EA Poe The Murders in the Rue Morgue, by EA Poe 
mental conditions that are often seen as analytical, in themselves, little susceptible of analysis. Consider them only by their effects. Of these we know, among other things, that are forever, which possesses them, when they have an extraordinary degree, a source of vivid pleasures. Just as the strong man enjoys his physical ability, delighting in certain exercises that put your muscles in action, the analyst has with that intellectual activity is exerted on the fact unravel. Get the satisfaction of even the most trivial occupations that jeopardize their talent. Is completely devoted to the puzzles, riddles and hieroglyphics, and in each of the solutions shows a sense of wit that seems to mob supernatural penetration. The results obtained by one spirit and essence of method, actually purchase the whole look of an intuition.
This power of resolution is possibly greatly strengthened by the mathematical studies, especially for this important branch of them, improperly and only taking into account their previous operations, has been called par excellence, analysis. And yet, no estimate is inherently analyzed. A chess player, for example, carries out one without effort at the other. It follows that the game of chess, in its effects upon mental character, is not sufficiently understood. Now I will not write a treatise, but prologue only a very unique story, with comments made lightly. I will take therefore this opportunity to ensure that the most important powers of reflective intelligence work with greater determination and enjoyment in the simple game of checkers in all that exquisite frivolity of chess. In the latter, where the pieces have different and bizarre motions, with various and variable values, just what is complicated, wrongly taken very common mistake, however deep. Attention, here is powerfully into play. If wavers for an instant, an oversight is committed, the results imply loss or defeat. Since the movements are not only possible varied, but complicated, the chances of such oversights are multiplied; of ten cases, nine wins the player most capable of concentration and not the most insightful. In the game of checkers, however, where the movements are unique and very little variation, the possibility of neglect are lower, and as attention is relatively inattentive, the benefits achieved each of the parties is achieved by insight superior. To be less abstract suppose, for example, a game of checkers whose pieces have been reduced to four queens and where you can not neglect. Obviously, in this case the Victorian players being found equal, can be decided under recherche a movement resulting from a determined effort of intelligence. Deprived of ordinary resources, the analyst gets into the spirit of his opponent, so he identifies with, and often discover at a glance the only-sometimes, indeed, absurdly easy, which is likely to mislead or bring to a miscalculation.
has long whist is known for its influence on the power calculator, and highly intelligent men have found in him a seemingly inexplicable joy, while leaving chess as frivolous. There is no doubt that there is no such game to make work both analytical faculty. The best player World Chess can only be little more than the greatest chess player, but the skill and whist implies capacity for success in all other major companies in which intelligence is confronted with intelligence. When I say ability, I mean that perfection in the game involves an understanding of all the sources from which is derived from a legitimate advantage. These sources are not only different, but also multifaceted. They are often in the depths of thought, and are entirely inaccessible to ordinary intelligence. Observe carefully is to remember distinctly. And from this point of view, the chess player can play very intense concentration well at whist, as the rules of Hoyle, based on pure game mechanics, are adequate and generally understandable. For this, have a good memory and play by "the book" are, usually, points considered as the sum total of playing excellently. But in cases that are outside the limits of mere evidence rule is where the talent of the analyst. In silence, made a lot of observations and deductions. Possibly, his teammates will do the same, and the difference in the extent of the information obtained will not be based both on the validity of the deduction and the quality of observation. The important question is what should be observed. Our player is not confined only to the game, and although this is the object of his attention, to abstain from certain deductions arising in finding foreign objects in the game. Examine the face of his companion, and carefully compared with each of their opponents. Mode is set to distribute the cards to each hand, often win and win by calculating both eyes watching both players to their game. He realizes each of the variations of faces as the game progresses, gathering a large number of ideas for differences observed in the different expressions of security, surprise, triumph or dislike. On the way to pick a card judges whether the same person may do the following. Recognizes the card played in a gesture that is left on the table. A casual or inadvertent word; how accidental falls or becomes a letter, anxiety or indifference that accompany the action to avoid being seen, the account of the strengths and order of placement, the perplexity, doubt, excitement or fear, all this makes his apparently intuitive perception indications of the true state of affairs. When you have two or three laps, completely understood the games each, and from then check their cards with absolute mastery of purposes such as if the rest of the players had turned toward him.
The analytical power not be confused with mere talent, for while the analyst is necessarily ingenious, the ingenious man is often remarkably incapable of analysis. The constructive or combining power that usually manifests the ingenuity, and the phrenologists, wrongly, in my opinion, assigned a separate organ, supposing it a primitive faculty, has been so often in individuals whose intellect bordered on the other hand, idiocy, which has attracted general attention of the writers of moral issues. Between ingenuity and the analytic ability there is a much greater difference, in fact, that between the fancy and imagination, but of a character strictly analog. In fact, it is easily observed that the ingenious are always fantastic, while the truly imaginative never fails to be analytical.
The account that follows can serve in some way to enlighten the reader on an interpretation of the propositions which I anticipate. Finding
in Paris during the spring and early summer of 18 ... I met there M. C. Auguste Dupin. Belonged to this young gentleman with an excellent, or, rather, an illustrious family, but by a series of adverse events had been reduced to such poverty, succumbed energy of his character and gave up his ambitions mundane, as well as to attempt to restore his fortune. With the approval of creditors, was still in possession of a small remnant of his heritage, and the income it gave him found the half, thanks to a rigorous economy, to meet the needs of your life without worry at all with the most superfluous. In fact, their only luxury was books, and in Paris these are easily acquired.
Our knowledge had an effect on an obscure library in the Rue Montmartre, where we put in close intimacy matching to find the two very rare and at the same time, significant. We saw each other frequently. I was keenly interested in the simple story of his family, he told me in detail with all the ingenuity with which a Frenchman indulges in his confidence when he speaks of himself. On the other hand, I admired the number of readings, and especially touched my heart the passionate desire and a lively freshness of his imagination. The nature of the research that occupied me then in Paris made me realize that the friendship of such a man was to me a priceless treasure. With this idea, I really trusted him. Finally, we agreed that we should live together as long as it lasted my stay in the city, and as my financial affairs were developing less embarrassing than yours, I was allowed participate in the cost of renting and furnishing, according to the character's fantastic and melancholy of our common temper, a grotesque old abandoned house long ago, under certain superstitions that wanted to find out. The truth is that the house shook as if it were to sink in a remote and desolate corner of the Faubourg Saint Germain.
If it had been known to people the routine of our life in that place, we have taken for crazy, but harmless species. Our seclusion was perfect. Did not get any visits. In fact, the place of our retreat was a carefully guarded secret for my former comrades, and had long since Dupin had ceased to attend or be visible in Paris. We lived just for us.
An oddity of the character of my friend, I do not know how to describe it otherwise, "was to be in love with night. But with this bizarrerie, as with all his others, I condescended quietly, and gave me his singular whims with a perfect abandon. I could not always be with us the black divinity, but we could distort their presence. As morning dawned, we closed immediately the solid shutters of our old house and lighting a few candles heavily scented and pale and only gave a faint glow, under which we gave our souls to their dreams, we read, wrote and talked, until the clock arrival warned us of the true Darkness. Then we went out for a walk arm in arm through the streets, continuing the conversation of the day and prowling everywhere until very late, looking through the bizarre lights and shadows of the crowded city such innumerable mental excitations are unable to seek the quiet observation.
