The Problem of Thor Bridge, Part 2

0:00For many of us, going further isn't a choice. It's a feeling we can't ignore. Because ambition has a way of outgrowing where it began. Turning dreams into direction. Every journey brings us closer to the life we imagine. So, where will your journey take you? Etzihad? Beyond borders. Hello and welcome to the Sherlock Holmes Bedtime Stories podcast. Each episode is a section from a classic Sherlock Holmes story with relaxing music to help you fall asleep. If you love the podcast and never miss an episode, please follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a five-star rating. If our podcast has become a part of your bedtime routine, please consider supporting the show by clicking the link in the show notes. Our show is completely free.

1:01In part, thanks to support from listeners like you. There are options to give one time or on a monthly basis. So, sleep easier by clicking the Support This Podcast link in the show notes and become a supporter today. And as always, if you're enjoying the pod, please spread the word. Sharing with friends and family really does help. Thank you for joining us this evening. Now it's time to relax. Let your body fall into a comfortable position in your bed and drift gently into a state of total relaxation with tonight's story. The problem of Thorbridge. Part 2. Our visitor made a noisy exit, but Holmes smoked in imperturbable silence with dreamy eyes fixed upon the ceiling.

2:02Any views, Watson? He asked at last. Well, Holmes, I must confess that when I consider that this is a man who would certainly brush any obstacle from his path, and when I remember that his wife may have been an obstacle and an object of dislike, as that man Bates plainly told us, it seems to me. Exactly, and to me also. But what were his relations with the governess and how did you discover them? Bluff Watson, bluff. When I considered the passionate, unconventional, unbusiness-like tone of his letter and contrasted it with his self-contained manner and appearance, it was pretty clear that there was some deeper motion which centered upon the accused woman rather than upon the victim. We've got to understand the exact relations of those three people if we are to reach the truth.

3:04You saw the frontal attack which I made upon him and how imperturbably he received it. Then I bluffed him by giving him the impression that I was absolutely certain when in reality I was only extremely suspicious. Perhaps he will come back. He is sure to come back. He must come back. He can't leave it where it is. Ha, isn't that a ring? Yes, there is his footstep. Well, Mr Gibson, I was just saying to Dr. Watson that you were somewhat overdue. The gold king had re-entered the room in a more chastened mood than he had left it. His wounded pride still showed in his resentful eyes, but his common sense had shown him that he must yield if he would attain his end. I've been thinking it over, Mr Holmes, and I feel that I have been hasty in taking your remarks or miss.

4:06You are justified in getting down to the facts whatever they may be, and I think the more of you for it. I can assure you, however, that the relations between Ms Dunbar and me don't really touch this case. That is for me to decide, is it not? Yes, I guess that is so. You're like a surgeon who wants every symptom before he can give his diagnosis. Exactly. That expresses it. And it is only a patient who has an object in deceiving his surgeon who would conceal the facts of his case. That may be so, but you will admit, Mr Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when they are asked to point blank what their relations with a woman may be, if there is really some serious feeling in the case. I guess most men have a little private reserve of their own in some corner of their souls where they don't welcome intruders, and you burst suddenly into it, but the object excuses you since it was to try and save her.

5:11Well, the stakes are down on the reserve open and you can explore where you will. What is it you want? The truth. The Gold King paused for a moment as one who marshals his thoughts. His grim, deep-lined face had become even sadder and more grave. I can give it to you in a very few words, Mr Holmes, said he at last. There are some things that are painful as well as difficult to say, so I won't go deeper than is needful. I met my wife when I was gold hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was the daughter of a government official at Manos, and she was very beautiful. I was young and ardent in those days, but even now, as I look back with colder blood and a more critical eye, I can see that she was rare and wonderful in her beauty.

6:11It was a deep, rich nature too, passionate, whole-hearted, tropical, ill-balanced, very different from the American women whom I had known. Well, to make a long story short, I loved her and I married her. It was only when the romance had passed and it lingered for years that I realized that we had nothing, absolutely nothing in common. My love faded. If hers had faded also, it might have been easier, but you know the wonderful way of women. Do what I might nothing could turn her from me. If I have been harsh to her, even brutal as some have said, it has been because I knew that if I could kill her love, or if it turned to hate, it would be easier for both of us. But nothing changed her. She adored me in those English words as she had adored me 20 years ago on the banks of the Amazon. Do what I might, she was as devoted as ever.

