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22 May 1859, Edinburgh M.D., Kt, D.L., LL.D., Sportsman, Writer, Poet, Politician, Justicer, Spiritualist Crowborough, 7 July 1930

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The Adventure of the Norwood Builder

 

1 'From the point of view of the criminal expert,' said Mr Sherlock Holmes, 'London has become a singularly uninteresting city since the death of the late lamented Professor Moriarty:
2 'I can hardly think that you would find many decent citizens to agree with you,' I answered.
3 'Well, well, I must not be selfish,' said he, with a smile, as he pushed back his chair from the breakfast-table. 4 'The community is certainly the gainer, and no one the loser, save the poor out-of-work specialist, whose occupation has gone. 5 With that man in the field one's morning paper presented infinite possibilities. 6 Often it was only the smallest trace, Watson, the faintest indication, and yet it was enough to tell me that the great malignant brain was there, as the gentlest tremors of the edges of the web remind one of the foul spider which lurks in the centre. 7 Petty thefts, wanton assaults, purposeless outrage - to the man who held the clue all could be worked into one connected whole. 8 To the scientific student of the higher criminal world no capital in Europe offered the advantages which London then possessed. 9 But now-' 10 He shrugged his shoulders in humorous deprecation of the state of things which he had himself done so much to produce.
11 At the time of which I speak, Holmes had been back for some months, and I, at his request, had sold my practice and returned to share the old quarters in Baker Street. 12 A young doctor, named Verner, had purchased my small Kensington practice, and given with astonishingly little demur the highest price that I ventured to ask - an incident which only explained itself some years later, when I found that Verner was a distant relation of Holmes's, and that it was my friend who had really found the money.
13
Our months of partnership had not been so uneventful as he had stated, for I find, on looking over my notes, that this period includes the case of the papers of ex-President Murillo, and also the shocking affair of the Dutch steamship Friesland, which so nearly cost us both our lives. 14 His cold and proud nature was always averse, however, to anything in the shape of public applause, and he bound me in the most stringent terms to say no further word of himself, his methods, or his successes a prohibition which, as I have explained, has only now been removed.
15 Mr Sherlock Holmes was leaning back in his chair after his whimsical protest, and was unfolding his morning paper in a leisurely fashion, when our attention was arrested by a tremendous ring at the bell, followed immediately by a hollow drumming sound, as if someone were beating on the outer door with his fist. 16 As it opened there came a tumultuous rush into the hall, rapid feet clattered up the stair, and an instant later a wild-eyed and frantic young man, pale, dishevelled, and palpitating, burst into the room. 17 He looked from one to the other of us, and under our gaze of inquiry he became conscious that some apology was needed for this unceremonious entry.
18 'I'm sorry, Mr Holmes,' he cried. 19 'You mustn't blame me. 20 I am nearly mad. 21 Mr Holmes, I am the unhappy John Hector McFarlane.'
22 He made the announcement as if the name alone would explain both his visit and its manner, but I could see by my companion's unresponsive face that it meant no more to him than to me.
23 'Have a cigarette, Mr McFarlane,' said he, pushing his case across. 24 'I am sure that with your symptoms my friend Dr Watson here would prescribe a sedative. 25 The weather has been so very warm these last few days. 26 Now, if you feel a little more composed, I should be glad if you would sit down in that chair and tell us very slowly and quietly who you are and what it is that you want. 27 You mentioned your name as if I should recognize it, but I assure you that, beyond obvious facts that you are a bachelor, a solicitor, a Freemason, and an asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about you.'
28 Familiar as I was with my friend's methods, it was not difficult for me to follow his deductions, and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of legal papers, the watch- charm, and the breathing which had prompted them. 29 Our client, however, stared in amazement.
30 'Yes, I am all that, Mr Holmes, and in addition I am the most unfortunate man at this moment in London. 31 For God's sake don't abandon me, Mr Holmes! 32 If they come to arrest me before I have finished my story, make them give me time, so that I may tell you the whole truth. 33 I could go to gaol happy if I knew that you were working for me outside.'
34 'Arrest you!' said Holmes. 35 'This is really most grati - most interesting. 36 On what charge do you expect to be arrested?'
37 'Upon the charge of murdering Mr Jonas Oldacre, of Lower Norwood?
38 My companion's expressive face showed a sympathy which was not, I am afraid, entirely unmixed with satisfaction.
39 'Dear me!' said he; 'it was only this moment at breakfast that I was saying to my friend, Dr Watson, that sensational cases had disappeared out of our papers.'
40 Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand and picked up the Daily Telegraph, which still lay upon Holmes's knee.
41 'If you had looked at it, sir, you would have seen at a glance what the errand is on which I have come to you this morning. 42 I feel as if my name and my misfortune must be in every man's mouth.' 43 He turned it over to expose the central page. 44 'Here it is, and with your permission I will read it to you. 45 Listen to this, Mr Holmes. 46 The headlines are: 47 MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT LOWER NORWOOD. 48 DISAPPEARANCE OF A WELL-KNOWN BUILDER. 49 SUSPICION OF MURDER AND ARSON. 50 A CLUE TO THE CRIMINAL. 51 That is the clue which they are already following, Mr Holmes, and I know that it leads infallibly to me. 52 I have been followed from London Bridge Station, and I am sure that they are only waiting for the warrant to arrest me. 53 It will break my mother's heart - it will break her heart!' 54 He wrung his hands in an agony of apprehension, and swayed backwards and forwards in his chair.
