Chapter 1: What is the introduction to the story of The Limping Ghost?
Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the new adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petri family, the family that took time to bring you good wine, invites you to listen to Dr. Watson tell us another of his fascinating stories about his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. You know, we're really happy to be back with you once again.
And we're looking forward to getting together at this time every week from here on out. And I hope you won't mind if every once in a while I sort of get a word in edgewise about Petri wines. You know, and I really mean this, Petri wines are wonderful wines. For instance, right now, I wish I could give you a glass of Petri California Port.
You could hold that Petri Port up to the light and look at its clear, deep red color. You could smell that luscious grape aroma. And best of all, you could taste that Petri Port. What a flavor. That Petri Port just sort of rolls around on your tongue, and oh boy, is that ever good. Try Petri Port after dinner some evening, or try it when some friends drop in.
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 look in on our good friend, Dr. Watson, and see if he's expecting us.
Come in. Come in, Mr. Bartow. You're just the man I've been expecting.
How are you, Dr. Watson? It's good to see you again.
Thank you, my boy. It's very nice to see you again, too. I've missed our Monday night visits during the last three months. Mr. Sovedard, would you care to join me in a glass of port?
Thanks, doctor. That'd be nice. You know, it seems to me, after our summer vacation, a toast to the great Sherlock Holmes would be in order.
That's an excellent idea. Here you are, young fellow.
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Chapter 2: Who is the young man seeking Sherlock Holmes' help?
What did you do? I started to go towards the stairs, but as I did so, Betty screamed and then tumbled to the floor in a heap. Fainted, I suppose. Yes. While I was reviving her, the ghost disappeared. Who's staying with you at Lochner Castle at the moment? Well, there's Betty Nolan. She's the sister of James Nolan. He looks after my estate. Betty and I are engaged to be married. Oh. Thank you.
Yes, indeed. Anyone else staying with you? Yes. A distant cousin of mine, Jared K. McMorris, an American. He turned up in England a couple of months ago with his son, Walter. They're both with me at the present. A distant cousin. That's right, Mr. Holmes. Actually, they're descendants of a more than usually black sheep branch of the family...
I, uh, I don't know how long the old man's going to be with us, though. If you ask me, he's a dying man. How do you say that, sir? As far as I can gather, he's been wasting away for years. It's only a question of time before his strength fails him entirely. I, uh, was hoping perhaps you could take a look at him, Dr. Watson.
That is, if I could persuade you and Mr. Holmes to come and stay at the castle for a few days. Well, what about it, Holmes? It's an intriguing problem, Watson. The current Earl of Lochner would seem to be in danger. A cousin of his is dying of an obscure disease, and the ghost of Lochner Castle is walking again. Yes, it's an irresistible invitation.
I see no reason why we can't leave on the Scotch Express tonight. It's been quite a heavy fall of snow here in your absence, young man. Quite so. Judging from the colour of the sky, there's more to come. Very angry looking. Oh, now, as we round this bend, you'll be able to see the castle. Ah, yes. There you are, gentlemen. Magnificent.
Yes, it's a fine place, all right, Doctor, though it cost me a great deal in upkeep. As a matter of fact, I only have one wing open. It's always been something of a problem to get servants to come and live here. See, the local villages have a great respect for the Lachnere ghost, you know. What servants do you have at the castle at present?
A cook housekeeper, Mrs. McClintock, a fine old lady who's been with me for six years now. And then there's old Tannis. He's served my family for as long as I can remember. Well, as a matter of fact, it is now. Hello, Tammis.
I'm glad to see you back, my lord, and that's a fact. Oh, thank you, Tammis.
Oh, these gentlemen are Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watts.
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Chapter 3: What is the history behind the limping ghost of Loch Nair?
It's your cousin, my lord. Poor old Mr. McMorris, he's dead. What? Died early this morning. God rest his soul.
Dead? I'm very sorry that I arrived too late to be of any help. Well, thank you for telling me, Tavis. Oh, you may take the trap round now.
Aye, sir. I'll bring the baggage early.
So he's dead. Aye. Well, I can't say it's unexpected, but it is a shock, nevertheless. I'm sure that it must be, particularly as you yourself told us you saw the ghost of Lochner the night before us. In which case... In which case, Watson, I think we may reasonably expect another visitation. Perhaps before the night is over. Shall we go in?
THE END
This is Miss Nolan, my fiancƩe, Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
I'm very glad to meet you.
And this is her brother, James Nolan, the manager of my estate. How do you do, sir? How are you, Mr. Nolan? Much better for seeing you both up here. I'm sure it won't take you long to lay this ghost business by the heel. Well, I trust you don't overestimate our abilities, Mr. Nolan.
