eric
/
MaineEdu


			
							123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180181182183184185186187188189190191192193194195196197198199200201202203204205206207208209210211212213214215216217218219220221222223224225226227228229230231232233234235236237238239240241242243244245246247248249250251252253254255256257258259260261262263264265266267268269270271272273274275276277278279280281282283284285286287288289290291292293294295296297298299300301302303304305306307308309310311312313314315316317318319320321322323324325326327328329330331332333334335336337338339340341342343344345346347348349350351352353354355356357358359360361362363364365366367368369370371372373374375376377378379380381382383384385386387388389390391392393394395396397398399400401402403404405406407408409410411412413414415416417418419420421422423424425426427428429430431432433434435436437438439440441442443444445446447448449450451452453454455456457458459460461462463464465466467468469470471472473474475476477478479480481482483484485486487488489490491492493494495496497498499500501502503504505506507508509510511512513514515516517518519520521522523524525526527528529530531532533534535536537538539540541542543544545546547548549550551552553554555556557558559560561562563564565566567568569570571572573574575576577578579580581582583584585586587588589590591592593594595596597598599600601602603604605606607608609610611612613614615616617618619620621622623624625626627628629630631632633634635636637638639640641642643644645646647648649650651652653654655656657658659660661662663664665666667668669670671672673674675676677678679680681682683684685686687688689690691692693694695696697698699700701702703704705706707708709710711712713714715716717718719720721722723724725726727728729730731732733734735736737738739740741742743744745746747748749750751752753754755756757758759760761762763764765766767768769770771772773774775776777778779780781782783784785786787788789790791792793794795796797798799800801802803804805806807808809810811812813814815816817818819820821822823824825826827828829830831832833834835836837838839840841842843844845846847848849850851852853854855856857858859860861862863864865866867868869870871872873874875876877878879880881882883884885886887888889890891892893894895896897898899900901902903904905906907908909910911912913914915916917918919920921922923924925926927928929930931932933934935936937938939940941942943944945946947948949950951952953954955956957958959960961962963964965966967968969970971972973974975976977978979980981982983984985986987988989990991992993994995996997998999100010011002100310041005100610071008100910101011101210131014101510161017101810191020102110221023102410251026102710281029103010311032103310341035103610371038103910401041104210431044104510461047104810491050105110521053105410551056105710581059106010611062106310641065106610671068106910701071107210731074107510761077107810791080108110821083108410851086108710881089109010911092109310941095109610971098109911001101110211031104110511061107110811091110111111121113111411151116111711181119112011211122112311241125112611271128112911301131113211331134113511361137113811391140114111421143114411451146114711481149115011511152115311541155115611571158115911601161116211631164116511661167116811691170117111721173117411751176117711781179118011811182118311841185118611871188118911901191119211931194119511961197119811991200120112021203120412051206120712081209121012111212121312141215121612171218121912201221122212231224122512261227122812291230123112321233123412351236123712381239124012411242124312441245124612471248124912501251125212531254125512561257125812591260
							<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html" />
<meta name="MSSmartTagsPreventParsing" content="TRUE">
<meta name="robots" content="all">
<META NAME="classification" content="Education">
<META NAME="description" content="Sherlock Holmes' The Adventure of the Norwood Builder read in English. Each sentence is linked to a sound file so you can easily hear the story read at your speed.  Each section is also linked to a long sound file for continuous playback.  Advanced vocabulary is provided in English.">
<META NAME="keywords" content="Sherlock Holmes, Chinese, Mandarin, vocabulary, English, audio, aural, spoken, ESL, Chinese language, listen, Marilyn Shea">
<META NAME="distribution" content="Global">
<META NAME="rating" content="Safe For Kids">
<META NAME="copyright" content="Marilyn Shea">
<META NAME="author" content="Marilyn Shea">
<meta http-equiv="reply-to" content="mshea@maine.edu">
<META NAME="language" content="English">
<META NAME="doc-rights" content="Copywritten Work">


<TITLE>The Return of Sherlock Holmes -- The Adventure of the Norwood Builder</TITLE>
<LINK REL="stylesheet" TYPE="text/css" HREF="../holmes.css">
<script language="javascript">
<!--
var agt=navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase();
var is_ie   = (agt.indexOf("msie") != -1);
if (is_ie){
	document.write("<style>");
	document.write("A { text-decoration:none; color: 000077 }");
	document.write("A:visited { text-decoration:none; color: #000066 }");
	document.write("A:active {text-decoration:none; color: #000099 }");
	document.write("A:hover {text-decoration:none; color: black } ");
	document.write("</style>");
}
//-->
</script>

</head>
<body marginwidth="0" marginheight="0">

<table CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" border="0" bgcolor="#330099" height="8">
<tr>
	<td NOWRAP="1" VALIGN=CENTER bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu href="../../../welcome.html">Home </a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1><font color="white">|</font></font></td>
	<td NOWRAP="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu href="../../../../China/china.html">China Index</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1><font color="white">|</font></font></td>
	<td NOWRAP="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu href="../../../topics/topics.html">Topics </a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1><font color="white">|</font></font></td>

<td NOWRAP="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu 
href="../../../games/games.html">Games</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1><font color="white">|</font></font></td>
<td nowrap="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu 
href="../../AudioBook/index.html">Audio Books</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1><font color="white">|
</font></font></td>
<td NOWRAP="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu 
href="../dancing/dancing.html">Dancing Men</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1><font color="white">|</font></font></td>


	<td NOWRAP="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1" color="#CCCC00">Norwood Builder</font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1 color=white>|</font></td>
<td NOWRAP="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu 
href="sndwrd.html">Norwood Builder Dictionary</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="white">|</font></font></td>
<td nowrap="1" bgcolor="#330099">&nbsp;&nbsp;<font face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica" size="1"><a class=menu 
href="norwoodaudiobook.html">Norwood Illustrated</a></font>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size+1>
</font></font></td>
	
</tr>
</table>

<CENTER><P><font face="Verdana"><font size=1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n1.wav">THE STRAND MAGAZINE<BR>
Vol. 26 NOVEMBER, 1903 </A></FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n2.wav">THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES </A></font>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n3.wav">By ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE </A></FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n4.wav">II. -- The Adventure of the Norwood
Builder </A></FONT></P></CENTER>
<blockquote>
<P><FONT COLOR="#FF0080"><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/1normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section I</A></FONT></FONT></P>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n5.wav">&quot;FROM the point of view of the criminal expert,&quot;
said Mr. Sherlock Holmes, &quot;London has become a singularly uninteresting
city since the death of the late lamented Professor Moriarty.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n6.wav">&quot;I can hardly think that you would find many decent
citizens to agree with you,&quot; I answered. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n7.wav">&quot;Well, well, I must not be selfish,&quot; said
he, with a smile, as he pushed back his chair from the breakfast-table.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n8.wav">The community is certainly the gainer, and no one the
loser, save the poor out-of-work specialist, whose occupation has gone.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n9.wav">With that man in the field one's morning paper presented
infinite possibilities. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n10.wav">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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n11.wav">as the gentlest
tremors of the edges of the web remind one of the foul spider which lurks
in the centre. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n12.wav">Petty thefts, wanton assaults, purposeless
outrage -- to the man who held the clue all could be worked into one connected
whole. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n13.wav">To the scientific student of the higher criminal
world no capital in Europe offered the advantages which London then possessed.
