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

dangerous to you to make so very close relation between the two incl dents? Again, would you choose an occasion when you arc known to be in the house, when a servant has let you in? And, finally, would you take the great pains to conceal the body, and yet leave your own stick as a sign that you were the criminal? Confess, Lestrade, that all this is very unlikely"
 As to the stick Mir. Holmes, you know as well as I do that a criminal is often Hurried, and does such things, which a cool man would avoid. He was very likely afraid to go back to the room. Give me another theory that would fit the facts"
 1T could very easily give you half a dozen," said Holmes. Here, for example, is very possible and even probable one. I make you a free present of it. The older man is showing documents which are of ev- ident value. A passing tramp sees them through the window, the blind of which is only half down. Exit the solicitor. Enter the trampl He seizes a stick. which he observes there, kills Oldacre, and departs after burning the body"
 Why should the tramp burn the body?"
 For the matter of that, why should McFarlane?
 'To hide some evidence"
 R"Possibly the tramp wanted to hide that any murder at all had been con- mitted."
 And why did the tramp take noth- ing?"
 Because they were papers he could not negotiate"
 Lestrade shook his head, though 1t seemed to me that his manner was less absolutely assured than before.
 Well, MT Sherlock Holmes, you may look for your tramp, and while you are finding him we will hold on to our man. The future will show which Is right. Just notice this point, MT. Holmes, that so far as we know, none of the papers were removed, and that the prisoner is the one man in the world who had no reason for removing them, since he was heir-at- law, and would come into them in any case.
 My friend seemed struck by this re- mark.
 T don't mean to deny that the evil dence is in some ways very strongly in favour of your theory, said he. ''I only wish to point out that there are other theories possible. As you say. the future will decide. Good morning.! I dare say that In the course of the day, I shall drop in at Norwood and see how you are getting on.'
 When the detective departed, my friend rose and made his preparations for the days work with the alert air of man who has a congenial task before him.
 My first movement Watson" said he, as he hustled into his frock coat, must, as | said, be in the direction of Blackheath."
 And why not Norwood"
 Because we have in this case one singular incident coming close to the heels of another singular incident. The police are making the mistake of concentrating their attention upon the second, because it happens to be the one which is actually criminal. But it is evident to me that the logl- cal way to approach the case Is to begin by trying to throw some light upon the first incident-the curious will, so suddenly made, and to so nnexpected an heir. It may do some thing to simplify what followed. NO, my dear fellow, I don't think you can
 
 danger, or I should dream of stirring out without you. I trust that when l see you in the evening l will be able to report that have been able to do something for this unfortunate youngster, who ihas thrown himself upon my protection"
 It was late when my friend re- turned, and could see, by glance at his haggard and anxious face that the high hopes with which he had started had not been fulfilled. For an hour he droned away upon his vio- lin, endeavouring to sooth his own ruffled spirits. At last he flung down the instrument, and plunged into a detailed account of his misadventures.
 It's all going wrong, Watson-all as wrong as it can go. l kept bold face before Lestrade, but upon my souI. I believe that for once the fel- low Is on the right track and we are on the wrong. All my instinct are one way, and all the facts are the other. and I much fear that British juries have not yet attained that pitch of intelligence when they will give the preference to my theories over Lestrade's facts
 Did you go-to Blackheath?" ?"
 ''Yes, Watson, I went there, and I
  rnented Oldacre was a pretty consid- erable blackguard The father was away in search of his son. The mother was at home-a little, fluffy, blue-eyed person, in tremor of fear and indignation. Of course, she would not admit even the possibility of his guilt But she would express either surprise or regret over the fate of Oldacre On the contrary. she spoke of him with such bitterness that she was unconsciously considerably strengthening the case of the police for. of course if her son had heard her speak of the man in this fashion, it would predispose him toward hatred and violence He was more like a malignant and cunning ape than human being said she, and he all ways was, even since he was young man
 ".You knew him at that timer said l.
 "sYes, I knew him well, in fact, he was an old suitor of mine. Thank Heaven, that I had the sense to turn away from him, and to marry bet ter, if poorer, man. l was engaged to him, MT. Holmes, when l heard shocking story of how he had turned a cat loose in an aviary, and l was so mortified at his brutal cruelty that l would have nothing more to do Witn him She rummaged in bureau, and presently she produced a photograph of a woman, shamefully defaced and mutilated with a knife. That is my own photograph she said. He sent it to me in that state with his curse, upon my wedding morning
 "'Well, said l, at least he has forgiven you now. since he has left all his property to your son.
 Neither my son nor l want any thing from Jonas Oldacre, dead or aliver she cried. with proper spirit.