Eric, you've heard about your cousin, of course.
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Chapter 4: What strange events occur at Lochner Castle?
How's he taking it?
Very quietly.
Too quietly, if you ask me. Those Americans are pretty demonstrative people, you know. And Walter's been no exception. But he behaved very strangely this morning. And the doctor told him his father was dead. He just said, now things will start to happen and shut up like an oyster. Why can't they get a tailor? Yes, quite so, quite so.
Mr. Holmes, I expect you and Dr. Watson would like to go to your room. Yes, I must. I think first I'd like to take a look at the musician's gallery, if you don't mind. Yes, of course. Would you excuse us, darling?
All right, Alan.
It's in the dining hall here. They must have been very hospitable people in those days. Fifty or sixty people could eat at that table. Yes, doctor. Needless to remark, we hardly ever use the room nowadays. There's the musicians' gallery, Mr. Holmes. Oh, yes. Yes, I see. How do we get up there? I'll show you. See, there's a stone staircase behind this tapestry here. Follow me. Watch your step.
It's quite narrow. Rather dark. Watch your head, Watson, old chap.
Oh, don't worry about me, Holmes. I'm perfect.
Must have built these stairs for pygmies. Ah, yes. Here we are, gentlemen. This is the musician's gap. Right, Joe. You must have made a pretty picture in the days gone by. A little string orchestra fiddling away up here and tumbling up the Scottish nobility, bobbing and floating round in the intricacies of a Highland chatiche or a stately gavotte or something. What does that door lead to?
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Chapter 5: How does the ghostly legend affect the current Earl?
You gave me quite a start. I heard voices and I knew the candles were not alighting here, so I came in to see who it was. You're watching for the ghost, I suppose. Well, you'll no be disappointed, gentlemen. Though you may see more than you bargained for. Those that meddle with ghostly things they do not comprehend are playing with something much more dangerous than fire. Fire burns.
But the shades on dead people... Holmes!
Holmes! Look up there at the gallery. The door's opening.
It's the ghost! Aye. Here he comes, the poor buddy. See the armor on him? And the way he's dragging one leg behind him?
Yes, it's really quite an effective impersonation. And the twilight provides most appropriate lighting for his play-acting, too. You mean it's the young American? Of course.
Look!
Look behind him! There's another figure! Yes. Dressed in the same kind of armor and carrying a sword. Things are put, Watson. The ghost has seen him. He's turning. The second figure's raising his sword. Look out!
Look out!
Great heavens. He's knocked him through the railings. That must be a 20-foot fall. Come on, old fellow. Help me open his visor.
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Chapter 6: What shocking revelation does the Earl share with Holmes and Watson?
I must catch him in the act. Here he comes. Splendid. Let's go up and grab him. No, no, no, no. He'll walk into my trap. He's coming towards the head of the stairs. Great start! Exactly. A simple piece of wire stretched across the gallery is remarkably effective. Even with ghosts. Come on. Open off with this visor.
There we are.
Good Lord, it's... It's changed now. Exactly. What happened? You walked into a simple trap, my friend. I'm afraid the next trap will be more lethal. For it undoubtedly proved to be the one beneath the gallows. Now that we're headed back for London, Holmes, perhaps you'll settle one or two points in the case that are bothering me quite a bit. With pleasure, my dear chap. What are they?
I still don't see what Nolan's motive was in murdering the American. Oh, that should be obvious. He wanted to ensure that his sister's fiancƩe would enjoy undisputed title to the name of the States. How did you know it was Nolan? When I examined the authentic suit of armor. You see, it was obvious it had never been worn. But I still don't quite understand... Oh, come now, old chap.
The suit of armor was in a heap on the floor. Yeah? And if it had been hastily discarded and get... Well, the gauntlets were on top of the pile, remember? That's right, they were. If the suit had really been worn, the gauntlets would have been the first things to have been taken off, and so would have been underneath the pile.
Hmm?
Obviously, therefore, the armor had been disarranged in order to make people believe the real ghost had walked. After the American's death, the suspects were four. Miss Nolan, her brother, Thomas, the butler, and Earl himself. Well, I ruled out Mrs. McClintock because, remember, she was standing behind us at the time of the murder. I'm beginning to understand.
All the suspects except Nolan were small enough to have worn the armor. That's right. Therefore, only he could have pretended to use it. Pretended? But he did use it. Oh, no, my dear fellow. Undoubtedly, he procured a similar one at Modern Manufacture. An amazing case, Holmes. An interesting one at any rate. And once again, old fellow, I'm possibly reminded of an old Scottish litany.
Scottish litany? Which one, sir? Oh, you remember it. From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night. Good Lord deliver us.
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