e charge

of the murder of mr. jonas oldacre. it is at least certain

that a warrant has been issued. there have been further

and sinister developments in the investigation at norwood.

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. 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.

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. {1}

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 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?"

"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. i knew nothing of this

affair until i was in the train, when i read what you have

just heard. i at once saw the horrible danger of my

position, and i hurried to put the case into your hands.

i have no doubt that i should have been arrested either at my

city office or at my home. a man followed me from london

bridge station, and i have no doubt ---- great heaven, what

is that?"

it was a clang of the bell, followed instantly by heavy

steps upon the stair. a moment later our old friend

lestrade appeared in the doorway. over his shoulder i

caught a glimpse of one or two uniformed policemen outside.

"mr. john hector mcfarlane?" said lestrade.

our unfortunate client rose with a ghastly face.

"i arrest you for the wilful murder of mr. jonas oldacre,

of lower norwood."

mcfarlane turned to us with a gesture 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 to give us an account of this very interesting

affair, which might aid us in clearing it up."

"i think there will be no difficulty in clearing it up,"

said lestrade, grimly.

"none the less, with your permission, i should be much

interested to hear his account."

"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. "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."

"i wish nothing better," said our client. "all i ask is

that you should hear and recognise the absolute truth."

lestrade looked at his watch. "i'll give you half an

hour," said he.

"i must explain first," said mcfarlane, "that i knew

nothing of mr. jonas oldacre. his name was familiar to me,

for many years ago my parents were acquainted with him, but

they drifted apart. i was very much surprised, therefore,

when yesterday, about three o'clock in the afternoon, he

walked into my office in the city. but i was still more

astonished when he told me the object of his visit. 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.

"'here is my will,' said he. 'i want you, mr. mcfarlane,

to cast it into proper legal shape. i will sit here while

you do so.'

"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. 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. 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. of course, i could

only stammer out my thanks. the will was duly finished,

signed, and witnessed by my clerk. this is it on the blue

paper, and these slips, as i have explained,