Sherlock & Co. - 10 - The Golden Pince-Nez - Part Two

Episode Date: December 5, 2023

THE DYING PREACHER had a lot to answer for. A young man had been murdered not only at his property but in his bedroom. HIS BEDROOM FOR GOODNESS SAKE. Willoughby Smith was stabbed in the neck by an unknown killer right under the nose of the incapacitated Elder Coram. My companion and I arrived at Yoxley Old Place in Chatham in the midst of a fierce storm. Follow me @DocJWatsonMD or get in touch via email [e-mail] Listener discretion is advised. This podcast is property of Goalhanger Podcasts. Copyright 2023. ------- SHERLOCK AND CO. Based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Paul Waggott as Dr. John Watson Harry Attwell as Sherlock Holmes Rhys Tees as PCSO Stanley Hopkins Aaron Kara as Saviour Tarlton Karim Kronfli as Elder Coram Written by Joel Emery Directed by Adam Jarrell Editing and Sound Design by Holy Smokes Audio Produced by Neil Fearn and Jon Gill Executive Producer Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Previously on Sherlock and Co. There's been a murder. 19 years old. Willoughby Smith. I shouldn't have raced over here, but I don't want them to cover it up. They're police. No, the saviours of God. So, ETA about midnight? Yeah, my shift ends at 5am. That's when the rest of the force will be back.

You just need to work out everything you can at that time. Watson set an alarm for 4.55am. These are the saviours of God. They believe that Coram is enshrined with some sort of authority from God. They practice a very strict way of life, closed off from the outside world. No girls, no temptation, no society. He reaches into every community centre, every friendship group, public service. Anyway, I made it to the crime scene and, yeah, he stabbed in the neck in Elder Coram's

bedroom. Coram is ill, very ill. Can't really get out of bed. Coram says that Willoughby said as he was dying, Elder Coram, it was she. Coram is planning something with all the saviors. Human sacrifice. sacrifice roll up roll up for the golden pantsnay part 2 as warned in the previous episode

this adventure contains murder so hold on to your hats oh and also just some general law breaking from the both of us, actually.

Shh, don't tell anyone. Yeah, but seriously, if there are any law enforcement listening, it was all for the greater good. So, yeah, anyway, back to the case. To the patrol car of PCSO Stanley Hopkins and his accusation of human sacrifice at Yoxley Old Place, home of Elder Coram and the saviours of God. You'll need to wear these forensics overalls inside and put these masks on.

Hopkins. It's Stanley. Stanley. Stanley. Bringing us into this crime scene uninvited, posing as CSI, this could get you into serious trouble. It's not like they're going to revoke his officer status. He's just a community support officer.

I know, Sherlock, but this is dangerous for him still, alright? I know. I'm aware of the risks. Right. Okay, well, let's suit up then, shall we? Oh, God. It's hard to do in a car, this, isn't it? Oh, that's the leather squeaking, that noise.

It's not me. It's the leather squeaking, that noise It's not me, it's the leather Okay, Sherlock, put your overalls on before you go inside I'm not going inside Yet What's he doing? I don't know He's getting soaked Is he going to get caught doing know. He's getting soaked.

Is he going to get caught doing that? There's only one member of the force on site until morning. Oh, right. Who's that? Me. Course, yeah. Yep, just under five hours to solve this thing. Where is he?

Who? The victim, Willoughby. In the morgue. Do you have pictures? Er, yeah. Yeah, there. Small knife. Evening.

Find anything, Mr Holmes? If you were to search all England, I don't suppose you would find a household more self-contained or freer from outside influences. That's how they like it. Sherlock, here's the pictures of Willoughby. Hmm. Yes. Small knife wound, isn't it? Yeah, and into the carotid artery.

What did you find out there? PCSO Hopkins, did you or any of your colleagues happen to use the pathway on the eastern side of the property tonight? What, the one that goes on the Chatham Road? No, we've been using the main drive. Yes, well, the main drive has cameras and security lights. The pathway from the house to Chatham Road does not. But what it does have are footprints. But nobody uses that path. It's all overgrown. Somebody used that path,

Mr Hopkins. A somebody with a pair of basic gardening secateurs and size six feet. Oh. Shall we pop in? Can I take the mask off yet? No. Why not? We're not even in the house. It's uncomfortable and these overalls are itchy. I choose my clothing specifically based around my sensory needs. Sherlock, this is protocol.

