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

"And why not Norwoodf"
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 CON
centrating their attention upon the
second because IL happens to be the
one which is actually criminal But
II is evident to me that the logical
way to approach the case Is upon
the first incideDt-tbe curious will. so
suddenly made and 20 so unexpect-
I'd an heir. 1t may do something 10
simplify what followed No. my dear
fellow, don't think you can help me.
There Is no prospect OF danger, OF I
should not dream OF stirring out with
out you. I trust that when see you
In the evening I viii be able TO report
that have been able TO do something
for this unfortunate youngster who has
thrown himself upon my protection"
II was late when my friend returned.
and could see by a glance at his bag
gard and anxious face that the high
hopes with which he had started had
not been fulfilled. For an hour he
droned away upon his violin, endeavor-
ing 10 sOothe his own RULED spirits. At
last he hung down the instrument and
plunged into a detailed account of his
misadventures.
Its all going wrong. Watson-all as
wrong as IL can go. ] kelt-a bold face
before Lestrade, but. upon my soul. I
believe that for once the fellow is on
the right track and we are on the
wrong. All my instincts 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 Lestradc's facts"
did you go TO Biackheathf"
'Yes. Watson. / went there. and I
found very quickly that the late Ia
mented Oldacre was a pretty consid-
cradle BLACKBOARD. The father was
away in search Of his son. The mother
was at home-a little. fluffy. blue eyed
person. in a tremor Of fear and indig-
nation. OF course she would not admit
even the possibility OF his guilt. But
she would not express either surprise
or regret over the fate Of Oldacre. on
the contrary. she spoke OF him with
such bitterness that she was uncon-
sciOusly considerably strengthening the
case OF the police. for. OF course. If her
son had heard her speak OF the man in
this fashion IL would predispose him
toward hatred and violence. He was
more like a malignant and cunning ape
than human being said she and he
always was. ever since he was a young
man.
You kncw him az that timer said I.
Yes. knew him well; I'm fact. he
was an old sutton OF mine Thank heav-
en- that l had the sense to turn away
from him and TO marry better. II
poorer, man. I was engaged 10 him.
Mr.. Holmes. when / heard 4 shocking
story OF how lie had turned cat loose
In an aviary. and was so Mortified AZ
his brutal cruelty that I would have
nothing more to do with him. She rum
mayed In bureau. and presently she
produced photograph Of a woman
shamefusly defaced and mutliated with
knife. That is my own photograph
she said. He sent IL TO me In that
state. with his curse. upon my wedding
morning.
Well said /. at least he has for
given you now, since he has left all his
property 20 your SON.
Neither my son nor / want any
thing from Jonas Oidacre. dead or
alive! she cried. with a proper spirit.
There is a God In heaven. Mr.. Holmes
and that same God who has punished
that wicked man will show in his own
good time that my sons hands are
guiltiess OF his blood
We'll. l tried one or two leads. bu,
could get at nothing which would help
our hypothesis and several points
which would make against II. gave
II up at last. and OF 1 went 10 Nor
wood
This place. Deep Dene House. IS a
big modern villa OF staring brick stand
Ing back In its own grounds. with n
laurel dumped lawn ia front OF II. To
The right and some distance back from
The road was the timber yerd which
had been the scene OF the fire Here's
rough plan on leaf OF my notebook.
This window on the left is the one
which opens Into Oidacre's room. You
eoA 4OOh into IL from the road, YOU see
That is about the only bit OF consola-
ton l have had today. Lestrade was
not there, but his head constable did
the honors. They had Just found a
great treasure trove. They had spent
the morning raking among the ashes
or the bsrned wood pile, and besides
the charred organic remains they had
secured several discolored metal disks.
i examined them with care. and there
was no doubt that they were trouser
buttons. l even distinguished that one
of them was marked with the name OF
Hyams. who was Oldacre's tailor.
then worked the lawn very carefully
for signs and traces. but this drought
has made everything as hard as iron.
Nothing was 10 be seen save that some
body or bundle had been dragged
low privet hedge which Is in
a line with the wood pile. All that, OF
course, nts in with the otioal theory.
i crawled about the lawn with an
August san on my back, but / got up
at the end OF an hour NO wiser than
before.
well. after this hasco l went into
the bedroom and examined that also.