Sherlock Holmes - The Blanched Soldier

0:00From London we present The Blanche Soldier, a play for radio by Michael Hardwick, based on the short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Blanche Soldier. For a long time my friend Watson has wanted me to write down an experience of my own. I have often had occasion to point out to him how superficial he's own accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures. Prior to your so firm he's retorted. And yes I'm compelled to admit I do begin to realize that the math must be presented in an interesting way. I find from my notebook that it was just at that time, January 19th, soon after the conclusion of the War War that I had a visit from a certain Mr. James and Dodd.

1:02It is my headache to sit with my dad to the window and to place my visitors in the opposite chair where the life falls full upon them. Mr. James and Dodd seem somewhat of a loss how to begin the interview so I gave him some of my conclusions. From South Africa's I perceive, oh why yes sir, Imperial Jermany, I think. Exactly. The Middle Secks, no doubt. Mr. Holmes, you're on a wizard. When the gentleman of the Virile appeared and sent us my room with such a tan upon his face as an English son could never give and with his handkerchief in his sleeve instead of in his pocket, it is not difficult to place him. You wear a short beard which shows that you are not a regular. You have the cut to the riding man. Best Middle Secks, your card has already shown me that you are a stop broker from the Flown Martin Street. What other regiment could you enjoy? You see everything. I see no more than you but I have trained myself to notice what I see. I have a Mr. Dodd, it was not a discussed with science of observation that you called upon

2:04me this morning. What has been happening at Tuxbury old part? Mr. Holmes, how? My idea sir, there is no mystery. Your letter came with that heading. As you fixed the appointment in very pressing terms it was clear that something sudden and important had occurred during your visit there. It was indeed. But a good deal has happened since that letter was written. If Colonel M's world hadn't kicked me out, I'd kicked you out. Perhaps Mr. Dodd you'll explain what you're talking about. I got into the way of supposing that you knew everything without being told. But I will give you the facts and I hope you will be able to tell me what they mean. Then prayed to receive. Colonel M's world was the Crimean V.C. You know? Oh yes. So when I joined up in 1901, young Goddry, his only son, joined the same squadron. Well we formed the kind of friendship you can only make when you both live the same life and share the same joys and sorrows. We took the rough and smooth together through a year of fighting.

3:05Then our Cypheratory, he was wounded in the shoulder. I got one letter from the hospital to Cape Town and one from South Hampton. Since then not a word. Not one word Mr. Holmes for six months or more. And he was my closest pal. Ed got then. When the war was over we all got back. I wrote to his father and I spoke of the walls. No answer. I wasted a bit and wrote again. This time I had to reply short and rough. God be gone on a void round the world and it wasn't that clear that he'd be back for a year. Though Mr. Holmes I wasn't satisfied. The whole thing seemed so damn unnatural. I wasn't like him to drop a pal in such a manner. What did you do? Well my underfares took quite a time to straighten out so I had been able to do anything about it till this week. My first move was to go down to his home, Tux Bray old park. I had to walk five miles from the station and it was nearly dark when I got there. But it iterates. When I told the old battle and I business he went away and then came back and served me

4:06straight into Colonel M's worth studying. Well said. I should be interested to know the reasons for this visit. I explained to him my letter, sir. I knew Godfrey in Africa. Yes, yes, I know that. Of course we've only your word for it. Why, I heard his letters to me in my pocket. Can't you let me see them? We were the closest of friends, sir. Is it not natural that I should wonder at his sudden silence and wish to know what has become of him? I have some recollection, sir, that I had already explained that in replying to your letters. He's gone upon a voyage round the world. His health was in a poor way after his African experiences and I was a view-opinion that complete rest and change when he did. Kindly pass that explanation on to any other friends who may be interested in the matter. Certainly. But perhaps he would have the goodness to let me have the name of the steamer and the shipping line. I have no doubt I should be able to get a letter through to him. Many people Mr. Dob would take a fence at your infernal pertenacity. They would consider this insistence to have reached the point of damn ignorance.

