{ 9 } - The Adventure of The Red Woodsman
Those who are students of my theories will note my longstanding affirmation that it is the country, and not the city, wherein the worst crimes occur. The solitary farmhouse, the distance from village to village, the isolation of all those who live there, and the torments that such distance and isolation cause all have proven, again and again, that it is the country which is far more dangerous than even the filthiest alley of London.
But this, this defies all odds, probability, and logic of the city.
Such a series of murders--blatant, brazen murders, in daylight and with evidence of their occurrence appearing on the Network--in such a short amount of time--no, it is unprecedented in my experience.
Either there is one murderer on a horrific rampage--in which case he will be discovered sooner rather than later--or there are multiple murderers striking either by coincidence, inspiration, or conspiracy.
Murder is not so uncommon as one might wish it were. Crime is common, logic is rare. And so it shall be by logic that we shall undo the irrational and fear.
Sutcliff reported the discovery of a body in the underground. What my lady might have wanted there is unclear, nor will he say--as one might hope of a servant, though not of a witness. Regardless he was there, witnessed the body but not the act, and returned with me to the place.
According to him, and his other discussions on the Network, he claims that it is ladies of a certain type who are the victims of this killer and that, yes, there has been more than one victim. The face of this lady would suggest she was as he suspects: the make-up she wore showed her profession, though it seemed very recently applied. Interestingly, it was her face alone which was perceptible amongst her remains.
Still, that make-up bore no signs of wear, dampness, or fading, as one would expect of a lady of her type. She would have had to have only recently applied it to her face. Any actor can tell you of the troubles with make-up as a performance wears on. And such red make-up, as well. As red as blood.
It was clearly murder, and a crude one. She was fairly hacked to pieces--save for her face, which was left perfectly untouched. The instrument was large, bladed, serrated or jagged, and used with significant force as made obvious by the extent of blood at the scene. There was no gun used, nor mere knife, nor surgeon's precision. She was not hacked apart, as a butcher might cleave meat, but cut. What vocation or work might use such an instrument as would leave these marks, I am not yet sure. The only thing like them that I have seen before are the marks on a tree from a very poor woodsman.
A saw, perhaps, indeed.
Whether this pattern repeats amongst the other victims has yet to be made known to me. It is clear that I, as yet, require more data before I can begin my investigation in full. It is only after I have obtained that data that I can begin to assemble the pieces and follow the trail to its solution.
These are very deep waters.
Mrs Hudson, there will be no need to either keep supper or a watch for me. I believe tonight will be a very late one indeed.
It has been a long while since last there was a good chase. At last, the game is afoot.
[ooc: BRB, catching your murderers. Today is a very good day in Sherlock Holmes' opinion. Anyone want to volunteer information--even red herrings--is more than welcome!!]
But this, this defies all odds, probability, and logic of the city.
Such a series of murders--blatant, brazen murders, in daylight and with evidence of their occurrence appearing on the Network--in such a short amount of time--no, it is unprecedented in my experience.
Either there is one murderer on a horrific rampage--in which case he will be discovered sooner rather than later--or there are multiple murderers striking either by coincidence, inspiration, or conspiracy.
Murder is not so uncommon as one might wish it were. Crime is common, logic is rare. And so it shall be by logic that we shall undo the irrational and fear.
Sutcliff reported the discovery of a body in the underground. What my lady might have wanted there is unclear, nor will he say--as one might hope of a servant, though not of a witness. Regardless he was there, witnessed the body but not the act, and returned with me to the place.
According to him, and his other discussions on the Network, he claims that it is ladies of a certain type who are the victims of this killer and that, yes, there has been more than one victim. The face of this lady would suggest she was as he suspects: the make-up she wore showed her profession, though it seemed very recently applied. Interestingly, it was her face alone which was perceptible amongst her remains.
Still, that make-up bore no signs of wear, dampness, or fading, as one would expect of a lady of her type. She would have had to have only recently applied it to her face. Any actor can tell you of the troubles with make-up as a performance wears on. And such red make-up, as well. As red as blood.
It was clearly murder, and a crude one. She was fairly hacked to pieces--save for her face, which was left perfectly untouched. The instrument was large, bladed, serrated or jagged, and used with significant force as made obvious by the extent of blood at the scene. There was no gun used, nor mere knife, nor surgeon's precision. She was not hacked apart, as a butcher might cleave meat, but cut. What vocation or work might use such an instrument as would leave these marks, I am not yet sure. The only thing like them that I have seen before are the marks on a tree from a very poor woodsman.
A saw, perhaps, indeed.
Whether this pattern repeats amongst the other victims has yet to be made known to me. It is clear that I, as yet, require more data before I can begin my investigation in full. It is only after I have obtained that data that I can begin to assemble the pieces and follow the trail to its solution.
These are very deep waters.
Mrs Hudson, there will be no need to either keep supper or a watch for me. I believe tonight will be a very late one indeed.
It has been a long while since last there was a good chase. At last, the game is afoot.
[ooc: BRB, catching your murderers. Today is a very good day in Sherlock Holmes' opinion. Anyone want to volunteer information--even red herrings--is more than welcome!!]