55 I looked with interest upon this man, who was accused of being the perpetrator of a crime of violence. 56 He was flaxen-haired and handsome in a washed-out, negative fashion, with frightened blue eyes and a clean-shaven face, with a weak, sensitive mouth. 57 His age may have been about twenty-seven; his dress and bearing, that of a gentleman. 58 From the pocket of his light summer overcoat protruded the bundle of endorsed papers which proclaimed his profession.
59 'We must use what time we have,' said Holmes. 60 'Watson, would you have the kindness to take the paper and to read me the paragraph in question?'
61 Underneath the vigorous headlines which our client had quoted I read the following suggestive narrative:

62 'Late last night, or early this morning, an incident occurred at Lower Norwood which points, it is feared, to a serious crime. 63 Mr Jonas Oldacre is a well-known resident of that suburb, where he has carried on his business as a builder for many years. 64 Mr Oldacre is a bachelor, fifty-two years of age, and lives in Deep Dene House, at the Sydenham end of the road of that name. 65 He has had the reputation of being a man of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring. 66 For some years he has practically withdrawn from the business, in which he is said to have amassed considerable wealth. 67 A small timber-yard still exists, however, at the back of the house, and last night, about twelve o'clock, an alarm was given that one of the stacks was on fire. 68 The engines were soon upon the spot, but the dry wood burned with great fury, and it was impossible to arrest the conflagration until the stack had been entirely consumed. 69 Up to this point the incident bore the appearance of an ordinary accident, but fresh indications seem to point to serious crime. 70 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. 71 An examination of his room revealed that the bed had not been slept in, that a safe which stood in it was open, that a number of important papers were 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 of blood upon the handle. 72 It is known that Mr Jonas Oldacre had received a late visitor in his bedroom upon that night, and the stick found has been identified as the property of this person, who is a young London solicitor named John Hector McFarlane, junior partner of Graham & McFarlane, of 426 Gresham Buildings, EC. 73 The police believe that they have evidence in their possession which supplies a very convincing motive for the crime, and altogether it cannot be doubted that sensational developments will follow.
74 'LATER - It is rumoured as we go to press that Mr John Hector McFarlane has actually been arrested on the charge of the murder of Mr Jonas Oldacre. 75 It is at least certain that a warrant has been issued. 76 There have been further and sinister developments in the investigation at Norwood. 77 Besides the signs of a struggle in the room of the unfortunate builder, it is now known that the French windows of his bedroom (which is on the ground floor) were found to be open, that there were marks as 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 charcoal ashes of the fire. 78 The police theory is that a most sensational crime has been committed, that the victim was clubbed to death in his own bedroom, his papers rifled, and his dead body dragged across to the wood-stack, which was then ignited so as to hide all traces of the crime. 79 The conduct of the criminal investigation has been left in the experienced hands of Inspector Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, who is following up the clues with his accustomed energy and sagacity.'

80 Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes and finger-tips together to this remarkable account.
81 'The case has certainly some points of interest,' said he, in his languid fashion. 82 'May I ask, in the first place, Mr McFarlane, how it is that you are still at liberty, since there appears to be enough evidence to justify your arrest?'
83 'I live at Torrington Lodge, Blackheath, with my parents, Mr Holmes; but last night, having to do business very late with Mr Jonas Oldacre, I stayed at an hotel in Norwood, and came to my business from there. 84 I knew nothing of this affair until I was in the train, when I read what you have just heard. 85 I at once saw the horrible danger of my position, and I hurried to put the case into your hands. 86 I have no doubt that I should have been arrested either at my City office or at my home. 87 A man followed me from London Bridge Station, and I have no doubt - Great heaven, what is that?'
88 It was a clang of the bell, followed instantly by heavy steps upon the stair. 89 A moment later our old friend Lestrade appeared in the doorway. 90 Over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of one or two uniformed policemen outside.
91 'Mr John Hector McFarlane,' said Lestrade.
92 Our unfortunate client rose with a ghastly face.
93 'I arrest you for the wilful murder of Mr Jonas Oldacre of Lower Norwood.'
94 McFarlane turned to us with a gesture of despair, and sank into his chair once more like one who is crushed.
95 'One moment, Lestrade,' said Holmes. 96 'Half an hour more or less can make no difference to you, and the gentleman was about to give us an account of this very interesting affair, which might aid us in clearing it up.'
97 'I think there will be no difficulty in clearing it up,' said Lestrade grimly.
98 'None the less, with your permission, I should be much interested to hear his account.'
99 'Well, Mr Holmes, it is difficult for me to 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. 100 'At the same time, I must remain with my prisoner, and I am bound to warn him that anything he may say will appear in evidence against him.'
101 'I wish nothing better,' said our client. 102 'All I ask is that you should hear and recognize the absolute truth.'
103 Lestrade looked at his watch. 104 'I'll give you half an hour,' said he.
105 'I must explain first,' said McFarlane, 'that I knew nothing of Mr Jonas Oldacre. 106 His name was familiar to me; for many years ago my parents were acquainted with him, but they drifted apart. 107 I was very much surprised, therefore, when yesterday, about three o'clock in the afternoon, he walked into my office in the City. 108 But I was still more astonished when he told me the object of his visit. 109 He had in his hand several sheets of a note-book, covered with scribbled writing - here they are - and he laid them on my table.
110 '"Here is my will," said he. 111 "I want you, Mr McFarlane, to cast it into proper legal shape. 112 I will sit here while you do so."
