The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-19

saying to my friend, Dr. Watson. that sensational cases had disappeared out of our papers"
 Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand and picked up the |, Daily Telegraph, which still lay upon Holmes knee.
 "If you had looked at it. sir. you would have seen at a glance what the errand is on which I have come to you this morning. 1 feel as if my name and my misfortune must be in every mans mouth" He turned it over to expose the central page. Here 1t is, and with your permission l will read it to you. Listen to this, MT. Holmes. The headlines are: Myste- rious Affair at Lower Norwood. Dis appearance of a Well-Known Builder. Suspicion of Murder and Arson. A Clue to the Criminal This is the clue which they are already follow ing. MT. Holmes, and 1 know that 1t leads infallibly to me. I have been followed from London Bridge Station, and I am sure that they are only waiting for the warrant to arrest me. It will break my mothers heart-it will break her heart!" He wrung his hands as in an agony of apprehen- ! sion, and swayed backwards and for wards in his chair.
 looked with interest upon this man, who was accused Of being the perpetrator of a crime of violence. He was faxen- haired and handsome, in a wash-out negative fashion, with frightened blue eyes, and a clean shaven face, with weak. sensitive mouth. His age may have been about twenty-seven, his dress and bearing that of gentleman. From the pocket of h; IioI, 1ar.a truded the bundle of indorsed papers which proclaimed his profession.
 .'We 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, I read the following suggestive narrative:
 Late last night or carry ti:s morn- ing, an incident occurred at Lower Norwood which points, it Is feared, to a serious crime. MT. Jonas Oldacre is a well-known resident of that suburb, where he has carried on his business as builder for many years. MT. 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 a 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 ex- ists, however, at the back of the house, and last night, about twelve o'clock, an alarm was given that one of the stacks was on fire. The en- zines were soon upon the spot, but the dry wood burned with great fury, and 1t was impossible to arrest the confagration until the stack had been entirely consumed. Up to this point the incident bore the appearance of anordinary accident, but fresh indi- cations seem to point to serious crime. Surprise was expressed at the absence of the master of the es- tablishment from the scene of the fire, and an inquiry followed which showed 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 a number of im- portant papers were scattered about the room, and, finally, there were signs of a murderous struggle, slight traces of blood being found within the room, and an oalSen< walking stick, which also showed stains of blood upon the handle. It Is known that MT. Jonas Oldacre has 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, E. c. The police believe that axr;da in thaff which supplies a very convincing mo- tive for the crime. and altogether it. cannot be doubted that sensational developments will follow.
 Later-It is rumoured as we go to press that MT. John Hector McFar- lane has actually been arrested on the charge of the murder of MT. Jonas Oldacre. It is at least certain that a warrant has been issued. There have been further and sinister developments in the investigation at Norwood. Be- sides 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 floor) were found to be open that there were marks az If some bulky object had been dragged across to the wood-pile, and, finally it Is as- serted. that charred remains have been found among the charcoal ashes of the fire The police theory is that most sensational crime has been committed, that the victim was sclubbed to death in his own bed-rom, his papers rified, and his dead body dragged across to the woodstock. 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 Holmes listened with closed eyes and finger-tips together to this remarkable account.
 "The case has certainly some points of interest" said he, in his languid fashion May I ask, in the first place. MT. McFarlane. how it is that you are still at liberty, since there appears to be enough evidence to jus tify your arrest?"
 'sI live at Torrington Lodge. Black heath with my parents, MT. Holmes. but last night, having to do business very late with MT. Jonas Oldacre, I stayed at an 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. l at once saw the horrible danger of my position, and I hurried to put the case into your hands I have no doubt that