5:06And you must put it down to my real love, your son. Mr. Dob died, have already made every allowance upon that score. I must ask you however to drop these inquiries. But why, sir? Every family has its own inner knowledge and its own motives. They can't always be made clear to outsiders, however well-intentioned. I would ask you to let the present end the future alone. And I'll say you have gone a long way and you are welcome to stay the night here. My daughter Ralph will seat your needs. We'll be dying at eight o'clock. Come in. You'll be in partnership. I just brought you some more coals. Rita Coles, you said. I, Gareth. Yes, sir. Now, sir, will there be anything more tonight? Oh, no Ralph, that's all thanks. Oh, before you go, there's just one thing. Sir, you've been in service here for a long time, I suppose. Oh, yes, sir. Me in the meantime. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. I'm going to go. Oh, yes, sir. Me in the Mrs. Both.

6:07And you've known Master Godfrey for many years. Lord, bless you, sir. My Mrs. Nursky. You could say in a manner of speaking, I'm his foster father. Well, I can tell you, you've both been very proud to see him inside Africa. He bore himself well, sir. I understand. No brave man in the regiment. He pulled me out once from out of the Boers' rifles. Or maybe I shouldn't be here now. Yes, yes, that's Master Godfrey. Curricut, why there's not a tree in this park here, in time. Nothing would stop him. He was a fine boy all right. And he was a fine man, sir, was. You say he was. Look here. What is all this mystery about to it? What has become of Godfrey, I don't know what you mean, sir. Ask the Master about Master Godfrey. It's not for me to interfere. Let go of me, please, sir. How doesn't it be rough? You're going to answer one question before you leave this room if I have to hold you all night. Is Godfrey ends with dead?

7:10I wish he was, sir. I wish to God he was. Well, after that, I've seen apparently one interpretation with the host. My poor friend had evidently become involved in something criminal. At least something disreputable that had touched the family honor. His stern old father had sent me away for fear of some scandal coming to light. Well, that was what I thought just then. Your problem presents some very unusual features, Mr. Dad. I'll try to continue. For after Butler had gone, I must have stood there pondering all this for some time. Then something made me look up. And there was Godfrey ends with. In the room? No, he was outside the window. It was a ground floor room. I let the curtains open. And there he was, looking at me through the glass. He was deadly pale. I've never seen a man so white. I reckon ghosts may look like that. Desires met mine. And there were the eyes of a living man. Did he give in any sight when he saw me looking at him?

8:10He sprang back into darkness. Mr. Holmes, there was something shocking about that man. It wasn't just that gassed of face. It was something... something swinking and firtier, something guilty. It left a feeling of horror in my mind. I assume however that when the man has been soldiering a year or two with brother Boers, his claim it, he keeps his nerve and that's quickly, exactly. I got very hardly washed, boys, out of that window. I ran down the garden path and the way I thought he might have gone. It seemed to me that something was moving ahead of me. I called his name. There was no use. When I got to the end of the path, there were several others branching in different directions to some outhouses. But as I stood there hesitating, I distinctly heard the sound of a closing door. It wasn't behind me in the house. It was somewhere ahead in the darkness. I knew then Mr. Holmes that what I'd seen was no vision. Well then Mr. Dodd, what else did you do? It's nothing more than I could do. I spent none easy night trying to find some theory to cover the fact.

9:10The next day I found the Colonel rather more conciliatory. His wife remarked that there were some places of interest in the neighborhood and I saw an open to ask that I might stay there one more night. Somewhat, grudgingly, he agreed, which gave you a care day in which to make your observation. Yes. I felt I must explore the gardens to see what I could find. There were several small outhouses, but at the end of the garden there was an attached building of some size. It was heavily curtoned. I wondered if this could have been the place the sound of that shutting door to come from. I approached an occurlest fashion, storing an elusive, and as I did so a small, there did man a black coat and a bowler hat came out of the door. He locked it out of him. Then he looked at me and was so surprised. Good day, son. Good day. Are you... are you all this is her here? Yes, I am. My name is Dodd. James M. Dodd. I see. I'm an old army charm of Mr. Godfrey, M. Smith's. I came hoping to see him.

