The Problem of Thor Bridge, Part 3

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[SPEAKER_00]: Now it's time to relax. [SPEAKER_00]: Let your body fall into a comfortable position in your bed and drift gently into a state of total relaxation with tonight's story. [SPEAKER_00]: The problem of Thor Bridge [SPEAKER_00]: Part 3 We were compelled to spend the night at Winchester, as the formalities had not yet been completed.

[SPEAKER_00]: But next morning, in the company of Mr. Joyce Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted with the defense, we were allowed to see the young lady in her cell. [SPEAKER_00]: I had expected from all that we had heard to see a beautiful woman, but I can never forget [SPEAKER_00]: It was no wonder that even the masterful millionaire had found in her something more powerful than himself, something which could control and guide him.

[SPEAKER_00]: One felt too as one looked at that strong, clear cut and yet sensitive face, that even should she be capable of some impetuous deed, nonetheless there was an innate nobility of character which would make her influence always for the good. [SPEAKER_00]: She was a brunette, tall, [SPEAKER_00]: with a noble figure and commanding presence, but her dark eyes had in them the appealing helpless expression of the hunted creature who feels the nets around it, but can see no way out from the toils.

[SPEAKER_00]: Now, as she realized the presence and the help of my famous friend, there came a touch of colour in her one cheeks and a light of hope began to glimmer in the glance which he turned upon us. [SPEAKER_00]: Perhaps Mr. Neil Gibson has told you something of what occurred between us. [SPEAKER_00]: She asked in a low, agitated voice.

[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, Holmes answered, You need not pain yourself by entering into that part of the story. [SPEAKER_00]: After seeing you, I am prepared to accept Mr. Gibson's statement, both as to the influence which you had over him, and as to the innocence of your relations with him. [SPEAKER_00]: But why was the whole situation not brought out in court?

[SPEAKER_00]: It seemed to me incredible that such a charge could be sustained. [SPEAKER_00]: I thought that if we waited the whole thing must clear itself up without our being compelled to enter into painful details of the inner life of the family. [SPEAKER_00]: But I understand that far from clearing it has become even more serious.

[SPEAKER_00]: My dear young lady, cried homes earnestly. [SPEAKER_00]: I beg you to have no illusions upon the point. [SPEAKER_00]: Mr. Cummings here would assure you that all the cards are at present against us and that we must do everything that is possible if we are to win clear. [SPEAKER_00]: It would be a cruel deception to pretend that you are not in very great danger.

[SPEAKER_00]: Give me all the help you can then to get at the truth. [SPEAKER_00]: I will conceal nothing. [SPEAKER_00]: Tell us then of your true relations with Mr. Gibson's wife. [SPEAKER_00]: She hated me, Mr. Holmes. [SPEAKER_00]: She hated me with all the further of her tropical nature. [SPEAKER_00]: She was a woman who would do nothing by halves, and the measure of her love for her husband was the measure also of her hatred for me.

[SPEAKER_00]: It is probable that she misunderstood our relations. [SPEAKER_00]: I would not wish to wrong her, but she loved so vividly in a physical sense that she could hardly understand the mental and even spiritual tie which held her husband to me or imagine that it was only my desire to influence his power to good ends, which kept me under his roof.

[SPEAKER_00]: I can see now that I was wrong. [SPEAKER_00]: Nothing could justify me in remaining where I was, a cause of unhappiness, and yet it [SPEAKER_00]: Now, Mr Dunbar said Holmes, I beg you to tell us exactly what occurred that evening. [SPEAKER_00]: I can tell you the truth so far as I know it, Mr Holmes, but I am in a position to prove nothing, and there are points, the most vital points, which I can neither explain, nor can I imagine any explanation.

[SPEAKER_00]: With regard, then, to my presence at Thor Bridge that night, I received a note from Mrs. Gibson in the morning. [SPEAKER_00]: It lay on the table of the schoolroom, and it may have been left there by her own hand. [SPEAKER_00]: It implored me to see her there after dinner. [SPEAKER_00]: Said she had something important to say to me.

[SPEAKER_00]: And asked me to leave an answer on the sun dial in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our confidence. [SPEAKER_00]: I saw no reason for such secrecy, but I did as she asked, accepting the appointment. [SPEAKER_00]: She asked me to destroy her note and I burned it in the school room great.