But now ----&quot; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n14.wav">He shrugged his shoulders in humorous
deprecation of the state of things which he had himself done so much to
produce. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n15.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n16.wav">A young doctor,
named Verner, had purchased my small Kensington practice, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n17.wav">and
given with astonishingly little demur the highest price that I ventured
to ask </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n18.wav">-- an incident which only explained itself
some years later when I found that Verner was a distant relation of Holmes's,
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n19.wav">and that it was my friend who had really found the
money. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n20.wav">Our months of partnership had not been so uneventful
as he had stated, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n21.wav">for I find, on looking over my notes,
that this period includes the case of the papers of Ex-President Murillo,
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n22.wav">and also the shocking affair of the Dutch steamship
FRIESLAND, which so nearly cost us both our lives. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n23.wav">His
cold and proud nature was always averse, however, to anything in the shape
of public applause, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n24.wav">and he bound me in the most stringent
terms to say no further word of himself, his methods, or his successes
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n25.wav">-- a prohibition which, as I have explained, has only
now been removed. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n26.wav">Mr. Sherlock Holmes was leaning back in his chair after
his whimsical protest, and was unfolding his morning paper in a leisurely
fashion, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n27.wav">when our attention was arrested by a tremendous
ring at the bell, followed immediately by a hollow drumming sound, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n28.wav">as
if someone were beating on the outer door with his fist. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n29.wav">As
it opened there came a tumultuous rush into the hall, rapid feet clattered
up the stair, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n30.wav">and an instant later a wild-eyed and
frantic young man, pale, dishevelled, and palpitating, burst into the room.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n31.wav">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. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n32.wav">&quot;I'm sorry, Mr. Holmes,&quot; he cried. &quot;You
mustn't blame me. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n33.wav">I am nearly mad. Mr. Holmes, I am
the unhappy John Hector McFarlane.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n34.wav">He made the announcement as if the name alone would
explain both his visit and its manner; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n35.wav">but I could
see by my companion's unresponsive face that it meant no more to him than
to me. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n36.wav">&quot;Have a cigarette, Mr. McFarlane,&quot; said he,
pushing his case across. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n37.wav">&quot;I am sure that with
your symptoms my friend Dr. Watson here would prescribe a sedative. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n38.wav">The
weather has been so very warm these last few days. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n39.wav">Now,
if you feel a little more composed, I should be glad if you would sit down
in that chair </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n40.wav">and tell us very slowly and quietly
who you are and what it is that you want. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n41.wav">You mentioned
your name as if I should recognise it, but I assure you that, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n42.wav">beyond
the obvious facts that you are a bachelor, a solicitor, a Freemason, and
an asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about you.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n43.wav">Familiar as I was with my friend's methods, it was
not difficult for me to follow his deductions, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n44.wav">and
to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of legal papers, the watch-charm,
and the breathing which had prompted them. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n45.wav">Our client,
however, stared in amazement. </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img11top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img11top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img11top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/2normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section II</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n46.wav">&quot;Yes, I am all that, Mr. Holmes, and in addition
I am the most unfortunate man at this moment in London. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n47.wav">For
Heaven's sake don't abandon me, Mr. Holmes! </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n48.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n49.wav">I could go
to gaol happy if I knew that you were working for me outside.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n50.wav">&quot;Arrest you!&quot; said Holmes. &quot;This is
really most grati -- most interesting. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n51.wav">On what charge
do you expect to be arrested?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n52.wav">&quot;Upon the charge of murdering Mr. Jonas Oldacre,
of Lower Norwood.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n53.wav">My companion's expressive face showed a sympathy which
was not, I am afraid, entirely unmixed with satisfaction. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n54.wav">&quot;Dear me,&quot; said he; &quot;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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n55.wav">Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand and
picked up the DAILY TELEGRAPH, which still lay upon Holmes's knee. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n56.wav">&quot;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.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n57.wav">I feel as if my name and my misfortune must be in
every man's mouth.&quot; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n58.wav">He turned it over to expose
the central page. &quot;Here it is, and with your permission I will read
it to you. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n59.wav">Listen to this, Mr. Holmes. The head-lines
are: `Mysterious Affair at Lower Norwood. Disappearance of a Well-known
Builder. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n60.wav">Suspicion of Murder and Arson. A Clue to
the Criminal.' That is the clue which they are already following, Mr. Holmes,
and I know that it leads infallibly to me. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n61.wav">I have
been followed from London Bridge Station, and I am sure that they are only
waiting for the warrant to arrest me. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n62.wav">It will break
my mother's heart -- it will break her heart!&quot; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n63.wav">He
wrung his hands in an agony of apprehension, and swayed backwards and forwards
in his chair. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n64.wav">I looked with interest upon this man, who was accused
of being the perpetrator of a crime of violence. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n65.wav">He
was flaxen-haired and handsome in a washed-out negative fashion, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n66.wav">with
frightened blue eyes and a clean-shaven face, with a weak, sensitive mouth.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n67.wav">His age may have been about twenty-seven; his dress
and bearing that of a gentleman. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n68.wav">From the pocket of
his light summer overcoat protruded the bundle of endorsed papers which
proclaimed his profession. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n69.wav">&quot;We must use what time we have,&quot; said Holmes.
