L'histoire du mystérieux suicide ( en anglais)

The mysterious suicide

I am lucky to be the assistant of the famous detective William Leisman and to have attended many of his investigations. After insisting a lot, he allowed me to tell you my first affair with him.

It was in February 1961. I was putting in order the mail when a letter drew my attention. I opened the letter and began to read:

“ Dear inspector,

I read about you in the newspapers during the affair of the “Black mirror” and about your high skills in resolving “ impossible” cases. You are my last chance !

Two months ago, my young sister, Eleanor, was found hung in her bedroom. The police came to the conclusion that it was a suicide. All the facts seemed to prove that : the medical examiner sat the hour of death during “the big snow storm of December” and there were no trace in the snow around the house and the shutters were closed. But this is not my opinion because my sister was a joyful person. I am certain it was a murder, so I ask you to help me to prove it !

You can find more details in the police report which is joined to my letter.

Sincerely,

Mrs Steward

PS : my phone number to contact me : 077 075 692”

It was a really strange affair, I thought. I wanted to know more. So I took the police report and read it :

“Tuesday, December 25 th of 1960

OBJECT : death of Eleanor STEWARD , found hanging in her house.

DETAILS ABOUT THE DEAD PERSON :

Name: Eleanor STEWARD

Sexe: female

Age: 21 years old

Details: She was a student at Oxford university. She lived alone in a house. She didn’t go out often because she was occupied with writing a book. She didn’t have any boyfriend or many friends. She was not especially rich. Her father died a year ago.

CIRCUMSTANCE OF THE DEATH :The body was found in a small room : the bedroom of Eleanor Steward . She hanged herself with a rope. There was a small window, nobody could escape through it and the shutters were closed. There were only a bed, a desk, a chair and a cupboard in the room. The room was almost empty. She must have used the chair to hang herself : the chair was find upside-down. The medical examiner, Dr Daker, said that the death occurred between 4 am to 7 am the 21th of December.

POLICE CONCLUSION: We came to the conclusion that it was a suicide. Eleanor STEWARD was alone in her house, the shutters were closed so nobody couldn’t escape. She hanged herself during a snow storm, and there was no trace on the snow.

INTERROGATION OF NEAR RELATION :

- Solène Stewart, sister of Eleanor STEWARD : “I saw my sister two weeks ago. She was quite normal. I could not understand her action ! Our father had died a year before and ...Sorry ... It is too horrible.”

- Anna Lunry, friend of STEWART Eleanor : “It was a good friend at university. I am shocked ... It is very strange ... One day, she seemed quite sad but a day after she felt better.”

- Hector Van, friend of STEWARD Eleanor : “I don’t realize that she died ... It is so horrible, It was my best friend, you understand. But ... I called her on Wednesday and she told me that she was really sad and tired. I have done nothing ...”

- Margot Stewart, mother of Eleanor : “It is difficult to realize that your daughter is dead... Even if I wasn’t very close to her. She was shy with me. You know I live far from her house”

- Thomas Marel, friend of STEWARD Eleanor : “Just to let you know I was her boyfriend but after our separation, we kept good relation but I think she got into trouble. She was really boring ...”

In the afternoon, I met William Leisman in a coffee shop and showed him the letter and the police report.

- “Very interesting, said Leisman.

- Is it possible that it was a murder ?

- Everything is possible, I need more information”, answered Leisman thoughtfully.

- But if it was a murder, how could the murderer enter the house and escape after the crime? I recall you that the medical examiner thought that death occurred during the snow storm and there were no traces in the snow around the house !

- I don't know but I am sure we will find out.”

He seemed self-confident ; I admired him. Then, I called Mrs Steward to tell her that we would help her. She was a little woman and looked very tired. She told us the story in details. We asked for the permission

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