[SPEAKER_00]: She was very much afraid of her husband, who treated her with a harshness for which I frequently reproached him, and I could only imagine that she acted in this way because she did not wish him to know of our interview. [SPEAKER_00]: Yet she kept your reply very carefully. [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, I was surprised to hear that she had it in her hand when she died.

[SPEAKER_00]: Well, what happened then? [SPEAKER_00]: I went down as I had promised. [SPEAKER_00]: When I reached the bridge she was waiting for me. [SPEAKER_00]: Never did I realise till that moment how this poor creature hated me. [SPEAKER_00]: She was like a mad woman, indeed I think she was a mad woman.

[SPEAKER_00]: Suttly mad with the deep power of deception which insane people may have. [SPEAKER_00]: How else could she have met me with unconcern every day and yet had so raging a hatred of me in her heart? [SPEAKER_00]: I will not say what she said. [SPEAKER_00]: She poured her whole wild fury out in burning and horrible words I did not even answer I could not.

[SPEAKER_00]: It was dreadful to see her. [SPEAKER_00]: I put my hands to my ears and rushed away. [SPEAKER_00]: When I left her, she was standing still shrieking out her curses at me in the mouth of the bridge. [SPEAKER_00]: Where she was afterwards found? [SPEAKER_00]: Within a few yards from the spot.

[SPEAKER_00]: And yet, presuming that she met her death shortly after you left her, [SPEAKER_00]: No, I heard nothing. [SPEAKER_00]: But indeed, Mr. Holmes, I was so agitated and horrified by this terrible outbreak that I rushed to get back to the peace of my own room, and I was incapable of noticing anything which happened.

[SPEAKER_00]: You say that you returned to your room, did you leave it again before next morning? [SPEAKER_00]: Yes. [SPEAKER_00]: Did you see Mr. Gibson? [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, he had just returned from the bridge when I saw him. [SPEAKER_00]: He had sent for the doctor and the police. [SPEAKER_00]: Did he seem to you much perturbed?

[SPEAKER_00]: Mr. Gibson is a very strong self-contain man. [SPEAKER_00]: I do not think that he would ever show his emotions on the surface. [SPEAKER_00]: but I, who knew him so well, could see that he was deeply concerned. [SPEAKER_00]: Then we come to the all-important point. [SPEAKER_00]: This pistol that was found in your room.

[SPEAKER_00]: Had you ever seen it before? [SPEAKER_00]: Never, I swear it. [SPEAKER_00]: When was it found? [SPEAKER_00]: Next morning, when the police made their search, [SPEAKER_00]: Among your clothes, yes on the floor of my wardrobe under my dresses. [SPEAKER_00]: You could not guess how long it had been there.

[SPEAKER_00]: It had not been there the morning before. [SPEAKER_00]: How do you know? [SPEAKER_00]: That is final. [SPEAKER_00]: Then someone came into your room and placed the pistol there in order to inculpate you. [SPEAKER_00]: It must have been so. [SPEAKER_00]: And when? [SPEAKER_00]: It could only have been at meal time or else at the hours when I would be in the school room with the children.

[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, from that time onwards for the whole morning. [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you, Mr. Unbar. [SPEAKER_00]: Is there any other point which could help me in the investigation? [SPEAKER_00]: I can think of none. [SPEAKER_00]: There was some sign of violence on the stonework of the bridge, a perfectly fresh chip just [SPEAKER_00]: Surely it must be a mere coincidence.

[SPEAKER_00]: Curious, Mr. Dunbar, very curious. [SPEAKER_00]: Why should it appear at the very time of the tragedy and why at the very place? [SPEAKER_00]: But what could have caused it only great violence could have such an effect? [SPEAKER_00]: Homes did not answer. [SPEAKER_00]: His pale, eager face had suddenly assumed that tense, far away expression, which I had learned to associate with the Supreme Manifestations of his genius.

[SPEAKER_00]: So evident was the crisis in his mind that none of us dared to speak and we sat barista prisoner and myself, watching him in a concentrated and absorbed silence. [SPEAKER_00]: Suddenly he sprang from his chair, vibrating with nervous energy and the pressing need [SPEAKER_00]: Come, Watson, come, he cried.

