The Problem of Thor Bridge

Arthur Conan Doyle

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S omewhere in the vaults of the bank of
Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a
travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box
with my name, John H. Watson, M.D.,
Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. It is
crammed with papers, nearly all of which are
records of cases to illustrate the curious problems
“The faculty of deduction is certainly conta-
gious, Watson,” he answered. “It has enabled you
to probe my secret. Yes, I have a case. After a month
of trivialities and stagnation the wheels move once
more.”
“Might I share it?”
“There is little to share, but we may discuss it
which Mr. Sherlock Holmes had at various times
when you have consumed the two hard-boiled eggs
to examine. Some, and not the least interesting,
with which our new cook has favoured us. Their
were complete failures, and as such will hardly
condition may not be unconnected with the copy of
bear narrating, since no final explanation is forth-
the Family Herald which I observed yesterday upon
coming. A problem without a solution may interest
the hall-table. Even so trivial a matter as cooking
the student, but can hardly fail to annoy the casual
an egg demands an attention which is conscious of
reader. Among these unfinished tales is that of Mr.
the passage of time and incompatible with the love
James Phillimore, who, stepping back into his own
romance in that excellent periodical.”
house to get his umbrella, was never more seen
in this world. No less remarkable is that of the A quarter of an hour later the table had been
cutter Alicia, which sailed one spring morning into cleared and we were face to face. He had drawn a
a small patch of mist from where she never again letter from his pocket.
emerged, nor was anything further ever heard of “You have heard of Neil Gibson, the Gold King?”
herself and her crew. A third case worthy of note he said.
is that of Isadora Persano, the well-known journal- “You mean the American Senator?”
ist and duellist, who was found stark staring mad “Well, he was once Senator for some Western
with a match box in front of him which contained state, but is better known as the greatest gold-
a remarkable worm said to be unknown to science. mining magnate in the world.”
Apart from these unfathomed cases, there are some
“Yes, I know of him. He has surely lived in
which involve the secrets of private families to an
England for some time. His name is very familiar.”
extent which would mean consternation in many
exalted quarters if it were thought possible that “Yes, he bought a considerable estate in Hamp-
they might find their way into print. I need not say shire some five years ago. Possibly you have al-
that such a breach of confidence is unthinkable, and ready heard of the tragic end of his wife?”
that these records will be separated and destroyed “Of course. I remember it now. That is why the
now that my friend has time to turn his energies to name is familiar. But I really know nothing of the
the matter. There remain a considerable residue of details.”
cases of greater or less interest which I might have Holmes waved his hand towards some papers
edited before had I not feared to give the public a on a chair. “I had no idea that the case was coming
surfeit which might react upon the reputation of my way or I should have had my extracts ready,”
the man whom above all others I revere. In some said he. “The fact is that the problem, though ex-
I was myself concerned and can speak as an eye- ceedingly sensational, appeared to present no dif-
witness, while in others I was either not present ficulty. The interesting personality of the accused
or played so small a part that they could only be does not obscure the clearness of the evidence. That
told as by a third person. The following narrative was the view taken by the coroner’s jury and also
is drawn from my own experience. in the police-court proceedings. It is now referred
It was a wild morning in October, and I ob- to the Assizes at Winchester. I fear it is a thankless
served as I was dressing how the last remaining business. I can discover facts, Watson, but I cannot
leaves were being whirled from the solitary plane change them. Unless some entirely new and un-
tree which graces the yard behind our house. I expected ones come to light I do not see what my
descended to breakfast prepared to find my com- client can hope for.”
panion in depressed spirits, for, like all great artists, “Your client?”
he was easily impressed by his surroundings. On “Ah, I forgot I had not told you. I am getting
the contrary, I found that he had nearly finished his into your involved habit, Watson, of telling a story
meal, and that his mood was particularly bright and backward. You had best read this first.”
joyous, with that somewhat sinister cheerfulness
which was characteristic of his lighter moments. The letter which he handed to me, written in a
bold, masterful hand, ran as follows:
“You have a case, Holmes?” I remarked.

1
 Claridge’s Hotel “Well, in the first place there is some very direct
October 3rd. evidence. A revolver with one discharged cham-
Dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes: ber and a calibre which corresponded with the
I can’t see the best woman God ever bullet was found on the floor of her wardrobe.”
made go to her death without doing all His eyes fixed and he repeated in broken words,
that is possible to save her. I can’t ex- “On—the—floor—of—her—wardrobe.” Then he
plain things—I can’t even try to explain sank into silence, and I saw that some train of
them, but I know beyond all doubt that thought had been set moving which I should be
Miss Dunbar is innocent. You know the foolish to interrupt. Suddenly with a start he
facts—who doesn’t? It has been the gos- emerged into brisk life once more. “Yes, Watson, it
sip of the country. And never a voice was found. Pretty damning, eh? So the two juries
raised for her! It’s the damned injus- thought. Then the dead woman had a note upon
tice of it all that makes me crazy. That her making an appointment at that very place and
woman has a heart that wouldn’t let her signed by the governess. How’s that? Finally there
kill a fly. Well, I’ll come at eleven to- is the motive. Senator Gibson is an attractive per-
morrow and see if you can get some ray son. If his wife dies, who more likely to succeed
of light in the dark. Maybe I have a clue her than the young lady who had already by all
and don’t know it. Anyhow, all I know accounts received pressing attentions from her em-
and all I have and all I am are for your ployer? Love, fortune, power, all depending upon
use if only you can save her. If ever in one middle-aged life. Ugly, Watson—very ugly!”
