The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1906-02-22
A. NJ Y
Copyright. 1905.
by Mcclure. Phillips a Co.

knee.
IF you a looked at it, sir. you
would have seen at q glance what the
errand Is on which l have come to
you this morning, l feel as II my
name and my misfortune must be in
every mans mouth, He turned It over
to expose the central page. Here 1t
Is. and with your permission l Will
read 1t to you Listen to this, Mr..
Holmes. The head Ines are: Mysteri-
Gus Affair at Lower Norwood. Disap-
p]earance Of q Well Known Builder.
Suspicion of Murder and Arson. A
Clue to the Criminal That is the clue
which they are already following, Mr..
Holmes, and | know that it leads in
fallibly to me. l have been followed
from London Bridge station, II I am
sure that they are only waiting for
the warrant to arrest me. 1t will break
my mothers heart-it will break her
heart!" He wrung his hands in an
agony OF apprehension. and swayed
backwards II forwards In his chair.
L looked with interest upon this man,
who was accused of Being the perpe-
traitor of a crime of violence. He was
faXen-haired and handsome, in a
washed out negative fashion, with
frightened blue eyes, and a clean
shaver face, with a weak, sensitive
mouth. His age may have been about
twenty-seven, his dress and bearing
that of a gentleman. From the pocket
of his light summer overcoat protrud-
ed the bundl of Endorsed papers which
proclaimed his profession.
w must use what time we have"
said Holmes. Watson, would you have
the kindness to take the paper and to
read tie paragraph in question:"
Underneath the vigorous head lines
which u client had quoted. I read
the following suggestive narratives:
Late last night. or early this morning,
an incident occurred at Lower Norwood
crime. Mr.. Jonas Oldacre is a we'll known
resident Of that suburb, where he has
carried on his business as a builder for
years. Mr.. Oldacre is q bachelor,
50 years OF age, and lives in Deep Dene
House, at the Sydepham end OF the road
of that name. He has had the reputation
or being a man of eccentric habits, secret
i've and retiring. For some years he has
practically withdrawn from the business
in which he Is said to nave amassed con-
siderable wealth. A small timber yard
house. and last night. about u 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 .contiagration until the stack had
been entirely consumed. Up to this point
the incident bore the appearance OF an
ordinary accident. but fresh Indications
seem 70 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
mouse An examination OF his room re-
yealed that the bed had not been sleDt
IN, that a safe which stood IN 1t was open,
scattered about the room, and, finally.
that there were signs OF a murderous
S Sdrn slight traces Of blood being
walking stick. which also showed stains
Of blood upon the handle. It is known |
that MI: Jonas oldacre had received a
laea visitor IN his bedroom upon that
tined as the property of this person, who
Is a young London solicitor named John
Hector MoFarlane; junior partner Of
buildings, e. G The police believe that
they have evidence In their possession
which supplies a very convincing mo-
not be doubted that sensational develon-
ments will follow.
Later-1t Is rumored as we go to press
that Mr. John Hector McFarlane has
the murder of Mr.. Jonas Oldacre. 1t is at
least certain that a warrant has been
issued; There have been further and sin
Norwood. Besides the signs of a strue.
gle in the room OF the unfortunate buiIi-
er 1t Is now known that the French win
lows or MS bedroom (Which Is on the
y ia 20 W OIel yhqf l
there We're marks as If some bulky object
nag oeen dragged across to the wood pile,
and and rnaily, 1t Is asserted that charred
ashes OF the fire. The police
theory Is that a :aost sensational crime
mas been committed, that the victim was
nninunoeprssu - 10 dea,n IN his own bedroom, his
across to the wood stack. which was them
so as to hide all traces Of the
crime: The conduct Of the criminal in
haG hnn~ J~F<
enced hands of Inspector Lestrade of Scot
land Yard. who is following up the cl,Ies
with MS accustomed energy and sagacity.
Sherlock Holmes listened with closed
eyes and finger tips together to this
remarkable account.
The case has certainly some no,nts
OF interest" said he, in his lanpuid
May / ask, in the first nince
MT. McFfarlane. 10Y 1t is that YOU are
still at liberty, since there appears to |
be enough evidence to justify your ar
rest 2"
7 live at T%orrington Lodge, Black
heath, with my parents, Mr.. Holmes.
but last night. having to do business
very late with Mr.. Jonas oldacre,
at an hotel In Norwood. and
to my business from there. I
nothing Of this affair until l was
In the train, when I read what YOU
just heard. I al once saw the
iioiiipie udISSI OF my pOS1tlon, n /
hurried to put the case into your hands.
I have no doubt that 1 should have
been arrested either at my city office
or at my home. a man followed me
from Lcndon Bridge station, and I have
doubt Great heaven's. what is
that?"
1t was a clang of the bell, followed
instantly by heavy steps upon the stair.
A moment later. our old friend Les
trade appeared in the doorway. Over