&quot;Watson, would you have the kindness to take the paper and to read
me the paragraph in question?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n70.wav">Underneath the vigorous head-lines which our client
had quoted I read the following suggestive narrative:--- </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n71.wav">Late last night, or early this morning, an incident
occurred at Lower Norwood which points, it is feared, to a serious crime.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n72.wav">Mr. Jonas Oldacre is a well-known resident of that
suburb, where he has carried on his business as a builder for many years.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n73.wav">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.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n74.wav">He has had the reputation of being a man of eccentric
habits, secretive and retiring. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n75.wav">For some years he
has practically withdrawn from the business, in which he is said to have
amassed considerable wealth. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n76.wav">A small timber-yard still
exists, however, at the back of the house, and last night, about twelve
o'clock, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n77.wav">an alarm was given that one of the stacks
was on fire. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n78.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n79.wav">Up
to this point the incident bore the appearance of an ordinary accident,
but fresh indications seem to point to serious crime. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n80.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n81.wav">An examination of his room revealed
that the bed had not been slept in, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n82.wav">that a safe which
stood in it was open, that a number of important papers were scattered
about the room, and, finally, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n83.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n84.wav">It is known that Mr. Jonas Oldacre had
received a late visitor in his bedroom upon that night, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n85.wav">and
the stick found has been identified as the property of this person, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n86.wav">who
is a young London solicitor named John Hector McFarlane, junior partner
of Graham and McFarlane, of 426, Gresham Buildings, E.C. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n87.wav">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. </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img10top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img10top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img10top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/3normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section III</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n88.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n89.wav">It is at least certain that
a warrant has been issued. There have been further and sinister developments
in the investigation at Norwood. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n90.wav">Besides the signs
of a struggle in the room of the unfortunate builder it is now known that
the French windows of his bedroom </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n91.wav">(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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n92.wav">and,
finally, it is asserted that charred remains have been found among the
charcoal ashes of the fire. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n93.wav">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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n94.wav">and
his dead body dragged across to the wood-stack, which was then ignited
so as to hide all traces of the crime. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n95.wav">The conduct
of the criminal investigation has been left in the experienced hands of
Inspector Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n96.wav">who is following
up the clues with his accustomed energy and sagacity. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n97.wav">Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes and finger-tips
together to this remarkable account. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n98.wav">&quot;The case
has certainly some points of interest,&quot; said he, in his languid fashion.
&quot;May I ask, in the first place, Mr. McFarlane, how it is that you
are still at liberty, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n99.wav">since there appears to be enough
evidence to justify your arrest?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n100.wav">&quot;I live at Torrington Lodge, Blackheath, with
my parents, Mr. Holmes; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n101.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n102.wav">I knew nothing
of this affair until I was in the train, when I read what you have just
heard. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n103.wav">I at once saw the horrible danger of my position,
and I hurried to put the case into your hands. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n104.wav">I
have no doubt that I should have been arrested either at my City office
or at my home. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n105.wav">A man followed me from London Bridge
Station, and I have no doubt --- Great Heaven, what is that?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n106.wav">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. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n107.wav">&quot;Mr. John Hector McFarlane?&quot; said Lestrade.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n108.wav">Our unfortunate client rose with a ghastly face. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n109.wav">&quot;I arrest you for the wilful murder of Mr. Jonas
Oldacre, of Lower Norwood.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n110.wav">McFarlane turned to us with a gesture of despair,
and sank into his chair once more like one who is crushed. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n111.wav">&quot;One moment, Lestrade,&quot; said Holmes. &quot;Half
an hour more or less can make no difference to you, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n112.wav">and
the gentleman was about to give us an account of this very interesting
affair, which might aid us in clearing it up.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n113.wav">&quot;I think there will be no difficulty in clearing
it up,&quot; said Lestrade, grimly. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n114.wav">&quot;None the less, with your permission, I should
be much interested to hear his account.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n115.wav">&quot;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,&quot; said Lestrade.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n116.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n117.wav">&quot;I wish nothing better,&quot; said our client.
&quot;All I ask is that you should hear and recognise the absolute truth.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n118.wav">Lestrade looked at his watch. &quot;I'll give you
half an hour,&quot; said he. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n119.wav">&quot;I must explain first,&quot; said McFarlane,
&quot;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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n120.wav">I was very much surprised, therefore, when
yesterday, about three o'clock in the afternoon, he walked into my office
in the City. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n121.wav">But I was still more astonished when
he told me the object of his visit. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n122.wav">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. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n123.wav">`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.' </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img9top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img9top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img9top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/4normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section IV</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n124.wav">&quot;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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n125.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n126.wav">I
could hardly believe my own senses as I read the terms of the will; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n127.wav">but
he explained that he was a bachelor with hardly any living relation, that
he had known my parents in his youth, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n128.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n129.wav">Of course, I
could only stammer out my thanks. The will was duly finished, signed, and
witnessed by my clerk. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n130.wav">This is it on the blue paper,
and these slips, as I have explained, are the rough draft. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n131.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n132.wav">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. `Remember, my boy, not one word
to your parents about the affair until everything is settled. We will keep
it as a little surprise for them.' </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n133.wav">He was very insistent
upon this point, and made me promise it faithfully. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n134.wav">&quot;You can imagine, Mr. Holmes, that I was not
in a humour to refuse him anything that he might ask. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n135.wav">He
was my benefactor, and all my desire was to carry out his wishes in every
particular. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n136.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n137.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n138.wav">I had some difficulty in
finding his house, however, and it was nearly half-past before I reached
it. I found him ---&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n139.wav">&quot;One moment!&quot; said Holmes. &quot;Who opened
the door?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n140.wav">&quot;A middle-aged woman, who was, I suppose, his
housekeeper.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n141.wav">&quot;And it was she, I presume, who mentioned your
name?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n142.wav">&quot;Exactly,&quot; said McFarlane. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n143.wav">&quot;Pray proceed.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n144.wav">McFarlane wiped his damp brow and then continued his
narrative:-- </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n145.wav">&quot;I was shown by this woman into a sitting-room,
where a frugal supper was laid out. Afterwards Mr. Jonas Oldacre led me
into his bedroom, in which there stood a heavy safe. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n146.wav">This
he opened and took out a mass of documents, which we went over together.