your life you showed your powers, put “Yes, indeed, Holmes.”
them now into this case. “Nor could she prove an alibi. On the contrary,
— Yours faithfully, she had to admit that she was down near Thor
J. Neil Gibson. Bridge—that was the scene of the tragedy—about
that hour. She couldn’t deny it, for some passing
“There you have it,” said Sherlock Holmes, villager had seen her there.”
knocking out the ashes of his after-breakfast pipe “That really seems final.”
and slowly refilling it. “That is the gentleman I
“And yet, Watson—and yet! This bridge—a
await. As to the story, you have hardly time to
single broad span of stone with balustraded
master all these papers, so I must give it to you in a
sides—carries the drive over the narrowest part
nutshell if you are to take an intelligent interest in
of a long, deep, reed-girt sheet of water. Thor Mere
the proceedings. This man is the greatest financial
it is called. In the mouth of the bridge lay the dead
power in the world, and a man, as I understand, of
woman. Such are the main facts. But here, if I
most violent and formidable character. He married
mistake not, is our client, considerably before his
a wife, the victim of this tragedy, of whom I know
time.”
nothing save that she was past her prime, which
was the more unfortunate as a very attractive gov- Billy had opened the door, but the name which
erness superintended the education of two young he announced was an unexpected one. Mr. Mar-
children. These are the three people concerned, and low Bates was a stranger to both of us. He was a
the scene is a grand old manor house, the centre thin, nervous wisp of a man with frightened eyes
of a historical English state. Then as to the tragedy. and a twitching, hesitating manner—a man whom
The wife was found in the grounds nearly half a my own professional eye would judge to be on the
mile from the house, late at night, clad in her din- brink of an absolute nervous breakdown.
ner dress, with a shawl over her shoulders and a “You seem agitated, Mr. Bates,” said Holmes.
revolver bullet through her brain. No weapon was “Pray sit down. I fear I can only give you a short
found near her and there was no local clue as to the time, for I have an appointment at eleven.”
murder. No weapon near her, Watson—mark that! “I know you have,” our visitor gasped, shooting
The crime seems to have been committed late in the out short sentences like a man who is out of breath.
evening, and the body was found by a game-keeper “Mr. Gibson is coming. Mr. Gibson is my employer.
about eleven o’clock, when it was examined by the I am manager of his estate. Mr. Holmes, he is a
police and by a doctor before being carried up to villain—an infernal villain.”
the house. Is this too condensed, or can you follow “Strong language, Mr. Bates.”
it clearly?” “I have to be emphatic, Mr. Holmes, for the time
“It is all very clear. But why suspect the gov- is so limited. I would not have him find me here
erness?” for the world. He is almost due now. But I was so

2
situated that I could not come earlier. His secretary, “Let me say right here, Mr. Holmes,” he began,
Mr. Ferguson, only told me this morning of his “that money is nothing to me in this case. You can
appointment with you.” burn it if it’s any use in lighting you to the truth.
This woman is innocent and this woman has to be
“And you are his manager?”
cleared, and it’s up to you to do it. Name your
“I have given him notice. In a couple of weeks I figure!”
shall have shaken off his accursed slavery. A hard “My professional charges are upon a fixed
man, Mr. Holmes, hard to all about him. Those scale,” said Holmes coldly. “I do not vary them,
public charities are a screen to cover his private in- save when I remit them altogether.”
iquities. But his wife was his chief victim. He was
“Well, if dollars make no difference to you, think
brutal to her—yes, sir, brutal! How she came by
of the reputation. If you pull this off every paper in
her death I do not know, but I am sure that he had
England and America will be booming you. You’ll
made her life a misery to her. She was a creature
be the talk of two continents.”
of the tropics, a Brazilian by birth, as no doubt you
know.” “Thank you, Mr. Gibson, I do not think that I
am in need of booming. It may surprise you to
“No, it had escaped me.” know that I prefer to work anonymously, and that
“Tropical by birth and tropical by nature. A it is the problem itself which attracts me. But we
child of the sun and of passion. She had loved him are wasting time. Let us get down to the facts.”
as such women can love, but when her own phys- “I think that you will find all the main ones in
ical charms had faded—I am told that they once the press reports. I don’t know that I can add any-
were great—there was nothing to hold him. We all thing which will help you. But if there is anything
liked her and felt for her and hated him for the way you would wish more light upon—well, I am here
that he treated her. But he is plausible and cunning. to give it.”
That is all I have to say to you. Don’t take him at “Well, there is just one point.”
his face value. There is more behind. Now I’ll go.
No, no, don’t detain me! He is almost due.” “What is it?”
“What were the exact relations between you and
With a frightened look at the clock our strange
Miss Dunbar?”
visitor literally ran to the door and disappeared.