113 'I set myself to copy it, and you can imagine my astonishment when I found that, with some reservations, he had left all his property to me. 114 He was a strange, little, ferret-like man, with white eyelashes, and when I looked up at him I found his keen grey eyes fixed upon me with an amused expression. 115 I could hardly believe my own senses as I read the terms of the will; but he explained that he was a bachelor with hardly any living relation, that he had known my parents in his youth, and that he had always heard of me as a very deserving young man, and was assured that his money would be in worthy hands. 116 Of course, I could only stammer out my thanks. 117 The will was duly finished, signed, and witnessed by my clerk. 118 This is it on the blue paper, and these slips, as I have explained, are the rough draft. 119 Mr Jonas Oldacre then informed me that there were a number of documents - building leases, title - deeds, mortgages, scrip, and so forth - which it was necessary that I should see and understand. 120 He said that his mind would not be easy until the whole thing was settled, and he begged me to come out to his house at Norwood that night, bringing the will with me, and to arrange matters. 121 "Remember, my boy, not one word to your parents about the affair until everything is settled. 122 We will keep it as a little surprise for them." 123 He was very insistent upon this point, and made me promise it faithfully.
124 'You can imagine, Mr Holmes, that I was not in a humour to refuse him anything that he might ask. 125 He was my benefactor, and all my desire was to carry out his wishes in every particular. 126 I sent a telegram home, therefore, to say that I had important business on hand, and that it was impossible for me to say how late I might be. 127 Mr Oldacre had told me that he would like me to have supper with him at nine, as he might not be home before that hour. 128 I had some difficulty in finding his house, however, and it was nearly half-past before I reached it. 129 I found him-'
130 'One moment!' said Holmes. 131 'Who opened the door?'
132 'A middle-aged woman, who was, I suppose, his housekeeper.'
133 'And it was she, I presume, who mentioned your name?'
134 'Exactly,' said McFarlane.
135 'Pray proceed.'
136 Mr McFarlane wiped his damp brow, and then continued his narrative:
137 'I was shown by this woman into a sitting-room, where a frugal supper was laid out. 138 Afterwards Mr Jonas Oldacre led me into his bedroom, in which there stood a heavy safe. 139 This he opened and took out a mass of documents, which we went over together. 140 It was between eleven and twelve when we finished. 141 He remarked that we must not disturb the housekeeper. 142 He showed me out through his own French window, which had been open all this time.'
143 'Was the blind down?' asked Holmes.
144 'I will not be sure, but I believe that it was only half down. 145 Yes, I remember how he pulled it up in order to swing open the window. 146 I could not find my stick, and he said, "Never mind, my boy; I shall see a good deal of you now, I hope, and I will keep your stick until you come back to claim it." 147 I left him there, the safe open, and the papers made up in packets upon the table. 148 It was so late that I could not get back to Blackheath, so I spent the night at the Anerley Arms, and I knew nothing more until I read of this horrible affair in the morning.'
149 'Anything more that you would like to ask, Mr Holmes?' said Lestrade, whose eyebrows had gone up once or twice during this remarkable explanation.
150 'Not until I have been to Blackheath.'
151 'You mean to Norwood,' said Lestrade.
152 'Oh, yes; no doubt that is what I must have meant,' said Holmes, with his enigmatical smile. 153 Lestrade had learned by more experiences than he would care to acknowledge that that razor-like brain could cut through that which was impenetrable to him. 154 I saw him look curiously at my companion.
155 'I think I should like to have a word with you presently, Mr Sherlock Holmes,' said he. 156 'Now, Mr McFarlane, two of my constables are at the door, and there is a four-wheeler waiting.' 157 The wretched young man arose, and with a last beseeching glance at us he walked from the room. 158 The officers conducted him to the cab, but Lestrade remained.
159 Holmes had picked up the pages which formed the rough draft of the will, and was looking at them with the keenest interest upon his face.
160 'There are some points about that document, Lestrade, are there not?' said he, pushing them over.
161 The official looked at them with a puzzled expression.
162 'I can read the first few lines, and these in the middle of the second page, and one or two at the end. 163 Those are as clear as print,' said he; 'but the writing in between is very bad, and there are three places where I cannot read it at all.'
164 'What do you make of that?' said Holmes.
165 'Well, what do you make of it?'
166 'That it was written in a train; the good writing represents stations, the bad writing, movement, and the very bad writing, passing over points. 167 A scientific expert would pronounce at once that this was drawn up on a suburban line, since nowhere save in the immediate vicinity of a great city could there be so quick a succession of points. 168 Granting that his whole journey was occupied in drawing up the will, then the train was an express, only stopping once between Norwood and London Bridge.'
169 Lestrade began to laugh.
170 'You are too many for me when you begin to get on your theories, Mr Holmes,' said he. 171 'How does this bear on the case?'
172 'Well, it corroborates the young man's story to the extent that the will was drawn up by Jonas Oldacre in his journey yesterday. 173 It is curious - is it not? - that a man should draw up so important a document in so haphazard a fashion. 174 It suggests that he did not think it was going to be of much practical importance. 175 If a man drew up a will which he did not intend ever to be effective he might do it so.'
176 'Well, he drew up his own death-warrant at the same time,' said Lestrade.
177 'Oh, you think so?'
178 'Don't you?'
179 'Well, it is quite possible; but the case is not clear to me yet.'
180 'Not clear? 181 Well, if that isn't clear, what could be clearer? 182 Here is a young man who learns suddenly that if a certain older man dies he will succeed to a fortune. 183 What does he do? 184 He says nothing to anyone, but he arranges that he shall go out on some pretext to see his client that night; he waits until the only other person in the house is in bed, and then in the solitude of the man's room he murders him, burns his body in the wood-pile, and departs to a neighbouring hotel. 185 The blood-stains in the room and also on the stick are very slight. 186 It is probable that he imagined his crime to be a bloodless one, and hoped that if the body were consumed it would hide all traces of the method of his death - traces which for some reason must have pointed to him. 187 Is all this not obvious?'