7:14Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. She answered our advertisement and became governess to our two children. Perhaps you have seen her portrait in the papers. The whole world has proclaimed that she also is a very beautiful woman. Now I make no pretence to be more moral than my neighbours and I will admit to you that I could not live under the same roof with such a woman and in daily contact with her without feeling a passion at regard for her. Do you blame me Mr. Holmes? I do not blame you for feeling it. I should blame you if you expressed it since this young lady was in a sense under your protection. Well maybe so, said the millionaire. Though for a moment the reproof had brought the old angry gleam into his eyes. I am not pretending to be any better than I am. I guess all my life I have been a man that reached out his hand for what he wanted and I never wanted anything more than the love and possession of that woman.

8:18I told her so. Oh you did did you? Holmes could look very formidable when he was moved. I said to her that if I could marry her I would but that it was out of my power. I said that money was no object and that all I could do to make her happy and comfortable would be done. Very generous I am sure, said Holmes with a sneer. See here Mr. Holmes I came to you on a question of evidence not on a question of morals. I'm not asking for your criticism. It is only for the young ladies say that I touch your case at all. Said Holmes sternly. I don't know that anything she is accused of is really worse than what you have yourself admitted. That you have tried to ruin a defenseless girl who was under your roof.

9:18Some of you rich men have to be taught that all the world cannot be bribed into condoning your offences. To my surprise the gold king took the reproof with equanimity. That's how I feel myself about it now. I thank God that my plans did not work out as I intended. She would have none of it and she wanted to leave the house instantly. Why did she not? Well in the first place others were dependent upon her and it was no light matter for her to let them all down by sacrificing her living. When I had sworn as I did that she should never be molested again she consented to remain. But there was another reason. She knew the influence she had over me and that it was stronger than any other influence in the world. She wanted to use it for good. How?

10:21Well she knew something of my affairs. They are large Mr. Holmes. Large beyond the belief of an ordinary man. I can make or break and it is usually break. It wasn't individuals only. It was communities, cities, even nations. Business is a hard game and the week go to the wall. I played the game for all it was worth. I never squealed myself and I never cared if the other fellow squealed. But she saw it different. I guess she was right. She believed and said that a fortune for one man that was more than he needed should not be built on 10,000 ruined men who were left without the means of life. That was how she saw it. And I guess she could see past the dollars to something that was more lasting. She found that I listened to what she said and she believed she was serving the world by influencing my actions. So she stayed and then this came along. Can you throw any light upon that?

11:23The goal king paused for a minute or more. His head sunken his hands, lost in deep thought. It's very black against her. I can't deny that. And women lead an inward life and may do things beyond the judgment of a man. At first I was so rattled and taken a back that I was ready to think she had been led away in some extraordinary fashion that was clean against her usual nature. One explanation came into my head. I give it to you Mr. Holmes for what it is worth. There is no doubt that my wife was bitterly jealous. There is a soul jealousy that can be as frantic as any body jealousy. And though my wife had no cause and I think she understood this, for the latter she was aware that this English girl exerted an influence upon my mind and my axe that she herself never had. It was an influence for good. But that did not mend the matter. She was crazy with hatred and the heat of the Amazon was always in her blood.

12:24She might have planned to murder Miss Dunbar or we will say to threaten her with a gun and so frighten her into leaving us. Then there might have been a scuffle and the gun gone off and shot the woman who held it. That possibility had already occurred to me said Holmes. Indeed it is the only obvious alternative to deliberate murder. But she utterly denies it. Well that is not final is it. One can understand that a woman placed in so awful a position might hurry home still in her bewilderment holding the revolver. She might even throw it down among her clothes, hardly knowing what she was doing and when it was found she might try to lie her way out by a total denial since all explanation was impossible. What is against such a supposition? Miss Dunbar herself?