The Gold King gave a violent start and half rose
“Well! Well!” said Holmes after an interval of from his chair. Then his massive calm came back
silence. “Mr. Gibson seems to have a nice loyal to him.
household. But the warning is a useful one, and
“I suppose you are within your rights—and
now we can only wait till the man himself appears.”
maybe doing your duty—in asking such a question,
Sharp at the hour we heard a heavy step upon Mr. Holmes.”
the stairs, and the famous millionaire was shown “We will agree to suppose so,” said Holmes.
into the room. As I looked upon him I understood
not only the fears and dislike of his manager but “Then I can assure you that our relations were
also the execrations which so many business rivals entirely and always those of an employer towards
have heaped upon his head. If I were a sculptor a young lady whom he never conversed with, or
and desired to idealize the successful man of affairs, ever saw, save when she was in the company of his
iron of nerve and leathery of conscience, I should children.”
choose Mr. Neil Gibson as my model. His tall, Holmes rose from his chair.
gaunt, craggy figure had a suggestion of hunger “I am a rather busy man, Mr. Gibson,” said he,
and rapacity. An Abraham Lincoln keyed to base “and I have no time or taste for aimless conversa-
uses instead of high ones would give some idea tions. I wish you good-morning.”
of the man. His face might have been chiselled in
Our visitor had risen also, and his great loose
granite, hard-set, craggy, remorseless, with deep
figure towered above Holmes. There was an angry
lines upon it, the scars of many a crisis. Cold gray
gleam from under those bristling brows and a tinge
eyes, looking shrewdly out from under bristling
of colour in the sallow cheeks.
brows, surveyed us each in turn. He bowed in per-
functory fashion as Holmes mentioned my name, “What the devil do you mean by this, Mr.
and then with a masterful air of possession he drew Holmes? Do you dismiss my case?”
a chair up to my companion and seated himself “Well, Mr. Gibson, at least I dismiss you. I
with his bony knees almost touching him. should have thought my words were plain.”

3
 “Plain enough, but what’s at the back of it? Rais- We’ve got to understand the exact relations of those
ing the price on me, or afraid to tackle it, or what? three people if we are to reach the truth. You saw
I’ve a right to a plain answer.” the frontal attack which I made upon him, and
“Well, perhaps you have,” said Holmes. “I’ll how imperturbably he received it. Then I bluffed
give you one. This case is quite sufficiently compli- him by giving him the impression that I was abso-
cated to start with without the further difficulty of lutely certain, when in reality I was only extremely
false information.” suspicious.”
“Meaning that I lie.” “Perhaps he will come back?”
“He is sure to come back. He must come back.
“Well, I was trying to express it as delicately as
He can’t leave it where it is. Ha! isn’t that a ring?
I could, but if you insist upon the word I will not
Yes, there is his footstep. Well, Mr. Gibson, I was
contradict you.”
just saying to Dr. Watson that you were somewhat
I sprang to my feet, for the expression upon the overdue.”
millionaire’s face was fiendish in its intensity, and The Gold King had reentered the room in a
he had raised his great knotted fist. Holmes smiled more chastened mood than he had left it. His
languidly and reached his hand out for his pipe. wounded pride still showed in his resentful eyes,
“Don’t be noisy, Mr. Gibson. I find that after but his common sense had shown him that he must
breakfast even the smallest argument is unsettling. yield if he would attain his end.
I suggest that a stroll in the morning air and a little “I’ve been thinking it over, Mr. Holmes, and I
quiet thought will be greatly to your advantage.” feel that I have been hasty in taking your remarks
With an effort the Gold King mastered his fury. amiss. You are justified in getting down to the facts,
I could not but admire him, for by a supreme self- whatever they may be, and I think the more of you
command he had turned in a minute from a hot for it. I can assure you, however, that the relations
flame of anger to a frigid and contemptuous indif- between Miss Dunbar and me don’t really touch
ference. this case.”
“Well, it’s your choice. I guess you know how “That is for me to decide, is it not?”
to run your own business. I can’t make you touch “Yes, I guess that is so. You’re like a surgeon
the case against your will. You’ve done yourself no who wants every symptom before he can give his
good this morning, Mr. Holmes, for I have broken diagnosis.”
stronger men than you. No man ever crossed me “Exactly. That expresses it. And it is only a
and was the better for it.” patient who has an object in deceiving his surgeon
“So many have said so, and yet here I am,” said who would conceal the facts of his case.”
Holmes, smiling. “Well, good-morning, Mr. Gibson. “That may be so, but you will admit, Mr.
You have a good deal yet to learn.” Holmes, that most men would shy off a bit when
Our visitor made a noisy exit, but Holmes they are asked point-blank what their relations with
smoked in imperturbable silence with dreamy eyes a woman may be—if there is really some serious
fixed upon the ceiling. feeling in the case. I guess most men have a little
“Any views, Watson?” he asked at last. private reserve of their own in some corner of their
souls where they don’t welcome intruders. And
“Well, Holmes, I must confess that when I con- you burst suddenly into it. But the object excuses
sider that this is a man who would certainly brush you, since it was to try and save her. Well, the
any obstacle from his path, and when I remember stakes are down and the reserve open, and you can
that his wife may have been an obstacle and an explore where you will. What is it you want?”
object of dislike, as that man Bates plainly told us,
“The truth.”
it seems to me—”
The Gold King paused for a moment as one
“Exactly. And to me also.” who marshals his thoughts. His grim, deep-lined
“But what were his relations with the governess, face had become even sadder and more grave.
and how did you discover them?” “I can give it to you in a very few words, Mr.
“Bluff, Watson, bluff! When I considered the Holmes,” said he at last. “There are some things
passionate, unconventional, unbusinesslike tone of that are painful as well as difficult to say, so I won’t
his letter and contrasted it with his self-contained go deeper than is needful. I met my wife when I
manner and appearance, it was pretty clear that was gold-hunting in Brazil. Maria Pinto was the
there was some deep emotion which centred upon daughter of a government official at Manaos, and
the accused woman rather than upon the victim. she was very beautiful. I was young and ardent

4
in those days, but even now, as I look back with “It is only for the young lady’s sake that I touch
colder blood and a more critical eye, I can see that your case at all,” said Holmes sternly. “I don’t know
she was rare and wonderful in her beauty. It was that anything she is accused of is really worse than
a deep rich nature, too, passionate, whole-hearted, what you have yourself admitted, that you have
tropical, ill-balanced, very different from the Amer- tried to ruin a defenceless girl who was under your
ican women whom I had known. Well, to make roof. Some of you rich men have to be taught that
a long story short, I loved her and I married her. all the world cannot be bribed into condoning your
It was only when the romance had passed—and offences.”
it lingered for years—that I realized that we had To my surprise the Gold King took the reproof
nothing—absolutely nothing—in common. My love with equanimity.
faded. If hers had faded also it might have been “That’s how I feel myself about it now. I thank
easier. But you know the wonderful way of women! God that my plans did not work out as I intended.