It was between eleven and twelve when we finished. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n147.wav">He
remarked that we must not disturb the housekeeper. He showed me out through
his own French window, which had been open all this time.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n148.wav">&quot;Was the blind down?&quot; asked Holmes. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n149.wav">&quot;I will not be sure, but I believe that it was
only half down. Yes, I remember how he pulled it up in order to swing open
the window. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n150.wav">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.' </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n151.wav">I
left him there, the safe open, and the papers made up in packets upon the
table. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n152.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n153.wav">&quot;Anything more that you would like to ask, Mr.
Holmes?&quot; said Lestrade, whose eyebrows had gone up once or twice during
this remarkable explanation. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n154.wav">&quot;Not until I have been to Blackheath.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n155.wav">&quot;You mean to Norwood,&quot; said Lestrade. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n156.wav">&quot;Oh, yes; no doubt that is what I must have meant,&quot;
said Holmes, with his enigmatical smile. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n157.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n158.wav">I saw him look curiously at my companion. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n159.wav">&quot;I think I should like to have a word with you
presently, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,&quot; said he. &quot;Now, Mr. McFarlane,
two of my constables are at the door and there is a four-wheeler waiting.&quot;
The wretched young man arose, and with a last beseeching glance at us walked
from the room. The officers conducted him to the cab, but Lestrade remained.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n160.wav">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. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n161.wav">&quot;There are some points about that document, Lestrade,
are there not?&quot; said he, pushing them over. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n162.wav">The official looked at them with a puzzled expression.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n163.wav">&quot;I can read the first few lines, and these in
the middle of the second page, and one or two at the end. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n164.wav">Those
are as clear as print,&quot; said he; &quot;but the writing in between
is very bad, and there are three places where I cannot read it at all.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n165.wav">&quot;What do you make of that?&quot; said Holmes.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n166.wav">&quot;Well, what do YOU make of it?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n167.wav">&quot;That it was written in a train; the good writing
represents stations, the bad writing movement, and the very bad writing
passing over points. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n168.wav">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. 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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n169.wav">Lestrade began to laugh. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n170.wav">&quot;You are too many for me when you begin to get
on your theories, Mr. Holmes,&quot; said he. &quot;How does this bear on
the case?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n171.wav">&quot;Well, it corroborates the young man's story
to the extent that the will was drawn up by Jonas Oldacre in his journey
yesterday. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n172.wav">It is curious -- is it not? -- that a
man should draw up so important a document in so haphazard a fashion. It
suggests that he did not think it was going to be of much practical importance.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n173.wav">If a man drew up a will which he did not intend ever
to be effective he might do it so.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n174.wav">&quot;Well, he drew up his own death-warrant at the
same time,&quot; said Lestrade. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n175.wav">&quot;Oh, you think so?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n176.wav">&quot;Don't you?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n177.wav">&quot;Well, it is quite possible; but the case is
not clear to me yet.&quot; </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img8top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img8top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img8top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/5normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section V</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n178.wav">&quot;Not clear? Well, if that isn't clear, what COULD
be clear? Here is a young man who learns suddenly that if a certain older
man dies he will succeed to a fortune. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n179.wav">What does
he do? He says nothing to anyone, but he arranges that he shall go out
on some pretext to see his client that night; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n180.wav">he
waits until the only other person in the house is in bed, and then in the
solitude of a man's room he murders him, burns his body in the wood-pile,
and departs to a neighbouring hotel. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n181.wav">The blood-stains
in the room and also on the stick are very slight. It is probable that
he imagined his crime to be a bloodless one, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n182.wav">and
hoped that if the body were consumed it would hide all traces of the method
of his death -- </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n183.wav">traces which for some reason must
have pointed to him. Is all this not obvious?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n184.wav">&quot;It strikes me, my good Lestrade, as being just
a trifle too obvious,&quot; said Holmes. &quot;You do not add imagination
to your other great qualities; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n185.wav">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? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n186.wav">Would
it not seem dangerous to you to make so very close a relation between the
two incidents? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n187.wav">Again, would you choose an occasion
when you are known to be in the house, when a servant has let you in? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n188.wav">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? Confess, Lestrade,
that all this is very unlikely.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n189.wav">&quot;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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n190.wav">He was very likely afraid to go
back to the room. Give me another theory that would fit the facts.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n191.wav">&quot;I could very easily give you half-a-dozen,&quot;
said Holmes. &quot;Here, for example, is a very possible and even probable
one. I make you a free present of it. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n192.wav">The older man
is showing documents which are of evident value. A passing tramp sees them
through the window, the blind of which is only half down. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n193.wav">Exit
the solicitor. Enter the tramp! He seizes a stick, which he observes there,
kills Oldacre, and departs after burning the body.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n194.wav">&quot;Why should the tramp burn the body?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n195.wav">&quot;For the matter of that why should McFarlane?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n196.wav">&quot;To hide some evidence.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n197.wav">&quot;Possibly the tramp wanted to hide that any murder
at all had been committed.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n198.wav">&quot;And why did the tramp take nothing?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n199.wav">&quot;Because they were papers that he could not negotiate.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n200.wav">Lestrade shook his head, though it seemed to me that
his manner was less absolutely assured than before. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n201.wav">&quot;Well, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, you may look for
your tramp, and while you are finding him we will hold on to our man. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n202.wav">The
future will show which is right. Just notice this point, Mr. Holmes: that
so far as we know none of the papers were removed, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n203.wav">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.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n204.wav">My friend seemed struck by this remark. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n205.wav">&quot;I don't mean to deny that the evidence is in
some ways very strongly in favour of your theory,&quot; said he. &quot;I
only wish to point out that there are other theories possible. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n206.wav">As
you say, the future will decide. Good morning! I dare say that in the course
of the day I shall drop in at Norwood and see how you are getting on.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n207.wav">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. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n208.wav">&quot;My first movement, Watson,&quot; said he, as
he bustled into his frock-coat, &quot;must, as I said, be in the direction
of Blackheath.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n209.wav">&quot;And why not Norwood?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n210.wav">&quot;Because we have in this case one singular incident
coming close to the heels of another singular incident. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n211.wav">The
police are making the mistake of concentrating their attention upon the
