“ThenextIheardofFrankwasthathewasinMontana，andthenhe
　　wentprospectinginArizona，andthenIheardofhimfromNew
　　Mexico。Afterthatcamealongnewspaperstoryabouthowaminers”
　　camphadbeenattackedbyApacheIndians，andtherewasmyFrank”s
　　nameamongthekilled。Ifainteddeadaway，andIwasverysickfor
　　monthsafter。PathoughtIhadadeclineandtookmetohalfthe
　　doctorsin”Frisco。Notawordofnewscameforayearandmore，so
　　thatIneverdoubtedthatFrankwasreallydead。ThenLordSt。Simon
　　cameto”Frisco，andwecametoLondon，andamarriagewasarranged，
　　andpawasverypleased，butIfeltallthetimethatnomanonthis
　　earthwouldevertaketheplaceinmyheartthathadbeengivento
　　mypoorFrank。
　　“Still，ifIhadmarriedLordSt。Simon，ofcourseI”dhavedone
　　mydutybyhim。Wecan”tcommandourlove，butwecanouractions。I
　　wenttothealtarwithhimwiththeintentiontomakehimjustasgood
　　awifeasitwasinmetobe。ButyoumayimaginewhatIfeltwhen，
　　justasIcametothealtarrails，IglancedbackandsawFrank
　　standingandlookingatmeoutofthefirstpew。Ithoughtitwas
　　hisghostatfirst；butwhenIlookedagaintherehewasstill，witha
　　kindofquestioninhiseyes，asiftoaskmewhetherIwereglador
　　sorrytoseehim。IwonderIdidn”tdrop。Iknowthateverythingwas
　　turninground，andthewordsoftheclergymanwerejustlikethe
　　buzzofabeeinmyear。Ididn”tknowwhattodo。ShouldIstopthe
　　serviceandmakeasceneinthechurch？Iglancedathimagain，andhe
　　seemedtoknowwhatIwasthinking，forheraisedhisfingertohis
　　lipstotellmetobestill。ThenIsawhimscribbleonapieceof
　　paper，andIknewthathewaswritingmeanote。AsIpassedhispew
　　onthewayoutIdroppedmybouquetovertohim，andheslippedthe
　　noteintomyhandwhenhereturnedmetheflowers。Itwasonlya
　　lineaskingmetojoinhimwhenhemadethesigntometodoso。Of
　　courseIneverdoubtedforamomentthatmyfirstdutywasnowtohim，
　　andIdeterminedtodojustwhateverhemightdirect。
　　“WhenIgotbackItoldmymaid，whohadknownhiminCalifornia，
　　andhadalwaysbeenhisfriend。Iorderedhertosaynothing，butto
　　getafewthingspackedandmyulsterready。IknowIoughttohave
　　spokentoLordSt。Simon，butitwasdreadfulhardbeforehismother
　　andallthosegreatpeople。Ijustmadeupmymindtorunawayand
　　explainafterwards。Ihadn”tbeenatthetabletenminutesbeforeI
　　sawFrankoutofthewindowattheothersideoftheroad。Hebeckoned
　　tomeandthenbeganwalkingintothePark。Islippedout，putonmy
　　things，andfollowedhim。Somewomancametalkingsomethingorother
　　aboutLordSt。Simontome-seemedtomefromthelittleIheardas
　　ifhehadalittlesecretofhisownbeforemarriagealso-butI
　　managedtogetawayfromherandsoonovertookFrank。Wegotintoa
　　cabtogether，andawaywedrovetosomelodgingshehadtakenin
　　GordonSquare，andthatwasmytrueweddingafterallthoseyearsof
　　waiting。FrankhadbeenaprisoneramongtheApaches，hadescaped，
　　cameonto”Frisco，foundthatIhadgivenhimupfordeadandhad
　　gonetoEngland，followedmethere，andhadcomeuponmeatlaston
　　theverymorningofmysecondwedding。”
　　“Isawitinapaper，“explainedtheAmerican。“Itgavethenameand
　　thechurchbutnotwheretheladylived。”
　　“Thenwehadatalkastowhatweshoulddo，andFrankwasallfor
　　openness，butIwassoashamedofitallthatIfeltasifIshould
　　liketovanishawayandneverseeanyofthemagain-justsendinga
　　linetopa，perhaps，toshowhimthatIwasalive。Itwasawfulto
　　metothinkofallthoselordsandladiessittingroundthat
　　breakfast-tableandwaitingformetocomeback。SoFranktookmy
　　weddingclothesandthingsandmadeabundleofthem，sothatIshould
　　notbetraced，anddroppedthemawaysomewherewherenoonecouldfind