Do what I might, nothing could turn her from me. She would have none of it, and she wanted to leave
If I have been harsh to her, even brutal as some the house instantly.”
have said, it has been because I knew that if I could
“Why did she not?”
kill her love, or if it turned to hate, it would be
easier for both of us. But nothing changed her. “Well, in the first place, others were dependent
She adored me in those English woods as she had upon her, and it was no light matter for her to let
adored me twenty years ago on the banks of the them all down by sacrificing her living. When I
Amazon. Do what I might, she was as devoted as had sworn—as I did—that she should never be mo-
ever. lested again, she consented to remain. But there
was another reason. She knew the influence she
“Then came Miss Grace Dunbar. She answered had over me, and that it was stronger than any
our advertisement and became governess to our other influence in the world. She wanted to use it
two children. Perhaps you have seen her portrait in for good.”
the papers. The whole world has proclaimed that
“How?”
she also is a very beautiful woman. Now, I make
no pretence to be more moral than my neighbours, “Well, she knew something of my affairs. They
and I will admit to you that I could not live under are large, Mr. Holmes—large beyond the belief of
the same roof with such a woman and in daily con- an ordinary man. I can make or break—and it is
tact with her without feeling a passionate regard usually break. It wasn’t individuals only. It was
for her. Do you blame me, Mr. Holmes?” communities, cities, even nations. Business is a
hard game, and the weak go to the wall. I played
“I do not blame you for feeling it. I should the game for all it was worth. I never squealed my-
blame you if you expressed it, since this young self, and I never cared if the other fellow squealed.
lady was in a sense under your protection.” But she saw it different. I guess she was right. She
“Well, maybe so,” said the millionaire, though believed and said that a fortune for one man that
for a moment the reproof had brought the old an- was more than he needed should not be built on
gry gleam into his eyes. “I’m not pretending to be ten thousand ruined men who were left without
any better than I am. I guess all my life I’ve been a the means of life. That was how she saw it, and I
man that reached out his hand for what he wanted, guess she could see past the dollars to something
and I never wanted anything more than the love that was more lasting. She found that I listened
and possession of that woman. I told her so.” to what she said, and she believed she was serv-
“Oh, you did, did you?” ing the world by influencing my actions. So she
stayed—and then this came along.”
Holmes could look very formidable when he
was moved. “Can you throw any light upon that?”
The Gold King paused for a minute or more,
“I said to her that if I could marry her I would,
his head sunk in his hands, lost in deep thought.
but that it was out of my power. I said that money
was no object and that all I could do to make her “It’s very black against her. I can’t deny that.
happy and comfortable would be done.” And women lead an inward life and may do things
beyond the judgment of a man. At first I was so
“Very generous, I am sure,” said Holmes with a rattled and taken aback that I was ready to think
sneer. she had been led away in some extraordinary fash-
“See here, Mr. Holmes. I came to you on a ques- ion that was clean against her usual nature. One
tion of evidence, not on a question of morals. I’m explanation came into my head. I give it to you,
not asking for your criticism.” Mr. Holmes, for what it is worth. There is no doubt

5
that my wife was bitterly jealous. There is a soul- “Anyhow, I’d rather have you than Scotland
jealousy that can be as frantic as any body-jealousy, Yard, Mr. Holmes,” said he. “If the Yard gets called
and though my wife had no cause—and I think into a case, then the local loses all credit for suc-
she understood this—for the latter, she was aware cess and may be blamed for failure. Now, you play
that this English girl exerted an influence upon my straight, so I’ve heard.”
mind and my acts that she herself never had. It “I need not appear in the matter at all,” said
was an influence for good, but that did not mend Holmes to the evident relief of our melancholy ac-
the matter. She was crazy with hatred, and the heat quaintance. “If I can clear it up I don’t ask to have
of the Amazon was always in her blood. She might my name mentioned.”
have planned to murder Miss Dunbar—or we will
“Well, it’s very handsome of you, I am sure.
say to threaten her with a gun and so frighten her
And your friend, Dr. Watson, can be trusted, I know.
into leaving us. Then there might have been a scuf-
Now, Mr. Holmes, as we walk down to the place
fle and the gun gone off and shot the woman who
there is one question I should like to ask you. I’d
held it.”
breathe it to no soul but you.” He looked round as
“That possibility had already occurred to me,” though he hardly dare utter the words. “Don’t you
said Holmes. “Indeed, it is the only obvious alter- think there might be a case against Mr. Neil Gibson
native to deliberate murder.” himself?”
“But she utterly denies it.” “I have been considering that.”
“Well, that is not final—is it? One can under- “You’ve not seen Miss Dunbar. She is a wonder-
stand that a woman placed in so awful a position ful fine woman in every way. He may well have
might hurry home still in her bewilderment hold- wished his wife out of the road. And these Amer-
ing the revolver. She might even throw it down icans are readier with pistols than our folk are. It
among her clothes, hardly knowing what she was was his pistol, you know.”
doing, and when it was found she might try to lie “Was that clearly made out?”
her way out by a total denial, since all explanation
“Yes, sir. It was one of a pair that he had.”
was impossible. What is against such a supposi-
tion?” “One of a pair? Where is the other?”
