Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-10-03
Today's lnstalment.

Sherlock Holmes listened With clos
cd eyes and fingertips together to this
remarkable account.
THE case has certainly some points
of interest" said he, IN his languid
fashion. May l ask, in the first place
MIR. McFarlane, how il is that YOU are
still at liberty, since there appears 10
he 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
very late with Mr.. Jonas Oldacre, i
stayed at hotel In Norwood, and
came 10 my business from there.
knew nothing of this affair until was
in the train, when l read what you
have lust heard. l at once saw the
horrible danger OF my position. and ]
hurried TO put the case into your
hands. l have no doubt that l should
have been arrested either at nay city
Office or at my home. A man followed
me from London Bridge Station, and
/ have no doubt-Great Heaven! what
Is that"
Ii was clang OF the bell. followed
instantly by heavy steps upon the
stair. A moment later. our old friend
I.estrade appeared in the doorway.
over his shoulder l caught a glimpse
of one or two uniformed policemen
outside.
Mr.. Jonas Hector McFarlane?" said
1.estrade.
Our unfortunate client rose with a
ghas;ly face.
81 arrest you for the wilful murder
Of Mr.. Jonas Oldacre, of Lower Nor
wood"
McFarlane turned TO us with a ges-
ture OF despair. and sank into his chair
once more like one who is crushed.
One moment, Lestrade." said
Holmes. Half an hour more or less
can make no difference to you. and the
gentleman was about 10 give us an
account o: this very interesting affair.
which might aid us in clearing 1t 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, Il is difficult for
me 20 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 I mus,
remain with my prisoner, and l am
bound TO warn him that anything he
may say will appear in evidence
against him."
Il wish nothing better" said our
client. All l ask is that you should
hear and recognize the absolute truth.
Lestrade looked at his watch. ri
give you half an hour" he said.
Il must explain first" said McFar-
lane. that 1 knew nothing of Mr.
Jonas Oldacre. His name was familiar
10 me. for many years ago my parent:
were acquainted with him, but they
.drifted apart. l was very much sur.
pr!sed. therefore, when yesterday
about three o'clock in the afternoon
ne walked into my Office in the city
Bot ] was still more astonished wheI
he told me the object of his visit. H
mad in his hand several sheets Of {
notebook, covered with scribblet
wriiing-here they are-and he lai,
them on my table.
Here is my WILL said he. i wan
you, Mr.. McFarlane. TO cast il int
proper legal shape. / Will sit her
while you do So"
II set myself 10 copy 1t, and you Cal
imagine my astonishment when
found that. with some reservations. h
had left all his property 10 me. IL
was strange little ferre;-like mar
with white eyelashes, and when
looked up at him j found his keer
gray eyes fixed upon me with a,
amused expression. 1 could hardl
belive my own senses as l had tn
terms of the will; but the explaine
that he was a bachelor with hardl