Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-07-15

ordinary accident but fresh Indications
esesn TO pcirt to serious crime. Surprise
wss expressed at the absence or the mas
te or the establishment from this scene
o. the IRE. and an inquiry followed. which
showed that he had disappeared frors, the
hforc. An examination OF his room re-
vcalec that The bed had not been slept fn.
that safe which stood in II was open.
that number OF Important papers Were
scattered about the room and finally that
there were signs OF nurderous struggle.
slight traces Of blood beins found within
the room. and an oaken walking stick.
which also showed stains or blood upon
the handle IL s. known that Nr Jonas
Oi6acre had received a late visitor n h:s
bedroom upon that night and the stick
found has been identified as the property
OF this person. who r. n young London
solicitor named John Hector McFarlane
junior partner OF Graham q NcFar-
lane Of AZ Gresham ousidings f c The
police believe that they have evidence ia
their possession which supplies very
convincing motive Tor the crime and al
together II cannot be doubted that seusa-
tional developments viii follow
later.-It Is rumored as we 20 &c press
that John Hector McFariane has actually
been arrested on the charge OF the murder
OF Jonas Oidacre. IL is az least certain
that a warrant has been issued There
have been further and sinister develop
ments In the investigation at Norwood
Besides the signs OF a struggle In tho
room OF the unfortunate builder Il IL
now known that the French windows
OF his bedroom (which Is on the ground
noor) were found TO be open that there
were marks as II some bulky object
had been dragged across 20 the wood pile
and finally IL AZ 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 dubbed
TO death In his own bedroom. his papers
rihed and his dead body dragged across
70 the wood stack. which was then ignited.
80 as 20 hide s.ia 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 ND the clews with his accus-
toned energy and sagscity.
sherlock Holmes listened. with closed
eyes and finger tips together, to this re-
markable account
''The case has certainly some points
OF interest" said he In his ianguid
fashion. May ask. IN the first place.
Mr.. McFarlaue. how II is that you are
still at liberty. since there appears 90
be enough evidence 10 Justify your ar
restF"
Il live az Torrington Lodge. Black
heath, with MY parents. Mr.. Holmes.
but last night. having 20 do business
very late With AIr. Jonas Oldacre. /
stayed at a hotel In Norwood and
came % my business from there
knew nothing OF this affair until was
in the train. when I read what YOU
have just heard. az once saw the hor.
rible danger OF my position. and hur-
~ lnfa ms I
have no doubt that / should have been
arrested either az my city office or at
my home. A man followed me from
London Bridge station. and have no
doubt Great heaveul What is thatf-
II was "a 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 I caught a glimpse OF one OF
two uniformed policemen outside.
''Mr. John Hector McFalaneT" said
Lestrade.
Our unfortunate client rose, with
CHASTITY face.
Il arrest YOU FOR the willfui murder OF
Mr.. Jonas Oldacre Of Lower Norwood"
McFarlane turned 70 us with yes
ture OF despair and sank into his chair
once more like one who is crushed.
"One moment. Iestrade." said
Holmes. Half an hour more or less
can make no difference 20 you. and the
gentleman was about TO give us an ac-
count OF this very interesting affair
which might aid us In clearing IL up"
Il think there will be no difficulty In
clearing IL up" said Lestrade grimiy.
None the less, with your permits |
sion. should be much interested to |
hear his account"
Well. Mr.. Holmes. IL is difficult for !
me 10 refuse you anything. for you have |
been OF Use 10 the force once or twice |
In the past. and we owe you a good
turn at Scotland Yard" said I.estrade.
AT the same time / must remain with
my prisoner, aud l am bound TO warn
him that anything he may say will APP
pear IN evidence against him"
Il wish nothing better" said our
client. All / ask is that you should
hear and recognize the absolute truth"
I.estrade looked at his watch. I'm
give you half an hour" said he.
Il must explain first" said McFarIane.
that 1 knew nothing OF Mr.. Jonas
O-N~SAS- LIS hdAut WIS IatnlllIr 10 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 7
my Office in the city. But l was still ,
more astonished when he told me the /,
object OF his visit. He had ia his hand !
several sheets OF a notebook. covered
with scrubbed writing-heFe they are
and be laid them on my table.
Here Is my will said he. i want
you. Mr. McFarlane, 10 cast IL into
proper legal shape. / viii 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 all his property 10 me He was
strange little ferretllke man. with
white eyelashes, and when / looked up
at him / found his keen gray eyes
liked upon me with an amused express
sion 1 could hardly believe my own
senses as read the terms OF the will.
but he explained that he was a bache-
lor with hardly any living relation.