second, because it happens to be the one which is actually criminal. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n212.wav">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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n213.wav">and to so unexpected an heir. It
may do something to simplify what followed. No, my dear fellow, I don't
think you can help me. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n214.wav">There is no prospect of danger,
or I should not dream of stirring out without you. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n215.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img7top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img7top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img7top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/6normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section VI</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n216.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n217.wav">For an hour
he droned away upon his violin, endeavouring to soothe his own ruffled
spirits. At last he flung down the instrument and plunged into a detailed
account of his misadventures. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n218.wav">&quot;It's all going wrong, Watson -- all as wrong
as it can go. 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. All my instincts are one way and all the facts are the other, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n219.wav">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.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n220.wav">&quot;Did you go to Blackheath?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n221.wav">&quot;Yes, Watson, I went there, and I found very
quickly that the late lamented Oldacre was a pretty considerable black-guard.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n222.wav">The father was away in search of his son. The mother
was at home -- a little, fluffy, blue-eyed person, in a tremor of fear
and indignation. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n223.wav">Of course, she would not admit even
the possibility of his guilt. But she would not express either surprise
or regret over the fate of Oldacre. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n224.wav">On the contrary,
she spoke of him with such bitterness that she was unconsciously considerably
strengthening the case of the police, for, of course, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n225.wav">if
her son had heard her speak of the man in this fashion it would predispose
him towards hatred and violence. `He was more like a malignant and cunning
ape than a human being,' said she, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n226.wav">`and he always
was, ever since he was a young man.' </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n227.wav">`You knew him at that time?' said I. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n228.wav">`Yes, I knew him well; in fact, he was an old suitor
of mine. Thank Heaven that I had the sense to turn away from him and to
marry a better, if a poorer, man. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n229.wav">I was engaged to
him, Mr. Holmes, when I heard a shocking story of how he had turned a cat
loose in an aviary, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n230.wav">and I was so horrified at his
brutal cruelty that I would have nothing more to do with him.' </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n231.wav">She
rummaged in a bureau, and presently she produced a photograph of a woman,
shamefully defaced and mutilated with a knife. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n232.wav">`That
is my own photograph,' she said. `He sent it to me in that state, with
his curse, upon my wedding morning.' </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n233.wav">`Well,' said I, `at least he has forgiven you now,
since he has left all his property to your son.' </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n234.wav">`Neither my son nor I want anything from Jonas Oldacre,
dead or alive,' she cried, with a proper spirit. `There is a God in Heaven,
Mr. Holmes, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n235.wav">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.' </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n236.wav">&quot;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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n237.wav">I gave it up at last and off I went
to Norwood. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n238.wav">&quot;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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n239.wav">To the right and some distance
back from the road was the timber-yard which had been the scene of the
fire. Here's a rough plan on a leaf of my note-book. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n240.wav">This
window on the left is the one which opens into Oldacre's room. You can
look into it from the road, you see. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n241.wav">That is about
the only bit of consolation I have had to-day. Lestrade was not there,
but his head constable did the honours. They had just made a great treasure-trove.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n242.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n243.wav">I examined
them with care, and there was no doubt that they were trouser buttons.
I even distinguished that one of them was marked with the name of `Hyams,'
who was Oldacre's tailor. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n244.wav">I then worked the lawn
very carefully for signs and traces, but this drought has made everything
as hard as iron. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n245.wav">Nothing was to be seen save that
some body or bundle had been dragged through a low privet hedge which is
in a line with the wood-pile. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n246.wav">All that, of course,
fits in with the official theory. I crawled about the lawn with an August
sun on my back, but I got up at the end of an hour no wiser than before.
</A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img6top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img6top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img6top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/7normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section VII</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n247.wav">&quot;Well, after this fiasco I went into the bedroom
and examined that also. The blood-stains were very slight, mere smears
and discolorations, but undoubtedly fresh. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n248.wav">The stick
had been removed, but there also the marks were slight. There is no doubt
about the stick belonging to our client. He admits it. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n249.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n250.wav">They were
piling up their score all the time and we were at a standstill. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n251.wav">&quot;Only one little gleam of hope did I get -- and
yet it amounted to nothing. I examined the contents of the safe, most of
which had been taken out and left on the table. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n252.wav">The
papers had been made up into sealed envelopes, one or two of which had
been opened by the police. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n253.wav">They were not, so far
as I could judge, of any great value, nor did the bank-book show that Mr.
Oldacre was in such very affluent circumstances. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n254.wav">But
it seemed to me that all the papers were not there. There were allusions
to some deeds -- possibly the more valuable -- which I could not find.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n255.wav">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? </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n256.wav">&quot;Finally, having drawn every other cover and
picked up no scent, I tried my luck with the housekeeper. Mrs. Lexington
is her name, a little, dark, silent person, with suspicious and sidelong
eyes. She could tell us something if she would -- I am convinced of it.
But she was as close as wax. Yes, she had let Mr. McFarlane in at half-past
nine. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n257.wav">She wished her hand had withered before she
had done so. She had gone to bed at half-past ten. Her room was at the
other end of the house, and she could hear nothing of what passed. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n258.wav">Mr.
McFarlane had left his hat, and to the best of her belief his stick, in
the hall. She had been awakened by the alarm of fire. Her poor, dear master
had certainly been murdered. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n259.wav">Had he any enemies?
Well, every man had enemies, but Mr. Oldacre kept himself very much to
himself, and only met people in the way of business. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n260.wav">She
had seen the buttons, and was sure that they belonged to the clothes which
he had worn last night. The wood-pile was very dry, for it had not rained
for a month. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n261.wav">It burned like tinder, and by the time
she reached the spot nothing could be seen but flames. She and all the
firemen smelled the burned flesh from inside it. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n262.wav">She
knew nothing of the papers, nor of Mr. Oldacre's private affairs. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n263.wav">&quot;So, my dear Watson, there's my report of a failure.
And yet -- and yet ---&quot; -- he clenched his thin hands in a paroxysm
of conviction -- &quot;I KNOW it's all wrong. I feel it in my bones. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n264.wav">There
is something that has not come out, and that housekeeper knows it. There
was a sort of sulky defiance in her eyes, which only goes with guilty knowledge.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n265.wav">However, there's no good talking any more about it,
Watson; but unless some lucky chance comes our way </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n266.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n267.wav">&quot;Surely,&quot; said I, &quot;the man's appearance
would go far with any jury?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n268.wav">&quot;That is a dangerous argument, my dear Watson.