10:11What a pity that he should be away on his travels. He would have been pleased to see you know that, Mr. Dodd. Just travels, exactly. Well, good day, he was home. Now doubt you will resume your visit at some more propitious time. Good day, son. He passed on. When I turned, I observed that he was standing watching me half concealed by some laurels at the far end of the garden. So I strolled back to the house and waited for night. As soon as everyone had retired and everything was dark and quiet, I sipped out of my window and made my way as silently as possible to the mysterious lodge. The curtains were still drawn, but now there were shutters up as well. Even so, there was some light coming through one place. I found I could see inside the room. I saw the little man I'd seen that morning. He was smoking a pipe and reading a paper. I tried to see more of the room, but just then, so you become a spy, have you? Oh, that's what I'm talking about. Kindly follow me back to the house, Sam.

11:12There is a train to London at 8.30 in the morning. Sir, finally. The matter will not bear discussion. You'll meet a most damnable inclusion into the privacy of our family. You will hear as a guest and you become a spy. I'd nothing more to say, sir, say that I have no wish ever to see you again. Very well, Colonel Enthruth. I've seen your son, and I'm convinced that for some reason if you're own you are concealing him from the world. I've no idea what your motive is on, and cutting him off in this fashion, but I'm sure he's no longer a free agent. And I won't return, but until I'm assured of the safety of the well-being of my friend, I shall never dis assist in my efforts to get the bottom of this mystery. However, he didn't attack me, Mr. Holmes. There was nothing for it, but to take the appointed train, after writing first, to ask you for a scene. It was to dud, but there's servants. Now, how many were there in the house? But the best of my belief, there were only the old butter and s'wife. The families seemed to live in a simplest fashion.

12:12There was no certain ten in the dead catch-toss. No. Unless the little man with a beard acted as such, he seemed to be quite a superior person. You mentioned seeing him sitting by the fire reading a paper. What paper was it? Well, can that matter? It could be most essential. Well, it took no notice. And possibly you observed whether it was a broadleaf paper or a bit smaller type, which one associates with weaklifts. Since you mentioned it, he wasn't very large. Very well. Now, had you any indication that food was conveyed from the one house for the other? Well, I did see a rough carrying a basket down the garden walk and going in the direction of this house. Did you make it in local inquires? Yes, I did. I spoke to the station master and the innkeeper. I simply asked to send you anything of my old comet, God bemswith. Both of them assured me that he gone for a voyage. And the world. You said nothing of your suspicion. Nothing. Yet you said that you had seen your friends face quite clearly at the window. So clearly that you're sure to visit anything? I have no doubt about it, whatever.

13:12The lamp light shone full upon it. It couldn't have been someone resembling it. No, no, no. It was he. But you say he was changed. Only in color. His face was... I was trying to spread it, it was... ...of a fish belly whiteness. It was bleached. In patches? Well, it was his brow that I saw so clear. It was pressed against the window. Very well, Mr. Dad. The matter should certainly be inquired into... ...I will go back with you to a tux-plael part today. Well, as it happens, I'm carrying up another matter at the moment. Let's say the beginning of next week. I should be ready whenever you are, Mr. Holmes. Oh, I should also ask an old friend of mine to accompany us. It is possible that his presence may be entirely unnecessary. On the other hand, it may be essential. The narratives of my friend Watson have shown no doubt... ...that I do not waste words or disclose my false... ...while the case is under consideration.

14:12In fact, my case was practically complete. When we arrived at the strange old, rammed-ing house... ...I asked the elderly friend who'd accompanied us... ...to remain in the carriage unless we should summon him. I had not introduced him to Dad, who seemed surprised... ...that asked no questions. The old Butler Ralph opened the door to us. He wore the conventional costume of black coat... ...and pepper and salt trousers... ...with only one curious variant. He had unbrown leather gloves. He shuffled them off at the sight of us... ...laying them down on the whole table. I have as Watson may sometimes have remarked... ...and have normally a cute set of senses... ...and a faint but incisive smell was apparent. I could try to drop my hat to the floor... ...and in picking it up brought my nose within a foot of the gloves. A curious, tary, odor was oozing from me. My case was completed last. Big answer. Mr. Dodd and Mr. Sherlock Holmes to see you, sir.