[SPEAKER_00]: What is it, Mr. Holmes? [SPEAKER_00]: Never mind, my dear lady, you will hear from me, Mr. Cummings, with the help of the God of Justice I will give you a case which will make England ring. [SPEAKER_00]: You will get news by tomorrow, Mr. Dunbar, and meanwhile take my assurance that the clouds are lifting and that I have every hope that the light of truth is breaking through.

[SPEAKER_00]: It was not a long journey from Winchester to Thor place, but it was long to me in my impatience, while for homes it was evident that it seemed endless. [SPEAKER_00]: For in his nervous restlessness he could not sit still, but pace the carriage or drummed with his long, sensitive fingers upon the cushions beside him.

[SPEAKER_00]: Suddenly, however, as we near our destination he seated himself opposite to me, [SPEAKER_00]: We had a first-class carriage to ourselves, and laying a hand upon each of my knees he looked into my eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze, which was characteristic of his more implike moods.

[SPEAKER_00]: Watson said he, I have some recollection that you go armed upon these excursions of ours. [SPEAKER_00]: It was as well for him that I did so for he took little care for his own safety, when his mind was once absorbed by a problem, so that more than once my revolver had been a good friend in need.

[SPEAKER_00]: I reminded him of the fact. [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, yes, I'm a little absent-minded in such matters, but have you your revolver on you? [SPEAKER_00]: I produced it from my hip pocket a short handy but very serviceable little weapon. [SPEAKER_00]: He undied the catch, shook out the cartridges and examined it with care.

[SPEAKER_00]: It's heavy, remarkably heavy, said he. [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, it is a solid bit of work. [SPEAKER_00]: Do you know Watson? [SPEAKER_00]: Said he. [SPEAKER_00]: I believe your revolver is going to have a very intimate connection with the mystery which we are investigating. [SPEAKER_00]: My dear homes you are joking.

[SPEAKER_00]: Know Watson I am very serious. [SPEAKER_00]: There is a test before us if the test comes off all will be clear and the test will depend upon the conduct of this little weapon. [SPEAKER_00]: one cartridge out. [SPEAKER_00]: Now we will replace the other five and put on the safety catch. [SPEAKER_00]: So that increases the weight and makes it a better reproduction.

[SPEAKER_00]: I had no glimmer of what was in his mind nor did he enlighten me, but sat lost in thought until we pulled up in the little Hampshire station. [SPEAKER_00]: We secured a ramshackled trap and in a quarter of an hour were at the house of our confidential [SPEAKER_00]: a clue Mr. Holmes, what is it?

[SPEAKER_00]: It all depends upon the behavior of Dr. Watson's revolver, said my friend. [SPEAKER_00]: Here it is. [SPEAKER_00]: Now Officer, can you give me ten yards of string? [SPEAKER_00]: The village shop provided a ball of stout twine. [SPEAKER_00]: I think that this is all we will need, said Holmes.

[SPEAKER_00]: We will get off on what I hope is the last stage of our journey. [SPEAKER_00]: The sun was setting and turning the rolling Hampshire more into a wonderful or terminal panorama. [SPEAKER_00]: The sergeant, with many critical and incredulous glances, which showed his deep doubts of the sanity of my companion, lurched along beside us.

[SPEAKER_00]: As we approached the scene of the crime, I could see that my friend under all his habitual coolness was in truth deeply agitated. [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, he said, in answer to my remark. [SPEAKER_00]: You have seen me miss my mark before Watson. [SPEAKER_00]: I have an instinct for such things, and yet it has sometimes played me false.

[SPEAKER_00]: It seemed a certainty when first it flashed across my mind in the cell at Winchester. [SPEAKER_00]: But one drawback of an active mind is that one can always conceive alternative explanations, which would make our scent a false one. [SPEAKER_00]: And yet, and yet, well, Watson, we can but try.

[SPEAKER_00]: As he walked, he had firmly tied one end of the string to the handle of the revolver. [SPEAKER_00]: We had now reached the [SPEAKER_00]: With great care, he marked out under the guidance of the policeman, the exact spot where the body had been stretched. [SPEAKER_00]: He then hunted among the heather and the ferns until he found a considerable stone.