“Miss Dunbar herself.” “Well, the gentleman has a lot of firearms of
one sort and another. We never quite matched that
“Well, perhaps.” particular pistol—but the box was made for two.”
Holmes looked at his watch. “I have no doubt “If it was one of a pair you should surely be
we can get the necessary permits this morning and able to match it.”
reach Winchester by the evening train. When I have
“Well, we have them all laid out at the house if
seen this young lady it is very possible that I may
you would care to look them over.”
be of more use to you in the matter, though I can-
not promise that my conclusions will necessarily “Later, perhaps. I think we will walk down to-
be such as you desire.” gether and have a look at the scene of the tragedy.”
There was some delay in the official pass, and This conversation had taken place in the little
instead of reaching Winchester that day we went front room of Sergeant Coventry’s humble cottage
down to Thor Place, the Hampshire estate of Mr. which served as the local police-station. A walk
Neil Gibson. He did not accompany us himself, of half a mile or so across a wind-swept heath, all
but we had the address of Sergeant Coventry, of gold and bronze with the fading ferns, brought us
the local police, who had first examined into the to a side-gate opening into the grounds of the Thor
affair. He was a tall, thin, cadaverous man, with a Place estate. A path led us through the pheasant
secretive and mysterious manner which conveyed preserves, and then from a clearing we saw the
the idea that he knew or suspected a very great widespread, half-timbered house, half Tudor and
deal more than he dared say. He had a trick, too, half Georgian, upon the crest of the hill. Beside
of suddenly sinking his voice to a whisper as if us there was a long, reedy pool, constricted in the
he had come upon something of vital importance, centre where the main carriage drive passed over a
though the information was usually commonplace stone bridge, but swelling into small lakes on either
enough. Behind these tricks of manner he soon side. Our guide paused at the mouth of this bridge,
showed himself to be a decent, honest fellow who and he pointed to the ground.
was not too proud to admit that he was out of his “That was where Mrs. Gibson’s body lay. I
depth and would welcome any help. marked it by that stone.”

6
 “I understand that you were there before it was “I think I should like to sit quietly for a few
moved?” minutes and think it out.” He seated himself upon
“Yes, they sent for me at once.” the stone ledge of the bridge, and I could see his
quick gray eyes darting their questioning glances
“Who did?” in every direction. Suddenly he sprang up again
“Mr. Gibson himself. The moment the alarm and ran across to the opposite parapet, whipped
was given and he had rushed down with others his lens from his pocket, and began to examine the
from the house, he insisted that nothing should be stonework.
moved until the police should arrive.” “This is curious,” said he.
“That was sensible. I gathered from the news- “Yes, sir, we saw the chip on the ledge. I expect
paper report that the shot was fired from close it’s been done by some passer-by.”
quarters.” The stonework was gray, but at this one point
“Yes, sir, very close.” it showed white for a space not larger than a six-
“Near the right temple?” pence. When examined closely one could see that
the surface was chipped as by a sharp blow.
“Just behind it, sir.”
“It took some violence to do that,” said Holmes
“How did the body lie?” thoughtfully. With his cane he struck the ledge
“On the back, sir. No trace of a struggle. No several times without leaving a mark. “Yes, it was
marks. No weapon. The short note from Miss a hard knock. In a curious place, too. It was not
Dunbar was clutched in her left hand.” from above but from below, for you see that it is on
“Clutched, you say?” the lower edge of the parapet.”
“But it is at least fifteen feet from the body.”
“Yes, sir, we could hardly open the fingers.”
“Yes, it is fifteen feet from the body. It may
“That is of great importance. It excludes the
have nothing to do with the matter, but it is a point
idea that anyone could have placed the note there
worth noting. I do not think that we have anything
after death in order to furnish a false clue. Dear
more to learn here. There were no footsteps, you
me! The note, as I remember, was quite short:
say?”
“The ground was iron hard, sir. There were no
“I will be at Thor Bridge at nine o’clock.
traces at all.”
— “G. Dunbar.
“Then we can go. We will go up to the house
first and look over these weapons of which you
“Was that not so?” speak. Then we shall get on to Winchester, for I
“Yes, sir.” should desire to see Miss Dunbar before we go
“Did Miss Dunbar admit writing it?” farther.”
Mr. Neil Gibson had not returned from town,
“Yes, sir.”
but we saw in the house the neurotic Mr. Bates who
“What was her explanation?” had called upon us in the morning. He showed
“Her defence was reserved for the Assizes. She us with a sinister relish the formidable array of
would say nothing.” firearms of various shapes and sizes which his em-
“The problem is certainly a very interesting one. ployer had accumulated in the course of an adven-
The point of the letter is very obscure, is it not?” turous life.
“Mr. Gibson has his enemies, as anyone would
“Well, sir,” said the guide, “it seemed, if I may
expect who knew him and his methods,” said he.
be so bold as to say so, the only really clear point
“He sleeps with a loaded revolver in the drawer
in the whole case.”
beside his bed. He is a man of violence, sir, and
Holmes shook his head. there are times when all of us are afraid of him. I
“Granting that the letter is genuine and was am sure that the poor lady who has passed was
really written, it was certainly received some time often terrified.”
before—say one hour or two. Why, then, was this “Did you ever witness physical violence to-
lady still clasping it in her left hand? Why should wards her?”
she carry it so carefully? She did not need to refer “No, I cannot say that. But I have heard words
to it in the interview. Does it not seem remarkable?” which were nearly as bad—words of cold, cutting
“Well, sir, as you put it, perhaps it does.” contempt, even before the servants.”

