The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1905-07-26

Underneath the vigorous headlines
which our client had quoted I read the
following suggestive narrative:
Late last night or early this morning 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 car
ried 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 SYdcnham end of the road |
of that name. He has had the reputation !
of being a man of eccentric habits. Sc |
crettve and retiring. For some years he \
has practically withdrawn from the bust |
mss in which he is said to have amassed |
considerable wealth. A small timber yard
sun exists. however, at the back of the |
house, and last night about II O'Clock !
an alarm was given that one of the stacks
was on fire. The engines were soon upon |
the spot but the dry wood burned with |
great fury and 1t was impossible to ar |
rest the confa gration until the stack had
been entirely consumed Up to this point !
the incident bore the appearance of q,
ordinary accident. but fresh Indication
seem to point TO serious crime. Surprise !
was expressed at the absence of the mas
ter of the establishment from the scene
of the fire. and an inquiry followed. which
showed that he had disappeared from the
house. An examination of his room re-
vealed that the bed had not been slept in
that a safe which stood in it was open,
that number of important papers were
scattered about the room and finally that
there We're signs of murderous struggle
slight traces Of blood being found within
the room, aMi an oalken walking stick,
which also showed stains of blood upon
the handle L. is known that Mr.. Jonas
Oldacre had received late visitor in his
bedroom upon that night and the stick
found has been identified as the property
of this person, who is young London
solicitor named John Hector McFarlane.
junior partner of Graham II McFar-
Zane of 426 Gresham buildings. e. G. The
police believe that they nave evidence in
their possession which supplies q very
convincing motive for the crime and al
together it cannot be doubted that sensa-
tional developments will follow.
Later.-It is rumored as we go to press
that John Hector McFarlane has actually
been arrested on the charge of the murder
of Jonas Oidacre. 1t is at least certain
that a warrant has been issued There
have been further and sinister develop
nents in the Investigation at Norwood.
Besides the signs of struggle in the
room of the unfortunate builder il is
now known that the French windows
of his bedroom (Which is on the ground
floor were found to be open, that there
had been dragged across to the wood pile,
and finally 1t is asserted that charred re-
mains have been found among the char
coal ashes of the fire. The police theory is
that Il most sensational crime has been
committed that the victim dubbed
to death in his own bedroom, his papers
rif1ed and his dead body dragged across
to the wood stack which was then ignted.
so to hide all traces of, the crime The
conduct OF the criminal investigation has
been left in the experienced hands of IN
spector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. who is
following up the clews with his accus-
toned energy and sagacty.
Sherlock Holmes listened. with closed
eyes and finger tips together. to this re-
markable account.
''Ihc case has certainly some points
of interest" said he in his languid
fashion. May I ask, in the first place,
Mr.. McFarlane. how it is that You are
still at liberty, since there appears to
be enough evidence to justify your ar
rest?"
81 live at Torrington Lodge, Black
heath, with my parents, Mr. Holmes.
but last night, having to do business
i very late with Mr.. Jonas Oldacre, [
stayed at a hotel in Norwood and
came to my business from there. I
knew nothing of this affair until I was
In the train. when I read what you
| have just heard. at once saw the hor-
rible danger of my position. and I hur-
ried to put the case into your hands. I
have no doubt that 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 heavent What is thatW
| 1t was clang of the bell, followed
instantly by heavy steps upon the stair.
A moment later our old friend Lestrade
appeared in the doorway Over his
shoulder caught a glimpse of one or
I two uniformed policemen outside.
Mr. John Hector McFaraneY' said
! Lestrade
Our unfortunate client rose, with
CHASTITY face.
Mr.. Jonas Oldacre of Lower Norwood"
/ 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 ac-
count of this very interesting affair
which might aid us in clearing it up"
Il think there will be no difficulty in
clearing it up" said Lestrade grimly.
None the less, with your permls-
sion. [ should be much interested to
hear his account"