Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (xx) Rue Morgue Mystery

Summary

Summary of "Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (xx) Rue Morgue Mystery"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Unsolved Mysteries 36-xx-xx (xx) Rue Morgue Mystery
Release Date: July 29, 2025

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Introduction to the Rue Morgue Mystery

The episode transports listeners to the enigmatic and shadowy streets of early 20th-century Paris, setting the stage for a perplexing murder case reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale. The narrative juxtaposes the vibrant image of Paris with its darker, less savory underbelly where mysterious crimes unfold.

The Victim and the Crime Scene

At the heart of the mystery is Mademoiselle Rose Delacour, a young woman whose tragic demise baffles the local authorities. On a fateful night, Rose returns to her apartment at Rue Morgue, Apartment 16, arriving around 2 a.m. Accompanied by Monsieur Lecourt, she shares a quiet evening over coffee before retiring to bed.

Notable Quote:
Monsieur Lecourt: "There is something wrong, I know it. Rose. Rose. She does not answer me." [05:32]

Discovery of the Murder

The following morning, Rose is found dead in her locked room. The scene is impeccably secured:

• Window: Locked from the inside with no marks indicating forced entry.
• Door: Bolted both at the top and bottom, making external access impossible.

The baffling nature of the crime suggests an impossible crime scenario, sparking immediate intrigue and concern among the residents and authorities.

Notable Quote:
Narrator: "The window is locked on the inside." [07:10]

The Investigation Unfolds

Detective Monsieur Lecourt leads the investigation, meticulously examining every possible avenue to uncover the perpetrator. Despite thorough searches for hidden passages, trapdoors, or any means of unauthorized entry, no clues emerge. The tight security of the apartment exacerbates the mystery, leaving the police to confront a baffling paradox.

Notable Quote:
Monsieur Lecourt: "Always, monsieur, till my dying day, I shall find myself face to face with that stout oak door bolted top and bottom, that leaded glass window locked on the inside, and Rose Delacour lying there, staring unseen at the ceiling." [09:51]

The Unsolvable Paradox

Two weeks into the investigation, the case remains unsolved. The absence of any suspects or motives, coupled with the flawless security of the crime scene, renders the mystery unsolvable with the available evidence. The narrative delves into the frustration and helplessness felt by the investigators as they grapple with the impossibility of the crime.

A Fictional Twist: Edgar Allan Poe's Solution

In a creative twist, the episode references Edgar Allan Poe's fictional resolution to the Rue Morgue Mystery. Poe suggested that an escaped orangutan, disguised and cunning, executed the perfect crime by exiting through a small chimney, thereby explaining the locked room scenario.

Notable Quote:
Chimney Sweep: "How they will puzzle over the mystery, these French police." [12:55]

Analysis of Poe’s Solution

The podcast critically examines Poe's solution, highlighting its speculative nature:

• Chimney Size: The chimney in question was too small for even a monkey, let alone a large orangutan, to navigate.
• Practicality: The logistics of the orangutan both entering and exiting without detection stretch the bounds of plausibility.

This analysis underscores the fictional essence of Poe's conclusion, contrasting it sharply with the real-world unsolved mystery that remains unresolved.

Conclusion: The Enduring Allure of Unsolved Mysteries

The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring fascination with unsolved mysteries like that of the Rue Morgue. It emphasizes how such cases captivate the imagination, blending fact and fiction to create compelling narratives that persist through time. The unresolved nature of Rose Delacour's murder continues to intrigue both historical and literary enthusiasts, embodying the quintessential elements of a classic mystery.

Notable Quote:
Narrator: "How they will puzzle over the mystery, these French police." [12:55]

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Additional Insights

• Atmospheric Storytelling: The podcast excels in creating a vivid and immersive atmosphere, transporting listeners to the dark streets of Paris with detailed descriptions and evocative dialogue.

• Character Dynamics: The interactions between Rose Delacour and Monsieur Lecourt add depth to the narrative, portraying their relationship and the ensuing tension following the murder.

• Literary References: By intertwining Edgar Allan Poe’s fictional insights, the episode bridges classic literature with its own narrative, offering a layered listening experience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Monsieur Lecourt: "There is something wrong, I know it. Rose. Rose. She does not answer me." [05:32]
• Narrator: "The window is locked on the inside." [07:10]
• Monsieur Lecourt: "Always, monsieur, till my dying day, I shall find myself face to face with that stout oak door bolted top and bottom, that leaded glass window locked on the inside, and Rose Delacour lying there, staring unseen at the ceiling." [09:51]
• Chimney Sweep: "How they will puzzle over the mystery, these French police." [12:55]

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the "Rue Morgue Mystery" episode, highlighting key discussions, character interactions, and insightful conclusions. It provides a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode, enriched with notable quotes and structured sections for clarity and engagement.

Transcript

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[Rose Delacour]

Foreign.