15:14Or who the devil told you to do? What is the meaning of this? You, sir. Have I not told you you inferno busybody? Never to dare show your damned face here again. If you choose to enter here without my leave... ...I shall be within my right if I use violence. As to you, Mr. Holmes, I extend the same warming to you. I am familiar with your noble profession. Ralph telephone has once to the countable east. Gost the inspector to send up two constables. Tell him that there are burglars in the house. One moment, you must be aware, Mr. Dodd. The Colonel M's work is within his right. On the other hand, he should recognize that your action... ...is pointed entirely by solicitude for his son. I venture to hope that if I were allowed to have five minutes... ...conversation with Colonel M's work, I could certainly alter his view of the matter. What the devil you waiting for Ralph? Ring the police, I say. Gorym, sir. Nothing of the sort. Any police interference... ...but bring about a big catastrophe or dread. Hand away from that daughter. Colonel M's work.

16:14On this page of my notebook, I am writing just one word. Here you are, sir. Very read it, and you will know what has brought us here. Well... How... How did you know this? It is my business to know things. That is my trade. Then you forced my hand. If you wish to see God free, you shall. But this is your doing, not mine. Mr. Holmes, what does this mean? You shall soon see, Mr. Dodd. Ralph, sir. Go down to the garden house and tell Mr. Godfrey and Mr Kent... ...that in five minutes we shall be with them. Very good, sir. Very good. That this is very sudden, Colonel M's work. This will disarray into all our plans. I can't help it, Kent. Our hands have been forced. Can Mr. Godfrey, see us now? Yes, he's waiting inside. Follow me, gentlemen.

17:18Godfrey, oh man. Don't touch me, Jimmy. Don't come near. Yes, you may well stare. I don't quite look smart enough of these squadrons now. Do I? What happened? Those white patches on your skin. That's why I don't court visitors. But you've seen the heavy as a disadvantage. I came down to see if all was well with you. That night you looked into my window. Oh, Ralph told me you were there. I couldn't resist taking a peek after you ran away. I couldn't let the matter rest. I asked Mr. Sherlock Holmes here to help. Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, eh? Well, Mr. Holmes, you may as well hear my story, too. If you please, Mr. Enzer. Do I take long to tell? Do you remember, Jimmy, that morning fight outside Pretoria on the Eastern Railway Line? You heard I was hit. Yes, I heard about it. I never got particular.

18:18Three of us got separated from the rest. All is Simpson and Henson and I. The other two were killed. I got a bullet from my shoulder. I stuck on my horse, though, and he got up several miles with me before I must have rolled off in a faint. When I came to it, it was night. It was deadly cold. You remember that kind of numb cold just covered in it? I do. Deadly. It was a building nearby. I knew my only hope was to reach it. I didn't remember this staggering there. The men of a large room with many beds in it. I just fell on to one of them and passed out. Like a few. Ha! Was it? When I woke in the morning, it was as though I'd passed from a world of sanity into a nightmare. Standing in front of me was a dwarf like man with a huge bulb of his head.

19:19He was jabbering in Dutch and waving. In his hands, they were like horrible drums, sponges of blood. There were others behind him watching him. And as I looked at them, I realized that one of them was a normal human being. Everyone was twisted or swirled and it was just figured in some way. And they were laughing at me. God, I can hear them now. Well, then that little beast, ladies horrible, deformed hands on me, and began turning me off the bed. My wound was bleeding, but he went on. It was as strong as a bull. I don't know what he was going to do, but an elderly man suddenly came in and shouted an order and dutch. And the little monster moved away. This is fantastic. It's only too true. Well, the elderly man spoke to me in English. I'm a doctor, he said. That shoulder of yours wants to fix him out quickly,

20:19but man alive, you know where you are. Oh, a hospital? I see. Yes, he said. The Lepper Hospital. You're lying in a leper's bed. Oh, God. Now you have the truth, Mr. Dodd. Thanks to the British Adag, I was in the General Hospital of Pretoria within a week. Apart from my show, I said, I'll be all right. It wasn't until they got me home and I came here that these terrible signs began to appear on my face. And you then, that I hadn't escaped. What was I to do, Mr. Dodd? We had two servants, we could trust completely. There was this house where he could live. Mr. Kent here, he's a surgeon, was prepared to stay and care for him in secret. Yes, but why? Surely a hospital? Don't you see it would have meant segregation for the rest of his life. To live forever amongst strangers without any hope of release.

