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Old Time Detectives

Sherlock Holmes - Blarney Stone

21 Dec 2025

30 min duration
5648 words
6 speakers
21 Dec 2025
Description

https://www.solgoodmedia.com Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free! 'Old Time Detectives' delves into the shadowy corners of crime-solving, reviving the intrigue and suspense of vintage detective stories. Unravel mysteries with a classic twist as each episode brings a new case from the golden era of detectives.

Audio
Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0.031 - 23.695 Unknown

It was Christmas in Dublin, and Putz was in Booth where he found better than half price on electrical beauty, including best-selling favourites and premium brands. Don't miss out. Shop in-store or online. Gifts happily ever after. Booth. Subject to availability, selected stores offer in 6th of January, 2026.

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23.735 - 48.178 Unknown

Twas Christmas in Dublin, and Puss was in Boots where he found better than half-priced, fragrant star gifts, including best-selling favourites and premium brands. Don't miss out. Shop in-store or online. Gifts happily ever after. Boots. Selected stores while stocks last. Offer ends 24th of December.

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48.648 - 78.098 Dr. Watson

Petri Wine brings you... ...Nazel Rathbone and Nigel Bruce and the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invite you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another story about his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And incidentally, I'd like to tell you about a swell American custom.

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78.736 - 101.282 Dr. Watson

The custom of serving sherry wine just before dinner. Petri California sherry. You know, especially when you have guests, while you're waiting for that call to the dinner table, there's nothing better than a good glass of that good Petri sherry. You don't need fancy glasses for Petri sherry. No, sir. That wine tastes good out of any glass. And it looks good, too.

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101.302 - 124.466 Dr. Watson

Beautifully clear and the color of precious amber. Just try that Petri sherry and you'll feel like smacking your lips after every sip. Oh, and say, Petri makes two kinds of sherry. The regular sherry and Petri pale dry sherry. Just to make sure you get the perfect sherry for the whole family, don't buy one, buy two. But do be sure the sherry you buy is Petri sherry.

125.207 - 142.983 Dr. Watson

Petri, the proudest name in the history of American wine. Oh, I'm sure our good friend Dr. Watson's ready for us. Let's go in and join him.

145.026 - 146.587 Sherlock Holmes

Oh, there you are, Mr. Bartell.

146.767 - 149.911 Dr. Watson

Good evening, Doctor. Say, where are the puppies this evening?

149.931 - 155.176 Sherlock Holmes

Mr. Bartell, don't you think it's about time you began to refer to them as the dogs? They're almost a year old, you know.

Chapter 2: What is the significance of the Blarney Stone in the story?

192.237 - 213.489 Sherlock Holmes

Blarney Castle is an imposing 15th century ruin a few miles outside the town of Cork. The castle is many stories high, and in the foremost tower, the famous Blarney Stone is situated. What's supposed to be the point in kissing it, Doctor? The stone is considered a powerful talisman, and the legend runs that whoever kisses it is endowed with eloquence for life.

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214.13 - 223.1 Dr. Watson

Say, Doctor, if I ever get over to Ireland, I'll certainly kiss that stone. But you're such a storyteller yourself, Doctor. I bet you've kissed it, huh? No, Mr. Bartell.

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223.16 - 246.329 Sherlock Holmes

I'm afraid I've never had quite enough courage. Courage? Why does it need courage, Doctor? Because Blarney Stone is set in a most inaccessible position on the outside wall. To kiss it, it is customary to lower the candidate for eloquence over the rampart, head foremost, with a friend hanging on to his heels. From the top of a castle? It does sound dangerous, Doctor.

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246.349 - 262.986 Sherlock Holmes

It was, my boy, so much so that in recent years, a great row of iron spikes was put around the parapet to prevent an accident. Of course, at the time tonight's story took place, there was no such guard. And I have a feeling that an accident did take place, Doctor. Now, now, now, now, Mr. Bartell, let me tell you the story from the beginning.

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263.747 - 282.737 Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes and I were staying in the city of Cork, where the great manager solved the singular affair which the local press had referred to as the leprechaun murders. A few days before our departure for England, we paid a visit to Blarney Castle. I must confess that I had a certain desire to test the miraculous powers attributed to the Blarney Stone.

283.418 - 304.217 Sherlock Holmes

I very soon changed my mind, however, as Holmes and I stood there, high on the turrets of Blarney Castle, and watched a terrified initiate being hauled up by his ankles and yelling at the top of his voice. Pull me up! Pull me up quickly! I think I'm going to faint! Great Scott, I had no idea that kissing the Blondie Stone was such a hazardous proceeding, huh?

304.277 - 304.358

Yes.

304.675 - 321.975 Sherlock Holmes

It would seem that eloquence could be more easily obtained than by hanging suspended by one's ankles from a battlement with a hundred foot drop below and kissing a piece of stone. Oh, I'll never do that again. Oh, I'll never, never do that again. I must say, I don't blame the fuller. And yet, my dear chap, on our way over here, you've expressed a sneaking desire to kiss the stone yourself.

322.175 - 339.361 Sherlock Holmes

I'll be very happy to hold your ankles if you want to try the experiment. No, no, thank you. After witnessing the ceremony, I've changed my mind. Then I suggest we make our way back downstairs. I don't think there's much more to be seen up here. Very well. By the way, Holmes, do you know the origin of the superstition regarding the Blarney Stone? Yes, I do, old chap.

Chapter 3: How does the legend of the Blarney Stone relate to the plot?