188 'It strikes me, my good Lestrade, as being just a trifle too obvious,' said Holmes. 189 'You do not add imagination to your other great qualities; but if you could for one moment put yourself in the place of this young man, would you choose the very night after the will had been made to commit your crime? 190 Would it not seem dangerous to you to make so very close a relation between the two incidents? 191 Again, would you choose an occasion when you are known to be in the house, when a servant has let you in? 192 And, finally, would you take the great pains to conceal the body and yet leave your own stick as a sign that you were the criminal? 193 Confess, Lestrade, that all this is very unlikely.'
194 'As to the stick, Mr Holmes, you know as well as I do that a criminal is often flurried and does things which a cool man would avoid. 195 He was very likely afraid to go back to the room. 196 Give me another theory that would fit the facts.'
197 'I could very easily give you half a dozen,' said Holmes. 198 'Here, for example, is a very possible and even probable one. 199 I make you a free present of it. 200 The older man is showing documents which are of evident value. 201 A passing tramp sees them through the window, the blind of which is only half down. 202 Exit the solicitor. 203 Enter the tramp! 204 He seizes a stick, which he observes there, kills Oldacre, and departs after burning the body.'
205 'Why should the tramp burn the body?'
206 'For the matter of that, why should McFarlane?'
207 'To hide some evidence.'
208 'Possibly the tramp wanted to hide that any murder at all had been committed.'
209 'And why did the tramp take nothing?'
210 'Because they were papers that he could not negotiate.' 211 Lestrade shook his head, though it seemed to me that his manner was less absolutely assured than before.
212 'Well, Mr Sherlock Holmes, you may look for your tramp, and while you are finding him we will hold on to our man. 213 The future will show which is right. 214 Just notice this point, Mr Holmes - that so far as we know none of the papers were removed, and that the prisoner is the one man in the world who had no reason for removing them since he was heir-at-law and would come into them in any case.'
215 My friend seemed struck by this remark.
216 'I don't mean to deny that the evidence is in some ways very strongly in favour of your theory,' said he. 217 'I only wish to point out that there are other theories possible. 218 As you say, the future will decide. 219 Good morning! 220 I dare say that in the course of the day I shall drop in at Norwood and see how you are getting on.'
221 When the detective departed my friend rose and made his preparations for the day's work with the alert air of a man who has a congenial task before him.
222 'My first movement, Watson,' said he, as he bustled into his frock-coat, 'must, as I said, be in the direction of Blackheath.'
223 'And why not Norwood?'
224 'Because we have in this case one singular incident coming close to the heels of another singular incident. 225 The police are making the mistake of concentrating their attention upon the second because it happens to be the one which is actually criminal. 226 But it is evident to me that the logical way to approach the case is to begin by trying to throw some light upon the first incident - the curious will, so suddenly made, and to so unexpected an heir. 227 It may do something to simplify what followed. 228 No, my dear fellow, I don't think you can help me. 229 There is no prospect of danger, or I should not dream of stirring out without you. 230 I trust that when I see you in the evening I will be able to report that I have been able to do something for this unfortunate youngster who has thrown himself upon my protection.'
231 It was late when my friend returned, and I could see by a glance at his haggard and anxious face that the high hopes with which he had started had not been fulfilled. 232 For an hour he droned away upon his violin, endeavouring to soothe his own ruffled spirits. 233 At last he flung down the instrument and plunged into a detailed account of his misadventures.
234 'It's all going wrong, Watson - all as wrong as it can go. 235 I kept a bold face before Lestrade, but, upon my soul, I believe that for once the fellow is on the right track and we are on the wrong. 236 All my instincts are one way, and all the facts are the other, and I much fear that British juries have not yet attained that pitch of intelligence when they will give the preference to my theories over Lestrade's facts.'
237 'Did you go to Blackheath?'
238 'Yes, Watson, I went there, and I found very quickly that the late lamented Oldacre was a pretty considerable blackguard. 239 The father was away in search of his son. 240 The mother was at home - a little, fluffy, blue-eyed person, in a tremor of fear and indignation. 241 Of course, she would not admit even the possibility of his guilt. 242 But she would not express either surprise or regret over the fate of Oldacre. 243 On the contrary, she spoke of him with such bitterness that she was unconsciously considerably strengthening the case of the police; for, of course, if the son had heard her speak of the man in that fashion it would predispose him towards hatred and violence. 244 "He was more like a malignant and cunning ape than a human being," said she, "and he always was, ever since he was a young man."
245 '"You knew him at the time?" said I.
246 '"Yes, I knew him well; in fact, he was an old suitor of mine. 247 Thank God that I had the sense to turn away from him and to marry a better, if a poorer, man. 248 I was engaged to him, Mr Holmes, when I heard a shocking story of how he had turned a cat loose in an aviary, and I was so horrified at his brutal cruelty that I would have nothing more to do with him." 249 She rummaged in a bureau, and presently she produced a photograph of a woman, shamefully defaced and mutilated with a knife. 250 "That is my own photograph," said she. 251 "He sent it to me in that state, with his curse, upon my wedding morning."
252 '"Well," said I, "at least he has forgiven you now, since he has left all his property to your son."
253 '"Neither my son nor I want anything from Jonas Oldacre, dead or alive," she cried, with a proper spirit. 254 "There is a God in heaven, Mr Holmes, and that same God who has punished that wicked man will show in His own good time that my son's hands are guiltless of his blood."
