The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 12, 1905, Page 1

i ! ’ pyright, 1908, by A. Conan Doyle and Cel- s 5 Phillips & Co.) < eath of the 2te fessor Moriarty.” think that you would 7 decent citizens to agree with b 4 nswered e I must not be selfish.” - he pushed faintest 1 dication, and y tell me that th brain was there, as the worked into one connected 'who he sclentific student of the hi criminal world, no capital in Eu ered the adv. ges which Lond, on the possessed. But now—" He gged his shoulders in humorous ecation of the state of things wh h! he had himself done s6 much to produce. At the time of which I speak, Holmes been back for some months, and ned I st his request had sold my prae- fce and returned to share the. old T Baker street A young d Verner, had purchased Kensington pr and relation of riend who months of partners had not =0 uneventful as he had stated, I find, on looking over my motes, this period includes the -case of e papers of ex-President Murillo, and the shocking affair of the Dutch ship Friesland, which so nearly cost us both our lives. His cold and ud nature was always averse, how- the shape of hibition which, » has only now 2 removed. Sherlock Holmes was leaning in his chair after his whimsical protest, and -was unfolding his mern- ing paper in a leisurely fashion, when g at the bell, followed im- by a hollow drumming if some one were beating door with his fist. As it ne a”tumultuous rush d feet. clattered up r, and an instant later a wild- °d ~and. frantic . young man, pale, disheveled, and palpitating, burst into' the ' room. He looked f one to the other of us, and our gaze of inquiry he became scious that some apology was need- ed for this, unceremonious ‘entry. “I'm sorry, Mr. Holmes,” he cried. “You mustn’t blame me, . I am nearly mad. Mr. Holmes, I am the unhappy. John Hector McFarlane.” He made the announcement. as if the name alone would explain both his visit and its manner, but I could see, by my companion’s unresponsive face, that it meant no more to him than to me. “Have a cigarette, Mr. McFarlane,” sald he, pushing his case across. “I am sure that, with your symptoms, my friend Dr. Watson here would pre- scribe & sedative. The weather has been so very warm these last few days. Now. if you feel a little more com- posed I should be glad if you would sit down -in that chair and tell us very slowly and quietly who you are and what it is that you want. You men- tioned yvour name, as If I should. rec- ognize it, but I assure you that beyond the obvious facts that you are a bach- elor, a solicitor, a ‘Freemason and an asthmatic, I know nothing Whatever about you.” Familiar as I was with my friend's methods. it was not difficult for me to follow his deductions and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of ers, the watch charm and the g which had prompted them. Our client, however, stared in amaze- ment. “Yes, I am all that, Mr. Holmes, and, in eddition, I am the most unfertunate e man at this moment in London, For heaven’s sake don’t abandon me, Mr. Holmes! If they come to arrest me be- fore I have finished my story make them give me time so that I may tell you the whole truth. I could go to gaol happy if I knew that you were work- ing for me outside.” “Arrest you!" said Holmes. “This Is really most grati—most ' interesting. On what charge do you expect to be arrested?” “Upon the charge of murdering Mr. Jonas Oldacre of Lower Norwood.” My _companion’s expressive face showed a sympathy which was not, I arn afraid, entirely unmixed with sat- isfaction. “Dear me,” sald he, “it was only this morning at breakfast that I was say- ing to my friend, Dr. Watson, that sensatiopal cases had disappeared out of oar papers.” 4 . Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand and picked wup the Daily Telegraph, which still lay upon Holmes’ knee, “If you had looked'at it, sir, you would have seen at a glance what the errand is on which I have come to you this morning. I feel as if my name and my misfortune must be in every man's mouth.” He turned it over to expose the central page. “Here it is, and with yaur permission I will read it to you. Listen to this, Mr, Holmes. The head- lines are: ‘Mysterious Affair at Lower" Norwood. Disappearance of a Well- known Builder. Suspicion of Murder and Arson. A Clew to the Criminal.’ That {s the clew which they are al- ready following, Mr. Holmes, and I Rnow that it leads Infallibly to me. I have been followed from London bridge station, and I am sure that they are only waiting for the warrant to arrest me. ‘It will break my mother’s heart —It will break her heart!” He wrung his hands {n an agony of apprehension and swayed backward and forward in his chatr. I looked with interest upon this man who was accused of being the perpe- trator of a crime of violence. He was flaxen-halred and handsome In a washed-out negative fashion, with frightened blue eyes and a ¢lean-shav- en face, with a weak, sensitive mouth, His age may have been about 27, his dress and bearing that of a gentle- man. ~From the pocket of his light summer overcoat protruded the bundle of indorsed papers which proclaimed his profession. ““We must use what time we have,” sald Holmes. “Watson, would you have the kindness to take the paper and to read the paragraph in ques- tion?"” Underneath the vigorous headlines ‘which our client had quoted, I read the following suggestive narrative: “Late last-night, or early this morne_ ing, an incident occurred at