Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-17

has pTdCIIcs-fIe WItEuTaW6 from the bl. 81
ness in whif:h he is said to have amaS&ed
considerable wealth. A small timber ward
still exists. however. at the back OF the
house. and last night. about u o'clock,
an alarm was given that one OF the stacks
was on fire. The engines were soon uLson
the spot. but the dry wood Burned with
| great fury. and it was impossible to ar
rest the condagration until the stack had
been entirely consumed. Up TO this point
| the incident bore the appearance OF IN
ordinary accident but fresh indications
| seem TO point to serious crime SUrpris sc
| was expressed at the absence OF the mas
| ter OF the establishment from the scene
of the fire. and 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 il was open.
| that a number Of important papers were
Scattered about the room and finally that
| there were signs OF murderous struggle.
slight traces OF blood being found within
the room. and an oaken walking stick.
| which also showed stains Of blood upon
/ the handle. It 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 a young London
| solicitor named John Hector McFarlane.
| junior partner Of Graham McFar-
| lane OF 435 Gresham buildings, f. C The
| police believe that they have evidence in
| their possession which supplies very
| convincing mOtlNe lot the crime. anu d.
| together IL cannot be doubted that Sensa-
tionRl developments will follow.
| Later.-It is rumorsd go to press
| that John Hector mcFarlane has actually
| been arrested on the charge OF the murder
| of Jonas Oldacre. 1t is at least certain
| that a warrant has been issued. There
| have been further and sinister develop
| ments in the investigation at Norwood.
Besides the signs of struggle in the
room of the unfortunate builder it is
| now known that the French windows
| OF his bedroom (Which is on the ground
| noor) were found to be open, that there
| were marks If some bulky object
| 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 a most sensational crime has been
| committed, that the victim was dubbed
| to death in his own bedroom, his papers
! riied and his dead body dragged across
| to the wood stack, which was then ignited,
| as to hide all traces of the crime The
! conduct of the criminal Investigation has
| been left in the experienced hands or In
| spector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, who Is
| following up the clews with his accus-
| toned energy and sagacity.
Sherlock Holmes listened, with closed
| eyes and finger tips together, to this re-
markable account.
1.-The case has certainly some points
Of interest" said lie in his languid
fashion. May 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?"
II live at Torrington Lodge. Black
heath, with my parents, Mr.. Holmes,
but last night, having to do business
very late with Mr.. Jonas ~Ofdacre,
stayed at hotel In Norwood and
came to my business from there.
knew nothing Of this affair until / was
in the train, when / read what you
| have Just heard. at once saw the hor
rible danger of my position, and .hur
ried 10 put the case into your hands.
have no doubt that / should have been
| arrested either at my city Office or at
my home man followed me from
London Bridge station, and l have no
doubt Great heaFeni What is thatY'
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 n glimpse of one or
two uniformed policemen outside.
'MF John Hector McFarlane?" said
Lestrade.
OuT Clltul IOSts Will a
CHASTITY face.
Il arrest you for the wlllful murder OF
Mr. Jonas Oldacre of Lower Norwood"
McFarlane turned 10 US with a ges-
ture Of despair and sank into his chair
once more like one who is crushed.
zone 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 &C
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 permits
sion, l should be much interested to
hear his account"
We'll, Mr.. Holmes. Ii 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 n good
turn at Scotland Yard" said Lestrade
AT the same time must remain with
my prisoner, and ! am bound to warn
| him that anything he may say will APP
| pear in evidence against him"
Il wish nothing better said our
| client. "All / ask is that you should
hear and recognize the absolute truth"
| I4estrade looked at his watch. IN
| give you half an hour" said he.
Il must explain first" said McFarIane
| that 1 knew nothing OF Mr. Jonas
| Oidacre. His name was familiar to me
/ for many years ago my parents were
| acquainted with him, but they drifted
/ apart. / was very much surprised
| therefore. when yesterday about 5
! O'Clock in the afternoon he walked into
my office in the city. But l was still
more astOnished when he told me the
1 object Of his visit He had in his hand
several sheets OF a notebook. covered
| with scrubbed writing-here they are
| and he laid them on my table.
Here IS my WILL said he. L want
you, Mr.. HcFarlane, to cast il into
proper legal shape. I will sit here
while you do So.
Il set myself TO copy it, and you can
7