You remember that terrible murderer, Bert Stevens, who wanted us to get
him off in '87? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n269.wav">Was there ever a more mild-mannered,
Sunday-school young man?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n270.wav">&quot;It is true.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n271.wav">&quot;Unless we succeed in establishing an alternative
theory this man is lost. You can hardly find a flaw in the case which can
now be presented against him, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n272.wav">and all further investigation
has served to strengthen it. By the way, there is one curious little point
about those papers which may serve us as the starting-point for an inquiry.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n273.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n274.wav">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. Is it
possible that he has had a hand in the affair? Cornelius might be a broker,
but we have found no scrip to correspond with these large payments. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n275.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n276.wav">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.&quot;
</A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img5top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img5top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img5top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/8normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section VIII</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n277.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n278.wav">The
carpet round his chair was littered with cigarette-ends and with the early
editions of the morning papers. An open telegram lay upon the table. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n279.wav">&quot;What do you think of this, Watson?&quot; he
asked, tossing it across. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n280.wav">It was from Norwood, and ran as follows:-- </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n281.wav">&quot;IMPORTANT FRESH EVIDENCE TO HAND. MCFARLANE'S
GUILT DEFINITELY ESTABLISHED. ADVISE YOU TO ABANDON CASE. -- LESTRADE.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n282.wav">&quot;This sounds serious,&quot; said I. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n283.wav">&quot;It is Lestrade's little cock-a-doodle of victory,&quot;
Holmes answered, with a bitter smile. &quot;And yet it may be premature
to abandon the case. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n284.wav">After all, important fresh evidence
is a two-edged thing, and may possibly cut in a very different direction
to that which Lestrade imagines. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n285.wav">Take your breakfast,
Watson, and we will go out together and see what we can do. I feel as if
I shall need your company and your moral support to-day.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n286.wav">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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n287.wav">and I have known him presume upon his iron
strength until he has fainted from pure inanition. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n288.wav">At
present I cannot spare energy and nerve force for digestion,&quot; he would
say in answer to my medical remonstrances. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n289.wav">I was
not surprised, therefore, when this morning he left his untouched meal
behind him and started with me for Norwood. A crowd of morbid sightseers
were still gathered round Deep Dene House, which was just such a suburban
villa as I had pictured. Within the gates Lestrade met us, his face flushed
with victory, his manner grossly triumphant. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n290.wav">&quot;Well, Mr. Holmes, have you proved us to be wrong
yet? Have you found your tramp?&quot; he cried. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n291.wav">&quot;I have formed no conclusion whatever,&quot;
my companion answered. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n292.wav">&quot;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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n293.wav">&quot;You certainly have the air of something unusual
having occurred,&quot; said Holmes. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n294.wav">Lestrade laughed loudly. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n295.wav">&quot;You don't like being beaten any more than the
rest of us do,&quot; said he. &quot;A man can't expect always to have it
his own way, can he, Dr. Watson? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n296.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n297.wav">He led us through the passage and out into a dark
hall beyond. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n298.wav">&quot;This is where young McFarlane must have come
out to get his hat after the crime was done,&quot; said he. &quot;Now,
look at this.&quot; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n299.wav">With dramatic suddenness he struck
a match and by its light exposed a stain of blood upon the whitewashed
wall. As he held the match nearer I saw that it was more than a stain.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n300.wav">It was the well-marked print of a thumb. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n301.wav">&quot;Look at that with your magnifying glass, Mr.
Holmes.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n302.wav">&quot;Yes, I am doing so.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n303.wav">&quot;You are aware that no two thumb marks are alike?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n304.wav">&quot;I have heard something of the kind.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n305.wav">&quot;Well, then, will you please compare that print
with this wax impression of young McFarlane's right thumb, taken by my
orders this morning?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n306.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n307.wav">It was evident to me that our
unfortunate client was lost. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n308.wav">&quot;That is final,&quot; said Lestrade. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n309.wav">&quot;Yes, that is final,&quot; I involuntarily echoed.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n310.wav">&quot;It is final,&quot; said Holmes. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n311.wav">Something in his tone caught my ear, and I turned
to look at him. An extraordinary change had come over his face. It was
writhing with inward merriment. His two eyes were shining like stars. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n312.wav">It
seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts to restrain a convulsive
attack of laughter. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n313.wav">&quot;Dear me! Dear me!&quot; he said at last. &quot;Well,
now, who would have thought it? And how deceptive appearances may be, to
be sure! Such a nice young man to look at! </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n314.wav">It is
a lesson to us not to trust our own judgment, is it not, Lestrade?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n315.wav">&quot;Yes, some of us are a little too much inclined
to be cocksure, Mr. Holmes,&quot; said Lestrade. The man's insolence was
maddening, but we could not resent it. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n316.wav">&quot;What a providential thing that this young man
should press his right thumb against the wall in taking his hat from the
peg! Such a very natural action, too, if you come to think of it.&quot;
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n317.wav">Holmes was outwardly calm, but his whole body gave
a wriggle of suppressed excitement as he spoke. &quot;By the way, Lestrade,
who made this remarkable discovery?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n318.wav">&quot;It was the housekeeper, Mrs. Lexington, who
drew the night constable's attention to it.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n319.wav">&quot;Where was the night constable?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n320.wav">&quot;He remained on guard in the bedroom where the
crime was committed, so as to see that nothing was touched.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n321.wav">&quot;But why didn't the police see this mark yesterday?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n322.wav">&quot;Well, we had no particular reason to make a
careful examination of the hall. Besides, it's not in a very prominent
place, as you see.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n323.wav">&quot;No, no, of course not. I suppose there is no
doubt that the mark was there yesterday?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n324.wav">Lestrade looked at Holmes as if he thought he was
going out of his mind. I confess that I was myself surprised both at his
hilarious manner and at his rather wild observation. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n325.wav">&quot;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,&quot; said Lestrade. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n326.wav">I leave it
to any expert in the world whether that is not the mark of his thumb.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n327.wav">&quot;It is unquestionably the mark of his thumb.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n328.wav">&quot;There, that's enough,&quot; said Lestrade. &quot;I
am a practical man, Mr. Holmes, and when I have got my evidence I come
to my conclusions. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n329.wav">If you have anything to say you
will find me writing my report in the sitting-room.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n330.wav">Holmes had recovered his equanimity, though I still
seemed to detect gleams of amusement in his expression. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n331.wav">&quot;Dear me, this is a very sad development, Watson,
is it not?&quot; said he. &quot;And yet there are singular points about
it which hold out some hopes for our client.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n332.wav">&quot;I am delighted to hear it,&quot; said I, heartily.
