soop

Unfortunately not - had such a person been involved, I would have made sure to mention them. While it was off-target, though, it is a good answer - shows you're thinking

Very good. You're right on several points, but not the whole mystery.

You also have part of the solution.

EXCELLENT reasoning. Here are your answers:

Good, but nope.

That's pretty good actually. Part of it is right, but there's a bit more to it.

I was thinking of the "he could see her across the street" or something, but the divorce papers idea is inspired. I like that one. Probably needs rephrasing though

Ok, I've given an answer, but I think I'll await your response before I tackle this one.

Ok, think I got it, but you're right - very messy.

Paris, December 1847 It had been some time since I had last seen my friend Monseiur Dupin, for whom I have deep regard, as he is one of the most fascinating people I have the fortune to have made my aquantance. Upon opening the letter, I was greeted with a brief missive: My Dear F_____ Please do me the honour of accompanying me upon a most intriguing enterprise. Arrangements have been made, we are to spend the evening of the 12th and 13th at la hotel du vin de la montparnasse in Bievres. Am looking forward to seeing you. Fondest regards M. Dupin I received the letter on the 7th, and so made my arrangements for the next week. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by my friend in the drawing room of the hotel. "My dearest F_____!" began Dupin, standing to greet me "sit please. Have you eaten? Your journey was pleasant I trust?" As soon as the formalities were out of the way, and we had caught up on the last two years of each others lives, I set to business. "look here my friend, you have dragged me here into the middle of no-where on nothing but a premise. I must press you to enlighten me as to the substance of the task at hand." Dupin nodded his head, and reclined into his chair, thoughtfully drawing on his pipe. He said; "A curse Monseiur." I absolutely lept out of my skin. "Monsieur you don't mean to say -" "Calm yourself mon amis" said Dupin, leaning forward in a conspiritorial way. "Non, you misunderstand. Last week, Madamme Tolliver, a local widow was the third member of her family within a year to pass away under similar circumstances. It has been reported as a curse, the locals being but simple peasants - but the metropolitan police have been involved and they are at their wits end. The official verdict is that the three deceased members of the family were frightened to death." "Good lord" I muttered "This sounds like an absolutely ghastly way to spend the weekend." "No matter Monseiur. There is no such thing as a curse, as I will prove to you. Without a doubt the hand of man is involved in some way." The night finished (on no less a pleasant note) and we retired to bed with me up half the night quaking with night phantoms. However in the light of the morning sun, everything seemed to be right again, and after breakfast we journeyed to the nearby farmhouse to call upon the last surviving family member, the widows daughter, Antoinette. Here we heard the following facts: O Nearly a year ago, Antionettes brother Joseph had fallen violently ill with a fever and become bedridden. His mother and sister cared for him, but his health declined, and finally he passed away. O Without Joseph, the household had almost no income, and the widows sister had been called to stay. She had gradually fallen ill and passed away almost 6 months ago, with the same symptoms developed by Joseph towards the end of his illness. O The widow, already worn out by emotion and the care of her sister and son, succumbed to the illness, and passed away. O The estate had been left to Antionette and Joseph and Antionette now planned to sell up and move away to a place of happier memories. O The victims all died with symptoms of violent spasms and a ghostly pallor. As we sat around the kitchen table, Antionette poured us some tea, when Dupin suddenly inquired "Madame, the medicine you gave to Joseph - may I examine it?" "But of course" said Antionette looking puzzled "- but it can have no link, as Maman and Aunt Jeannette never took this medicine." "Ah." exclaimed Dupin, uncorking and sniffing the bottle. He then put it to his mouth, and tilted it. "Madame" said Dupin, just as I was sipping my tea "we must thank you for your hospitality, you have been most gracious. And now, we must attend. Monseiur." he said turning to me. He handed me my hat and coat and we were off. "Monseiur! I do protest" said I, once we were out of earshot. "All this coming and going - I do declare!" "We have no reason to stay. I have solved everything. There is no curse mon amis, it is murder, pure and simple, and I know who the murderer is." I have left out the last part of the story for you to guess the answer, which I'll post either tomorrow or later today. TBH, I think it's kind of subjective, so I'd be surprised if anyone gets it.

Oh, it's cool, I wasn't offended! New one will be posted today.

I'll consider that, but I couldn't really find a way around it in this one. I expect most people on this board have the kind of mind that tunes in to fine detail, so I'll definitely make the next one harder.

Thanx man. The Dupin character, and the basic premise are based on the Murders de la Rue Morgue and The Case of the Purloined Letter by Edgar Allen Poe. I'll have a bit of think for next time.

Hah, I'd pay $1 max. That way I ensure I get more profit than you guys.

Here's another way; oh no, wait you aren't allowed to touch the bottle. I was going to say turn it upside down. the top would then become the bottom. Ah well.

That's the one Was it too obvious?

You have to think more laterally.

Paris, November 1845. The police inspector arrived at the murder scene at 11:30pm, where one of the officers reported what had happened. "The young man arrived to find his wife unconcious and dying on the floor there" he said pointing to where the young woman lay on her back with the police working around her " and says he heard a smash at the back window and caught sight of the attacker escaping. He immediately ran into the street for help, and luckily there was an officer passing by at the top of the street. As you can see" said the officer, motioning at the body of the woman "we're dealing with a murder now". "I see," said the inspector "I'll need you to take a statement from the husband, find out if anything has been taken, and get the word out to the officers on patrol." "Already done sir" said the officer, pleased at his own efficiency. "Some small items of value were taken. 3 gold necklaces, a pearl necklace, a gold letter opener, various jewelled rings, some gold and silver earings, and any jewellery the lady was wearing at the time has been removed. According to the husband she was rarely without. As to the decription, we're looking at a stocky fellow about 6' tall, dishevelled appearance, shabby dark green coat, possibly a beggar, and he don't smell none too good." "Good wor-" began the inspector, who was interrupted by the arrival of a large constable gripping the neck of a man very much like the one just described. At this, the husband, who had all this time been sat desolate answering questions, launched up at the murderer, with his eyes full of fire. He swung at the man, having to be restrained by the officers. "Murderer!" He screamed in a violent rage, kicking his feet out as he was held back "I'll kill you! He stabbed her!" he cried to the officers - "This is the animal that stabbed my dear S_____ five times in the back in our own home! He must hang for this!" As the men were separated and taken away, the Inspector raised his eyebrow, and was heard to say: "Well, that sorts that one out!". Three days after, I was sat at a cafe with the inspector, and a friend, Monseiur Dupin as the Inspector related the tale, as I have to you, adding only that the murder weapon (the letter opener) had been found on the vagabond with the jewellery, and despite the fact he denied any knowledge of the murder had been found guilty and was due to be hanged within a week for this atrocious crime. "I see." said Dupin, in deep thought. "But if all you say is true it would appear to me that you have condemned an innocent man to death." "What?!" Cried the inspector "You can't be serious monseiur - indeed it is nonsense! The fellow was caught red handed!"

My first is in "cessant" but never in "terminable". What am I?

I still don't get it. But I was thinking along the lines of:

IDK. Hint?

I'd say the same thing, but I woouldn't ruin it for others by posting it in plain sight.