7
 “Our millionaire does not seem to shine in pri- the means of covering it are coolly premeditated
vate life,” remarked Holmes as we made our way to also. I hope, therefore, that we are in the presence
the station. “Well, Watson, we have come on a good of a serious misconception.”
many facts, some of them new ones, and yet I seem
“But there is so much to explain.”
some way from my conclusion. In spite of the very
evident dislike which Mr. Bates has to his employer, “Well, we shall set about explaining it. When
I gather from him that when the alarm came he once your point of view is changed, the very thing
was undoubtedly in his library. Dinner was over which was so damning becomes a clue to the truth.
at 8.30 and all was normal up to then. It is true For example, there is this revolver. Miss Dunbar
that the alarm was somewhat late in the evening, disclaims all knowledge of it. On our new theory
but the tragedy certainly occurred about the hour she is speaking truth when she says so. Therefore,
named in the note. There is no evidence at all that it was placed in her wardrobe. Who placed it there?
Mr. Gibson had been out of doors since his return Someone who wished to incriminate her. Was not
from town at five o’clock. On the other hand, Miss that person the actual criminal? You see how we
Dunbar, as I understand it, admits that she had come at once upon a most fruitful line of inquiry.”
made an appointment to meet Mrs. Gibson at the We were compelled to spend the night at Winch-
bridge. Beyond this she would say nothing, as her ester, as the formalities had not yet been completed,
lawyer had advised her to reserve her defence. We but next morning, in the company of Mr. Joyce
have several very vital questions to ask that young Cummings, the rising barrister who was entrusted
lady, and my mind will not be easy until we have with the defence, we were allowed to see the young
seen her. I must confess that the case would seem lady in her cell. I had expected from all that we had
to me to be very black against her if it were not for heard to see a beautiful woman, but I can never for-
one thing.” get the effect which Miss Dunbar produced upon
“And what is that, Holmes?” me. It was no wonder that even the masterful mil-
“The finding of the pistol in her wardrobe.” lionaire had found in her something more powerful
than himself—something which could control and
“Dear me, Holmes!” I cried, “that seemed to me guide him. One felt, too, as one looked at the
to be the most damning incident of all.” strong, clear-cut, and yet sensitive face, that even
“Not so, Watson. It had struck me even at my should she be capable of some impetuous deed,
first perfunctory reading as very strange, and now none the less there was an innate nobility of charac-
that I am in closer touch with the case it is my only ter which would make her influence always for the
firm ground for hope. We must look for consis- good. She was a brunette, tall, with a noble figure
tency. Where there is a want of it we must suspect and commanding presence, but her dark eyes had
deception.” in them the appealing, helpless expression of the
“I hardly follow you.” hunted creature who feels the nets around it, but
can see no way out from the toils. Now, as she
“Well now, Watson, suppose for a moment that realized the presence and the help of my famous
we visualize you in the character of a woman who, friend, there came a touch of colour in her wan
in a cold, premeditated fashion, is about to get cheeks and a light of hope began to glimmer in the
rid of a rival. You have planned it. A note has glance which she turned upon us.
been written. The victim has come. You have your
weapon. The crime is done. It has been work- “Perhaps Mr. Neil Gibson has told you some-
manlike and complete. Do you tell me that after thing of what occurred between us?” she asked in
carrying out so crafty a crime you would now ruin a low, agitated voice.
your reputation as a criminal by forgetting to fling “Yes,” Holmes answered, “you need not pain
your weapon into those adjacent reed-beds which yourself by entering into that part of the story. After
would forever cover it, but you must needs carry it seeing you, I am prepared to accept Mr. Gibson’s
carefully home and put it in your own wardrobe, statement both as to the influence which you had
the very first place that would be searched? Your over him and as to the innocence of your relations
best friends would hardly call you a schemer, Wat- with him. But why was the whole situation not
son, and yet I could not picture you doing anything brought out in court?”
so crude as that.”
“It seemed to me incredible that such a charge
“In the excitement of the moment—” could be sustained. I thought that if we waited the
“No, no, Watson, I will not admit that it is pos- whole thing must clear itself up without our being
sible. Where a crime is coolly premeditated, then compelled to enter into painful details of the inner

8
life of the family. But I understand that far from only imagine that she acted in this way because she
clearing it has become even more serious.” did not wish him to know of our interview.”
“My dear young lady,” cried Holmes earnestly, “Yet she kept your reply very carefully?”
