The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-05-26

slowly and quietly who you are and
what it is that you want. You men-
toned your name as if should recog.
nize it, but | assure you that beyond
the obvious facts that you are bach
elor, a solicitor, a Precursor and an
asthmatic | know nothing whatever
about you"
Familiar as | was with my friends
methods. it was not difficult for me to
follow his deductions and to observe
the untidiness of attire the sheaf of
legal papers. the watch charm and the
breathing which had prompted them.
Our client, however, stared in amaze
meut
Yes, am all that Mr.. Holmes, and
in addition | am the most unfortunate
man at this moment in London. For
heavens sake, don't abandon me, Mr..
Holmes, If they come to arrest me be-
fore ] have finished my story make
them give me time so that | may tell
you the whole truth could 90 to
jail happy if | knew that you We're
working for me outside"
Arrest YOU" said Holmes. This is
really most grati-most interesting On
what charge do you expect to be ar
rcstedf"
"Cfon the charge of numbering Mr.
Jonas Gi.5rre of Lower Norwood"
ny cou9an.ou' ez-lesSive face
slJEe. a sympathy W. il was not,
am afraid, entirely unmiXed with sat
isfaction.
Dear me-, said he. 1T was only this
moment at breakfast that l was say
ing to my friend DIR. Watson that SEN
Sational cases had disappeared out of
our papers"
Our visitor stretched forward a quiv-
ering 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 | feel as if my
uame and my misfortune must be in
every mans mouth" He turned it
over to expose the central page. Here
it is. and with your permission l will
read il 10 You. Listen to this, Mr..
Holmes The headlines are: Mysterious
AFFAIR at Lower Norwood Disappear
anee of Well Known Builder. Sus-
piciou Of Murder and Arson. y Clew
to the Criminal That is the clew
c.,1f
Holmes, and know that it leads in
fallibly to me. ! have been followed
from London Bridge station. ana am
sure that they are OILY waiting for the
warrant to arrest me. 1t will break
my mothers hea.t-it will break her
heart" He wrung his hands in an
agony Of apprehension and swayed
backward ana forward in his chair.
looked with interest upon this man
who was accused of being the perpe-
traitor of a crime Of violence. He was
fiaXen haired ana handsome in a wash
ed out negative fashion, with frighten-
ed blue eyes and clean shaven face.
with 4 weak. sensitive mouth. His age
may have been about twenty-Seven. his
dress and bearing that Of a gentleman
From the pocket Of his light summer
overcoat prouuded the bundle of in
dorsed papers which proclaimed his
profession.
We must use what time we have"
said Holmes. Watson. would you
have the kindness 10 take the paper
and 10 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 early this morning an
incident occurred at Lower Norwood
which points. it is feared. 10 a serious
crime. Mr.. Jonas Oldacre is a well known
resident OF that suburb. where he has car
ried on his business as a builder for many
years. Mr.. Oldacre Is a bachelor fifty
two years of age, and lives in Deep Dere
House at tho Sydenham end of the road
Of that name. He has had the reputation
Of being q man Of eccentric habits Sc
cretive and retiring. For some years he
has practically withdrawn from the bust
ness il which he is said 10 have arnassed
considerable wealth. : snail timber yard
still exists. however at the back OF tho
house and last night. about u O'Clock.
an alarm was given Il enc % the stacks
was on fire. The engines w-re soon upon
the spot but the dry wood burned with
great fury. and il was impossible TO ar
rest the con7agration until the stack had
been entirely. consumed Up 10 thls point
the Incident bore the appearance of an
7 ordinary accident. but fresh indications
seem TO point to serious crime. Surprise
was expressed at the absence Of the mas
ter Of the establishment from the scene
/ Of the fire. and an inquiry followed which
showed that he had disappeared from the
house An examination of his room re-