Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-10-02

Dear me-" snid no, 1T WAS only tn s
moment at breakfast that ! was saying
to my friend, DR.. Watson, that sensa-
tional cases had disappeared out of
our papers"
Our visitor stretched forward n
guivcring hand and picked up the
Daily Telegraph, which still lay upon
Holmes knee.
IF you had looked at il, sir, you
would have seen Mt glance what the
crrand is on which l have come TO you
this morning. l feel IA il my name and
my misfortune must be in every mans
mouth" He turned it over to expose
the central page. Here it is, and
with your permission l will read it to
you, Listen TO this, Mr.. Holmes. The
headlines are: Mysterious Affair Mt
Lower Norwood. Disappearance 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 il leads infallibly TO me.
] have been followed from London
Bridge Station, and l am sure that
they are only waiting for the warrant
to arrest me- 1t will break my mothers
hcart--it will break her hearth He
wrung his hands in an agony of appre-
hcnsion in his chair.
looked with interest upon this man,
who was accused OF being the perpe-
traitor of n crime OF violence. He was
faxen-hared and handsome, in washed
out negative fashion, with frightened
blue eyes, and clean-shaven face,
with weak, sensitive mouth. His age
may have bern about twenty-seven,
his dress and bearing that of gentle
man. From the pocket of his light
summer ovcrcoat protrudcd the bundle
if Endorsed papers which proclaimed his
| profession.
"We must Use what time we have, F"
said Holmes. Watson, would YOU
have the kindness to take the paper
and to read the paragraph in question:"
| Underneath the vigorous headlines
which our client had quoted, ] read the
following suggestive narrative;
Late last night, or early this morning
an accident occurred at Lower Norwood
which points, it is feared, to serious
crime. Mr. Jonas Oldacre is we'll
known resident of that suburb, where he
has carried on his business as builder
for many years. MIR. Oldacre is bache-
lor tifty-two years of age, and lives in
Deep Dene House, at the Sydenham end
of the road Of that name. He has had
the reputation of being msnlof eccentric
| habits, secretive and retiring For some
years he has practically withdrawn from
the business, in which he is said TO have
amsssed considerable wealth. 4 small
! timber-yard still exists. however, AT
the back of the house, and last night
I about twelve clock, an alarm was gwen
/ that one Of the stacks was on fire. The en-
gines were soon upon the spot, but
/ the dry wood burned with great fury,
and it was impossible to arrest the
conhagration until the stack had
been entirely consumed Up 10 this
point the incident bore the appear
ance of an ordinary accident, but
fresh indications seem to point TO
serious crime. Surprise was expressed
at the absence Of the master 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 revealed
that the bed had not been slept in, that 2
safe which stood in IT was open, that {
number of important papers were
scattered about the room, and. finally
that there were signs Of murdefou
struggle. slight traces of blood bein,
walking-stick, which also showed staip
of blood upon the handle. 1t is know
that Mr.. jonas Oldecre had received