The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-19
~RETURNe'S observation-disclosures
The Adventure Of the Norwood BuiEdeI
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.
Downright 1903 by Doyle Golfers Wcckly)
copyright 1906 by Mcclure Phillips & Coz

Suspicion OF Murder ana arson. ~
Clue to the Criminal That is the
clue which they are already following,
Mr.. Holmes, and ] know that it leads
infallibly to me. ] have been follow
cd from London Bridge Station, and
/ am sure that they are only waiting
for the warrant to arrest me. 1t will
break my mothers heart-it will
break her heart" He wrung his
hands in an agony of apprehension,
and Swayed BACKWARDS ana forwards
in his chair.
l looked with interest upon this
man, who was accused of being the
perpetrator of a crime of violence.
He was f1axen-haired and handsome,
in n washed-Out negative fashion,
with frightened blue eyes, and a
clean-shaven face. with a weak, SEN
sitive mouth. His age may have been
about twenty-seven, his dress and
bearing that of a gentleman. From
the pocket of his light summer over
coat protruded the bundle of indorsed
papers which proclaimed his profess
sion.
I'VE must use what time we have"
said 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, l read
the following suggestive narrative:
Late last night, or early this morn
ing. an incident occurred at Lower
Norwood which points. it is feared.
to a serious crime. Mr.. Jonas Old
acre is a. well-known resident of that
suburb, where he has carried on his
business as q 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 man of eccentric
habits, secretive and retiring. For
some years he has practically with
drawn from the business, in which he
is said to have amassed considerable
wealth. A small timber-yard still
exists, however, at the back or the
house, and last night, about twelve
o'clock, an alarm was given that one
of the stacks was On fire. The en-
gineS were soon upon the spot but
the dry wood burned with great fury,
and it was impossible to arrest the
conhagration until the stack had been
entirely consumed. Up to this point
the incident bore the appearance of
an ordinary accident. but fresh indi-
cations seem to point to serious
crime. Surprise was expressed at the
absence Of the master of the estab-
lishment from the scene of the fire,
and an inquiry followed, which show
ed that he had disappeared from the
house. An examination of his room
revealed that the bed had not been
slept in, that a safe which stood In
it was open, that number OF i'm
portant papers we're scattered about
the room. and finally, that there were
signs of a murderous struggle, slight
traces Of blood being found within
the room. and an oakcn walking
stick. which also showed stains or
blood upon the handle. 1t is known
that Mr.. Jonas Oldacre had received
a 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 McFar-
lane. junior partner of Graham and
McFarlane, of 426. Gresham Build
ings, F.. c. The police believe that
they have evidence in their possession
whicl, supplies a very convincing mo-
tive for the crime, and altogether 1t
cannot be doubted that sensational de-
velopments will follow.
LATER--It is rumored as we so TO
press that Mr.. John Hector McFar-
lame has actually been arrested on the
charge of the murder of Mr.. 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 Nor
wood. Besides tho signs Of o struggle
in the room OF the unfortunate build
CT it Is now known that the French
windows of his bedroom (Which is or
the ground fioor) were found to- be
open. that there were marks as #,
some bulky object had been dragged
across the Wood-pile, and, finally, 1t
is asserted that charred remains have
been found among the charcoal ashes
of the fire. The police theory is that
a most sensational crime has been
committed, that the victim was club
bed to death in his own bedroom, his
papers rihed, and his dead body
which was then ignited so as 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 clues with his
accustomed energy and sagacity.
Sherlock Homes listened with
closed eyes and finger-tips together to
this remarkable account.
1.-THE 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 ap-
pears to be enough evidence to justify
your arrest p
"I live at TorringtOn Lodge, Black
heath, with my parents, Mr.. Holmes.
but last night. having 10 do business
very late with Mr.. Jonas 0ldacrc, |
stayed at an 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 horrible danger Of my position.
and ] hurried 10 Put the cas-" 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. aud ! have no doubt
Great Heaven, What is that?"
1t was a clang of the bell, followed
instantly by heavy steps upon The
stair. A moment later, our old friend
Lcstradc appeared in the doorway
Over his shoulder I caught a glimpse
of one or two uniformed policemen
outside.
mir. John Hector McFariane?" ?"
said Lestrade.
Our unfortunate client rose with
CHASTITY face.