Yes, for crime scene investigation units. Are we a crime scene investigation unit, Watson? Evening. Don't know if you remember me. I'm Officer Hopkins. I've just got a couple of the forensics team with me. Hello. Hi. Yes. Come through. Oh, I know you from school. Come through. Oh, I know you from school. Saviour Talton, please.

Of course, yeah. Hello, Saviour Talton. This is Officer Watson and Holmes from London. Hi, mate. We're very sorry about Willoughby. Saviour Willoughby has taken up arms against the forces of evil. Yep. Yep. Yep. Have you, um...

Have you seen everything you want to see, Sherlock? Put your mask back on. Is this a chimney cavity here? That is my belief, yes. Belief, yes. Quite a thing. Watson, you may remove your mask.

It's fine. I'm your superior officer. That's an order. Right, it's going to be like that, are you? I wish to see the crime scene. Elder Coram is resting. If you'd like to ask the Saviors what they witnessed, I will take you to the dormitories, but Elder Korin must not be disturbed anymore tonight. Savior Tarleton,

who is your youngest member? Uh, there are some saviors that are around nine, ten years old, but they don't live in the dormitories. They live in properties on the land with their fathers. Mm-hmm. And what of you, Saviour Tarleton?

Where do you reside? In the east wing, Mr Holmes. Just through there. The east wing? Same as Elder Coram, yes? How did you know that? Well, it's the closest wing of the property to Chatham Road. Wakey, wakey, Mr Coram.

It's the police. Sort of. You can't wake Elder Coram! Sherlock! Stop! Sherlock, wait! Xavier Talton, please calm down. Let the investigator do his work. Wakey, wakey! What are you doing? He can't get up and answer it, can he? Hmm, yes, quite right. Look, Watson. What? In this corridor, no other entry point but the back door. The back door fed by the pathway to Chatham Road. Tarleton! Tarleton! Will you shush? It's midnight.

What is it? I will not let you in Elder Coram's room. Yes, you will. But first, my companion Watson here just raised an important point. It is late, and we would like to get back to London sharpish, so if you could explain how you witnessed the murder, that would be much appreciated. I did not. I was sleeping. Sleeping until when? Pardon? What woke you?

I don't know what you mean. Yes, you do. You have been concerned that I would wake others with my loudness if I did something like this. Arse! Arse! Arse! Shh! Stop! Sherlock. See? It disturbs the sleeping, doesn't it, Saviour Tarleton? Now I am asking,

what disturbed you? He screamed. Who? Coram? No, Saviour Willoughby. And you cradled him. Did you not? He was a friend.

A brother. An actual brother. Or just like a brother in arms type thing. His brother never fell for this nonsense. He means like you said, a brother in arms type thing. A single word more of the devil's propaganda out of your disgusting mouth. Come on, I dare you mate, come on then. Yeah, go on Liam, come on Liam. Don't call me that. What, your bloody name? That's enough.

You're nutty, get off me. That's enough, okay, that is enough. And... And... Saviour Willoughby died in your arms. Did he not? How did you know that? Waking in the night to wash your hands so thoroughly is a tad unusual, Saviour Tarleton. So thoroughly, in fact, they are fragrant with lemongrass and, I'd say, lavender. Wouldn't you, Doctor? Is that what that is?

It's quite nice. We must get some for the flat. Do I need to put this man under arrest? Well, you can't as a community support officer anyway. Saviour Tarleton, the Bible in your lobby lays open on Psalm 26.6. I will wash my hands in innocence, so will I compass thine altar. Why did you wash your hands? Elder Coram ordered me to, sir.

Why? Because. Because why? Because they carried the blood of Saviour Willoughby. I tried to... I tried to stop it but... the blood... it just kept coming and I...

I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... I... The Night Shift So normal, though. Yep, yeah. What do you think, Sherlock?

Mud. Mud. Yes. I take it you don't mean the band that sang Lonely This Christmas? Sherlock? There's mud. Where? Where's mud? Exactly. Minuscule splashes at best.

They must have been removed. What was removed? The weather, Watson. That pathway, those footprints. Mud would be everywhere in that hallway. But there's nothing but a few splashes on the stairs. What stairs? The stairs up to the dormitories.

