Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-02-23

| ering hand and picked up the Daily
Telegraph, which still lay upon Holmes
knee.
IF o had looked at it, sir, you
would hav seen at a glance what the
errand Is on which 1 nave come &c
you this morning. l feel as IL my
name and my misfortune must be In
every mans mouth" He turned II over
to expose the central pag Here II
liz. and with your permission / will
read IL to you. Listen TO this, Mr.
Holmes. The head lines are: 'Mysteri-
Gus Affair at Lower Norwood. Disap-
pearance 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 l know hat IL leads in
falilbly 10 me. / have been followed
from London Bridge station, and / am
sure that they are only waiting for
the warrant to arrest me. II will break
my mothers heart-it will break her
heart!" He wrung his hands in an
agony OF apprehension. and swayed
backwards and forwards In his chair.
/ looked with interest upon this man,
who was accused OF being the perpe-
traitor OF a crime OF violence. He vas
iaxen-hatred and handsome. In a
washed out negative fashion, with
frightened blue eyes,, and a clean
shaven 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 bundle Of Endorsed papers which
proclaimed his profession.
I'VE must use what time we have"
said Holmes. Watson. would you have
the kindness to take the paper and TO
read the paragraph in question:"
Underneath the vigorous head lines
which our client had quoted, 1 read
the following suggestive narratives:
Late last night, or early this morning,
an incident occurred at Lower Norwood
which points, IL IL feared, TO a serious
resident Of that suburb. where he has
carried on his business as a builder for
many years. Mr.. Oldacre is q bachelor.
SO years OF age, and lives I'm Deep Dene
House. at the Sydenham end OF the road
OF that name, He has had the reputation
of 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practically withdrawn from the business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 have amassed con-
siderable wealth. A small timber yard
still exists, however, at the bach Of the
house, and last night. about ~ 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 Ii was Impossible 20 ar
rest the confiagration until the stack had
been entirely consumed. Up to this point
the incident bore the appearance OF an
ordinary accident. but fresh indications
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 ar 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 a safe which stood In II was omen.
thai a numbeT Nf fmnnrfnnf IA rara mara
scattered about the room. and, finally,
that there were signs OF a murderous
struggle, slight traces OF blood being
found within the room, and an oaken
walking stick, which also showed stains
or blood upon the handle. II Is known
that Mr.. Jonas Oldacre had received a
late visitor In his bedroom upon that
night, and the stick found has been iden-
titled as the property of this person. who
Is a young London solicitor named John
Hector McFarlane. junior partner OF
b d McFarlane OF 426 Gresham
they have evidence In their possession
which supplies a very convincing mo-
tive for the crime. n altogether Il can
be doubted that sensational develop
ments will follow.
Later-lt is rumored as we go to press
that Mr.. John Hector McFarlane has
been arrested on the charge Of
the murder OF Mr.. Jonas Oldacre. 1t Is at
least certain that a warrant has beer
issued. There have been further and sim
lister developments In the Investigation at
Norwood. Besides the signs of a strug-
gle In the room of the unfortunate build
er II Is now known that the French win
OF his bedroom (which Is on the
ground floor were found TO be open. that
there were marks az if some bulky object
had been dragged across TO the wood pile,
and. finally. IT Is asserted that charred
remains have been found among the
ashes OF the Are. The police
theory Is that 9 most sensational crime
has been committed, that the Victim was
dubbed TO death in his W bedroom. his
papers rifiod. and his dead body dragged
across to the wood stack, which was then
ignited go as to hide ali traces of the
has been left in the expert
enced hands OF Inspector Lestrade OF Scot
Yard, who Is following UP the clues
with hts accustomed energy and ~sagacity.
Sherlock Holmes listened with closed
eyes and finger tips together to this
remarkable account.
THE case has certainly some points
of, interest" said he. In his languid
fashion. May / ask. In the first place.
MIR. McFarlane. how II is that you are
stu at liberty, since there appear 10
be enough evidence to justify your ar
rest?"
Il live at Torrington Lodge, Black
heath, with my parents. Mr.. Holmes.
but last night, having to do business
NNAg iatN with MI JOAdS OlUacre, i
stayed at an hotel In Norwood. and
came TO my business from there.
knew nothing of this affair until | was
In the train, when I read what you
have Just heard. l at once saw the
horrible danger of my position. and
hurried TO put the case into your hands.
I have no doubt that I should have
been arrested either at my city office
or ~ my home. A man followed me
from London Bridge station. and have
no doubt Great heavens. what is
that?"
IL 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