The Columbus journal., 1905-07-26

be FOR me to say how late I might he.
Mr.. Oldacrc had told me that he would
like me 90 have supper with him ut ..
IA he might not be home before that
hour. | had some difficulty in finding
hiS house, however. and IL vas nearly
half past before I reached it. I found
him
zone moment" said Holmes. "Who
opened the door,"
"A middle aged woman. who was. /
suppose, his housckccpcr."
And 1t was she. | presume, who
mentioned your name"
Exactly" said McFarlane.
"pray proceed"
Mcl'arlane wiped his damp brow and
then continued his narrative:
II was shown by this woman into n
sitting room. where "A frugal supper
was laid out. Aftcrward Mr.. Jonas
Oldacrc led me into his bedroom. In
which there stood n heavy safe. This
he opened and took out Il mass of docu.
mcnts. which we went over together.
II was between II and ~ when we
finished. He remarked that we must
not disturb the housckccp"r. lie show.
cd me out through his own French win.
dow, which had been open all this
time"
"Was the blind down." asked
Holmes.
'1 will not DO sure, but I believe that
II was only half down. Yes. | rcmcm-
bcr how he pulled II up In order to
swing open the window. I could not
find my stick. and he said. Never mini.
my boy. I shall see II good deal Of you
now. | hope, and I will keep your stick
until you ONE 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 Blnckhcnth. so ! spent the night ut
the Ancrlcy Arms. and ! knew nothing
more until l read Of this horrible nf.
fair In the morning"
anything more that you would Ike
To ask. Mr.. liolmcs?' said Icstradc.
whose eyebrows had gone up once or
twice during this remarkable cXplana.
ton.
"Not until ! have been to Black.
heath"
"You mean to Norwood" snid Los.
trade.
"Ol. yes: no doubt that Is what I
must have meant" said Holmes. with
his cnigmnticnl smile. IHstralc had
learned by more experiences than he
would care TO ncknow ledge that that
razorlikc brain could cut through that
which was i%mpcnctrablc to him. l saw
him look curiously ut my companion.
II think I should like Ia have a word
with you presently. Mr.. Sherlock
Holiness" said he. "Now. Mr.. Mcl'ar-
lane. two Of my %constablcs are ut the
door. AMI there IL II four wheeler wait.
Ing" The wrctclrd young man arose
ami with Il last b"srcching glance Mt us
walked from I'll" room. The officers
conducted him to the cab. but Lestrade
remained.
Holmes had picked up the pages
which formed tho rough draft Of the
Will and was looking ut them with the
kcrncst interest upon his face.
There ARE some points about that
document. 1.cstradc. are there not?"
snid he, pushing them over.
The official looked ut them with q
puzzled expression.
II read the first few lines AMI
these In the middle Of the second page
and II or two ut the end. Those are
IN clear rs print" said he. but the
writing In between IL very bad. and
there are three places where I cannot
read It ut nll."
"Whnt do you make Of that?" said
Holmes.
swell. what do you make OF IT."
"Thnt 1t was written In u train. The
good writing represents stations, the
had writing movement. AMI the very
bad writing passing over points. a SCI
cntitlc expert would pronounce ut oncc
that this was drawn up on u suburban
line, since nowhere save In the immc-
Glatc vicinity Of n great city could
there br 81 quick a succession of points.
Granting that his whole Journey was
occupied In drawing up the will. then
I'll" train was IN express. only stopping
once between Norwood IND London
bridge"
L.rstradc began to laugh.
"iou ar" too many for mo when you
begin I" get on your theories. Mr..
Holiness said he. "IIOw does th!-
bear on tho casc:".