The BBC Radio's version of The Blue Carbuncle contains, what has to be said is, one of my favourite scenes... It's when Holmes and Watson are standing in the street after proving the innocence of John Horner.
Here it is in its full text glory 💖
From Bert Coules' book 221 BBC.
[ID: text reads;
Watson: No, I mean it. There he was, off back to his family and friends... Did my heart good.
Holmes: I await with interest your heart-wringing prose version.
Watson: Really, old man. Can't you let it drop for a second?
A moment.
Well. I must be getting home. It's certainly been a Christmas Eve to remember. And tomorrow I dare say I'll even find the children tolerable.
Holmes says nothing.
Watson breaks the silence. He rubs his hands together, ready to leave.
Ah well. Goodnight then.
Holmes desperately wants him to stay.
He drops the mask for the barest moment.
Holmes: Watson. Wait.
Watson stops dead.
To him, the plea was unmistakable.
He's not sure how to handle this.
Watson: Holmes?
And neither is Holmes.
A moment.
Way off, Big Ben strikes the quarter.
Watson looks at his pocket-watch.
Good lord. I'd no idea it was so late. Early.
Holmes: Watson...
An awkward silence. Watson takes charge.
Watson: Holmes... this is damnably rude of me, but... well, I know you dine very late, as a rule.
And Holmes realises what he's doing and is grateful for it.
The mask goes back up.
Holmes: Absolutely true, doctor. Are you about to tell me that I'm ruining my digestion?
Watson: Actually, I was wondering if Mrs. Hudson might stretch to providing for two.
Holmes: For two?
Watson: Mary will have gone to bed hours ago. The whole household. I realise it's a dreadful imposition.
Holmes: I believe I can tolerate it.
Watson: Thank you, Holmes.
And again the mask disappears...
Holmes: Thank you, my friend.
But not for long. After a moment:
Come along, Doctor. Faces to the north and quick march!
They begin to walk, their footsteps echoing in the early morning stillness.
The scene is over taken by the closing music.
Closing announcements.
The music ends.
The end.
I had more audience reaction to that one single scene than any other in the Adventures. Once again, the combination of the actors' performances, the sounds and the music gave it a power far beyond the words on the page; but if it hadn't been for Patrick Rayner, it wouldn't have happened at all.
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