[Narrator]

Murder most foul as in the best it is, but this most foul, strange and unnatural. Had William Shakespeare penned these lines about the murder in the Rue Morgue, his description could not have been more fitting. The murder in the Rue Morgue was not only strange, it was incredible. It was impossible.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Yet it was.

[Rose Delacour]

Sam.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

It.

[Narrator]

The scene is Paris. Not the Paris of the bright lights, the boulevards, the cafes and the theaters. But that Paris of darkness, narrow, crooked streets. That Paris in which murder is no stranger. That Paris where the wrong glance, the carelessly spoken word is answered by the night thrust. And the offender is found, cold and stark, staring with glassy eyes at a waning moon. Two o' clock in the morning, Mademoiselle Rose Delacour turns into La Rue Morgue. The guttering street lamp shows her lithe of figure, pretty of face, the Demoiselle of the boulevards. She stops at her apartment, number 16 and rings the bell.

[Rose Delacour]

Vivalart. Who is it, Rose? You are very late, Rose. I'm very tired. May. Paris is not what it was. No young gentleman to buy you dinner, eh? You have guessed it the first time. London. Now that I am hungry. Come with me into my room, dear. Coffee. He is hot. The bread. Stale, perhaps, but not too stale. Why do you not go to the country, away from all this? Me? To the country? I cannot live without my Paris. The nostalgia, the song, the theaters, the cafes, the boulevards. Oh no, no. No one call upon me today. Not one single person, Mashari. Not one. Come company, drink the coffee and then to sleep. Tomorrow may be brighter. You have been very good to me. I will do as you say. I will go to bed, but not to sleep. Menono. Not to sleep.

[Narrator]

Slowly, Rose Delacour makes her way up the creaky, rickety stairs. Five flights of them, with the rick rotted worm eaten banister giving under her touch as she pulls Herself wearily onward. Her own room at last. The heavy door groans as she opens it, closes it. The rasping of the lock. She turns the key. The dull click of the bolts, top and bottom of the door, as she forces them home. The one window with its leaded panes of glass slams as she closes it and turns the catch that locks it in place. Dreary silence, broken only by the hammer, like ticks of the old clock as Rose undresses and gets into bed. A puff and the candle is out, its dying flare showing a wisp of smoke curling ceilingwards.

[Rose Delacour]

Rose. Rose, get up. My sherry. It is 10 o'. Clock. I have the coffee and the. Rose. Rose. Rose.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

What is it? Madame du Paris.

[Rose Delacour]

There is something wrong, I know it. Rose. Rose. She does not answer me.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Or perhaps it is that she is tired and sleeps.

[Rose Delacour]

No, no, it is not that, Mon. You. But I am afraid. Grow these police. Quickly. Call them. Police. Rose. Rose. Anthony, speak to me. It is Suzanne Duphram. Oh, what is the use? She is dead. I know it.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

What is the trouble, Madame?

[Rose Delacour]

No, Monro Rosaro. She does not answer me.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Here, let me knock on the door. No answer that.

[Narrator]

I will break down the door.

[Rose Delacour]

Mon, you cannot break down that door without an axe.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Oh, Pierre. Yes, mon Lutherano. Bring an axe in case it is that we cannot break down the door. At once, mon Lutheran. At once, everybody. How, Jacques? We will together for our wake against the dog.

[Narrator]

Ready?

[Rose Delacour]

As I said, without the axe you can do nothing.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Here, mon. This is the biggest axe in this area. Give it here.

[Narrator]

Stand back.

[Rose Delacour]

There is a bolt at the top and another boat at the bottom.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

A little lower down, Jack. Ah, atone. I told it. I shall reach the bolt swick and through the arc. You're not leaving, High fighter.

[Narrator]

This was no knife.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Grass. Adieu. No, damn it. A sword or something. Right through and four inches into the mattress.

[Rose Delacour]

Oh, margarine. Margarita. She's. She's dead.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Here, take Madame out of the room. We will always be there. Come, Madame, and hope we can affect her. But yes, have a certainty.

[Narrator]

This is very strange, Madonna. The window is locked on the inside.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Impossible. Impossible. Impossible. Alternate. It is he or she could not have come in, gone out that way. It is 60ft above the ground. Nothing to hang onto. No way to get in or out. And no mark on the window, the door, both the top and bottom.

[Narrator]

Whoever did it could have turned the.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Key in the lock.

[Narrator]

But the bolts. No. One could not shoot the bolts after leaving the room.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

The chimney.

[Narrator]

Not that way either, Monsieur. To not it Is, if anything, smaller than usual. You see a tile chimney not even.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Large enough for a cat. Nothing bigger than a bird could get through that chimney. But somebody somehow got in here, kill Rose and get out again. Madame. Madame.

[Rose Delacour]

Yes, yes, one would know who came.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

In here last night with Rose?

[Rose Delacour]

No, not one single person.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

You are certain?