In such circumstances, I could not help but notice and admire Dupin (although, by the rich imagination that he was gifted, I was prepared to wait for) a particular analytical talent. On the other hand, seemed to delight intensely in practice (if not exactly in deploy) and did not hesitate to confess the pleasure it gave him. Mockingly boasted to me that many men, he had windows in the chest, and used to support such claims using very striking evidence of their direct and intimate knowledge of me. At such times, his manner was frigid and abstracted. They kept their eyes without expression, his voice, usually richly tenor, rose to a reedy timbre, which would have sounded petulantly but for the thoughtful and complete clarity of pronunciation. Often, seeing in those moods, I meditated on the old philosophy of Alma Double, and I enjoyed the idea of \u200b\u200ba double Dupin: The creator and analytical.
Because I said, do not believe I'm counting or writing a mystery novel. My remarks about the French not only the result of an intelligence tenderness or perhaps ill. An example will better idea of \u200b\u200bthe nature of their observations during the period to which I allude.
We went one night walking down a long dirty street, near the Palais Royal. Apparently, each of us had lost in his own thoughts, and at least fifteen minutes neither spoke a single syllable. Suddenly, Dupin broke the silence with these words: "In
Actually, that boy is too small and is better at the Théâtre des Variétés.
"No doubt," I replied, without noticing what he said and without looking at the time, had been so absorbed in my reflections, the extraordinary way that my partner had been matched their words with my thoughts.
A moment later I recovered and experienced a profound shock.
-Dupin, "I said gravely," what has happened beyond my comprehension. Do not hesitate to express my amazement and I can hardly believe what I heard. How you may have guessed I was thinking ... ?
saying, I paused to make sure, and no given that he actually knew who he thought.
- In Chantilly? He asked. Why was interrupted? You thought his small stature was not appropriate to focus on the tragedy.
This was precisely what had been the subject of my reflections. Chantilly was a quondam cobbler of the Rue Saint Denis, passionate about the theater, had played the role of Jeri Crebillon the tragedy of this title. But their efforts had led to public ridicule.
"Tell me, by God, I cried, by which method, if any, has entered you in my soul in this case.
Actually, I was more amazed at what he wanted to confess.
"It was the fruit vendor," said my friend, who has led you to the conclusion that the mender of soles do not have enough stature to play the role of Xerxes et id genus omne.
- Does the fruit vendor? You astonish me. I know of none.
"Yes, is the man with whom have you encountered when entering the street, some fifteen minutes.
I remembered that, in effect, a fruit vendor, who wore on her head a large basket of apples, almost make me fall, unintentionally, when we passed the street C. .. to the lane that now we were. But I could not understand the relationship of this with Chantilly.
There was no reason whatsoever to assume Dupin charlatanism.
"I explain," he said. To enable you to realize everything clearly, let's go first to reverse the course of his thoughts from this moment I'm talking to your rencontre with the fruit vendor. Conversely, the most important links in the chain occur in this way: Chantilly, Orion, Dr. Nichols, Epicurus, sternotomy on the cobblestones and the fruit vendor.
There are few people who are not entertaining at any point in your life, go in reverse the steps by which certain conclusions have been collected from their intelligence. Occupation is often full of interest, and the test for the first time is astonished at the apparent unlimited long distance and lack of inference that appears to mediate from the point of departure to the final goal. Judge yourself, then, what was my astonishment when I heard what the French had said, and I could not but acknowledge that he had told the truth. Continued after this:
"If I remember correctly, when we were going to leave the street C. .. we talked about horses. This was the last subject we discussed. Entering on this street, a fruit vendor who had a large basket on her head, sped in front of us and you pushed him against a pile of paving stones in a place where the roadway is under repair. You put your foot on one of the loose fragments, slipped and twisted his ankle slightly. You pretended annoyance or bad mood, muttered a few words, turned to look at the pile of cobblestones and then continued walking in silence. I did not pay particular attention to what you did, but for a long time, the observation has become for me a kind of necessity.
"you walked with eyes downcast, staring with sullen expression, the bumps and ruts in the pavement, so I deduced that you are still thinking in stone yet. Proceeded well until we got to the alley called Lamartine, which, in test mode, has been paved with overlapping and coupled anchors solidly. When he went inside, his face lit up, and I noticed that her lips moved. For this movement it was not possible to doubt that you uttered the word "sternotomy" so smugly term applies to this kind of paving. I was sure you could not pronounce itself the word "sternotomy" although this will take you to think of atoms, and therefore in theories of Epicurus. And since not too long ago discussing this issue, I pointed out to you how this unique, and without it has been widely noted, the vague guesses of that noble Greek found in the recent nebular cosmogony confirmation. I understand why you could not resist the temptation to raise their eyes to the great nobula of Orion, and I certainly hoped you would. In fact, you've looked high, and have acquired the knowledge then you have correctly followed the thread of his thoughts. But in the bitter lying on Chantilly, published yesterday in the Museum, the satirist, making mortifying allusions to the name change of shoemaker to put on the buskin, quoted a Latin line which we have spoken frequently. I mean this:
Perdidit Sonum antiquum raw litter.
"I had told you that this verse the word was related to Orion, which originally was written Urión. Furthermore, some rather passionate discussions we had about my interpretation, I was sure you would not have forgotten. Therefore, it was clear that you associate the two ideas: Orion and Chantilly, and that I understood the way I have seen the smile on his lips. Have you thought, then, that sacrifice of the poor cobbler. Until then, you had walked with hunched, but thereafter you stood, regaining his full height. This movement has confirmed to me that you thought the diminutive figure of Chantilly, and was then that I interrupted your meditations to observe that, as a man of small stature, Chantilly would be better at the Théâtre des Variétés.
Shortly after this conversation hojeábamos an evening edition of the Gazette des tribunaux when our attention the following headlines:
"EXTRAORDINARY CRIMES
" This morning, about three o'clock, the inhabitants of the Quartier Saint Roch were awakened by a series of horrific screams seemed come from the fourth floor of a house in the Rue Morgue, occupied, it is said, by such a Madame L'Espanaye and her daughter Mademoiselle Camille L'Espanaye. After some time spent in fruitless efforts to penetrate good in the house, forced the front door with a crowbar, and eight or ten neighbors entered accompanied by two gendarmes. At that time the cries had ceased, but as people came quickly to the first landing of the stairs, distinguished two or more rough voices that seemed to play violently and come from the top of the house. When people came to the second flight, also stopped the rumors and everything remained perfectly quiet. Neighbors rushed through every room. Upon arrival, finally, to a large room on the back of the fourth floor, the door had to be forced inwardly by being closed and locked, offered to those present a spectacle that overwhelmed his mind, not just horror, but wonder.