13:25Well perhaps. Holmes looked at his watch. I have no doubt we can get the necessary permits this morning and reach Winchester by the evening train. When I have seen this young lady it is very possible that I may be of more use to you in the matter though I cannot promise that my conclusions will necessarily be such as you desire. There was some delay in the official pass and instead of reaching Winchester that day we went down to Thorplace, the Hampshire estate of Mr. Neal Gibson. He did not accompany us himself but we had the address of Sergeant Coventry of the local police who had first examined into the affair. He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man with a secretive and mysterious manner which conveyed the idea that he knew or suspected a very great deal more than he did say.

14:25He had a trick to of suddenly sinking his voice to a whisper as if he had come upon something of vital importance though the information was usually commonplace enough. Behind these tricks of manner he soon showed himself to be a decent honest fellow who was not too proud to admit that he was out of his depth and would welcome any help. Anyhow I'd rather have you than Scotland Yard Mr. Holmes said he, if the yard gets called into a case then the local loses all credit for success and may be blamed for failure now you play straight so I've heard. I need not appear in the matter at all said Holmes to the evident relief of our melancholy acquaintance. If I can clear it up I don't ask to have my name mentioned. Well it's very handsome of you I'm sure and your friend Dr. Watson can be trusted I know.

15:26Now Mr. Holmes as we walk down to the place there is one question I should like to ask you. I'd breathe it to no soul but you. He looked round as though he hardly dare utter the words. Don't you think there might be a case against Mr. Neal Gibson himself? I have been considering that. You've not seen Miss Dunbar. She is a wonderful fine woman in every way. He may well have wished his wife out of the road and these Americans are ready with pistols than our foe car. It was his pistol you know. Was that clearly made out? Yes sir it was one of a pair that he had. One of a pair where is the other?

16:27Well the gentleman has a lot of firearms of one sort and another. We never quite matched that particular pistol but the box was made for two. If it was one of a pair you should surely be able to match it. Well we have them all laid out at the house if you would care to look them over. Later perhaps. I think we will walk down together and have a look at the scene of the tragedy. This conversation had taken place in the little front room of Sergeant Coventry's Humble Cottage which served as the local police station. A walk of half a mile or so across a wind swept heath all gold and bronze with the fading ferns brought us to a side gate opening into the grounds of the Thor Placer State. A path led us through the fesent preserves and then from a clearing we saw the widespread half timid house, half chewed her and half Georgian upon the crest of the hill.

17:34Beside us there was a long reedy pool constricted in the centre where the main carriage drive passed over a stone bridge but swelling into small lakes on either side. Our guide paused at the mouth of this bridge and he pointed to the ground. That was where Mrs Gibson's body lay I marked it by that stone. I understand that you were there before it was moved. Yes, they sent for me at once. Who did? Mr Gibson himself. The moment the alarm was given and he had rushed down with others from the house he insisted that nothing should be moved until the police should arrive. That was sensible. I gathered from the newspaper report that the shot was fired from close quarters.

18:36Yes sir, very close. Near the right temple. Just behind it sir. How did the body lie? On the back sir. No trace of a struggle, no marks, no weapon. The short note from Miss Dunbar was clutched in her left hand. Clutched you say? Yes sir, we could hardly open the fingers. That is of great importance. It excludes the idea that anyone could have placed the note there after death in order to furnish a false clue. Dear me, the note as I remember was quite short. I will be at Thorbridge at 9 o'clock. G Dunbar. Was that not so?

19:39Yes sir. Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it? Yes sir. What was her explanation? Her defence was reserved for the assises she would say nothing. The problem is certainly a very interesting one. The point of the letter is very obscure, is it not? Well sir, said the guide. It seemed if I may be so bold as to say so, the only really clear point in the whole case. Holmes shook his head. Granting that the letter is genuine and was really written it was certainly received some time before, say one hour or two. Why then? Was this lady still clasping it in her left hand?