Lower Norwood which points, it is feared, to a serious crime. Mr. Jonas Oldacre is a well-known resident of that suburb, where he has carried on his business as a builder for many years. Mr. Oldacre is a bachelor, fifty-two years of age, and lives in Deep Dene House, at the Sydenham end of the road. of that name. He has had the reputation of being a man of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring. ¥or some years he hags practically withdrawn m}n the business, {n which he’is said to ‘have “acre. It is at least certain that a war- amassed considerable wealth. A small rant has been issued. There have been timber yard still.exists, however,. at further and sinister developments in the back of the house,” and-last night, the investigation at Norwood. Besides about 13:o’clock, an alarm was-given the signs of a struggle in the room of that one of the stacks was.on fire. ‘the unfortunate builder it is now The engines: were soon upon the spot, known that the French windows of his but the dry wood burned with-great bedroom (which is on the ground fury, and it was impossible to: arrest -floor) were found to be open, that there the conflagration until the stack had were marks as if some bulky ‘object been . entirely consumed. Up -to " this had been dragged across to- the wood- point ‘the incident bore.the appearance pile, and, finally, it is asserted that of an ordinary accident, but fresh indi- charred remains have been fourd cations seem to point to serious crime. among the charcoal ashes of the fire. Surprise was expressed at.the absence The police theory is that a most sen- of the master of the establishment sational crime has been committed, from the scene of the fire, and an in- that the victim was clubbed to death Qquiry followed, which showed that he in his own bedroom, his papers rified, had disappeared from the house. An and his dead body dragged aecross to examination of ‘his room revealed that the woodstack, which was then ignited the bed had not been slept in, thata €0 as to hide all traces of the crime. safe which stood -in it wes open, that The conduct of the criminal investiga- & number of important papers were tion has been left in the experienced scattered about the room, and, finally, hands of Inspector Lestrade of Scot- that there were slgns of a murderous land Yard, who is following up the struggle, slight traces of blood heing ' clews with his accustomed energy and found within' the room, and . oaken sagacity.” walking stick, which also : showed Sherlock Holmes listened with closed stains of blood upon the handle. It is eyes and finger-tips together to this re- known that Mr., Jonas Oldacre had re- markable account. celved a late visitor in his bedroom upon that night, and the.stick found of interest,” sald he, in his languid has. been identified a3 the property of fashion. “May I aslk, in the first place, this person, who is a young don Mr. McFarlane, how it is that you are solicitor named John . Hector M r- “still at liberty, since there appears to lane, junior partner of Graham . & be encugh evidence. to justify your McFarlane, of 426 Gresham Buildings, arrest?” sy E. C. The police believe that they have live at Torrington Lodge, Black- evidence in their ession which sup- heath, with.my parents, Mr. Holmes, plies a very cmv‘nctfl‘ motive for the but last night, having to do business crime, and altogether ft cannot be very late with Mr. Jonas Oldacre, I doubted that. sensational developments stayed at a hotel in" Norwood, and will follow. : ' . came: to- my business from -there. I “Later.—It is” rumored as we go to jknew ing of this-affair until I was press -that Mr. John Hector: Jane In the train, when I read what you has actually been ‘arrested on the 'have just heard. I at once saw the charge of the murder ‘l Mr, Jonas ' DO Bt A DRI O “The: case has certainly some points , hurried to put the case into your hands. I have no doubt that I should have been arrested either at my city office ‘or at'my home. - A man followed me from London bridge station, and I have no doubt— Great Heavens! what is_that?” It was a clang of the bell, followed instantly’ by heavy' steps upon the stair. - A- mothent later our old friend Lestrade appeared in tne doorway. Over his shoulder I caught a glimpse o;.'done or two uniformed policemen out- side. « “Mr. John Hector McFarlane? sald Lestrade. Our. unfortunate client rose with a ghastly .face. “'L, arrest you for the -:illful murder of Mr. Jonas Oldacre of Lower Nor- wood."” McFarlane turned to us with a ges- ture of despair and sank,into his chair once more like one who is crushed. “One moment, Lestrade.” said Holmes. “Half an hour more or less can make no difference to you, and the gentleman was about to give us an account of this very Interesting affair, which might aid us in clearing it up.” “I think there will be no difficulty In clearing /it up,” said Lestrade, grimly. “None' the less, with your permis- siod, I should. be much interested to ‘hear ‘his account.” . ““Well, ‘Mr. Holmes, it is difficult for me to refuse you anything, for you ~have been of use to the force once or twice in the past, and we owe you a good turnm at Scotland Yard,” sald Les- trade. “At the same time I must re- " 4T wish n Old- horrible danger of my positon, and I cllent. “All I ask is that you shomld yoints. Granting thal biz whelg jour- 22CLS5CO I hear and recognize the abs ™ate trudl® Lestrade looked at his wateh. * give you half an b saf. “he. “I must explai ai . McFar- lane, “that I knew nothing of “Mfr. Jo= nas Oldacre. His name was familar to me, for many years ago my pa ts were acquainted with him, but they drifted apart. 