549.717 - 566.581 Sherlock Holmes

You mean the fellow with the very beautiful girl? Yes. The man's Michael Corker, my partner. Oh, the girl's absolutely ravishing. You'd like to meet her? I'd like to, my joy, yes. What do you say, Holmes? All right, well, Watson, the combination of my natural curiosity and your taste for pretty face would seem to suit the occasion admirably.

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567.062 - 569.886 Sherlock Holmes

I might as well warn you, Doctor, that the pretty face...

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569.866 - 599.289 Unknown

Belongs to my wife your wife In life you've around 29,000 days and those days can be full of what ifs like what if it doesn't work? But what if it does? What if you really went after it because life is measured in those moments so go after everyone and Talk to AIB today and let's see how we can turn your what-ifs into what's next. AIB, for the life you're after.

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600.491 - 614.685 Unknown

Allied Irish Banks PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. On the many days of Christmas that Guinness Storehouse brings to thee, a visit filled with festivities. Experience the story of Ireland's most iconic beer in a stunning Christmas setting at the Guinness Storehouse.

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615.327 - 633.384 Unknown

Enjoy seven floors of interactive exhibitions and finish your visit with breathtaking views of Dublin City from the home of Guinness. Live entertainment, great memories and the Gravity Bar. My goodness, it's Christmas at the Guinness Storehouse. Book now at GuinnessOrHouse.com. Get the facts. Be drink-aware. Visit DrinkAware.ie.

634.386 - 648.265 Sherlock Holmes

Oh, you better bring your glasses with you. Morning, my dear. I want you to meet two English friends of mine, Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson. How do you do?

648.285 - 651.71 Geoffrey Hankin

How do you do, Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson? Won't you sit down and join us?

651.73 - 658.114 Sherlock Holmes

And this is my partner, Michael Corcoran. How do you do, Mr. Corcoran? How do you do, sir? I'm glad to meet you. Please be seated, gentlemen.

658.695 - 660.117 Geoffrey Hankin

Are you visiting here in court?

Chapter 4: What events lead to the death of Geoffrey Hankin?

786.848 - 810.104 Sherlock Holmes

Did you see the glances which Mr. Hankin's partner and his wife exchanged as the brawl started? There was more menace to him in those glances than in all the threats of all the little people in Ireland. Yes. I thought that there was something between them. I say, Holmes, that bet about Hankin kissing the Blarley Stone at noon tomorrow, do you suppose... I suppose nothing, old fellow.

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810.885 - 841.772 Sherlock Holmes

But there are forces at work here that I don't like. I think, Watson, that you and I will be at the Blarley Stone at noon tomorrow. It's possible that the bet made tonight is all part of a definite plan, and I have a feeling that the bet is still on. It's quite windy up here today, old fellow, at the top of the tower, isn't it? Yes, it's just past noon.

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842.373 - 864.069 Sherlock Holmes

I wonder if that man Hankin is going to keep to the terms of his best. We shall soon learn. In the meanwhile, are you sure that you wouldn't like to change your mind and kiss the Blarney Stone yourself? I'm quite sure, thank you. Ah, here they come now. Yes. Hankin and his partner, Mr. Cochran. The bet is on, Watson. Good day to you, gentlemen. Oh, hello. It's my friends from last night.

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864.229 - 883.527 Sherlock Holmes

Well, I see you're going through with the bet, son. Oh, yes. Jeffrey set his mind on the ten pounds of mine. Your wife didn't become you, Mr. Hankin? No, she didn't. I'm afraid I'm rather in disgrace for my behavior last night. Molly made me go around and see that waiter fellow that I hit. I offered him money, but he wouldn't take it. Did you offer him an apology? Apologize to a waiter?

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883.567 - 909.056 Sherlock Holmes

I should say not. Well, come on, let's get this stupid farce over with. Are you sure your nerves can stand it, Jeffrey? There's a drop of a hundred feet or more below you. Oh, don't worry about me, Michael. Just hold on to my ankles tightly and don't let go. I'll climb onto the parapet. There we are. Now hold on to my feet, Michael, and lower me gently. I'm holding you, Jeffrey. Then lower away.

909.076 - 935.908 Sherlock Holmes

Right you are, Jeffrey. I thought I wouldn't do that for a hundred pounds. sliding headfirst down a vertical wall. That's enough, Michael. I can reach the stone. Oh, his boots. They're slipping through my fingers. I can't hold him. Let me help you. I'm sitting. Hold on to him. Hold on to him. Oh, he's gone. I just couldn't hold him. Great heavens. No man could survive that drop.

936.028 - 954.434 Sherlock Holmes

Mr. Cochran, you deliberately let your partner slip to his death. This is murder. Which I don't understand. A strong man. But he just vanished out of my hands like a grease bead. Let me see your hands, Mr. Corcoran. This is dreadful. Dreadful. There's grease on your hands. Grease. And with a faint trace of boot blacking.

954.635 - 969.418 Sherlock Holmes

Good Lord, Holmes, that means... It means, Watson, that someone knowing that Hankin was going to kiss the Bliny Stone smeared his boots with grease so that he would slip out of the grasp of whoever was holding him. As clever a method of indirect long-distance murder as ever I've encountered.

971.035 - 999.692 Dr. Watson

You'll hear the remainder of Dr. Watson's story in just a second, so I'm going to remind you that Petri California Sherry is not only wonderful before dinner, but it's good almost any time. If you had to choose just one wine for almost any occasion, that wine would be Petri Sherry. Petri Sherry is a perfect wine to serve in the afternoon or in the evening.

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