255 'Well, I tried one or two leads, but could get at nothing which would help our hypothesis, and several points which would make against it. 256 I gave it up at last, and off I went to Norwood.
257 'This place, Deep Dene House, is a big modern villa of staring brick, standing back in its own grounds, with a laurel-clumped lawn in front of it. 258 To the right and some distance back from the road was the timber-yard which had been the scene of the fire. 259 Here's a rough plan on a leaf of my note-book. 260 This window on the left is the one which opens into Oldacre's room. 261 You can look into it from the road, you see. 262 That is about the only bit of consolation I have had to-day. 263 Lestrade was not there, but his head constable did the honours. 264 They had just made a great treasure-trove. 265 They had spent the morning raking among the ashes of the burned wood-pile and besides the charred organic remains they had secured several discoloured metal discs. 266 I examined them with care, and there was no doubt that they were trouser buttons. 267 I even distinguished that one of them was marked with the name of "Hyams", who was Oldacre's tailor. 268 I then worked the lawn very carefully for signs and traces, but this drought has made everything as hard as iron. 269 Nothing was to be seen save that somebody or a bundle had been dragged through a low privet hedge which is in a line with the wood-pile. 270 All that, of course, fits in with the official theory. 271 I crawled about the lawn with an August sun on my back. 272 But I got up at the end of an hour no wiser than before.
273 'Well, after this fiasco I went into the bedroom and examined that also. 274 The blood-stains were very slight, mere smears and discolorations, but undoubtedly fresh. 275 The stick had been removed, but there also the marks were slight. 276 There is no doubt about the stick belonging to our client. 277 He admits it. 278 Footmarks of both men could be made out on the carpet, but none of any third person, which again is a trick for the other side. 279 They were piling up their score all the time, and we were at a standstill.
280 'Only one little gleam of hope did I get - and yet it amounted to nothing. 281 I examined the contents of the safe, most of which had been taken out and left on the table. 282 The papers had been made up into sealed envelopes, one or two of which had been opened by the police. 283 They were not, so far as I could judge, of any great value, nor did the bankbook show that Mr Oldacre was in such very affluent circumstances. 284 But it seemed to me that all the papers were not there. 285 There were allusions to some deeds - possibly the more valuable - which I could not find. 286 This, of course, if we could definitely prove it, would turn Lestrade's argument against himself, for who would steal a thing if he knew that he would shortly inherit it?
287 'Finally, having drawn every other cover and picked up no scent, I tried my luck with the housekeeper. 288 Mrs Lexington is her name, a little, dark, silent person, with suspicious and sidelong eyes. 289 She could tell us something if she would — I am convinced of it. 290 But she was as close as wax. 291 Yes, she had let Mr McFarlane in at half-past nine. 292 She wished her hand had withered before she had done so. 293 She had gone to bed at half-past ten. 294 Her room was at the other end of the house, and she could hear nothing of what passed. 295 Mr McFarlane had left his hat, and to the best of her belief his stick, in the hall. 296 She had been awakened by the alarm of fire. 297 Her poor, dear master had certainly been murdered. 298 Had he any enemies? 299 Well, every man had enemies, but Mr Oldacre kept himself very much to himself, and only met people in the way of business. 300 She had seen the buttons, and was sure that they belonged to the clothes which he had worn last night. 301 The wood-pile was very dry, for it had not rained for a month. 302 It burned like a tinder, and by the time she reached the spot nothing could be seen but flames. 303 She and all the firemen smelled the burned flesh from inside it. 304 She knew nothing of the papers, nor of Mr Oldacre's private affairs.
305 'So, my dear Watson, there's my report of a failure. 306 And yet - and yet' - he clenched his thin hands in a paroxysm of conviction - I know it's all wrong. 307 I feel it in my bones. 308 There is something that has not come out, and that housekeeper knows it. 309 There was a sort of sulky defiance in here yes which only goes with guilty knowledge. 310 However, there's no good talking any more about it, Watson; but unless some lucky chance comes our way I fear that the Norwood Disappearance Case will not figure in that chronicle of our successes which I foresee that a patient public will sooner or later have to endure.'
311 'Surely,' said I, 'the man's appearance would go far with any jury?'
312 'That is a dangerous argument, my dear Watson. 313 You remember that terrible murderer, Bert Stevens, who wanted us to get him off in '87? 314 Was there ever a more mild-mannered, Sunday-school young man?'
315 'It is true.'
316 'Unless we succeed in establishing an alternative theory, this man is lost. 317 You can hardly find a flaw in the case which can now be presented against him, and all further investigation has served to strengthen it. 318 By the way, there is one curious little point about those papers which may serve us as the starting-point for an inquiry. 319 On looking over the bank book I found that the low state of the balance was principally due to large cheques which have been made out during the last year to Mr Cornelius. 320 I confess that I should be interested to know who this Mr Cornelius may be with whom a retired builder has such very large transactions. 321 Is it possible that he has had a hand in the affair? 322 Cornelius might be a broker, but we have found no scrip to correspond with these large payments. 323 Failing any other indication, my researches must now take the direction of an inquiry at the bank for the gentleman who has cashed these cheques. 324 But I fear, my dear fellow, that our case will end ingloriously by Lestrade hanging our client, which will certainly be a triumph for Scotland Yard.'
325 I do not know how far Sherlock Holmes took any sleep that night, but when I came down to breakfast I found him pale and harassed, his bright eyes the brighter for the dark shadows round them. 326 The carpet round his chair was littered with cigarette ends and with the early editions of the morning papers. 327 An open telegram lay upon the table.