"It was the room in violent disorder, broken furniture and scattered in all directions. There was no other bed than the armor of a bed, whose sides had been ripped out and thrown on the floor. On a chair was found blood-stained razor. There was the fireplace two or three long and thick strands of gray hair, drenched in blood and appeared to have been uprooted. On the floor were found four Napoleons, an earring adorned with topaz, three large silver spoons, three teaspoons of metal d, Alger, and two bags containing approximately four thousand francs in gold. In one corner they found the open drawers of a bureau, and, apparently, rifled, although there were some things in them. We also find an iron casket under the bed, not under his armor. Was open, and still contained the key lock. In the chest there were no more than a few old letters and other papers of no importance.
"There was no trace of Madame L'Espanaye, but whatever it is noticing an abnormal amount of soot in the home, made a reconnaissance of the fire, and, horrified to speak, she was removed from the body of his daughter, who was placed upside down and had been introduced through the narrow opening to a considerable height. The body was still warm. Upon examination it was found numerous abrasions caused no doubt by the violence with which the body had been placed there and the effort that had to be used to remove it. In his face were deep scratches, and throat, dark bruises and deep tracks produced by the claws, as if death had been verified by strangulation.
"After a thorough examination in all rooms, without being able to any new discoveries, the present is directed to a small paved courtyard, located at the rear of the building, where they found the corpse of the old lady, with her throat cut in such a way the head was separated from the trunk to lift the body. This and the head were so badly mutilated, barely preserved human appearance.
"To our knowledge, has not been achieved so far the least evidence to clarify this horrible mystery."
The newspaper the next day gave some new details:
"THE TRAGEDY OF THE RUE MORGUE
" A large number of people have been questioned with regard to so extraordinary and horrible affair (the word affair in France does not yet have the little meaning that is given us), but nothing has been concluded that shed some light on it. We then all the most important statements that have been obtained:
"Pauline Dubourg, laundress, states have known for three years to victims and having washed for them during this time. Both mother and daughter seemed to live in good harmony and a great affection for each other. Paid on time. Nothing is known about their way of life and livelihoods. Madame L'assumed that told fortunes for a living. He was reputed to have any hidden money. Never met any persons in the house when they called to collect clothing, or when returned. I was absolutely sure that the ladies were not bonded at all. Except the fourth floor, there appeared to be furniture in any part of the house.
"Pierre Moreau, tobacconist, said that is the usual provider tobacco and snuff to Madame L'Espanaye from four years ago. Born in the neighborhood and has lived there. For more than six years since the dead and his daughter lived in the house where their bodies were found. Prior to his stay, the floor had been occupied by a jeweler, who in turn rented rooms interior to different people. The house was owned by Madame L'Espanaye. Unhappy about the abuses of his tenant had moved into the building he owned, to refuse to rent any part of it. The good lady pussy because of age. The witness had seen his daughter for about five or six times during the six years. The two lived a very retired life, and were reputed to have money. Among the neighbors had heard that Madame L'told fortunes, but he did not. I had never seen anyone go through the door, except the lady and her daughter once or twice a messenger and eight or ten to a doctor.
"In the same way several neighbors said, but none of them is said to be frequenting the house. It is not known to the lady and her daughter were living relatives. Were rarely open the shutters on the balconies of the main facade. Those in the rear were always closed, except for the windows of the large back room on the fourth floor. The farm house was excellent and very old.
"Muset Isidoro, gendarme, deposes that he was called to the house at three in the morning and says he found the front door some twenty or thirty people who were trying to enter the building. With a bayonet, not with an iron bar, could finally force the door. He found great difficulty in opening it, because it was two pages and had no lock and pin in its upper part. Until the door was forced, continued shouting, but then stopped suddenly. Gave the impression of being screams of one or more persons suffering from great distress. They were loud and long, not short and quick cries. The witness quickly climbed the stairs. At the first landing, heard two voices that fought bitterly. One of these was rough, and the other acute, a very strange voice. From the first he could distinguish a few words, and it seemed that the French had given. But obviously it was not woman's voice. Clearly distinguished the words "sacred" and "devil." The shrill voice belonged to a foreigner, but the respondent can not be sure whether it was male or female. Could not distinguish what they said, but assumes that spoke English. The witness discovered the condition of the house and the bodies was described yesterday as us.
"Henri Duval, a neighbor, and by trade a silversmith, said that he was part of the group that came first in the house. Overall, corroborates the statement Muset. As they made their way, forcing the door, closed it again, in order to contain the crowd that had gathered despite the hour. This view is that the shrill voice of an Italian, and you are sure it was not a Frenchman. He does not know Italian. Could not distinguish the words, but on the pitch I was talking about, is convinced that it was an Italian. L'Espanaye knew Madame and her daughter. With the two had talked frequently. I was sure that the voice does not correspond to any of the two women.
"Odenheimer, restaurateur. Voluntarily, the witness offered to testify. Not speaking French, was examined making use of an interpreter. Is a native of Amsterdam. Walked past the house at the time of the shrieks. He paused for a few minutes, ten, probably. They were loud and long, and there was horror and anguish. He was one of those who entered the house. Corroborates previous evidence in every detail, except one is sure the shrill voice was that of a man, a Frenchman. Could not clearly distinguish the words he had uttered. They were said loudly and rapidly, with some unevenness, spoken as meant, in fear and anger at the same time. The voice was rough. I really can not be assured that it was a shrill voice. The deep voice said repeatedly: "Sacred", "devil" and one "mon Dieu.
"Jules Mignaud, banker, of the house" Mignaud et Fils ", Rue Deloraie. It is the largest Mignaud. Madame L'Espanaye had some interest. Had opened a checking account in a banking house in the spring of the year ... (Eight years earlier.) Often had little income quantities. Did not withdraw any until three days before his death. The retired person, and the sum amounted to four thousand francs. The amount was paid in gold, and instructed a clerk to take her home.
"Adolphe Le Bon, under the" Bank Mignaud et Fils ", states that in the present day, at noon, he accompanied Madame L'Espanaye to your home with the four thousand francs, divided into two small duffel bags. As the door opened, Mademoiselle L'Espanaye It appeared he took one of the bags, and the old lady the other. Then he waved and left. At that time there was nobody in the street. It was a side street, very lonely.
"William Bird, tailor deposes that he was one of those who entered the house. Is English. Lived two years in Paris. He was one of the first that came up the stairs. He heard the voices in contention. The coarse was a Frenchman. He could hear some words, but now can not remember them all. Heard distinctly 'sacré' and 'mon Dieu. For a moment there was a rumor, as if several people peleasen. Noise quarrel and struggle. The shrill voice was very strong, but the grave. It sure was not the voice of an Englishman, but rather that of a German. Could have been that of a woman. Does not understand German.
"Four of the above witnesses, again interrogated, declared that the door of the room in which it was found the body of Mademoiselle L'Espanaye was locked from the inside when the group reached it. Everything was in absolute silence. No one heard or groans or noises of any kind. By forcing the door, do not see anyone. The windows in the rear as the front were closed and secured tightly on the inside with their respective bolts. Between the two rooms was also a connecting door, which was closed but not locked. The door leading from the front room into the corridor was locked from the inside with a key. A small room in the front of the fourth floor, into the hall, was also open because the door was ajar. In this room is crowded with old beds, boxes and objects of this kind. It was not a single inch of the house without having been registered carefully. It was ordered that both above and below were introduced by the chimney sweeps. The house had four floors, with lofts (mansard). On the roof was heavily insured, a trap door, and seemed to have been open for many years. Regarding the time interval between the voices in contention and the act of forcing the front door, the statements of witnesses are quite different. Some speak of three minutes, and others extend this time to five. Cost much force the door.
