steaming jugs. One got Speaker 4 (2:33) in and out as fast as possible to prevent freezing to death, eh, Dr. Watson? Speaker 5 (2:37) Only in the wintertime, Mr. Harris, only in the winter. I remember one bright July afternoon in the year... Let me see. Never mind, it was before you were out of your cradle. I was splashing about in my morning tub. Speaker 4 (2:51) I thought you said it was afternoon. Speaker 5 (2:53) When one shared lodgings and adventures with the great Sherlock Holmes. One frequently took one's morning tub in the afternoon or evening. Now, where was I? Speaker 4 (3:03) Splashing around in your morning tub in mid-afternoon. Speaker 5 (3:06) Oh, yes, yes, yes. As a matter of accuracy, I was just moving the soap from the back of the ears and giving a not-inspired rendition of a current comic opera hit when Holmes burst in rather unceremoniously. Speaker 5 (3:21) You're wandering in Strelia, thing of shreds and patches. Speaker 3 (3:26) I... I wouldn't say Watson stopped at caterwauling and throw on a dressing gown. We're about to have a caller, and I'm sure it means another case. Speaker 5 (3:32) And why should that interrupt their bath? You're quite capable of handling the first stages of a case by yourself, Holmes. Speaker 3 (3:38) Not when it concerns a lady in hysterics in a court train. You're much better than I at managing female agitation. Holmes, what are you raving about? An elegant carriage has just galloped up to our curbstone. And without waiting for the footman to alight from the box and assist her, a middle-aged creature in full court regalia, complete to the feathers in her hair, bursts out into the street and is even now pulling our front doorbell out by the roots. Oh, Lord, well... Aha, Mrs. Hudson's let her in. She's coming up the stairs. Now, will you come out and protect me? Certainly not. Very well, then. I shall be obliged to usher her in here. Oh, Speaker 5 (4:09) no, Speaker 4 (4:09) no, Speaker 5 (4:09) no, no. Greet Scott. Wait, I'm coming, I'm coming. Good Lord, Speaker 3 (4:12) look Speaker 5 (4:12) at me. A fine way to greet a lady. Speaker 3 (4:15) Don't worry. Unless I'm greatly mistaken, she's too upset to notice. Here, tie the cord around your middle. Oh, yes, Speaker 5 (4:20) yes, of course. Speaker 3 (4:21) And you put your slippers on the wrong feet. Oh, confound it. Come in. Speaker 2 (4:25) Mr. Holmes, thank heavens I find you at home. My little man. Oh, Dr. Watson, delighted to see you. Could you give me a glass of sherry? Oh, this is terrible. Speaker 2 (4:36) And the poor girl. Oh, Mr. Holmes, you must find her. You must. Speaker 3 (4:40) Of course, Lady Maynooth. But first, perhaps you'd better tell us the name of this damsel in distress and inform us just what difficulty she seems to be in. Speaker 2 (4:47) That's just it. I haven't the remotest idea. I don't mean I don't know her name. It's Elizabeth. Elizabeth Bascombe. Miss Speaker 5 (4:54) Lizzie Bascombe, known as the child of old Hellfire Bascombe, the Canadian Copper King. That's right, Dr. Watson. Oh, quite the belle of the season, I gather. Speaker 2 (5:01) Yes, Elizabeth has certainly been popular. Not that it's made the slightest impression on her. Speaker 3 (5:06) Yes, perhaps that explains her popularity. That and her father's millions. But why are you so concerned about Miss Elizabeth Bascombe, Lady Maynard? Speaker 2 (5:14) It's been my responsibility to sponsor the young lady through her first London season. To see that she makes the proper social connections and... Well, her father is bound and determined that she shall marry into the nobility. I Speaker 3 (5:26) had no idea that George Bascombe... more often referred to as Hellfire, was one of your acquaintances, Lady Maynooth. To Speaker 2 (5:33) be quite frank, Mr. Holmes, I've never set eyes on Elizabeth's father, but, well, a mutual friend. Knowing that he was anxious to have her received in the best circles, and also knowing that my own financial position has not been too secure lately, well, I was, shall we say, persuaded to take Elizabeth under my wing. Speaker 3 (5:51) I hope you made a profitable arrangement. Speaker 2 (5:52) I did, Mr. Holmes. But I've earned it every penny. You mean the young lady is uncouth in spite of her good looks? Oh, no, Dr. Watson. The truth forces me to admit that Elizabeth is really quite presentable and even lovable when not crossed. Speaker 3 (6:07) But when she is crossed, she takes after her father? Exactly. Speaker 2 (6:11) She insists on going for solitary walks completely unchaperoned. She strikes up an acquaintance with the most unrightly people. Speaker 3 (6:19) Democratic, eh, Holmes? It might be considered democratic in an ordinary female. But where a young woman of Miss Bascom's wealth is concerned, it's rather dangerous. Speaker 2 (6:26) Oh, how true. We've been receiving, well, not exactly threats, but certainly crank letters ever since it became known that Elizabeth had come to stay with me. But she absolutely refuses to pay heed to her own danger. Says she's been handling situations of that sort all her life, and she refuses to become perturbed about it at this late date. And now it's happened. Speaker 3 (6:46) What has? Speaker 2 (6:46) Oh, well, I finally persuaded her to take an interest in young Lord Weaverbrook.