“I beg you to have no illusions upon the point. Mr. “Yes. I was surprised to hear that she had it in
Cummings here would assure you that all the cards her hand when she died.”
are at present against us, and that we must do ev- “Well, what happened then?”
erything that is possible if we are to win clear. It “I went down as I had promised. When I
would be a cruel deception to pretend that you are reached the bridge she was waiting for me. Never
not in very great danger. Give me all the help you did I realize till that moment how this poor creature
can, then, to get at the truth.” hated me. She was like a mad woman—indeed, I
“I will conceal nothing.” think she was a mad woman, subtly mad with the
deep power of deception which insane people may
“Tell us, then, of your true relations with Mr. have. How else could she have met me with un-
Gibson’s wife.” concern every day and yet had so raging a hatred
“She hated me, Mr. Holmes. She hated me with of me in her heart? I will not say what she said.
all the fervour of her tropical nature. She was a She poured her whole wild fury out in burning
woman who would do nothing by halves, and the and horrible words. I did not even answer—I could
measure of her love for her husband was the mea- not. It was dreadful to see her. I put my hands to
sure also of her hatred for me. It is probable that my ears and rushed away. When I left her she was
she misunderstood our relations. I would not wish standing, still shrieking out her curses at me, in the
to wrong her, but she loved so vividly in a physical mouth of the bridge.”
sense that she could hardly understand the men- “Where she was afterwards found?”
tal, and even spiritual, tie which held her husband “Within a few yards from the spot.”
to me, or imagine that it was only my desire to “And yet, presuming that she met her death
influence his power to good ends which kept me shortly after you left her, you heard no shot?”
under his roof. I can see now that I was wrong. “No, I heard nothing. But, indeed, Mr. Holmes,
Nothing could justify me in remaining where I was I was so agitated and horrified by this terrible out-
a cause of unhappiness, and yet it is certain that the break that I rushed to get back to the peace of my
unhappiness would have remained even if I had own room, and I was incapable of noticing any-
left the house.” thing which happened.”
“Now, Miss Dunbar,” said Holmes, “I beg you “You say that you returned to your room. Did
to tell us exactly what occurred that evening.” you leave it again before next morning?”
“I can tell you the truth so far as I know it, Mr. “Yes, when the alarm came that the poor crea-
Holmes, but I am in a position to prove nothing, ture had met her death I ran out with the others.”
and there are points—the most vital points—which “Did you see Mr. Gibson?”
I can neither explain nor can I imagine any expla- “Yes, he had just returned from the bridge when
nation.” I saw him. He had sent for the doctor and the po-
lice.”
“If you will find the facts, perhaps others may
“Did he seem to you much perturbed?”
find the explanation.”
“Mr. Gibson is a very strong, self-contained man.
“With regard, then, to my presence at Thor I do not think that he would ever show his emo-
Bridge that night, I received a note from Mrs. Gib- tions on the surface. But I, who knew him so well,
son in the morning. It lay on the table of the school- could see that he was deeply concerned.”
room, and it may have been left there by her own “Then we come to the all-important point. This
hand. It implored me to see her there after dinner, pistol that was found in your room. Had you ever
said she had something important to say to me, seen it before?”
and asked me to leave an answer on the sundial
“Never, I swear it.”
in the garden, as she desired no one to be in our
confidence. I saw no reason for such secrecy, but I “When was it found?”
did as she asked, accepting the appointment. She “Next morning, when the police made their
asked me to destroy her note and I burned it in search.”
the schoolroom grate. She was very much afraid “Among your clothes?”
of her husband, who treated her with a harshness “Yes, on the floor of my wardrobe under my
for which I frequently reproached him, and I could dresses.”

9
 “You could not guess how long it had been endless; for, in his nervous restlessness, he could
there?” not sit still, but paced the carriage or drummed
“It had not been there the morning before.” with his long, sensitive fingers upon the cushions
beside him. Suddenly, however, as we neared our
“How do you know?”
destination he seated himself opposite to me—we
“Because I tidied out the wardrobe.” had a first-class carriage to ourselves—and laying
“That is final. Then someone came into your a hand upon each of my knees he looked into my
room and placed the pistol there in order to incul- eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze which
pate you.” was characteristic of his more imp-like moods.
“It must have been so.” “Watson,” said he, “I have some recollection
that you go armed upon these excursions of ours.”
“And when?”
It was as well for him that I did so, for he took
“It could only have been at meal-time, or else at
little care for his own safety when his mind was
the hours when I would be in the schoolroom with
once absorbed by a problem, so that more than
the children.”
once my revolver had been a good friend in need.
“As you were when you got the note?” I reminded him of the fact.
“Yes, from that time onward for the whole morn- “Yes, yes, I am a little absent-minded in such
ing.” matters. But have you your revolver on you?”
“Thank you, Miss Dunbar. Is there any other I produced it from my hip-pocket, a short,
point which could help me in the investigation?” handy, but very serviceable little weapon. He undid
“I can think of none.” the catch, shook out the cartridges, and examined
it with care.
“There was some sign of violence on the
stonework of the bridge—a perfectly fresh chip just “It’s heavy—remarkably heavy,” said he.
opposite the body. Could you suggest any possible “Yes, it is a solid bit of work.”
explanation of that?” He mused over it for a minute.
“Surely it must be a mere coincidence.” “Do you know, Watson,” said he, “I believe your
“Curious, Miss Dunbar, very curious. Why revolver is going to have a very intimate connection
should it appear at the very time of the tragedy, with the mystery which we are investigating.”
and why at the very place?” “My dear Holmes, you are joking.”
“But what could have caused it? Only great “No, Watson, I am very serious. There is a test
violence could have such an effect.” before us. If the test comes off, all will be clear.
Holmes did not answer. His pale, eager face had And the test will depend upon the conduct of this
suddenly assumed that tense, far-away expression little weapon. One cartridge out. Now we will
which I had learned to associate with the supreme replace the other five and put on the safety-catch.
manifestations of his genius. So evident was the So! That increases the weight and makes it a better
crisis in his mind that none of us dared to speak, reproduction.”
and we sat, barrister, prisoner, and myself, watch- I had no glimmer of what was in his mind, nor
ing him in a concentrated and absorbed silence. did he enlighten me, but sat lost in thought until
Suddenly he sprang from his chair, vibrating with we pulled up in the little Hampshire station. We
nervous energy and the pressing need for action. secured a ramshackle trap, and in a quarter of an
“Come, Watson, come!” he cried. hour were at the house of our confidential friend,
the sergeant.