"Alfonso García, undertaker, said that living in the Rue Morgue, which is English. Also part of the group that entered the house. Not up the stairs, because it is very nervous and feared the effects that could produce the emotion. He heard the voices in contention. The grave was of a Frenchman. He could not distinguish what they said, and are sure that the shrill voice was that of an Englishman. He does not understand this language, but is based on the intonation.
"Alberto Montan, confectioner claims to have been one of the first to climb the ladder. Alluded voices heard. The grave was French. He could make out several words. It seemed as if this individual upbraiding another. Instead, he could not understand anything about the high voice. He spoke quickly and jerkily. Assumed that this voice is that of a Russian. Further supported by general statements. It's Italian. There has never spoken to any Russian.
'witnesses were questioned again, confirmed that the chimneys of all the rooms on the fourth floor were too narrow to allow passage of a person. When they spoke of "chimney sweeps", referred to cylindrical brushes used for this purpose mangabeys. The brushes were passed up and down all the pipes in the house. In the back of it there any way where someone could have climbed down as the group stairs. The body of Mademoiselle L'Espanaye was so firmly inserted in the chimney, which could not be extracted from there but with the help of five men.
"Paul Dumas, physician, deposes that he was called into the dawn to examine the bodies. Then lay the two straps on the bedstead in the room where Mademoiselle L'Espanaye was found. The girl's body was so bruised and full of abrasions. Sufficiently explained the circumstances to have been thrust up the chimney. Above all, his throat had large abrasions. He also had deep scratches under the chin, next to a series of livid spots which were obviously finger prints. The face was horribly pale, and eyes out of their sockets. The tongue had been bitten and partially sectioned. On the stomach also discovered a large bruise, produced, as is supposed, by the pressure of a knee. According to M. Dumas, Mademoiselle L'Espanaye had been strangled by some person or persons unknown. The mother's body was horribly maimed. Every bone in his right leg and arm were, more or less, broken. The left tibia, like the ribs of the same side, were made chips. His whole body dreadfully bruised and discolored. It is impossible to certify how they were produced those wounds. Maybe a heavy wooden club, or a large iron bar, a chair, or a broad tool, heavy and dull, could have produced similar results. But provided they have been handled by a very strong man. No woman could have caused the blows with any kind of weapon. When the witness saw the head of the dead was completely separated from the body and also destroyed. Obviously, the throat had been cut with a razor sharp instrument, probably a razor.
"Alexandre Etienne, surgeon, claims to have been called at the same time that Dr. Dumas to view the bodies. Corroborated the statements and opinions it.
"No further details have been obtained important in other interviews. A crime so strange and so complicated in all its aspects had not ever committed in Paris, in the case actually involved a crime. Police entirely without trace, rare circumstance in matters of this nature. You can be sure therefore that there is the slightest clue. "
In the evening edition, said the newspaper was still a great excitement in the Quartier Saint Roch, which, again, had carefully investigated the circumstances of the crime, but had not been any results. A breaking news announced that Adolphe Le Bon had been arrested and imprisoned, but none of the circumstances set forth seemed to accuse him. Dupin
proved to be particularly interested in developing that case, at least so I judged by his conduct, because he made no comment. Only after having been imprisoned Le Bon asked me my opinion on those killings.
but I could not express my agreement with all the Parisian public, considering that crime as an insoluble mystery. He could not see how that could be the murderer.
"For so shallow interrogation can not judge anything on how to find," said Dupin. Police Paris, much praised for its insight, is clever, but nothing more. There is no method in their actions that the circumstances suggest. Always exhibit the measures taken, but often so little happens that is appropriate for the purposes in which we suggest asking your robed Monsieur Jourdain chambre, pour mieux entender la musique. Sometimes they are still amazing results. But for the most part, are achieved by mere persistence and activity. When such procedures are ineffective, fail all their plans. Vidocq, for example, was a good guesser and a persevering man, but lacked his intelligence and education, are often mistaken for the same intensity of their research. Reduced the power of his vision by holding the object too close. Was able to see probably one or two circumstances with unusual clarity, but in doing so lost total vision necessarily the case. This can be called the defect of being too deep. The truth is not always at the bottom of a well. Actually, I think, about what matters most to know, is invariably superficial. The depth lies in the valleys where we seek, but not in the tops of the mountains, where we see it. The varieties and origins of this kind of error are a shining example in the contemplation of the heavenly bodies. Managing a star a quick look, examine obliquely, turning toward it the exterior parts of the retina (which are more sensitive to weak light output from the above), is contemplating distinctly star, get the most accurate assessment of its shine, shine that darkens as we turn our vision of making it full. In the latter case, the eyes fall on as many rays, but in the former gives a more refined receptivity. With extreme depth, confound, and weaken the thought, and still confused. We can even make Venus vanish from the sky when we direct attention too sustained, too concentrated or too direct.
"With respect to these murders, let us examine some research on our own, before forming an opinion of them. An investigation like this we will seek good fun, I thought it was improper that last word, applied to this case, but said nothing, "and, moreover, Le Bon has begun to provide a service and want to show that I am not ungrateful. We will go to the scene and examine it with our own eyes. G. .. I know, the Prefect of Police, and I will not be difficult to obtain the necessary permission. We
was authorized, and we went immediately to the Rue Morgue. This is one of those miserable streets that connect the Rue Richelieu and Saint Roch. When we got back, it was already late in the afternoon, because this neighborhood is located far away from that in which we lived. Soon we found the house was still in front of her vain several people staring curiously at the windows closed. It was a house like so many of Paris. He had a front door and one side was a glass box with a sliding frame in the window, and seemed to be the concierge loge. Before entering we headed up the street, and, bending again, we turn to the back wall of the building. Dupin considered throughout this time around, and the house, with a focus so careful, I could not understand their purpose.
then went back on our heels, and arrived at the front of the house. Knocked at the door, and after showing our permission, the guards allowed us entry. We climbed the stairs up to the room where he had found the body of Mademoiselle L'Espanaye and where they were still the two bodies. As usual, was spared the clutter of the room. I saw nothing of what had been published in the Gazette des tribunaux. Dupin carefully analyzed everything, not excepting the bodies of victims. We went at once to other rooms, so we went then to the patio. A policeman accompanied us everywhere, and research took us until dark, then march. Back to our home, my partner stopped a moment at the office of a newspaper.
I have said that the oddities of my friends were very diverse and that je les menageais: this phrase has no equivalent in English. Until the next day at noon, refused all talk about the murders. Then suddenly asked me if I had noticed something peculiar in the scene.
In his way of pronouncing the word "particular" was something that gave me a shudder without knowing why.
"No, nothing special," I said, at least, nothing more of what we know from the newspaper.