[Rose Delacour]

But yes. Rose came home at 2 o'. Clock. She rang the bell. I myself opened the door. She drank some coffee in my room and then she came upstairs. I watch her go.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

No one could get into the house without passing your room?

[Rose Delacour]

No, impossible. Pierre looks over the house before 10 o'. Clock. Then attendee door is bolted and no one can get inside after that without me Madame du France seeing them.

[Narrator]

Then whoever committed the murder must have.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Got in before that and hidden in the house?

[Narrator]

No.

[Rose Delacour]

But he could not get out again. I have the key to the front door.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

And anyway that will not explain how he got into Rose's room. And he does not explain how he gets out again holding the bolts on the inside succor. But nothing before did I see anything like this? No cue. Nothing. A bolted door, a locked window 60ft above the ground and possible impossible to happen. But it does happen. Come, Jack, we will go to this yesterday. Have Monsieur the cour work on this case.

[Narrator]

But neither Monsieur Lecourt nor any of the other brilliant minds of the French police could find any clue upon which to start an investigation. The apartment was searched, almost torn apart in an effort to find a trap door or secret passage. Nothing. Nor the suggestion of anything. Always a bolted door, a locked window. Two weeks later, Monsieur Lecur is seated in his office at the Cirite, talking to the lieutenant.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Bonjour.

[Narrator]

Yes. Mercy, Monsieur. No further development in the Jellicoe case?

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Nothing, Monsieur. I have combed the underworld of Paris hoping for a chance worth a single thing that one might call a clue.

[Narrator]

Has she any enemies?

[Monsieur Lecourt]

No, Monsieur. Not that I can find. No money? Nothing to be rob of. Un pauvre demoiselle et des boulevards not worthy of such hatred or such careful planning.

[Narrator]

You had someone watching at the morgue when the. When Rose Delacour was laid there?

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Oui, Monsieur. Nothing but the usual morbid crowd, no known underworld character. And beside that, everyone that I have picked up I've presented as an alibi for that night.

[Narrator]

You have no suspicion of Madame du France? No, Monsieur.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Besides, no woman struck that door.

[Narrator]

Granted. But she could have admitted the murder and let him out again.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

That still does not account for the door bolted on the inside.

[Narrator]

May we? Of course, mon lieutenant. Always we Come to the door bolted on the inside.

[Monsieur Lecourt]

Always, monsieur, till my dying day, I shall find myself face to face with that stout oak door bolted top and bottom, that leaded glass window locked on the inside, and Rose Delacour lying there, staring unseen at the ceiling.

[Narrator]

And today, almost half a century later, when the Paris police discuss the murder in the Rue Morgue, they come face to face with the same problem. The locked window, the door bolted top and bottom on the inside. Out of deference to people who are still alive, character names in these unsolved mysteries have been changed in as much as any solution must of necessity be supposition. Liberties of time, place and character exist in the solution that will be presented after you have heard from your sponsor.

[Chimney Sweep]

Sa.

[Rose Delacour]

Sam.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the solution for which you have been waiting. Tell me, Monsieur Lecourt, have you no idea, after all these years, as to how the murder of Rose Delacour was perpetrated? Marie. But, yes, I think I have a possible solution. Indeed, you must understand, monsieur, that at the time of the murders in the Rue Morgue, the chimney sweep was a familiar figure on the rooftops and among the chimney pots of Paris. Chimney sweep, Monsieur? Marie. The chimney sweep cleaned the chimneys of Paris by lowering a round brush on a piece of rope or a pole made of many pieces of wood fitted together.

[Chimney Sweep]

I understand.

[Narrator]

You understand, monsieur, that I have no idea who the murderer might be. But I think I know how he committed the crime. These murderers realized that a chimney sweep would hardly be noticed on the roof of Rose Delacour's apartment. I can see him donning his disguise, an old soot grind suit, carrying his bag of paraphernalia. But hidden in that bag was a French bayonet. I can hear him as he creeps over the tiles, muttering to himself.

[Chimney Sweep]

It is easy. The way I have planned it, it cannot fail. I lowered these two oaks on the two lengths of stainless steel. Now I lowered the bayonet. Then I will go to Rose Delacour's room. I will hide under the bed. When she is fast asleep, I kill her. In a few moments, I fix the hook to the door and the strings to the bolts. It is so simple. I return to the roof, I pull the two strings, and voila, the bolts, they are closed. I pull the sling and the hooks of the chimney. And, yes, I must not forget. I must not forget the third string. I pull him too, because on that I have the bayonet. How they will puzzle over the mystery, these French police.

[Narrator]

And puzzle they did, these French police. And with them the rest of the world. Edgar Allan Poe wrote his solution. But Poe was writing fiction, and so in order to give legitimate literary punch to his denouement, he ignored the fact that the chimney was too small for even the tiniest monkey, let alone an ape, to get through.

[Rose Delacour]

Sam Sa.

[Narrator]

Foreign.

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[Narrator]

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