328 'What do you think of this, Watson?' he asked, tossing it across.
329 It was from Norwood, and ran as follows:

330 IMPORTANT FRESH EVIDENCE TO HAND. 331 MCFARLANE'S GUILT DEFINITELY ESTABLISHED. 332 ADVISE YOU TO ABANDON CASE. 333 LESTRADE

334 'This sounds serious,' said I.
335 It is Lestrade's little cock-a-doodle of victory,' Holmes answered, with a bitter smile. 336 'And yet it may be premature to abandon the case. 337 After all, important fresh evidence is a two-edged thing, and may possibly cut in a very different direction to that which Lestrade imagines. 338 Take your breakfast, Watson, and we will go out together and see what we can do. 339 I feel as if I shall need your company and your moral support to-day.'
340 My friend had no breakfast himself, for it was one of his peculiarities that in his more intense moments he would permit himself no food, and I have known him presume upon his iron strength until he has fainted from pure inanition. 341 'At present I cannot spare energy and nerve force for digestion,' he would say, in answer to my medical remonstrances. 342 I was not surprised, therefore, when this morning he left his untouched meal behind him and started with me for Norwood. 343 A crowd of morbid sightseers were still gathered round Deep Dene House, which was just such a suburban villa as I had pictured. 344 Within the gates Lestrade met us, his face flushed with victory, his manner grossly triumphant.
345 'Well, Mr Holmes, have you proved us to be wrong yet? 346 Have you found your tramp?' he cried.
347 'I have formed no conclusion whatever,' my companion answered.
348 'But we formed ours yesterday, and now it proves to be correct; so you must acknowledge that we have been a little in front of you this time, Mr Holmes.'
349 'You certainly have the air of something unusual having occurred,' said Holmes.
350 Lestrade laughed loudly.
351 'You don't like being beaten any more than the rest of us do,' said he. 352 'A man can't expect always to have it his own way - can he, Dr Watson? 353 Step this way, if you please, gentlemen, and I think I can convince you once for all that it was John McFarlane who did this crime.'
354 He led us through the passage and out into a dark hall beyond.
355 'This is where young McFarlane must have come out to get his hat after the crime was done,' said he. 356 'Now look at this.' 357 With dramatic suddenness he struck a match, and by its light exposed a stain of blood upon the whitewashed wall. 358 As he held the match nearer I saw that it was more than a stain. 359 It was the well-marked print of a thumb.
360 'Look at that with your magnifying glass, Mr Holmes.'
361 'Yes, I am doing so.'
362 'You are aware that no two thumb-marks are alike?'
363 'I have heard something of the kind.'
364 'Well, then, will you please compare that print with this wax impression of young McFarlane's right thumb, taken by my orders this morning?'
365 As he held the waxen print close to the blood-stain it did not take a magnifying glass to see that the two were undoubtedly from the same thumb. 366 It was evident to me that our unfortunate client was lost.
367 'That is final,' said Lestrade.
368 'Yes, that is final,' I involuntarily echoed.
369 'It is final,' said Holmes.
370 Something in his tone caught my ear, and I turned to look at him. 371 An extraordinary change had come over his face. 372 It was writhing with inward merriment.
373 His two eyes were shining like stars. 374 It seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts to restrain a convulsive attack of laughter.
375 'Dear me! 376 Dear me!' he said at last. 377 'Well, now, who would have thought it? 378 And how deceptive appearances may be, to be sure! 379 Such a nice young man to look at! 380 It is a lesson to us not to trust our own judgement - is it not, Lestrade?'
381 'Yes, some of us are a little too much inclined to be cock-sure, Mr Holmes,' said Lestrade. 382 The man's insolence was maddening, but we could not resent it.
383 'What a providential thing that this young man should press his right thumb against the wall in taking his hat from the peg! 384 Such a very natural action, too, if you come to think of it.' 385 Holmes was outwardly calm, but his whole body gave a wriggle of suppressed excitement as he spoke. 386 'By the way, Lestrade, who made this remarkable discovery?'
387 'It was the housekeeper, Mrs Lexington, who drew the night constable's attention to it.'
388 'Where was the night constable?'
389 'He remained on guard in the bedroom where the crime was committed, so as to see that nothing was touched.'
390 'But why didn't the police see this mark yesterday?'
391 'Well, we had no particular reason to make a careful examination of the hall. 392 Besides, it's not in a very prominent place, as you see.'
393 'No, no, of course not. 394 I suppose there is no doubt that the mark was there yesterday?'
395 Lestrade looked at Holmes as if he thought he was going out of his mind. 396 I confess that I was myself surprised both at his hilarious manner and at his rather wild observation.
397 'I don't know whether you think that McFarlane came out of gaol in the dead of the night in order to strengthen the evidence against himself,' said Lestrade. 398 'I leave it to any expert in the world whether that is not the mark of his thumb.'
399 'It is unquestionably the mark of his thumb.'
400 'There, that's enough,' said Lestrade. 401 'I am a practical man, Mr Holmes, and when I have got my evidence I come to my conclusions. 402 If you have anything to say you will find me writing my report in the sitting-room.'
403 Holmes had recovered his equanimity, though I still seemed to detect gleams of amusement in his expression.
404 'Dear me, this is a very sad development, Watson, is it not?' said he. 405 And yet there are singular points about it which hold out some hopes for our client.'
406 'I am delighted to hear it,' said I heartily. 407 'I was afraid it was all up with him.'
408 'I would hardly go so far as to say that, my dear Watson. 409 The fact is that there is one really serious flaw in this evidence to which our friend attaches so much importance.'
410 'Indeed, Holmes! 411 What is it?'