"I'm afraid," he replied that the Gazette has not penetrated into the unusual horror of the case. But let the foolish opinions of this scrap of paper. I think if this mystery is considered insoluble, for the same reason should be easy to solve, and I mean the outre nature of their circumstances. Police have been confused by the apparent absence of any justification, no crime, but the atrocity has been committed. Also, I confused the apparent impossibility of reconciling the voices in contention with the fact I found not up but Mademoiselle L'Espanaye, murdered, and not finding a way that No one left the floor without being seen by people running up the stairs. The rare disorder of the room, the corpse thrust his head down the chimney, the frightful mutilation of the body of the elderly, all these considerations, with those described and other noteworthy not have been enough to cripple its powers , making it completely failed vaunted perspicacity of the government agents. Have fallen into great though common error of confounding the unusual with the abstruse. But precisely because of these deviations from normal is where reason has to find its way into the investigation of truth, in the event that this discovery possible. In research as we are doing now, we have to ask both "what happened" as "what happened that had not ever happened yet." Actually the simplicity with which I have arrived or have already reached ¬ solving this mystery, is in direct proportion to their apparent lack of solution in the discretion of the police.
with mute astonishment, I saw my friend.
"I'm waiting now," he continued telling me staring at the door of our room, an individual who although probably not have committed this carnage may well be, to some extent, complicated in it. Is likely to be innocent of the most unpleasant of the crimes committed. I am not mistaken in this assumption, because it is founded my hopes of uncovering the mystery. I hope this guy here in this room and at any moment. True, it may not come, but it is likely to come. If it comes, must be stopped. Here are some guns, and we both know how to use them when circumstances warrant.
Without knowing what he was doing, or what he heard, took the guns, while Dupin went on talking like a monologue. His words were directed at me but his voice is not very high, the intonation was frequently used when talking to a person who has a little distant. Her expressionless eyes staring at the wall.
"Experience has fully demonstrated that the voices in contention," he said, heard by those who climbed the stairs, were not those of the two women. This rules out the old woman had first killed his daughter and had killed himself afterwards. I mention this only out of respect to the method, because, well, the strength of Madame L'Espanaye had not ever gotten to drag the body of his daughter up the chimney as it was found. Moreover, the nature of the injury precludes any idea of \u200b\u200bsuicide. Therefore, the murder has been committed by third parties, and the voices of these are those heard in contention. Let me ask you notice that not everything has been declared with respect to these voices, but what is particular in the statements. Have not you noticed anything in them?
I told him that he had observed that while all the witnesses agreed in supposing the gruff voice was that of a Frenchman, had a major disagreement with regard to the shrill voice, or rough, as one of them had qualified.
"This is pure evidence," he said, but no particulars of the evidence. You have not seen anything characteristic, but nevertheless there was something to watch. As you have noticed witnesses agreed as to the voice. It had unanimously. But with regard to the shrill voice is its particularity, not in disagreement, but that, as one Italian, one English, one English, Dutch and French attempt to describe each view was that of a foreigner. Each is sure that there is a compatriot, and each one compares, not that of a man of any nation whose language known, but quite the opposite. French supposed she was the voice of a English and "could have distinguished some words have been familiar with English." The Dutchman maintains it was a Frenchman, but we know that, "not knowing the language, the witness was questioned by an interpreter." English assumed the voice was that of a German, but adds that "does not understand German." The English "sure" that is an Englishman, but only "as believed by the intonation, and it has no knowledge of the language." The Italian believed to be the voice of a Russian, but "never had any discussions with a Russian." Another Frenchman differs from the first, and is confident that the voice was an Italian, but even if you do not know the language, is, like English, "sure of this by his intonation." Now, how strange must be the voice for such testimony could be it, in whose inflections, citizens of five major European nations, can not recognize anything familiar to them! You may say that may well have been the voice of an Asian or an African, but not Asians and Africans are often in Paris. But, without saying that this is possible, I will now turn its attention to three points. One witness described her voice as "rougher than acute", others say it's 'quick and unequal', in this case, there were no words (or sounds that seem to), any witness mentioned as intelligible.
"I do not know what impression I can," continued Dupin have had on his mind, but do not hesitate to say that legitimate deductions made for only this part of the evidence obtained (which refers to the high and low voices), are sufficient in themselves to motivate a suspicion that it may go in any further progress in the investigation of this mystery. I said 'legitimate deductions', but that is not entirely explained my intention. I would simply say that these deductions are the only appropriate that my suspicion inevitably arises in them as a single conclusion. I will not say yet what this suspicion. I just hope you do understand that for me is strong enough to give definite form (given trend) to my research in that room.
"Mentally, us go to it. What is the first thing we find there? The means of egress used by the murderers. No need to say that neither believe in supernatural events this time. Madame and Mademoiselle L'Espanaye have obviously been destroyed by spirits. Those who have committed the crime were material beings and material procedures escaped. How? Fortunately, there is only one way of reasoning on this point, and this will lead to an accurate solution. Consider, then, one by one, the possible means of escape. It is true that the murderers were in the room where Mademoiselle L'Espanaye was found, or at least in the next, when people climbed the stairs. Therefore, you just have to investigate the outputs of these two rooms. Police have laid bare the floors, ceilings and masonry walls everywhere. A monitoring would have been able to escape some secret exits. But I trusted my eyes and I wanted to examine mine. Indeed, there was no secret exit. The doors of the rooms overlooking the corridor were closed perfectly inside. Let the fireplaces. Although the normal width to a height of eight or ten feet above the homes, can not throughout its length, even to accommodate a big cat. The inability of those already mentioned output media is therefore absolute. So that we have no windows. In the alcove of the main facade gives no one could have escaped without the crowd in the street he had noticed. Therefore, the murderers must have passed through the back room. Taken, therefore these deductions and, so unequivocally, to this conclusion, we can not as careful reasoning, rejected, taking into account apparent impossibilities. We have only to prove that these apparent 'impossibilities' in fact are not.
"In the room there are two windows. One of them is not obstructed by furniture and is fully visible. The bottom of the other was hidden from view the top of the heavy frame of the bed, closely attached to it. The first of the two windows are tightly closed and locked inside. Resisted the utmost force of those who tried to lift it. On the left side of its frame stood a large hole drilled with a drill, and a very thick nail sunk in it to the head. Upon examining the other window was like another nail, nailed in the same way, and a vigorous effort to separate the framework also failed. The police were convinced then that that road had not been carried out, and therefore considered unnecessary to remove those nails and open windows.
"My review was more thorough, for the reason I already said, because he knew it was necessary to prove that all those seeming impossibilities were not really. Continue
and a posteriori reasoning. The murderers have had to escape through one of these windows. Assuming this, could not be easily fastened on the inside if any, as they have been found, a consideration which, by their evidence, halted investigations of the police in this regard. However, the windows were closed and secured. It was therefore necessary that could close by themselves. There was no way to escape this conclusion. I went straight to the window is not obstructed, and with some difficulty I extracted the nail and tried to lift the frame. As I supposed, resisted all efforts. So there was obviously a hidden spring, and this fact, corroborated by my idea convinced me that my premises, however mysterious circumstances which might appear on the nails, were correct. I did a thorough investigation soon discover the hidden spring. I pressed and pleased with my discovery, I refrained from opening the window.
