Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1906-02-22

sure that they are only waiting for
he warrant to arrest me. II Will break
my mothers heart--it will break her
heart He wrung his hands i'm 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 was
tiaxen- haired and handsome. in a
washed out negative fashion, With
frightened blue eyes. and 4 clean
shaNen face. with a weak. sensitive
mouth. His age may have been about
twentN-seven. his dress and bearing
that of a gentleman. From the pocket
of his light Summer overcoat protrud-
ed the bundle of ndorsed papers which
proclaimed his profession.
We must use what time we have"
said Holmes. Watson. would you have
the kindness 10 take the paper and to
read the paragraph i'm question:
Underneath the vigorous head lines
which our client had quoted. | read
the following suggestive narrative
Late last night. or carly this morning.
an incident occurred at Low, Norwood
which points. i, is feared. to a serious
resident IF that suburb. where he has
carried on his business as builder for
many wars. Mr.. Oldacre is II bachelor.
House, az the S.drnham end of The roaJ
OF that name He has had the reputation
or being a man OF eccentric habits. secret.
i've ana ,etrnE.. For some years he has
practicallN withdrawn from the business.
In which he said to have amassed CON
siderable wealth. small timber ward
sun exists. however. at The back of tho
house. and last night about IL O'Clock. am
alarm was given that one of the stacks
was on tirr The engines were soon ,i ON
the spot, hut the dry wood burned with
rest the conhagra'ion until the stack had
been entirely consumed Tn TO this point
the incident bore the appearance of an
ordinary accident. but fresh Indications
seem TO poin. to serious crime Surprise
was expressed AT the absence of the mas
ter OF the establishment from the scene OF
the f1re, and AN inquiry followed which
showed tina: he had disappeared from the
house An examination of his room re
Nealcd that The he'd had not been slept
IN, mat safe which stood in 1t was OPEN
scal'"rcd about The room, and. finally,
that there were signs nj a mur,lrrous
struggle slight traces Of blood being
walking. stick. which also showed stains
OF blood upon the handle. II is known
that Ny; Jonas Oldacrc had received a
lat lat visitor in his bedroom upon that
night. and the stick found has been idcn-
tined AS IN" property of this person. who
Is Young London solicitor named John
arete Mf' M '"n, 10 .5 par'nsr of
buildings. f. The police believe that
they have evidence in their possession
which supplies very convincing mo-
tive for the crime. and altogether il cam
not be doubted that sensational develop
ments will follow
l-a'er.-l 1t is rumorcd as we go to press
that MI. John Hector McFarlane has
actually been arrested on the charge of
the murder of Mr.. Jonas Oldacrc ii is AT
least certain that II warrant has been
issue L. There have been further and sim
'h,.i
Norwood. resides the signs of a strug-
gle IN the room of the unfortunate bul,:-
er IL is now Known that the French win
dows of his bedroom (which is on the
ground ilooiD were found 10 be open that
thee were marks as ii some bulky object
had been dragged across To the wood pile
charcoal ashes of the fire. The police
theory is that q most sensational crime
has been committed. that the victim was
dubbed to death in his own bedroom his
papers ritiesl. ana his dead body dragged
across to the wood stack. which was then
lgnited so AS 10 hide all traces of the
criine, The conduct ct the criminal in
Nestigation has been loft in the expert
enccd hands of Inspector Lestrade OF Scot
land Yard. who is following IN the thIre
with his accustomed energy and sugacity.
sherlock Holmes listened with closed
eyes ana finger tips together to this
remarkable account
The case has certainly some points
of interest. said he. in his languia
fashion. MAY ask in the fist rl;lce.
Mir. Mcr'arlane, how i, is that YOU '| ;,,,.
still at liberty, since there appears to
be enough evidence to justify your am
rest2''
Il live AT Torrington Lodge. Black
heath. with my parents. Mr. Holmes.
but last night. having to do business
very late With MIR Jonas oldacre.
stayed at AN hotel i'm Norwood and
f,r,, III.