Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-06-01

house. An examination of his room re-.
vealed that the bed had not been slept in.
| that n safe which stood In II was open.
that n number OF important papers were
| 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 oaken walking stick,
which also showed stains Of blood upon
the handle. II il known that Mr.. Jonas
| Oldacre had received n late visitor In his
| bedroom upon that night. and the stick
| found has been identified as tho property
| q this person. who IL young London
| solicitor named John Hector McFarlone.
| Junior partner Of Graham q McFar-
lane Of ~ Gresham buildings. r. G. The
police believe that they have evidence In
| their possession which supplies very
| convincing motive for the crime. and al
| together II cannot be doubted that sensa-
tionai developments will follow.
| 1ater--1t is rumored as we 60 to press
| that John Hector McFarlanc has actually
been arrested on the charge OF the murder
| Of Jonas Oldacre. II Is at least certain
| that n warrant has been issued There
| have been further and sinister develop
| ments in the investigation at Norwood.
Besides the signs of n struggle In the
| room of the unfortunate builder 1t Is
now known that the French windows
| of his bedroom (which is on the ground
| floor were found TO be open, that there
| had been dragged across to the wood pile.
and finally II IL asserted that charred re-
mains have been found among the char
coal ashes of the fire. The police theory Is
| that a most sensational crime has been
committed, that the victim was clubbed
to death in his own bedroom. his papers
rifled and his dead body dragged across
| to the wood stack, which was then ignited.
20 as to hide all traces OF the crime. The
conduct of the criminal investisation has
been left In the experienced hands OF In
| spector I.estrade Of Scotland Yard. who IL
| following UP the clews with his accus-
toned energy and sagacity.
Sherlock Holmes listened. with closed
eyes and finger tips together, to this re-
markable account.
1.-THE case has certainly some points
Of interest" said he in his languid
fashion. May I ask. in the first place,
Mr.. McTarlanc, how 1t is that you are
still at liberty. since there appears to
be enough evidence to justify your ar.
rest?"
81 live at Torrington Lodge. Black
heath. with my parents. Mr.. Holmes.
but last night. having to do business
very late with Mr.. Jonas Oldacre,
stayed at hotel in Norwood and
came to my business from there.
knew nothing Of this affair.until I was
| In the train, when l read what you
have Just heard. at once saw the hor
rible danger Of my position. and hur-
r1ed to put the case into your hands.
have no doubt thai I should have beer
arrested either at my city Office or at
my home. A man followed me from
London Bridge station. and I have no
doubt Great heaven! What Is that?"
1t was clang Of the bell. followed
instantly by heavy steps upon the stair.
A moment later our old friend Lestrade
appeared in the doorway. Over his
shoulder l caught n glimpse Of one or
two uniformed policemen outside.
"Mr. John Hector McFarlane!" said
Lestrade.
Our unfortunate client rose, with q
CHASTITY face.
II arrest you for the willful murder of
Mr.. Jonas Oldacre of Lower Norwood"
McFarane turned to us with a ges-
ture Of despair: and sank into his chair
once more like one who is crushed.
"One moment. Lestrade." said
Holmes. "Half an hour more or less
can make no difference to you, and the
gentleman was about to give us an &C.
count Of this very interesting affair
which might aid us in clearing 1t up"
II think there will be no difficulty in
clearing it up" said Lestrade grimly.
None the less. with your permits
sion, I should be much interested to
hear his account"
well, Mr.. Holmes. 1t Is difficult for
me to refuse you anything. for you have
been of use to the force once or twice
In the past, and we owe you a good
turn at Scotland Yard" said Iestrade
AT the same time ! must remain with
my prisoner, and l am bound to warn
him that anything he may say will ap-
pear in evidence against him."
II wish nothing better" said our
client. "All ask is that you should
hear and recognize the absolute truth"
Lestrade looked at his watch. "I'll
give you half an hour" said he.
II must explain first" said NJ Farlane,
that knew nothing Of Mr.. Jonas
Oldacre. His name was familiar to me.
for many years ago my parents were
acquainted with him. but they drifted
apart. was very much surprised.
therefore. when yesterday about 3
O'clock in the afternoon he walked into
my Office in the city. But l was still
more astonished when he told me the
object Of his visit. He had in his hand
several sheets of q notebook. covered
with scrubbed writing-here they are
and he laid them on my table.
"'Here is my will said he. I want
you. Mr.. McFarlane. to cast 1t into
proper legal shape. will sit here
while you do So
II set myself to copy it. and you can
imagine my establishment when found
that, with some reservations, he had
left oil his property to me. He was q
strange little ferretlike man. with
white eyelashes. and when looked up
at him found his keen gray eyes
fixed upon me with an amused express
sion. l could hardly believe my own
senses as l read the terms Of the will.
but he explained that he was bache-
lor with hardly any living relation.
that he had known my parents In his
youth and that he had always heard
Of me a. very deserving young man
and was assured that his money would
be In worthy hands OF course could
| NJ, lu 20 o,,t th0 uLa