412 'Only this - that I know that that mark was not there when I examined the hall yesterday. 413 And now, Watson, let us have a little stroll round in the sunshine.'
414 With a confused brain, but with a heart into which some warmth of hope was returning, I accompanied my friend in a walk round the garden. 415 Holmes took each face of the house in turn and examined it with great interest. 416 He then led the way inside, and went over the whole building from basement to attics. 417 Most of the rooms were unfurnished, but none the less Holmes inspected them all minutely. 418 Finally, on the top corridor, which ran outside three untenanted bedrooms, he again was seized with a spasm of merriment.
419 'There are really some very unique features about this case, Watson,' said he. 420 'I think it is time now that we took our friend Lestrade into our confidence. 421 He has had his little smile at our expense, and perhaps we may do as much by him if my reading of this problem proves to be correct. 422 Yes, yes; I think I see how we should approach it.'
423 The Scotland Yard inspector was still writing in the parlour when Holmes interrupted him.
424 'I understood that you were writing a report of this case,' said he.
425 'So I am.'
426 'Don't you think it may be a little premature? 427 I can't help thinking that your evidence is not complete.'
428 Lestrade knew my friend too well to disregard his words. 429 He laid down his pen and looked curiously at him. 430 'What do you mean, Mr Holmes?'
431 'Only that there is an important witness whom you have not seen.'
432 'Can you produce him?'
433 'I think I can.'
434 'Then do so.'
435 'I will do my best. 436 How many constables have you?'
437 'There are three within call.'
438 'Excellent!' said Holmes. 439 'May I ask if they are all large, able-bodied men with powerful voices?'
440 'I have no doubt they are, though I fail to see what their voices have to do with it.'
441 'Perhaps I can help you to see that, and one or two other things as well,' said Holmes. 442 'Kindly summon your men, and I will try.'
443 Five minutes later three policemen had assembled in the hall.
444 'In the outhouse you will find a considerable quantity of straw,' said Holmes. 445 'I will ask you to carry in two bundles of it. 446 I think it will be of the greatest assistance in producing the witness whom I require. 447 Thank you very much. 448 I believe you have some matches in your pocket, Watson. 449 Now, Mr Lestrade, I will ask you all to accompany me to the top landing.'
450 As I have said, there was a broad corridor there, which ran outside three empty bedrooms. 451 At one end of the corridor we were all marshalled by Sherlock Holmes, the constables grinning, and Lestrade staring at my friend with amazement, expectation, and derision chasing each other across his features. 452 Holmes stood before us with an air of a conjurer who is performing a trick.
453 'Would you kindly send one of your constables for two buckets of water? 454 Put the straw on the floor here, free from the wall on either side. 455 Now I think that we are all ready.'
456 Lestrade's face had begun to grow red and angry.
457 'I don't know whether you are playing a game with us, Mr Sherlock Holmes,' said he. 458 'If you know anything, you can surely say it without all this tomfoolery.'
459 'I assure you, my good Lestrade, that I have an excellent reason for everything that I do. 460 You may possibly remember that you chaffed me a little some hours ago, when the sun seemed on your side of the hedge, so you must not grudge me a little pomp and ceremony now. 461 Might I ask you, Watson, to open that window, and then to put a match to the edge of the straw?'
462 I did so, and, driven by the draught, a coil of grey smoke swirled down the corridor, while the dry straw crackled and flamed.
463 'Now we must see if we can find this witness for you, Lestrade. 464 Might I ask you all to join in the cry of "Fire"? 465 Now, then: one, two, three—'
466 'Fire!' we all yelled.
467 'Thank you. 468 I will trouble you once again.'
469 'Fire!'
470 'Just once more, gentlemen, and all together.'
471 'Fire!' 472 The shout must have rung over Norwood.
473 It had hardly died away when an amazing thing happened. 474 A door suddenly flew open out of what appeared to be solid wall at the end of the corridor, and a little wizened man darted out of it, like a rabbit out of its burrow.
475 'Capital!' said Holmes calmly. 476 'Watson, a bucket of water over the straw. 477 That will do! 478 Lestrade, allow me to present you with your principal missing witness, Mr Jonas Oldacre.'
479 The detective stared at the newcomer with blank amazement. 480 The latter was blinking in the bright light of the corridor, and peering at us and at the smouldering fire. 481 It was an odious face - crafty, vicious, malignant, with shifty, light-grey eyes and white eyelashes.
482 'What's this, then?' said Lestrade at last. 483 'What have you been doing all this time, eh?'
484 Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrinking back from the furious red face of the angry detective.
485 'I have done no harm.'
486 'No harm? 487 You have done your best to get an innocent man hanged. 488 If it wasn't for this gentleman here, I am not sure that you would not have succeeded.'
489 The wretched creature began to whimper.
490 'I am sure, sir, it was only my practical joke.'
491 'Oh! a joke, was it? 492 You won't find the laugh on your side, I promise you. 493 Take him down and keep him in the sitting-room until I come. 494 Mr Holmes,' he continued, when they had gone, 'I could not speak before the constables, but I don't mind saying, in the presence of Dr Watson, that this is the brightest thing that you have done yet, though it is a mystery to me how you did it. 495 You have saved an innocent man's life, and you have prevented a very grave scandal, which would have ruined my reputation in the Force.'
496 Holmes smiled and clapped Lestrade upon the shoulder.
497 'Instead of being ruined, my good sir, you will find that your reputation has been enormously enhanced. 498 Just make a few alterations in that report which you were writing, and they will understand how hard it is to throw dust in the eyes of Inspector Lestrade.'