Right. Do we want to go check them out? Firstly, we need entry to Elder Coram's bedroom, and we need it now. Won't be long. We have requested that Saviour Tarleton wake Elder Coram so we could see the crime scene. He's just helping him dress now. Oh, when's this episode going to go out? I don't know, actually. It depends. Depends on what? How long it takes to solve.

How long will that take? Sherlock, how long do you think until we solve this one? We will have it done by 4.55am, Doctor. What, really? Yes. Hence the alarm I asked you to set. I thought we were just going to get started on the case. You thought wrong, I'm afraid, good Doctor. Solved by 4.55am.

Excellent. And if we don't, we'll be arrested by Kent Police. Great. Always nice to have an incentive. Yeah, so then I'll edit it together, which can take a few days. You know, because I record a lot of material,

I need to make sure that key scenes, like that one just then, are edited together, cut together in a really coherent episode. And then I tend to cut away a lot of just irrelevant chat and waffle, really, because you'd be surprised how many podcasts have hosts that just witter on and on and on and on, and don't really have anything valuable to add to any given moment. It's just like, shut up, stop talking, stop blabbering on for no bloody reason, just

blah blah blah blah blah blah. I think people even listen to a lot of podcasts on like double speed, you know, because of that exact reason. Because it's just endless, inane, inconsequential bollocks that adds absolutely nothing. Yeah. OK, Elder Quorum is ready for visitors. Okey dokey. PCSO Hopkins, I wish to examine the crime scene with just Dr. Watson. If you'd be so kind.

Oh, right. I have a task for you. There is a car parked outside on Chatham Road, a blue Volkswagen Polo. This is its license plate. Use the facilities at the station to locate the driver details and do it immediately, please. Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Yes. Everything all right? Yes. Yes, nearly there. Elder Coram, these gentlemen are from the police. This is Officer Holmes and Officer Watson.

Ah, yes. Elder Coram. How very kind of you to permit a visit. Apologies your evening has been so troublesome. Bless you. Troublesome indeed, but the passage to God is not always a quiet one. Saviour Willoughby's fight in life will be continued beyond his death. I said they could look around the room.

Yes, of course. It is the business of the authorities. I can only apologise for staying in bed as you do so. So we are in the bedroom of Elder Coram. It's a big room, high ceilings, lots of pictures of various biblical stuff, I think. On the back wall is a bookcase. In front of it is a patch of floor that's been cordoned off. There's a few pieces of evidence with labels on them,

patches of blood, a book, a desk, a glass. And way down the other end of the bedroom is Coram, who is in his bed. Tell me, Elder Coram, how did the night's events play out to you exactly? Early in the evening, I had awoken to some winds. Howling winds. It was rattling something in the garden. A gate or fence, perhaps. It irritated me somewhat. Then I must have drifted off. I experienced nothing of any more consequence until I, like Savior Tarleton, heard the scream of Savior Willoughby. You heard the scream and nothing else. Perhaps a thud, some kinetic force, a rushing of some physicality.

Not much more than that. Then Talton entered. Indeed. Saviour Willoughby muttered the words that I told the police, and then two other young Saviors. Talton, their names?

Saviour Marker and Mortimer of the Quorum. Yes. Right. Of course. And where are they now? In the dormitories? No, they reside in this wing. Rooms next to mine. Nobody from the dormitories, the front lobby or the central hallway came running? Er, no. Does anyone else know what has even happened? Do they, Saviour Tarleton? Um, Mortimer, Marker, myself.

Saviour Adebayo, who was in the lobby to let the police in a few hours ago. But no, that's it. Who else lives in this wing? Just Elder Quorum, Mortimer, Marker, myself, and... And who? Saviour Willoughby. Watson, leave the room. Close the door to this bedroom and to the hallway.

Go into the lobby and see if your microphone picks up my voice. Okay. Okay, close the door through the hallway. Close hallway door. In the lobby.

Watson! Watson! Huh. Yeah, that's barely audible at all, is it? Well? Er, can hear you, but very, very faint. Interesting. Sherlock?

Mm-hmm? What are you doing? Jumping. Right. Elder Coram, I hope you don't mind if I jump next to your bed. Absolutely. Go ahead. Excellent.