"then I went to put the nail in place, after having carefully examined. A person who has gone through that window might have closed and have worked just the spring. But the nail could not have been placed. This conclusion is very clear, and greatly restricted my field of research. The murderers were, therefore, had escaped through the other window. Assuming that the springs were the same, as he could, should, therefore, be a difference between the nails, or at least in their placement. I climbed onto the straps of the armor of the bed, and over his head examined carefully the second window. Turning the hand behind the wood, I discovered and pressed the spring, which, as I had supposed, identical to the previous. Then I examined the nail. It was the same thickness as the other, and apparently was stuck in the same way, sunk almost to the head.
"you may say I was shocked, but if you think such a thing is not well understood the nature of my deductions. Sports uses a term, I have not met even once 'at fault'. The trail has not missed a single moment. In no link in the chain has been a default. To its ultimate consequence I kept secret. And the result was the nail. In all respects, I said, appeared to be similar to the other window, but all this was nothing (as decisive as it seemed) compared with the consideration that at that point I finished my track. "There must be some defect in the nail," he said. I touched him, and his head, with almost a quarter of its spike, I was in my hand. The rest stayed in the hole where it had been broken. The break was old, as reflected oxide edges, and, apparently, had been produced by a hammer that sank a portion of the nail head on the surface of the frame. Then turned carefully replaced the part in the place where he had separated, and its resemblance to a nail was fully intact. Rupture was negligible. I pressed the spring and gently lifted within a few inches. With it came the nail head, remaining fixed in its hole. I closed the window, and was again perfect the appearance of the entire nail.
"So far, the mystery was solved. The murderer had escaped through the window at the bedside. Going down herself, after she escaped, or perhaps being deliberately closed, had been held by the spring, and the subject of it had misled the police, mistaking the nail, so it is was considered unnecessary to continue the investigation.
"The problem now was how the murderer had dropped. On this point I was satisfied with my walk around the building. Approximately five feet through the window in question passes the chain of a lightning rod. It would have been impossible for anyone to get to the window, let alone enter. No But when you consider the shutters of the fourth floor, I saw that they were of a particular species, which ferrades called by Parisian carpenters, a species rarely used today, but often found in older homes in Lyon and Bordeaux. They are shaped like a normal door (single, not double swing), except that its upper half is latticed or worked as a lattice, so it offers a great grip for hands. In the present case, these shutters have a width of three feet and a half or so. When we saw from the back of the house, the two were half open, ie the wall forming a right angle. It is likely that the police considered like me back the building, but when looking at ferrades in the sense of its breadth (as they should have), have not realized the dimension in this sense, or at least have not given the necessary importance. In fact, once convinced that the flight could not be made on that side, not only superficially examined. However, it was clear to me that the shutter belonging to the window to the bedside, when fully opened, until he touched the wall, it would reach about two feet of chain lightning. It was also clear that the effort of an unusual power and value could well have come through that window with the help of the chain. Reached that distance of two feet and a half (now suppose the shutter open), a thief could have found in the lattice solid handle, so then, from there, dropping the chain and support your feet against the wall, could jump quickly fall in the room and draw to itself violently on its hinges, so it was closed, and assuming, of course, that was always the open window.
"Have you note that I referred to an unusual energy needed to carry out a successful venture as risky and difficult. My purpose is to show, first, that the fact could be done, and secondly, and mainly, to draw attention on the extraordinary, almost supernatural, agility necessary for its implementation.
"I replicate you, no doubt, using the language of the law, as for" my cause "should rather dispense with the energy required in this case before insisting assess accurately. This is achievable in forensic practice, but not the reason. My ultimate goal is the only truth, and my immediate goal lead to you to compare the unusual power of which I speak with the most peculiar high-pitched voice (or harsh) and unequal with respect to whose nationality has not been found even two witnesses who were in agreement, and whose pronunciation has not been possible to discover a single syllable.
At these words began to form in my mind a vague idea of \u200b\u200bwhat I thought Dupin. It seemed to the limit of understanding, but still could understand, as well as those people who are sometimes on the verge of a memory and can not get to do it. My friend continued his reasoning. "We'll have you seen
he said, that I brought back the issue of how to exit the entry. My plan is to show that both were effected in the same manner and for the same site. Let us now into the room. We study all its aspects. That being said, the bureau drawers have been looted, although they have been in them some clothes. This conclusion is absurd. Is pure conjecture, very foolish, indeed, nothing more. How can we know that all these objects found in the drawers were not all what they contained? Madame L'Espanaye and her daughter lived a life too withdrawn. Did not deal with anyone out rarely, and therefore had little opportunity to change clothing. The objects found were of such good quality, at least, as any had possessed possibly the ladies. If a thief had taken any, why not the best, or why not all? Finally, would you have left four thousand francs in gold to carry a bundle of linen? The gold was abandoned. Almost the whole sum mentioned by Monsieur Mignaud, the banker, has been found on the floor, in bags. Again, therefore, want to discard the idea of \u200b\u200bwrongheaded thinking of a motive, engendered in the brains of the police for that statement referred to money given to the front door. Coincidences ten times as remarkable as this (delivery of money and murder, three days later, the person receiving it) are constantly present in our lives without arousing even our momentary attention. Usually the matches are all causes of errors in the way of that kind educated thinkers so that they know nothing of the theory of probabilities, that theory to which the most memorable achievements of human civilization should be the most glorious of his knowledge. In this case, if the gold had disappeared, having been given three days before would have seemed more than coincidental. Corroborate the idea of \u200b\u200ba motive. But given the actual circumstances of the case, if we assume that gold has been the motive, we must also imagine that those who committed it has been so hesitant and so stupid that he has left while gold and why.
"While our thinking Fixed points on which I have drawn your attention (the voice peculiar, that unusual agility, and that startling absence of motive in a crime of singular atrocity like this), let the carnage itself. We met a woman strangled with hands and head stuck down a chimney. Normally, criminals do not use such a procedure of murder. In the violent way of introducing the body into the fireplace you will admit that there is too exaggerated, which is at odds with our current notions regarding human actions, even if we suppose that the perpetrators of this crime are depraved beings . On the other hand, you think how great it must have been the force that managed to introduce so violently body up into an opening like that, because the united efforts of several people barely able to remove it.
"Let us now turn our attention to other signs that highlight this wonderful force. Home had a thick gray strands of human hair. They had been uprooted. You know the force necessary to start from the head, even if there are more than twenty or thirty hairs together. You will have seen as well as I those sections. Its roots (what dreadful sight!) Had attached pieces of scalp, sure proof of the prodigious power which was necessary to start maybe a thousand hair at a time. The old woman's throat was not only cut, but my head was severed from the body, and the instrument for this operation was a simple razor. Please also be set in the brutal ferocity of the act. No need to talk about the bruises that appeared in the body of Madame L'Espanaye. Monsieur Dumas, and his honorable colleague Monsieur Etienne have stated that they had been produced by a blunt instrument. In it, these gentlemen are right. The instrument has been, without doubt, the pavement of the courtyard on which the victim has fallen from the window above the bed. Simple as this idea may seem far, escaped the police, for the same reason which prevented him from noticing the width of the shutters, because, given the circumstances of the nails, their perceptions were tightly closed to the idea that the windows had been open.