“What is it, Mr. Holmes?”
“A clue, Mr. Holmes? What is it?”
“Never mind, my dear lady. You will hear from
me, Mr. Cummings. With the help of the god of “It all depends upon the behaviour of Dr. Wat-
justice I will give you a case which will make Eng- son’s revolver,” said my friend. “Here it is. Now,
land ring. You will get news by to-morrow, Miss officer, can you give me ten yards of string?”
Dunbar, and meanwhile take my assurance that the The village shop provided a ball of stout twine.
clouds are lifting and that I have every hope that “I think that this is all we will need,” said
the light of truth is breaking through.” Holmes. “Now, if you please, we will get off on
It was not a long journey from Winchester to what I hope is the last stage of our journey.”
Thor Place, but it was long to me in my impatience, The sun was setting and turning the rolling
while for Holmes it was evident that it seemed Hampshire moor into a wonderful autumnal

10
panorama. The sergeant, with many critical and in- Late that evening, as we sat together smoking
credulous glances, which showed his deep doubts our pipes in the village inn, Holmes gave me a brief
of the sanity of my companion, lurched along be- review of what had passed.
side us. As we approached the scene of the crime “I fear, Watson,” said he, “that you will not im-
I could see that my friend under all his habitual prove any reputation which I may have acquired by
coolness was in truth deeply agitated. adding the case of the Thor Bridge mystery to your
“Yes,” he said in answer to my remark, “you annals. I have been sluggish in mind and wanting
have seen me miss my mark before, Watson. I have in that mixture of imagination and reality which is
an instinct for such things, and yet it has sometimes the basis of my art. I confess that the chip in the
played me false. It seemed a certainty when first stonework was a sufficient clue to suggest the true
it flashed across my mind in the cell at Winchester, solution, and that I blame myself for not having
but one drawback of an active mind is that one attained it sooner.
can always conceive alternative explanations which “It must be admitted that the workings of this
would make our scent a false one. And yet—and unhappy woman’s mind were deep and subtle, so
yet— Well, Watson, we can but try.” that it was no very simple matter to unravel her
As he walked he had firmly tied one end of plot. I do not think that in our adventures we have
the string to the handle of the revolver. We had ever come across a stranger example of what per-
now reached the scene of the tragedy. With great verted love can bring about. Whether Miss Dunbar
care he marked out under the guidance of the po- was her rival in a physical or in a merely mental
liceman the exact spot where the body had been sense seems to have been equally unforgivable in
stretched. He then hunted among the heather and her eyes. No doubt she blamed this innocent lady
the ferns until he found a considerable stone. This for all those harsh dealings and unkind words with
he secured to the other end of his line of string, which her husband tried to repel her too demon-
and he hung it over the parapet of the bridge so strative affection. Her first resolution was to end
that it swung clear above the water. He then stood her own life. Her second was to do it in such a way
on the fatal spot, some distance from the edge of as to involve her victim in a fate which was worse
the bridge, with my revolver in his hand, the string far than any sudden death could be.
being taut between the weapon and the heavy stone “We can follow the various steps quite clearly,
on the farther side. and they show a remarkable subtlety of mind. A
“Now for it!” he cried. note was extracted very cleverly from Miss Dunbar
which would make it appear that she had chosen
At the words he raised the pistol to his head, the scene of the crime. In her anxiety that it should
and then let go his grip. In an instant it had been be discovered she somewhat overdid it by holding
whisked away by the weight of the stone, had it in her hand to the last. This alone should have
struck with a sharp crack against the parapet, and excited my suspicions earlier than it did.
had vanished over the side into the water. It had
“Then she took one of her husband’s re-
hardly gone before Holmes was kneeling beside the
volvers—there was, as you saw, an arsenal in the
stonework, and a joyous cry showed that he had
house—and kept it for her own use. A similar
found what he expected.
one she concealed that morning in Miss Dunbar’s
“Was there ever a more exact demonstration?” wardrobe after discharging one barrel, which she
he cried. “See, Watson, your revolver has solved could easily do in the woods without attracting
the problem!” As he spoke he pointed to a sec- attention. She then went down to the bridge
ond chip of the exact size and shape of the first where she had contrived this exceedingly ingenious
which had appeared on the under edge of the stone method for getting rid of her weapon. When Miss
balustrade. Dunbar appeared she used her last breath in pour-
“We’ll stay at the inn to-night,” he continued as ing out her hatred, and then, when she was out
he rose and faced the astonished sergeant. “You of hearing, carried out her terrible purpose. Every
will, of course, get a grappling-hook and you will link is now in its place and the chain is complete.
easily restore my friend’s revolver. You will also The papers may ask why the mere was not dragged
find beside it the revolver, string and weight with in the first instance, but it is easy to be wise after
which this vindictive woman attempted to disguise the event, and in any case the expanse of a reed-
her own crime and to fasten a charge of murder filled lake is no easy matter to drag unless you have
upon an innocent victim. You can let Mr. Gibson a clear perception of what you are looking for and
know that I will see him in the morning, when where. Well, Watson, we have helped a remark-
steps can be taken for Miss Dunbar’s vindication.” able woman, and also a formidable man. Should

11
they in the future join their forces, as seems not Gibson has learned something in that schoolroom
unlikely, the financial world may find that Mr. Neil of sorrow where our earthly lessons are taught.”

12