Morris tribune., 1905-06-10

have the kindness to take the paper
and to read the paragraph in ques-
tion?'
Underneath the vigorous headlines
which our client had quoted read the
following suggestive narrative:
Late last night or early this morning an
! incident occurred at Lower Norwood
! which points, it is feared. to a serious
crime. Mr.. Jonas Oldacre is we'll known
resident of t. 1T suburb, where he has car
ried on his business as a builder for many
| years. Mr. Oldacre is bachelor fifty
;, two years of age, and lives in Deep Dene
- House at the Sydenham end of the road
i Of that name. He has had the reputation
II Of being man of eccentric habits, Sc
cretive and retiring. For some years he
has practically withdrawn from the bust
ness in which he is said to have amassed
considerable wealth. A small timber yard
still exists. however, at the back of the
house, and last night about IL o'clock
an alarm was given that one Of the stacks
was on fire. The engines were soon upon
the spot but the dry wood burned with
great fury, and it was impossible to ar
rest the conhagration until the stack had
been entirely consumed. Up to this point
the incident bore the appearance of an
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-
vealed that the bed had not been slept in
that safe which stood in 1t was open,
that 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, ami an oaken walking stick,
which also showed stains of blood upon
the handle. 1t is known that Mr.. Jonas
Oldacre had received a late visitor in his
bedroom upon that night, and the stick
found has been identified as the property
of this person, who is young London
solicitor named John Hector McFarlane,
| junior partner of Graham & McFar-
lane of 426 Gresham buildings E. c.. The
police believe that they have evidence in
their possession which supplies a very
convincing motive for the crime, and al
together it cannot be doubted that sensa-
tional developments will follow.
Later-It is runlored as we go to press
! that John Hector McFarlane has actually
been arrested on the charge of the murder
of Jonas Oldacre. 1t is at least certain
that warrant has been issued. There
! have been further and sinister develop
ments in the investigation at Norwood.
Besides the signs Of a struggle in the
room Of the unfortunate builder it is
now known that the French windows
| of his bedroom (Which is on the ground
floor were found to be open, that there
were marks as If some bulky object
| had been dragged across to the WOOD pile
and finally it is asserted that charred re-
| mains have been found among the char
| coal ashes OF the fire. The police thepry is
1 that most sensational crime has been
committed, that the victim was clqPped
to death in His own Bedroom, his papers,
| rifed and his dead body dragged across
to the wood stack which was then ignited,
| so as to hide all 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 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.. McFarAne, how it is that you are
still at liberty, since there appears to
be enough evidence to justify your ar
restP'
IT live at Torrington Lodge, Black
heath, with my parents, Mr.. Holmes,
but last night, having to do business
very late with Mr.. Jonas Oldacre, I
stayed at hotel in Norwood and
came to my business from there.
knew nothing of this affair until l was
in the train, when I read what you
have just heard. at once saw the hor-
rible danger of my position, and hur-
ried to put the case into your hands.
have no doubt that I should have been
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 caught glimpse of one or
| two uniformed policemen outside.
"Mr John Hector McFarlaneY said
Lestrade.
Our unfortunate client rose, with a
CHASTITY face.
81 arrest you for the willful murder of
NIL. JOlidS OiudCIc VI AOWCA ANOl WOOu'
McFarlane turned to us with ges-
ture of despair and sank into his chair
once more like one who Is crushed.
Zone moment, Lestra3e," said
Holmes. "Half an hour more or less
can make no difference to you, and the
| gentleman was about to give us an ac-
count Of this very interesting affair
which might aid us in clearing it up"
Il think there will be no difficulty in
clearing it up" said Lestrade grimly.
"None the less, with your permits
sion, should be much interested to
hear his account"
WELL Mr.. Holmes, it 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 Lestrade.
''At the same time must remain with
nv prisoner and T am b0J1nd tn warn !