"If now, as an addition to this, well you have thought about the strange disorder of the room, we have reached the point of combining the ideas of great agility, superhuman strength, bestial savagery, butchery without motive, a grotesquerie in horrible, strange at all to mankind, and a voice foreign in tone to the ears of men of different nations, and devoid of any syllabication that could separate and intelligibly advised. What follows from all this? What is the impression he has made upon your fancy? Dupin
this question at me, I felt a chill.
"A madman has committed this crime," I said, furious that some lunatic has escaped from a neighboring Maison de Santé.
"In some respects," he answered his idea is misguided. But even his fiercest paroxysms, the voices of the insane do not seem peculiar that voice ever heard from the street. Madmen are of any nation and its language, though inconsistent, is always articulated. Moreover, the hair of a madman does not look like I have in hand. Of the fingers clenched tightly in Madame L'Espanaye I unravel this little tuft. What can you conclude from this?
-Dupin I exclaimed, completely discouraged, "what more rare hair! Not a human hair.
"I never said I was," he replied. But before you decide on this matter, please do consider this little design that I have drawn on a piece of paper. Is a facsimile which is what some of the witnesses have testified as dark bruises and deep scratches caused by nails on the neck of Mademoiselle L'Espanaye, and Dumas and Etienne doctors call a series of livid spots evidently produced by the impression of fingers.
You understand, "continued my friend, unfolding the paper on the table before our eyes that this drawing gives an idea of \u200b\u200ba firm and powerful. Here there is no visible slip. Each finger has retained, perhaps even the death of the victim, the terrible dam which has been molded. Now you try to place their fingers, all at once, in the respective impressions as you see them here.
I tried in vain.
"Maybe," he continued, "that had no experience in a decisive way. The role is deployed on a flat surface, and the human throat is cylindrical. But here is a log whose circumference is more or less, the throat. Surface coil to return to this design and make the experience.
I did so, but the difficulty was even more evident that the first time.
"This," I said it is the mark of a human hand.
"Now read this passage from Cuvier," continued Dupin. It was a story
anatomical, thorough and comprehensive, the great wild orangutans from the islands of the Eastern India. Are well known around the world the gigantic stature, the prodigious strength and agility, the wild ferocity and power of imitation of these mammals. I realized then, suddenly, all the horror of the murder.
"The description of the digits" I said when I finished reading "is in perfect agreement with this picture. I believe that no animal except the orangutan of the species mentioned here, may have left tracks as you have drawn you. This sparse tuft of hair has the same character as that of the animal described by Cuvier. But I can not understand the circumstances of this dreadful mystery. Keep in mind also that two voices heard in contention, and, arguably, one of them belonged to a Frenchman.
"True, and you will remember an expression attributed almost unanimously by the witnesses that voice, the expression "Mon Dieu." In such circumstances, one of the witnesses (Montani, the confectioner) identified it as an expression of protest or remonstrance. Therefore, I have founded my hopes on these voices of the complete solution of this mystery. Undoubtedly, a Frenchman called murder. It is possible, and indeed more than possible, probable, that he is innocent of any involvement in the bloody events that have occurred. It may have escaped the orangutan, and may have followed a trail to the room. But given the troubled circumstances that have occurred, could not having been able to capture him again. Yet the animal loose. It is my intention to continue these conjecture, and qualify because I have no right to call them otherwise, as glimpses of reflection that underlie barely sufficient base to be significant even for my own intelligence, and also because I can not make them intelligible to understanding of another person. Call them, therefore, conjecture, and Let's consider the case. If, as I suppose, the French I mean he is innocent of this atrocity, this advertisement, on our return, I stopped at the offices of Le Monde, a newspaper devoted to maritime interests and much sought by sailors, we will bring home.
handed me the paper and read: CAPTURE
In the Bois de Boulogne has been found in the early hours of the morning ... the current (the morning of the crime), a huge orangutan species of Borneo. The owner (which is known a sailor belonging to the crew of a Maltese vessel) may recover the animal, after identification, paying some small gestures caused by capture and handling. Address the issue ... the rue ... Faubourg Saint Germain ... third.
- How could you know I asked Dupin the individual in question is seaworthy and is enrolled in a Maltese vessel?
"I do not know," said Dupin. I'm not sure exists. But I have this bit of tape here, judging by its form and its greasy appearance, has been used, of course, to tie the hair in the form of the long wars that are so fond of sailors. Moreover, this tie knot know very few people, and is characteristic of the Maltese. I picked this tape at the bottom of the chain lightning. Can not belong to any of the two victims. At best, if I am wrong in my deductions on this loop, ie, thinking that French is an enlisted sailor on a ship in Malta, I shall not hurt anyone by saying what I said in the ad. If I am wrong, that circumstances will he deceived me, and not take the trouble to inquire. But, if I am right, we will have a very important step. Although innocent of the crime, the French will know, and hesitate between whether or not to respond to the notice and claim or not the orangutan.
His arguments are as follows: "I am innocent, I am poor, my orangutan worth much money, a fortune for a man in my situation. Why do I have to lose by a vain fear of danger? I have it here at my fingertips. They found him in the Bois de Boulogne, a long distance from the scene of that crime. Who would suspect that an animal has committed such an action? The police are clueless. Not obtained a hint. Because if they suspect the animal is impossible to prove that I have knowledge of the crime, nor meddle in it for the mere fact of knowing. Also, I know. The poster shows me as owner of the animal. I do not know the full extent of knowledge. If you defeat the claim owned by both value and, moreover, is known to me, I will conclude by the suspect to the animal. It is not wise to draw attention to me or about him. Answer, therefore, to this announcement, will recover my orangutan and imprison him until it has completely forgotten this. "
At this time we heard footsteps on the stairs. -Be prepared
Dupin, "he said. Take their guns, but do not use them or teach them, until I make a signal.
had left open the door of the house. The visitor entered without knocking and climbed some steps of the staircase. Now, however, seemed to hesitate. We heard him fall. Dupin ran to the door, but at that moment we heard him rise again. Now I do not eased for the second time, but came up with decision and rapped on the door of our apartment.
-ahead, "said Dupin happy and cheerful voice. A man entered
. To be sure, was a sailor, a tall, strong, muscular, with an expression of arrogance not unpleasant. His face, greatly sunburnt, was hidden in more than half of the pins and mustachio. Was equipped with a thick oak stick, and seemed to carry other weapons. Greeted, bowing awkwardly, pronouncing a "Good evening" with a French accent, which, although slightly bastardized by the Swiss, reveals a clear choice Parisian origin.
"Sit down, friend," said Dupin. Guess who comes to claim his orangutan. I assure you that almost envy him. It is a beautiful animal, and, no doubt, very costly. How old do you have?
The sailor sighed deeply, like one pound of some intolerable burden, and answered then in a firm voice: "I can not tell
, but I do not have more than four or five years. Did you have here?
- Oh, no! This room is not suitable for it. Is in a stable rental in the Rue Dubourg, near here. Tomorrow morning, if you want, you can recover. I guess you come prepared to show your property.