&quot;I was afraid it was all up with him.&quot; </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img4top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img4top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img4top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/9normula.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section IV</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n333.wav">&quot;I would hardly go so far as to say that, my
dear Watson. The fact is that there is one really serious flaw in this
evidence to which our friend attaches so much importance.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n334.wav">&quot;Indeed, Holmes! What is it?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n335.wav">&quot;Only this: that I KNOW that that mark was not
there when I examined the hall yesterday. And now, Watson, let us have
a little stroll round in the sunshine.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n336.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n337.wav">Holmes took each face of the house in
turn and examined it with great interest. He then led the way inside and
went over the whole building from basement to attics. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n338.wav">Most
of the rooms were unfurnished, but none the less Holmes inspected them
all minutely. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n339.wav">Finally, on the top corridor, which
ran outside three untenanted bedrooms, he again was seized with a spasm
of merriment. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n340.wav">&quot;There are really some very unique features about
this case, Watson,&quot; said he. &quot;I think it is time now that we
took our friend Lestrade into our confidence. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n341.wav">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. Yes, yes; I
think I see how we should approach it.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n342.wav">The Scotland Yard inspector was still writing in the
parlour when Holmes interrupted him. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n343.wav">&quot;I understood that you were writing a report
of this case,&quot; said he. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n344.wav">&quot;So I am.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n345.wav">&quot;Don't you think it may be a little premature?
I can't help thinking that your evidence is not complete.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n346.wav">Lestrade knew my friend too well to disregard his
words. He laid down his pen and looked curiously at him. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n347.wav">&quot;What do you mean, Mr. Holmes?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n348.wav">&quot;Only that there is an important witness whom
you have not seen.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n349.wav">&quot;Can you produce him?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n350.wav">&quot;I think I can.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n351.wav">&quot;Then do so.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n352.wav">&quot;I will do my best. How many constables have
you?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n353.wav">&quot;There are three within call.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n354.wav">&quot;Excellent!&quot; said Holmes. &quot;May I ask
if they are all large, able-bodied men with powerful voices?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n355.wav">&quot;I have no doubt they are, though I fail to see
what their voices have to do with it.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n356.wav">&quot;Perhaps I can help you to see that and one or
two other things as well,&quot; said Holmes. &quot;Kindly summon your men,
and I will try.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n357.wav">Five minutes later three policemen had assembled in
the hall. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n358.wav">&quot;In the outhouse you will find a considerable
quantity of straw,&quot; said Holmes. &quot;I will ask you to carry in
two bundles of it. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n359.wav">I think it will be of the greatest
assistance in producing the witness whom I require. Thank you very much.
I believe you have some matches in your pocket, Watson. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n360.wav">Now,
Mr. Lestrade, I will ask you all to accompany me to the top landing.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n361.wav">As I have said, there was a broad corridor there,
which ran outside three empty bedrooms. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n362.wav">At one end
of the corridor we were all marshalled by Sherlock Holmes, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n363.wav">the
constables grinning and Lestrade staring at my friend with amazement, expectation,
and derision chasing each other across his features. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n364.wav">Holmes
stood before us with the air of a conjurer who is performing a trick. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n365.wav">&quot;Would you kindly send one of your constables
for two buckets of water? Put the straw on the floor here, free from the
wall on either side. Now I think that we are all ready.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n366.wav">Lestrade's face had begun to grow red and angry. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n367.wav">&quot;I don't know whether you are playing a game
with us, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,&quot; said he. &quot;If you know anything,
you can surely say it without all this tomfoolery.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n368.wav">&quot;I assure you, my good Lestrade, that I have
an excellent reason for everything that I do. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n369.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n370.wav">Might I ask you, Watson, to
open that window, and then to put a match to the edge of the straw?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n371.wav">I did so, and, driven by the draught, a coil of grey
smoke swirled down the corridor, while the dry straw crackled and flamed.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n372.wav">&quot;Now we must see if we can find this witness
for you, Lestrade. Might I ask you all to join in the cry of `Fire!'? Now,
then; one, two, three ---&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n373.wav">&quot;Fire!&quot; we all yelled. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n374.wav">&quot;Thank you. I will trouble you once again.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n375.wav">&quot;Fire!&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n376.wav">&quot;Just once more, gentlemen, and all together.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n377.wav">&quot;Fire!&quot; The shout must have rung over Norwood.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n378.wav">It had hardly died away when an amazing thing happened.
A door suddenly flew open out of what appeared to be solid wall at the
end of the corridor, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n379.wav">and a little, wizened man darted
out of it, like a rabbit out of its burrow. </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img3top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img3top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img3top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/10normul.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section X</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n380.wav">&quot;Capital!&quot; said Holmes, calmly. &quot;Watson,
a bucket of water over the straw. That will do! Lestrade, allow me to present
you with your principal missing witness, Mr. Jonas Oldacre.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n381.wav">The detective stared at the new-comer with blank amazement.
The latter was blinking in the bright light of the corridor, and peering
at us and at the smouldering fire. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n382.wav">It was an odious
face -- crafty, vicious, malignant, with shifty, light-grey eyes and white
eyelashes. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n383.wav">&quot;What's this, then?&quot; said Lestrade at last.
&quot;What have you been doing all this time, eh?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n384.wav">Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrinking back from
the furious red face of the angry detective. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n385.wav">&quot;I have done no harm.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n386.wav">&quot;No harm? You have done your best to get an innocent
man hanged. If it wasn't for this gentleman here, I am not sure that you
would not have succeeded.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n387.wav">The wretched creature began to whimper. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n388.wav">&quot;I am sure, sir, it was only my practical joke.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n389.wav">&quot;Oh! a joke, was it? You won't find the laugh
on your side, I promise you. Take him down and keep him in the sitting-room
until I come. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n390.wav">Mr. Holmes,&quot; he continued, when
they had gone, &quot;I could not speak before the constables, but I don't
mind saying, in the presence of Dr. Watson, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n391.wav">that
this is the brightest thing that you have done yet, though it is a mystery
to me how you did it. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n392.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n393.wav">Holmes smiled and clapped Lestrade upon the shoulder.