1 wa uch sur- prised, therefore, vhe rday, about 8 o'clock in t afternoon, he walked into my office ia the city. But I was still more astonished when he told me the object of b He had in his hand several book, (ovrad with seribbled writing— here they ire—and he laid them on my table. * ‘Here is my will,’ said he. you, Mr. McFarlane, to ‘I want cast it into proper legal shape. I will sit hefe while you do so.’ “I set myself to copy it, and you can imagine my astonishument found that, with som® r had left all his property to me. was a s when E rvations, he He ed up at him I fouw eyes fixed upon me expression. 1 could h own senses as I read the terms of the will; but he explained that he was a bachelor with hardly any living rela- tion, that he had known my parents in'his youth, and that he had always - heard of me as a very deserving young man, and was assured that his money would be in worthy hands. Of course, I could only stammer out mv thanks, The will was duly finished, signed and witnessed-by my clerk. This is it on the blue paper, and these slips, as I have explaf re the rough draft. Mr. Jonas Oldacre then imformed me that there were a number of documents —building leases, title deeds, mort- gages, scrip and so forth—which it was necessary that I should see and understand. He said that his mind would not be easy until the whole thing was settled, and he begged me to come out to his hefise at Norwood that night, bringing the will with me, and to arrange matters. ‘Remember, my boy, not ong w to your parents about the affdir 1 everything is settled. We Will keep it as a little surprise for them.” He was verv in- sistent upon this point, and made me promige it faithfully. “¥ou can imagine, Mr. thét I was not in . a refuse him anything Might -ask.. He was keen, gray an amused y believe my my * factor, and all my desire was to carry out his wishes, In cvery: » . - 1 sent a telegram homie, th- -fore, to say that I had important busizess on hapd, and that it was impossible for me to say how late I might be. Mr. Oldacre had teld me that he would like me to have supper with him at 9, as he might not be home béfore that hour. I had some difficulty -in finding his house, however, and it was nearly half-past before I reached it. T found him— “One moment!” said Holmes. opened the deor?* ' +A middle-aged woman, who was, I suppose, his housekeeper “And it was she, T presume, who mentidned your name?” “Exactly,” sald M “Pray proesed.” McFarlane wiped his damp brow, and then continued his narrative: “I was shown by this woman into & sitting-room, where a frugal supper was laid out. Afterward Mr. Jonas Oldacre led me into his bedroom, im which there stood a heavy safe. This he opened and took out a mass ‘of documents, which we went over to~ gether. It was between 11 and 1% when we finished. He remarked that we must not disturb the housekeeper. He showed me out through his own French window, which had been open all this time.” “Was the Holmes. “I will not be Farlane. blind down?" asked re, but I belleve that it was only half down. Yes, I remember how he pulled it up in order to swing open the idow. 1 could not find my stick, and he said, ‘Never mind, my boy, I shall see a good deal of you now, I hope, and I will keep your stick until you come back to claim it.” ‘I left him there, the safe apenm, and the papers made up In packets upon the table. It was so late that I could not get back to Blackheath, so I spent the night at the Anerley Arms, and I knew nothing more until I read of this horrible affair in the morning.” “Anything more that you would like to. ask, Mr. Holmes?” sald Lestrade, whose eyebrows had gome up once er twice during this remarkable explana~ tion. “Not until I have been to Bindl- heath.” “You mean te Norwood,” seMd Lestrade. “Oh, yes, no doubt that is what I must have meant,” said, Holmes, with his enigmatical smile. Lestrade had learned by mors experiences than he would care to acknowledge that that razor-like brain could cut through that which was impenetrable to him. I saw him look curioysly at my companion, “I thlnkllhmlldl.lhu:.hl“l word with you presently, 3 Holmes,” sald he. “Now, Mr. MoBPar- lane, two of my constables are at the door, and there is a four-wheeler walt- ing.” The wretched young man alese, and with a last beseeching ce at us ‘walked from the room. officers conducted him to the cab, but Lestrade remained. Holmes had picked up the pages which formed the rough draft of the will, and was looking at them with the keenest interest upons his face. “There are some points about that document, Lestrade, are there not™” sald he, pushing them over. The official looked at them with a puzzled expression. “] can_read the first few lMunes, and these-in the middle of the second page. and one or two.at the end.. Those are ‘a9 -clear: as_print,” said he, “but the wwriting in between Is very bad, and there are three places where I cannet ead it at all.” - “What do you make of that?” sald ‘Holmes. . “Well, what do you make of 17" “That it was written in a train. The good writing represents stations, the bad writing movement, and the very bad writing passing over points. A scientific expert would promounce at once that this was drawn up on a sub- urban, line, since nowhers sdve In the te vicinity of a great city | thers be 30 quick & succession of