Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-07-13

sion. l couu nardly believe ny, "
senses as I read the terms Of the will,
but he explained that he was a bache-
lor with hardly any living relation,
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. Or course l could
only stammer out my 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 explained, are the rough draft. Mr..
Jonas Oldacre then informed me that
there were a number Of documents
building leases, title deeds, mortgages,
scrip, and so forth-which 1t was nee
essary that l should see and under
stand. He said that his mind would
not be easy until the whole thing was
settled, and he begged me to come out
to his house at Norwood that night,
bringing the will with me, and to or
range matters. Remember, my boy,
not one word to your parents about
the affair until everything Is settled.
We will keep it as a little surprise for
them He was very insistent upon
this point and made me promise it
faithfully.
"You can imagine, Mr.. Holmes, that
l was not in q humOr to refuse him
anything that he might ask. He was
my benefactor, and oil my desire was
to carry out his wishes in every par
%ticular. I sent a telegram home, there
fore, to say that l had important bust
ness on hand and that it was impossi-
bic for me to say how late I might be.
Mr.. Oldacre had told me that he would
like me to have supper with him at 8,
as he might not be home before that
hour. l had some difficulty in finding
his house, however, and 1t was nearly
half past before l reached it. I found
him.
Zone moment" said Holmes. "Who
opened the door?"
"a middle aged woman, who was, l
suppose, his housekeeper."
"And it was she, l presume, who
mentioned your name"
Exactly" said McFarlane.
"Pray proceed"
McFarlane wiped his damp brow and
then continued his narrative:
II was shown by this oma into q
sitting room, where a frugal supper
was laid out. Afterward Mr.. Jonas
Oldacre led me into his bedroom, in
which there stood a heavy safe. This
he opened and took out a mass of docu-
ments, which we went owe together.
1t was between IL and IL when we
finished. He remarked that we must
not disturb the housekeeper. He show
ed me out through his own French win
dow, which had been open all this
time"
"Was the blind downY asked
Holmes.
II will not be sure, but l believe that
it was only half down. Yes. 1 remem-
Der how he pulled 1t up in order to
swing open the window. 1 could not
find my stick, and he said, Never mind,
my boy, 1 shall see a good deal of you
now, 1 hope, and 1 will keep your stick
until you come back to claim it, I left
him there, the safe open and the papers
made up in packets upon the table. 1t
was so late that I could not get back
to Blackheath, SO I spent the night at
the Anerley Arms, and 1 knew nothing
more until I read of this horrible af-
fair in the morning"
Anything more that you would like
to ask, Mr.. Holmes?" said Lestrade,
whose eyebrows had gone up once or
twice during this remarkable explana-
ton.
Not until l have been to Black
heath"
"You mean to Norwood" said Les
trade.
ooh, yes; nc doubt that is what i
must have meant" said Holmes, with
his enigmatical smile. Lestrade had
learned by more experiences than he
would care to acknowledge that that
razorlike brain could cut through that
which was impenetrable to him. 1 saw
him look c%uriously at my companion.
II think / should like to have a word
with you presently, Mr.. Sherlock
AAoihASo oalu AS. NOW, NIL. NSE ar
lane, two of my constables are at the
door, and there is a four wheeler wait
ing" The wretched young man arose
and with q last beseeching glance at us
walked from the room. The 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
k%eenest interest upon his face.
There are some points about that
document, Lestrade, are there not?''
said he, pushing them over.
The official looked at them with u
puzzled expression.
81 can read the first few lines and
these in the middle Of the second page
and n or two at the end. Those are
as clear IS print" said he, "but the
writing in between is very bad, and
there are three places where I cannot
read 1t at ALL"
what do you make of that?" said
Holmes.
well, what do you make Of it?"