1. A Final Commission

Sir Edward Leithen is drawing his career to a close when he's asked if he'll undertake one last mission...

Paul Young reads John Buchan's last novel set in the Canadian wilderness about Richard Hannay's comrade in adventure.

Originally broadcast to mark the 50th anniversary of John Buchan's death, this reading is of his last novel. "Sick Heart River" was completed days before his death and published posthumously in 1941.

Buchan's rich descriptions of the rugged Canadian Northwest Territories are influenced by his real-life voyage down the Mackenzie River in 1937. At that time, Buchan was Governor-General of Canada.

Abridged in ten parts by Trevor Royle.

Director: Hamish Wilson

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 1990.