21:21Even in these quiet parts, if one word had got out, he would have been dragged away to that. Even you had to be kept alert, Dr. Jimmy. But what I don't understand, Father, is why you've religion now. It was Mr. Sherlock Holmes, who forced my hand with this scrap of paper. He wrote one word on it, leprosy. After that, I realized that if he knew so much, it was safe for the he should know it all. So it was, and who knows, but good may come at it. How? I understand that only you, Mr. Kent, have attended the patient. There are asks, if you are in a authority on such tropical or semi-tropical complaints? I have the ordinary knowledge of the educated medical man. I have no doubt, sir, that you are fully competent. But I'm sure you will agree that in such a case, a second opinion is valuable. It would have meant pressure being put on us to segregation. I foresaw this situation, and I brought for this friend whose discretion may be absolutely trusted. I was able once to do in a professional service, and he is ready to advise as a friend, rather than as a specialist.

22:24His name is Mr. James Saunders. Sir James? He is a present at the carriage outside the door. Then I should be proud, Mr. Holmes. Good. I will ask him to step this way. A meanwhile, Colonel, in his work, we may perhaps assemble in your study. My invariable process starts upon the supposition that when you have eliminated all that which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the proof. At this case, was first presented to make about three possible explanations of the Soutusion or incarceration of this gentleman in the North House of Dispathers' Mansion. There was the possibility that he was infiding for a crime, or that he was mad and they wished to avoid a messiler, or that he had some disease which caused his segregation. I could think of no other adequate explanations.

23:24The criminal's illusion would not bear inspection. No unsolved crime had been reported from this district. If it was some crime not yet discovered, then clearly it would be to the families interest to send the delinquent abroad rather than keep it in concealed at home. In San Mate was more close and what's that? The presence of the second person in the outhouse suggested a keeper. The fact that he locked the door when he came out, strengthened supposition. On the other hand, this constraint could not be severe, or the young man could not have not lost to have a look at his friend. You will remember Mr. Dog that I felt wrong for point. I was such as asking me about the pegman Mr. Kattobain reading. You were being optimistic there at the time. Had it been a medical paper, it would have helped me. It is not illegal to keep a lunatic upon private premises so long as there is a qualified person in attendance and the authorities have been notified. Then why all this desperate disaster secrecy? So you had no theory to fit the facts again. There remained a fair possibility.

24:24Rare and unlikely as it was, everything seemed to fit into it. Lethrecy is not uncommon in South Africa. Bleaching of the skin is a common result of a disease. By some extraordinary chance, this youth might have contracted it. His people would be placed in a very dreadful position since they would desire to save him from segregation. Great secrecy would be needed. But he could be allowed some freedom after dark. A divergent medical man, if sufficient to pay, would easily be found to take care of it. You would not discase Mr. Strongest of the Free In fact. So strong that I determined to act as if it were actually proved. When I arrived here, notice that the gloves worn by Ralph who carried the meals were strongly impregnated but disinfected. My last dance was removed. A single word showed you, sir, that your secret was discovered. Yes, yes, I see it now. But tell me, sir, why did you write it down instead of saying it? That was to prove to you that my discretion was to be trusted.

25:24I thought as much. Ah, here is the day. Well, sir, let us know the West. It is often my love to bring ill tidings and seldom good. This occasion is the more welcome, Colonel M'sworth. It is not, let us say. Not? What is it, sir? A well-not case of pseudo-leprosy, ect theosis. It's a spell like a fiction of a skin and cycly, obstinate, but possibly curable and certainly non-infective. Then haven't they thanked? But surely if he got it from contact, those lipper fellows? No, not from them. Echo incidents. Remarkable, Dr. A. Coincidence. Coincidence, Magyasa James? Are we assured that the apprehension from which this young man has suffered since his terrible experience may not have produced a physical effect simulating temperature fears? May they not be subtle forces of work of which we know very, very little.

26:26That was The Blanche Sodja by Michael Hodrick, based on the short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes was date by Carlton Hobbes and production for the BBC was by Frederick Bradman.