[SPEAKER_00]: This he secured to the other end of his line of string, and he hung it over the parapot of the bridge so that it swung clear above the water. [SPEAKER_00]: He then stood on the fatal spot, some distance from the edge of the bridge, with my revolver in his hand, the string being taught between the weapon and the heavy stone on the farther side.

[SPEAKER_00]: Now for it he cried. [SPEAKER_00]: At the words he raised the pistol to his head, and then let go his grip. [SPEAKER_00]: In an instant, it had been whisked away by the weight of the stone. [SPEAKER_00]: Had struck with a sharp crack against the parapet, and had vanished over the side into the water.

[SPEAKER_00]: It had hardly gone before homes was kneeling beside the stonework, and a joyous cry showed that he had found what he expected. [SPEAKER_00]: Was there ever a more exact demonstration? [SPEAKER_00]: He cried, [SPEAKER_00]: As he spoke, he pointed to a second chip of the exact size and shape of the first which had appeared on the underage of the stone ballastrade.

[SPEAKER_00]: We'll stay at the end tonight, he continued as he rose and faced the astonished sergeant. [SPEAKER_00]: You will, of course, get a grappling hook and you will easily restore my friends' revolver. [SPEAKER_00]: You will also find beside it the revolver, string and weight with which this vindictive woman attempted to disguise her own crime, and to fasten a charge of murder upon an innocent victim.

[SPEAKER_00]: You can let Mr Gibson know that I will see him in the morning, when steps can be taken for misdunbars vindication. [SPEAKER_00]: Late that evening as we sat together smoking our pipes in the village in, Holmes gave [SPEAKER_00]: I fear Watson, said he, that you will not improve any reputation which I may have acquired by adding the case of the Thor Bridge mystery to your annals.

[SPEAKER_00]: I have been sluggish in mind and wanting in that mixture of imagination and reality, which is the basis of my art. [SPEAKER_00]: I confess that the chip in the stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the true solution and that I blame myself for not having attained its sooner. [SPEAKER_00]: It must be admitted that the workings of this unhappy woman's mind were deep and subtle, so that it was no very simple matter to unravel her plot.

[SPEAKER_00]: I do not think that in our adventures we have ever come across a stranger example of what perverted love can bring about. [SPEAKER_00]: Whether Ms Dunbar was her rival in a physical or in a merely mental sense, seems to have been equally unforgivable in her eyes. [SPEAKER_00]: No doubt she blamed this innocent lady for all those harsh dealings and unkind words with which her husband tried to repel her, too demonstrative affection.

[SPEAKER_00]: Her first resolution was to end her own life. [SPEAKER_00]: Her second was to do it in such a way as to involve her victim in a fate which was worse farther than any sudden death could be. [SPEAKER_00]: We can follow the various steps quite clearly and they show a remarkable subtlety of mind.

[SPEAKER_00]: A note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar, which would make it appear that she had chosen the scene of the crime. [SPEAKER_00]: In her anxiety that it should be discovered she somewhat overdid it by holding it in a hand to the last. [SPEAKER_00]: This alone should have excited my suspicions earlier than it did.

[SPEAKER_00]: Then she took one of her husband's revolvers. [SPEAKER_00]: There was, as you saw, an arsenal in the house, and kept it for her own use. [SPEAKER_00]: A similar one she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar's wardrobe after discharging one barrel, which she could easily do in the woods without attracting attention.

[SPEAKER_00]: She then went down to the bridge where she had contrived this exceedingly ingenious method for getting rid of her weapon. [SPEAKER_00]: When Miss Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in pouring out her hatred and then when she was out of hearing carried out her terrible purpose. [SPEAKER_00]: The papers may ask why the mirror was not dragged in the first instance, but it is easy to be wise after the event, and in any case the expansive a read-filled lake is no easy matter to drag unless you have a clear perception of what you are looking for and where.

[SPEAKER_00]: Well Watson, we have helped to remarkable women and also a formidable man. [SPEAKER_00]: Should they in the future join their forces, as seems not unlikely? [SPEAKER_00]: The financial world may find that Mr. Neil Gibson has learned something in that school room of sorrow where our earthly lessons are taught.

[UNKNOWN]: Thank you. [UNKNOWN]: You [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. [UNKNOWN]: Thank you. [UNKNOWN]: Thank you.

The Problem of Thor Bridge, Part 3

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