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Lower Norwood which points； it is feared； to a serious crime。 Mr。
Jonas Oldacre is a well known resident of that suburb； where he has
carried on his business as a builder for many years。 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。 He has had the reputation
of being a man of eccentric habits； secretive and retiring。 For some
years he has practically withdrawn from the business； in which he is
said to have massed considerable wealth。 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。
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。 Up to this point the incident
bore the appearance 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 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。 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 and McFarlane； of 426 Gresham Buildings； E。C。 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。
〃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。 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。〃
Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes and fingertips 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 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 notebook； 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 gray eyes fixed upon me
with an amused expression。 I could hardly believe my own 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； are the rough draft。 Mr。 Jonas
Oldacre then informed me that there were a number of documents…
building leases； title…deeds； mortga