Thank you. Sherlock? Yes, Watson? You're coming across as the craziest person in the room, and that's really saying something. All relevant studies, Doctor. Nice books. Thank you. Lots of them.

Indeed. Sacred texts. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. What are you thinking? I'm thinking I'd like to take a closer look here. Sherlock is kneeling down where the body was found at the far end of the bedroom. I... Hold on, I have a question. Elder Coram?

Yes? I, um... I don't mean to be rude, but... Well... A young man was murdered in here tonight. So why are you choosing to sleep in here? Elder Coram is extremely delicate. We do not lament in death here, Doctor.

Right, yeah, you know, that I sort of understand. You believe in a higher calling, but this, to even someone of my disposition, a doctor, a former soldier, this is a disturbing choice you've made, to be honest, to stay here. To you, Doctor,

Saviour Willoughby has been taken. You believe this Because you live in sin And you fear Death We here do not fear death Nobody is taken

We are given As gifts Right Yep You're a maniac It's weird isn't it As gifts. Right, yep. You're not being a maniac. He's weird, isn't he? I mean, he's weird.

What's that? A book. Le Pince-Nez Doré. The Golden Pince-Nez. Elder Coram, thank you ever so much for your hospitality. Doze avec les anges. Take care. Oh, what's that? Sleep with the angels, Elder Coram.

Bless you. I hope this has been of some help. It has. If you happen to run into any police officers before we do, inform them that the murder weapon has been returned to your desk. It... what? The letter opener there, next to the biros. Good evening. Er... Sherlock. Sherlock, the murder weapon, what are you doing?

The murder weapon is irrelevant. Right, yet said no detective ever. There's something missing. Missing? doing? The murder weapon is irrelevant. Right, yeah, it said no detective ever. There's something missing. Missing? What? Where? In this hallway. And there. The back door of this eastern wing. Um, well, I mean, it's kind of tight, narrow.

There's a door, there's a staircase. Door to Coram's room, door down the end into the main lobby. It's something... There's nothing there. It's just a door. But what do external doors usually have, Watson? A doormat? A doormat. There was one.

Sorry. Well, um, yeah, there's a rectangular sort of, um, there's a clean bit of carpet here. Rectangular. Dust has gathered around the outside. Excellent, Watson. So the mat has been removed. Why? I suspect because it was caked in mud. Okay. But, so the murder weapon... I can repeat myself if you want. Sherlock.

It is irrelevant. Well, what is relevant? A number of things. Possible the golden pantsnay may be the most relevant thing here. Right, yeah. Golden pantsnay. A pantsnay is... I know what a pantsnay is, alright?

Do you? Yeah, mate. Okay, good. Good work, Watson. Where are you going? Back outside. Ah, alright. Yeah, right behind you. Just gonna check something with the mic. Google, help me out here. What is a Pantsnay? Pinsnares is a style of glasses, popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries,

that are supported without earpieces by pinching the bridge of the nose The name comes from French pincer to pinch and nez nose Okay, right off we go Sherlock Right this is insane this trellis is getting wobbly. Climb. Climb with me, Watson. I am climbing. Besides, this isn't climbing. This is breaking and entering. No, no. This is snooping. No, snooping is when you go to the bathroom at a dinner party, not when you scale the walls of a manor house.

We've already entered the property, have we not, Watson? Yeah, exactly. So why do we have to... Ow! Why do we have to climb up the walls to the dorms? Because I wish to observe. Observe what? Shh, shh, shh. What is it? Saviour Tarleton is in his dorm.

What's he doing? He looks distressed. Yeah, don't we all? God, this is high. Look, Wops. Oh, Jesus, he's coming to the window. Conceal yourself. Oh, yeah, great.

I'll just chuck on my invisibility cloak and Malfoy will be none the wiser. Oh, no, wait, I'm not in Hogwarts. I'm clinging to the side of a manor house. Hide now, Watts. Under the balcony. Ah! We are currently holding on to the side of the house a couple of storeys up and Tarleton is at the window.

Jesus. house a couple of stories up and Tarleton is at the window. Jesus. What was that? Did he throw something out the window? He did indeed. Right, what was it? Our missing doormat. I'm going to go to the beach. Thank you.