Sherlock Holmes - Charles Milverton

Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

This dramatized audio episode adapts Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale 'Charles Augustus Milverton,' narrated by Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr. Watson and featuring Sir John Gielgud as Sherlock Holmes. The story follows

Key takeaways

• Sir John Gielgud portrays Sherlock Holmes while Sir Ralph Richardson narrates as Dr. Watson in this classic dramatization.
• Charles Augustus Milverton demands seven thousand pounds to destroy letters that would ruin Lady Eva Brackwell's marriage to the Earl of Dover Court.

Main topics

• Blackmail and extortion in Victorian London
• Deductive reasoning and observational science

Notable quotes

"The price, Mr. Milverton, for everything, is your life."

Conclusion

The episode masterfully blends classic detective fiction with moral complexity, highlighting

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (0:02) Thank you. Speaker 1 (0:13) Sherlock Holmes, the original and immortal stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, dramatized anew with Sir Ralph Richardson as Dr. Watson and Sir John Gielgud in the role of Sherlock Holmes. Speaker 1 (0:45) The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes with Sir John Gielgud as Sherlock Holmes and Sir Ralph Richardson as our storyteller, Dr. James Watson. Speaker 1 (1:20) Watson. Dr. John H. Watson. It may be familiar to you, through my association over many years, that one of the most remarkable men I believe the world has ever known, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Speaker 1 (1:37) I want to tell you about one of our earliest adventures. The first time that we went out into the streets of London in active partnership. Speaker 1 (1:48) We were still youngish men. It was far back in the early 1880s. We had shared those famous rooms, number 221B Baker Street, for only a few months. Speaker 1 (2:03) Watson, my dear fellow, you're just in time. In time for what, Holmes? Well, you've so often been good enough to express a genial interest in my singular profession. Now you'll be able to see me actually at work. Oh, I'm delighted, Holmes. It should be fascinating. Ah, but I must sit down by the fire. Do stilly out, sir. Do, do, my dear fellow. Oh, by the way, Watson, why Turkish? Turkish? How do you mean? The bath. The bath you've just come from, my dear fellow. Why the relaxing and expensive Turkish rather than the invigorating homemade article across the passage here? Because I felt lazy and... But I haven't said a word about it. How the deuce did you know I'd had a Turkish bath? Your boots, Watson. Boots? They seem quite elementary, surely. Oh, no doubt, but you'll forgive me if I fail to see the least connection. You always do your boots up in the same way, Watson. However, on this occasion, you might even fasten them with an elaborate double bow. Ah? And so, of course, you've had them off and someone else has tied them for you. Who, for example? The answer can only be your bootmaker. Or the boy at the Turkish bar. As your boots were only made and delivered here late last week, it's hardly likely to have been the bootmaker. So what remains but the bar. It's certainly simple, isn't it? Oh, my soul, Holmes. You really are a stranger, Pharaoh. Ah, wait till you meet Milverton. He's stranger still. Milverton? Who's Milverton? Charles Augustus Milverton of Hampstead. In all probability, the most evil man in London. He is? He sounds fascinating. I invited him for 6.30, so he's almost due. Oh, I shiver at the thought of it. But what's he do for a living, this strange caller of ours? Blackmail Watson. Huh? Yes, he looks like Mr. Pickwick. But heaven help the man, or worse still, the woman, who's indiscreet enough to get into his power. And what have you to do with him? Well, I've had the honor recently to be consulted by a particularly illustrious lady. Who is she? Do I know her? Well, I expect you know her name. Lady Eva Brackwell, the most beautiful debutante of last season. Well, of course. Isn't she to be married in a fortnight to the Earl of Dover Court? Yes. It's all arranged. Unluckily for her, Milverton has managed to get hold of some imprudent letters, Watson. which she wrote some time ago to a penniless young fellow in the country. Only imprudent, mind you, but they'd be quite sufficient to break off the net. And you're commissioned to meet him? Yes, and make what terms I can. I think he's here, Watson. Will you let him in? Speaker 1 (4:38) Mr. Holmes, will you come in, please? Mr. Holmes, I take it you are... Charles Augustus Milford. How are you, Mr. Holmes? No, I prefer not to shake hands with you, Mr. Milford. This is only a matter of business between us. I see. And we can talk a bit before this, gentlemen. It's a rather delicate affair. Dr. Watson is my friend and partner, sir. He knows our business. Really? Well, we need hardly waste much time on it. My position is quite different. You are acting for the Lady Eva, I understand. I have that honour. What are your terms, Mr. Milberton? Seven thousand pounds, Mr. Holmes. And the alternative? Oh, my dear sir, it is painful to discuss it. But if the money is not paid by the 14th, there will certainly be no marriage on the 18th. And supposing I advise my client to tell her future husband all about these letters you hold? You evidently do not know the Earl, Mr. Holmes, nor me. I am in practice at this game, sir. Look at this pocketbook. I have eight or ten similar cases all maturing in it. This is how I make my humble breath. Oh, scoundrel. As you like, sir. But there are details here that would surprise you for all your so-called knowledge of affairs. You may remember the sudden end of the engagement between the Honorable Miss Miles and Colonel Duffy. And only because the absurd... sum of 1,200 pounds could not be found in time. 7,000 is ridiculous, Milberton, out of the question, is it? I think not. There was also the case of... Oh, well, no more names, perhaps. Well, sir? Watson, get behind him. Tell him to get out now. Now, sir, that notebook, if you please. You fool, Holmes. Stand back. You think I'd go about a business like mine unarmed? Stand back, I say. You too, Dr. Watson. or whatever your name is. Put up your hands. Holmes, I... Still, Watson. I expected something much more original, Mr. Holmes. I really did. From you? You think I'm such a fool as to carry the lesson about with me? You only make me more determined than ever.