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Old Time Detectives

Sherlock Holmes - Gunpowder Plot

17 Feb 2026

Transcription

Chapter 1: What is the significance of Guy Fawkes Day in the story?

0.52 - 22.545 Harry Bartell

This episode from the life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by shortwave through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri Wine brings you... Castle Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

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24.753 - 44.616 Harry Bartell

The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his good friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And if you ask me, the best way to listen to that story is to do it with a glass of port wine right handy. Petri California Port.

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44.636 - 60.626 Harry Bartell

No kidding, that Petri Port is just swell for any time good friends get together to talk things over. You couldn't ask for a more delicious wine. Why, just looking at the deep, rich, red color of that Petri Port tells you that here is a wine with a flavor that comes right from the heart of sun-ripened grapes.

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61.407 - 68.354 Harry Bartell

If you haven't ever tried Petri Port, why not get a bottle and have a glass after dinner tomorrow night? It's a perfect after-dinner wine, you know.

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Chapter 2: How does Sherlock Holmes relate to the Gunpowder Plot?

68.995 - 90.534 Harry Bartell

And share that port with your family and your friends. Don't forget, when you serve Petri Port, you can serve it proudly. Because after all, the name Petri is the proudest name in the history of American wines. And now let's keep our weekly appointment. Good evening, Dr. Watson.

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90.615 - 93.284 Dr. Watson

Good evening, Mr. Bartell. Drop it, sir.

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93.384 - 93.785 Harry Bartell

Thank you.

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94.086 - 94.568 Dr. Watson

That's it.

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95.206 - 96.869 Harry Bartell

By the way, do you know what date it is?

Chapter 3: What unusual adventure does Dr. Watson recount?

97.79 - 99.453 Harry Bartell

Um, November 5th, isn't it?

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99.473 - 103.6 Dr. Watson

That's right. In England, it's known as Guy Fawkes Day. Have you ever heard of it?

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103.62 - 106.344 Harry Bartell

It's something to do with a gunpowder plot, isn't it?

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106.364 - 125.121 Dr. Watson

Yes, Mr. Bartell, it is. And as Sherlock Holmes and I had a very unusual adventure on the 5th of November many years ago, it seems appropriate that I should tell you about it tonight. Before I begin, I think it might help you to appreciate the true flavor of the story if I tell you a little about the origin and the customs of Guy Fawkes Day.

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125.141 - 126.223 Harry Bartell

It's a swell idea, Dr. Watson.

126.243 - 135.675 Dr. Watson

Well, my boy, on November 5th, 1605, exactly 340 years ago today, King James I was about to attend the opening of Parliament.

Chapter 4: What evidence suggests King James I was never in real danger?

135.976 - 139.722 Dr. Watson

when a plot was discovered to blow up the House of Lords during the ceremony.

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140.103 - 142.507 Harry Bartell

And the chief conspirator was Guy Fawkes, I suppose?

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142.527 - 155.588 Dr. Watson

Yes, he was. He was captured in a vault immediately below the House of Lords, a vault full of barrels of gunpowder. Of course, he and his fellow conspirators were executed. And ever since then, November the 5th has been known as Guy Fawkes Day.

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156.057 - 158.04 Harry Bartell

Well, how's it celebrated, Doctor?

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158.061 - 173.648 Dr. Watson

Well, it's a great time for the youngsters, Mr. Bartell. They black their faces along the streets, begging for pennies, and build bonfires in which to burn effigies of Guy Fawkes. These effigies are life-sized dummies stuffed with straw and dressed in old clothes.

Chapter 5: How does the character of James Stewart add to the plot?

174.189 - 182.426 Dr. Watson

The children parade them in the streets, chanting rhymes. Well, now, let me see... Pleased to remember the 5th of November. Guy Fawkes Guy. Hit him in the eye.

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183.628 - 187.391 Harry Bartell

The kids must have quite a time. Sort of like Halloween, huh, Doctor?

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187.411 - 198.723 Dr. Watson

Yes, not unlike it, my boy. Well, now that I've told you something about the customs of Guy Fawkes Day, I'll get on with my story. It began just before lunch, I remember, on November the 5th, 1899.

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Chapter 6: What role do the Baker Street Irregulars play in the investigation?

199.804 - 229.296 Dr. Watson

The day was foggy and cold, and Holmes and I seated each side of a blazing fire in our Baker Street rooms. From outside we could hear the sound of voices laughing and singing. Suddenly Holmes rose and crossed to the window, opened it and looked out. Then he turned to me and spoke. Children are having a great time, Watson, aren't they?

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229.316 - 243.659 Dr. Watson

Yes, it cost me a shilling worth of pennies to walk here this morning. Has it occurred to you, Watson, that the Gunpowder Plot offers very promising material to the speculative mind? In what way, Holmes? I say it's confoundedly chilly in here. Don't you think you might shut that window?

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Chapter 7: How does the plot twist reveal the true intentions of the characters?

245.842 - 264.932 Dr. Watson

Sorry, old chap. As I was saying, the Gunpowder Plot offers very promising material to the speculative mind. I've made something of a study of the historical records of the case. There's more than a little evidence to suggest that King James was never in any real danger. Never in any danger? What makes you say that? Knowledge of the proposed dastardly scheme came to light early.

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264.972 - 280.246 Dr. Watson

The James Stuart King of England, the possessor of a shrewd and diabolical mind, used the spectacular discovery of the plot to try and bolster his weight in popularity, as well as to justify increased religious persecutions. Well, that's the first I've heard of it, Holmes. I dare say, old fellow, it's true just the same.

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Chapter 8: What is the resolution of the story and its implications?

280.746 - 287.226 Dr. Watson

I'm afraid James Stuart King of England was an unscrupulous tyrant. Come in. Oh, yes, Mrs. Hudson?

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287.546 - 293.551 Mrs. Hudson

There is a gentleman to see you, Mr. Holmes. He said it was very important. He asked me to give you his card.

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293.571 - 297.855 Dr. Watson

Oh, thank you, Mrs. Hudson. Oh. Ask him to come up, please, will you?

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298.335 - 299.136 Mrs. Hudson

Aye, sir.

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299.156 - 315.63 Dr. Watson

Who is it, Holmes? A gentleman with a remarkably fine sense of timing. Read his card for yourself. Let's have a look. Mr. James Stewart. Great Scott. That's an extraordinary coincidence that he should arrive just as we're talking about James Stewart, King of England. Come in.

317.821 - 319.243 Mrs. Hudson

Mr. James Stewart.

319.283 - 330.635 Dr. Watson

How do you do, Mr. Stewart? My name is Sherlock Holmes, and this is my colleague, Dr. Watson. How do you do, sir? How do you do? Mr. Holmes, you've got to help me. I'm walking about in mortal fear of my life. You've got to help me. Mr. Stewart, I suggest that you sit down.

330.675 - 348.558 Dr. Watson

I'll do anything in my power to help you, but you must compose yourself first and tell me quietly what it is that's frightening you. How can I compose myself when I may be dead within a few hours? No, no, no, Mr. Stewart. I'm a doctor. I really think if I were to give you a sedative that you'd find... How can you talk of sedatives when I... My heart. Doctor... All right, all right.

348.598 - 380.3 Dr. Watson

Now, here, let me help you with this sofa. There you are now. Here's Holmes, and I'll give him some digitalis. A fellow with a bad heart like this shouldn't allow himself to get so excited. Here you are, Mr. Stewart. Drink this. That's it. That's it. And now this, Mr. Stewart. What is it? It's digitalis. Very well. There now. Feel better, sir? Yes, Mr. Holmes. Yes, I do. You're right.

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