"Certainly, sir. "Much
feel being separated from him," said Dupin.
"do not mean that you have taken so much trouble for nothing, sir," said the man. Not a chance. I am willing to pay a bonus by the finding of the animal, as is reasonable.
"Well," my friend. This is, without doubt, very fair. Let's see. What shall I ask? Ah, I know! I'll tell you now. My reward will be this: As you say has to know about the murders in the Rue Morgue. These last words
Dupin said very quietly and with peace of mind. With similar tranquility headed for the door, locked it and put the key in his pocket. Then he took the gun and, without showing any agitation, left it on the table.
sailor's face flushed as if she were in a fit of suffocation. Rose and took his cane. But immediately dropped it on the chair, with a convulsive trembling, his face from a cadaver. He said not a word, and pitied him heartily. "My friend
Dupin said kindly," I assure you that alarm for no reason. It is not our purpose to cause the least harm. I give you my word of honor as a gentleman and French, which is not our intention to hurt. I am aware that you have nothing to do with the atrocities in the Rue Morgue. However, I can not deny that in some way, you're complicated. Because I tell you perfectly understand, that with respect to this point, I have excellent media, media in which you would not have ever thought. The case is already clear to us. Nothing you have done that may have been avoided. Of course, nothing to do with you guilty. No one can accuse you of stealing, could have made with impunity, and it has not nothing to hide. Also no reason to do so. Furthermore, all principles of honor, you are obliged to confess soon as you know. It has imprisoned an innocent man who is accused of a crime which only you can draw author.
When Dupin had uttered these words as the sailor had recovered a little presence of mind. But all his arrogance was gone.
- May God help me! He exclaimed after a brief pause. I'll tell you soon as you know about it, but I'm sure you will not believe or even half. I'd be crazy if I did. However, I am innocent, and although it kills me speak plainly.
In short, this is what he told us:
had recently made a trip to the Indian archipelago. He was part of a group that arrived in Borneo, and went inside for a pleasure trip. Between IA and a colleague had been captured the orangutan. His partner died, and the animal was within its exclusive membership. After much annoyance due to the ferocity the captive untamed, during the return journey he finally got to host it in her home in Paris, where, to avoid attracting the curiosity about it unbearable for neighbors, detained carefully, in order to heal a wound that had produced in a stand with a chip on board his vessel. His project was to sell it.
One night, or rather one morning, the crime spree after returning from a meeting with some sailors, he found the animal in his bedroom. He had escaped from the next room, where he probably felt she had locked. He sat before a mirror, taking a razor in one hand. I was all soaped up, trying to shave, operation in which he had probably seen his master through the keyhole. Terrified, seeing such a dangerous weapon in the hands of a ferocious animal and knowing he too can make use of it, man does not know what to do for one second. I had often managed to tame the animal in its most furious access using a whip, and referred to also at that time. But seeing the whip, the orangutan suddenly jumped out of the room, ran down the stairs, and seeing a window open, unfortunately, hit the streets.
French, desperate, ran after him. The monkey, still holding the knife, he stopped from time to time, and he was grinning again, until the man came near him, then escaped again. The pursuit lasted well for a while. They were the streets in complete tranquility, because it would be three in the morning. When driving down an alley behind the Rue Morgue, the fugitive's attention was attracted by a light from the open window of Madame L'Espanaye room on the fourth floor. He rushed into the house and saw the chain of lightning, she nimbly jumped, grabbed the wicket, which was open wide to the wall, and leaning on it, was launched on the headboard. All these gymnastics barely lasted a minute. The orangutan, into the room, had turned against the wall the shutter, which was opened again.
The sailor was so pleased and perplexed. I had high hopes of capturing the animal now, it could hardly escape the trap which had been, if not do it for the chain, where he could get you out the way when descend. On the other hand, greatly disturbed him what might happen inside the house, and the latter thought he decided to follow the fugitive. For a sailor it is not difficult to climb a chain lightning. But once he had reached the height of the window, then closed, was unable to achieve. All he could do was run a quick glance inside the room. What he saw startled horror so that he nearly fell. That was when they heard the cries that woke up in the dead of night, the neighborhood of the Rue Morgue. Madame L'Espanaye and his daughter, dressed in their nightgowns, were, apparently, arranging some papers in the aforementioned iron chest, which had been brought to the center of the room. It was open, and scattered its contents across the floor. Without doubt, the victims were back to the window, and, judging by the time elapsed between the arrival of the animal and the screams, you may not be realized immediately of their presence. The stroke of the shutter had to be plausibly attributed to wind.
When the sailor looked into the terrible animal had seized Madame L'Espanaye by the hair, which, at that moment, was loose, just because they were combing, and moved the knife to her face mimicking the motions of a barber. The daughter lay motionless on the floor, vanishing. The screams and struggles of the old lady (during which he was pulling the hair of his head) had the probable effect of changing the peaceful purposes of the orangutan in pure anger. With a decisive movement of his herculean arm was nearly severed the head from the trunk. At the sight of blood, his anger became frenzy. With clenched teeth and emitting flames from his eyes, was launched on the body of the daughter and their terrible claws stuck in his throat, without letting go until he expired. His fierce eyes were missing and then set the bedside, on which the face of its master, rigid with horror, hardly distinguished in the dark. The fury of the beast, who still remembered the terrible whip, instantly became afraid. Realizing that what had made him a creditor of a punishment, it seemed desirous of concealing its bloody action. With the anguish of his agitation and nervousness, began to jump across the room, knocking over and smashing furniture their movements and lifting bed mattresses. Finally, seized the girl's body and pushed him into the chimney in the position he was found. Was launched immediately after the mother's head and rushed out the window.
Seeing the ape approached the casement with its maimed burden, the sailor back in horror to the chain, rather than holding on, letting slip about her, she was immediately rushed to his house, fearing the consequences of this horrible carnage, and gladly abandoning, such was his terror, all solicitude about what could happen to orangutans. Thus the voices heard by people coming up the stairs were their exclamations of horror, the devilish chatter mixed with the animal. Shortly
I have to say. Before dawn, the orangutan had to flee the room, using chain lightning. Mechanically close the window to go through it. Some time later he was captured by his owner, who sold for a hefty sum to the Jardin des Plantes. Having told all he knew, adding some comments from Dupin, the bureau of the Prefect of Police, Le Bon was released immediately. The official, however inclined he was in favor of my friend, could not hide in any way a bad mood, seeing the turn which the matter had been and allowed one or two sarcastic words about the correctness of people mingling in the functions which he belonged.
"Let him say whatever he wants," he later said Dupin, who did not believe it appropriate to reply. Let him talk. So lighten your conscience. As far as I'm concerned, I am pleased him up on his own ground. However, failing successful resolution of this mystery is not as strange as it is, because, really, our friend the Prefect is keen enough to think about it in depth. But their science is unfounded. It is all head, but without body, such as a painting of the Goddess Laverna, or, rather, all head and back, such as cod. However, it is a good person. We particularly appreciate a masterly trait of hypocrisy, which owes its reputation as a man of talent. I mean his way of nier ce qui est, et d'explain ce qui n'est pas.
gatherings and moderate partial 