499 'And you don't want your name to appear?'
500 'Not at all. 501 The work is its own reward. 502 Perhaps I shall get the credit also at some distant day when I permit my zealous historian to lay out his foolscap once more - eh, Watson? 503 Well, now, let us see where this rat has been lurking.'
504 A lath-and-plaster partition had been run across the passage six feet from the end, with a door cunningly concealed in it. 505 It was lit within by slits under the eaves. 506 A few articles of furniture and a supply of food and water were within, together with a number of books and papers.
507 'There's the advantage of being a builder,' said Holmes as we came out. 508 'He was able to fix up his own little hiding- place without any confederate - save, of course, that precious housekeeper of his, whom I should lose no time in adding to your bag, Lestrade.'
509 'I will take your advice. 510 But how did you know of this place, Mr Holmes?'
511 'I made up my mind that the fellow was in hiding in the house. 512 When I paced one corridor and found it six feet shorter than the corresponding one below, it was pretty clear where he was. 513 I thought he had not the nerve to lie quiet before an alarm of fire. 514 We could, of course, have gone in and taken him, but it amused me to make him reveal himself; besides, I owed you a little mystification, Lestrade, for your chaff in the morning.'
515 'Well, sir, you certainly got equal with me on that. 516 But how in the world did you know that he was in the house at all?'
517 'The thumb-mark, Lestrade. 518 You said it was final; and so it was, in a very different sense. 519 I knew it had not been there the day before. 520 I pay a good deal of attention to matters of detail, as you may have observed, and I had examined the hall, and was sure that the wall was clear. 521 Therefore, it had been put on during the night.'
522 'But how?'
523 'Very simply. 524 When those packets were sealed up, Jonas Oldacre got McFarlane to secure one of the seals by putting his thumb upon the soft wax. 525 It would be done so quickly and so naturally that I dare say the young man himself has no recollection of it. 526 Very likely it just so happened, and Oldacre had himself no notion of the use he would put it to. 527 Brooding over the case in that den of his, it suddenly struck him what absolutely damning evidence he could make against McFarlane by using that thumb-mark. 528 It was the simplest thing in the world for him to take a wax impression from the seal, to moisten it in as much blood as he could get from a pin-prick, and to put the mark upon the wall during the night, either with his own hand or with that of his housekeeper. 529 If you examine among these documents which he took with him into his retreat, I will lay you a wager that you find the seal with the thumb-mark upon it.'
530 'Wonderful!' said Lestrade. 531 'Wonderful! 532 It's all as clear as crystal, as you put it. 533 But what is the object of this deep deception, Mr Holmes?'
534 It was amusing to me to see how the detective's overbearing manner had changed suddenly to that of a child asking questions of its teacher.
535 'Well, I don't think that is very hard to explain. 536 A very deep, malicious, vindictive person is the gentleman who is now awaiting us downstairs. 537 You know that he was once refused by McFarlane's mother? 538 You don't! 539 I told you that you should go to Blackheath first and Norwood afterwards. 540 Well, this injury, as he would consider it, has rankled in his wicked, scheming brain, and all his life he has longed for vengeance, but never seen his chance. 541 During the last year or two things have gone against him - secret speculation, I think - and he finds himself in a bad way. 542 He determines to swindle his creditors, and for this purpose he pays large cheques to a certain Mr Cornelius, who is, I imagine, himself under another name. 543 I have not traced these cheques yet, but I have no doubt that they were banked under that name at some provincial town where Oldacre from time to time led a double existence. 544 He intended to change his name altogether, draw this money, and vanish, starting life again elsewhere.'
545 'Well, that's likely enough.'
546 'It would strike him that in disappearing he might throw all pursuit off his track, and at the same time have an ample and crushing revenge upon his old sweetheart, if he could give the impression that he had been murdered by her only child. 547 It was a masterpiece of villainy, and he carried it out like a master. 548 The idea of the will, which would give an obvious motive for the crime, the secret visit unknown to his own parents, the retention of the stick, the blood, and the animal remains and buttons in the wood-pile, all were admirable. 549 It was a net from which it seemed to me a few hours ago that there was no possible escape. 550 But he had not that supreme gift of the artist, the knowledge of when to stop. 551 He wished to improve that which was already perfect - to draw the rope tighter yet round the neck of his unfortunate victim - and so he ruined all. 552 Let us descend, Lestrade. 553 There are just one or two questions that I would ask him.'
554 The malignant creature was seated in his own parlour with a policeman upon each side of him.
555 'It was a joke, my good sir; a practical joke, nothing more,' he whined incessantly. 556 'I assure you, sir, that I simply concealed myself in order to see the effect of my disappearance, and I am sure that you would not be so unjust as to imagine that I would have allowed any harm to befall poor young Mr McFarlane.'
557 'That's for the jury to decide,' said Lestrade. 558 'Anyhow, we shall have you on a charge of conspiracy, if not for attempted murder.'
559 'And you'll probably find that your creditors will impound the banking account of Mr Cornelius,' said Holmes.
560 The little man started and turned his malignant eyes upon my friend.
561 'I have to thank you for a good deal,' said he. 562 'Perhaps I'll pay my debt some day.'
563 Holmes smiled indulgently.
564 'I fancy that for some few years you will find your time very fully occupied,' said he. 565 'By the way, what was it you put into the wood-pile besides your old trousers? 566 A dead dog, or rabbits, or what? 567 You won't tell? 568 Dear me, how very unkind of you! 569 Well, well, I dare say that a couple of rabbits would account both for the blood and for the charred ashes. 570 If ever you write an account, Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn.'


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