20:40Why should she carry it so carefully she did not need to refer to it in the interview does it not seem remarkable? Well sir, as you put it, perhaps it does. I think I should like to sit quietly for a few minutes and think it out. He seated himself upon the stone ledge of the bridge and I could see his quick grey eyes darting their questioning glances in every direction. Suddenly he sprang up again and ran across to the opposite parapet, whipped his lens from his pocket and began to examine the stonework. This is curious, said he. Yes sir, we saw the chip on the ledge. I expect it's been done by some passerby. The stonework was grey but at this one point it showed white for a space not larger than a six-pence.

21:40When examined closely, one could see that the surface was chipped as by a sharp blow. It took some violence to do that, said Holmes thoughtfully. With his cane he struck the ledge several times without leaving a mark. Yes it was a hard knock, in a curious place too. It was not from above but from below for you see that it is on the lower edge of the parapet. But it is at least 15 feet from the body. Yes it is 15 feet from the body, it may have nothing to do with the matter, but it is a point worth noting. I do not think that we have anything more to learn here. There were no footsteps you say. The ground was iron hard sir, there were no traces at all. Then we can go. We will go up to the house first and look over these weapons of which you speak.

22:44Then we shall get on to Winchester, for I should desire to see Miss Dunbar before we go farther. Mr. Neal Gibson had not returned from town but we saw in the house the neurotic Mr. Bates who had called upon us in the morning. He showed us with a sinister relish the formidable array of firearms of various shapes and sizes which his employer had accumulated in the course of an adventurous life. Mr. Gibson has his enemies as anyone would expect who knew him and his methods, said he. He sleeps with a loaded revolver in the drawer beside his bed. He is a man of violence sir and there are times when all of us are afraid of him. I am sure that the poor lady who has passed was often terrified. Did you ever witness physical violence towards her? No, I cannot say that but I have heard words which were nearly as bad, words of cold cutting contempt even before the servants.

23:53Our millionaire does not seem to shine in private life, remarked homes as we made our way to the station. Well Watson, we have come on a good many facts, some of them new ones and yet I seem some way from my conclusion. In spite of the very evident dislike which Mr. Bates has to his employer, I gather from him that when the alarm came he was undoubtedly in his library. Dinner was over at 8.30 and all was normal up to then. It is true that the alarm was somewhat late in the evening but the tragedy certainly occurred about the hour named in the note. There is no evidence at all that Mr. Gibson had been out of doors since his return from town at 5 o'clock. On the other hand, Miss Dunbar as I understand it admits that she had made an appointment to meet Mrs. Gibson at the bridge. Beyond this she would say nothing as her lawyer had advised her to reserve her defense. We have several very vital questions to ask that young lady and my mind will not be easy until we have seen her.

24:55I must confess that the case would seem to me to be very black against her if it were not for one thing. And what is that Holmes? The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe. Dear me Holmes I cried, that seemed to me to be the most damning incident of all. Not so Watson. It had struck me even at my first perfunctory reading as very strange and now that I am in closer touch with the case it is my only firm ground for hope. We must look for consistency where there is a want of it we must suspect deception. I hardly follow you. Well now Watson, suppose for a moment that we visualize you in the character of a woman who in a cold premeditated fashion is about to get rid of a rival.

25:56You have planted. A note has been written. The victim has come. You have your weapon. The crime is done. It has been workman like and complete. Do you tell me that after carrying out so crafty a crime you would now ruin your reputation as a criminal by forgetting to be a criminal? You are a criminal by forgetting to fling your weapon into those adjacent read beds which would forever cover it. But you must carry it carefully home and put it in your own wardrobe. The very first place that would be searched. Your best friends would hardly call you a schema Watson and yet I could not picture you doing anything so crude as that. In the excitement of the moment. No, no Watson. I will not admit that it is possible where a crime is coolly premeditated. Then the means of covering it are coolly premeditated also. I hope therefore that we are in the presence of a serious misconception.

26:57But there is so much to explain. Well, we shall set about explaining it. When once your point of view is changed the very thing which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth. For example, there is this revolver. Misdone bard disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore, it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there? Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not that person the actual criminal. You see how we come at once upon a most fruitful line of inquiry.

35:57The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal.

37:02The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal.

38:02She is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal. She is not a criminal.

39:06The truth is that she is not a criminal. She is not a criminal! She is not a criminal. The truth is that she is not a criminal.