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n394.wav">&quot;Instead of being ruined, my good sir, you will
find that your reputation has been enormously enhanced. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n395.wav">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.&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n396.wav">&quot;And you don't want your name to appear?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n397.wav">&quot;Not at all. The work is its own reward. 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? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n398.wav">Well,
now, let us see where this rat has been lurking.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n399.wav">A lath-and-plaster partition had been run across the
passage six feet from the end, with a door cunningly concealed in it. It
was lit within by slits under the eaves. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n400.wav">A few articles
of furniture and a supply of food and water were within, together with
a number of books and papers. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n401.wav">&quot;There's the advantage of being a builder,&quot;
said Holmes, as we came out. &quot;He was able to fix up his own little
hiding-place without any confederate -- </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n402.wav">save, of
course, that precious housekeeper of his, whom I should lose no time in
adding to your bag, Lestrade.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n403.wav">&quot;I'll take your advice. But how did you know
of this place, Mr. Holmes?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n404.wav">&quot;I made up my mind that the fellow was in hiding
in the house. When I paced one corridor and found it six feet shorter than
the corresponding one below, it was pretty clear where he was. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n405.wav">I
thought he had not the nerve to lie quiet before an alarm of fire. We could,
of course, have gone in and taken him, but it amused me to make him reveal
himself; </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n406.wav">besides, I owed you a little mystification,
Lestrade, for your chaff in the morning.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n407.wav">&quot;Well, sir, you certainly got equal with me on
that. But how in the world did you know that he was in the house at all?&quot;
</A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n408.wav">&quot;The thumb-mark, Lestrade. You said it was final;
and so it was, in a very different sense. I knew it had not been there
the day before. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n409.wav">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. Therefore, it had been put on during
the night.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n410.wav">&quot;But how?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n411.wav">&quot;Very simply. When those packets were sealed
up, Jonas Oldacre got McFarlane to secure one of the seals by putting his
thumb upon the soft wax. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n412.wav">It would be done so quickly
and so naturally that I dare say the young man himself has no recollection
of it. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n413.wav">Very likely it just so happened, and Oldacre
had himself no notion of the use he would put it to. Brooding over the
case in that den of his, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n414.wav">it suddenly struck him what
absolutely damning evidence he could make against McFarlane by using that
thumb-mark. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n415.wav">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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n416.wav">and to put
the mark upon the wall during the night, either with his own hand or with
that of his housekeeper. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n417.wav">If you examine among those
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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n418.wav">&quot;Wonderful!&quot; said Lestrade. &quot;Wonderful!
It's all as clear as crystal, as you put it. But what is the object of
this deep deception, Mr. Holmes?&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n419.wav">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. </A></P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img2top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img2top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img2top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>

<P><FONT SIZE=+1><A HREF="../norwoodwav/11normul.wav"><img border="0"  src="../tingsmbl.gif">Section XI</A></FONT></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n420.wav">&quot;Well, I don't think that is very hard to explain.
A very deep, malicious, vindictive person is the gentleman who is now awaiting
us downstairs. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n421.wav">You know that he was once refused
by McFarlane's mother? You don't! I told you that you should go to Blackheath
first and Norwood afterwards. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n422.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n423.wav">During
the last year or two things have gone against him -- secret speculation,
I think -- and he finds himself in a bad way. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n424.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n425.wav">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. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n426.wav">He
intended to change his name altogether, draw this money, and vanish, starting
life again elsewhere.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n427.wav">&quot;Well, that's likely enough.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n428.wav">&quot;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, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n429.wav">if
he could give the impression that he had been murdered by her only child.
It was a masterpiece of villainy, and he carried it out like a master.
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n430.wav">The idea of the will, which would give an obvious
motive for the crime, the secret visit unknown to his own parents, </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n431.wav">the
retention of the stick, the blood, and the animal remains and buttons in
the wood-pile, all were admirable. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n432.wav">It was a net from
which it seemed to me a few hours ago that there was no possible escape.
But he had not that supreme gift of the artist, the knowledge of when to
stop. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n433.wav">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. Let us descend, Lestrade. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n434.wav">There
are just one or two questions that I would ask him.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n435.wav">The malignant creature was seated in his own parlour
with a policeman upon each side of him. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n436.wav">&quot;It was a joke, my good sir, a practical joke,
nothing more,&quot; he whined incessantly. &quot;I assure you, sir, that
I simply concealed myself in order to see the effect of my disappearance,
</A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n437.wav">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.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n438.wav">&quot;That's for a jury to decide,&quot; said Lestrade.
&quot;Anyhow, we shall have you on a charge of conspiracy, if not for attempted
murder.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n439.wav">&quot;And you'll probably find that your creditors
will impound the banking account of Mr. Cornelius,&quot; said Holmes. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n440.wav">The little man started and turned his malignant eyes
upon my friend. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n441.wav">&quot;I have to thank you for a good deal,&quot; said
he. &quot;Perhaps I'll pay my debt some day.&quot; </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n442.wav">Holmes smiled indulgently. </A></P>

<P><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n443.wav">&quot;I fancy that for some few years you will find
your time very fully occupied,&quot; said he. &quot;By the way, what was
it you put into the wood-pile besides your old trousers? </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n444.wav">A
dead dog, or rabbits, or what? You won't tell? Dear me, how very unkind
of you! Well, well, I dare say that a couple of rabbits would account both
for the blood and for the charred ashes. </A><A HREF="../norwoodwav/n445.wav">If ever
you write an account, Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn.&quot;
</A></P>
</blockquote>
<P>
<center><a href="#Top" onMouseOver="img1top.src='arrowin.jpg'" onMouseOut="img1top.src='arrowout.jpg'"><img SRC="arrowout.jpg" NAME="img1top" BORDER=0 ></a></center>


<HR WIDTH="30%">
<HR WIDTH="60%"></P>
<HR><P><FONT
SIZE=-2>http://hua.umf.maine.edu/Chinese/stories/holmes/norwood/norwood.html<BR>Last
update:  September 2001<BR>Marilyn Shea, 2001</FONT></P><HR>

</BODY>
</HTML>