　　them。ItislikelythatweshouldhavegoneontoParisto-morrow，
　　onlythatthisgoodgentleman，Mr。Holmes，cameroundtousthis
　　evening，thoughhowhefoundusismorethanIcanthink，andhe
　　showedusveryclearlyandkindlythatIwaswrongandthatFrank
　　wasright，andthatweshouldbeputtingourselvesinthewrongif
　　weweresosecret。Thenheofferedtogiveusachanceoftalkingto
　　LordSt。Simonalone，andsowecamerightawayroundtohisrooms
　　atonce。Now，Robert，youhavehearditall，andIamverysorryif
　　Ihavegivenyoupain，andIhopethatyoudonotthinkverymeanlyof
　　me。”
　　LordSt。Simonhadbynomeansrelaxedhisrigidattitude，buthad
　　listenedwithafrowningbrowandacompressedliptothislong
　　narrative。
　　“Excuseme，“besaid，“butitisnotmycustomtodiscussmymost
　　intimatepersonalaffairsinthispublicmanner。”
　　“Thenyouwon”tforgiveme？Youwon”tshakehandsbeforeIgo？“
　　“Oh，certainly，ifitwouldgiveyouanypleasure。”Heputouthis
　　handandcoldlygraspedthatwhichsheattendedtohim。
　　“Ihadhoped，“suggestedHolmes，“thatyouwouldhavejoinedusina
　　friendlysupper。”
　　“Ithinkthatthereyouaskalittletoomuch，“respondedhis
　　Lordship。“Imaybeforcedtoacquiesceintheserecent
　　developments，butIcanhardlybeexpectedtomakemerryoverthem。
　　IthinkthatwithyourpermissionIwillnowwishyouallavery
　　good-night。”Heincludedusallinasweepingbowandstalkedoutof
　　theroom。
　　“ThenItrustthatyouatleastwillhonourmewithyourcompany，“
　　saidSherlockHolmes。“ItisalwaysajoytomeetanAmerican，Mr。
　　Moulton，forIamoneofthosewhobelievethatthefollyofamonarch
　　andtheblunderingofaministerinfar-goneyearswillnotprevent
　　ourchildrenfrombeingsomedaycitizensofthesameworld-wide
　　countryunderaflagwhichshallbeaquarteringoftheUnionJack
　　withtheStarsandStripes。”
　　“Thecasehasbeenaninterestingone，“remarkedHolmeswhenour
　　visitorshadleftus，“becauseitservestoshowveryclearlyhow
　　simpletheexplanationmaybeofanaffairwhichatfirstsight
　　seemstobealmostinexplicable。Nothingcouldbemorenaturalthan
　　thesequenceofeventsasnarratedbythislady，andnothing
　　strangerthantheresultwhenviewed，forinstance，byMr。Lestrade，
　　ofScotlandYard。”
　　“Youwerenotyourselfatfaultatall，then？“
　　“Fromthefirst，twofactswereveryobvioustome，theonethatthe
　　ladyhadbeenquitewillingtoundergotheweddingceremony，theother
　　thatshehadrepentedofitwithinafewminutesofreturninghome。
　　Obviouslysomethinghadoccurredduringthemorning，then，tocause
　　hertochangehermind。Whatcouldthatsomethingbe？Shecouldnot
　　havespokentoanyonewhenshewasout，forshehadbeeninthe
　　companyofthebridegroom。Hadsheseensomeone，then？Ifshehad，
　　itmustbesomeonefromAmericabecauseshehadspentsoshorta
　　timeinthiscountrythatshecouldhardlyhaveallowedanyoneto
　　acquiresodeepaninfluenceoverherthatthemeresightofhimwould
　　inducehertochangeherplanssocompletely。Youseewehave
　　alreadyarrived，byaprocessofexclusion，attheideathatshemight
　　haveseenanAmerican。ThenwhocouldthisAmericanbe，andwhyshould
　　hepossesssomuchinfluenceoverher？Itmightbealover；itmight
　　beahusband。Heryoungwomanhoodhad，Iknew，beenspentinrough
　　scenesandunderstrangeconditions。SofarIhadgotbeforeIever
　　heardLordSt。Simon”snarrative。Whenhetoldusofamaninapew，
　　ofthechangeinthebride”smanner，ofsotransparentadevicefor
　　obtaininganoteasthedroppingofabouquet，ofherresorttoher
　　confidentialmaid，andofherverysignificantallusionto
　　claim-jumping-whichinminers”parlancemeanstakingpossessionof
　　thatwhichanotherpersonhasapriorclaimto-thewholesituation
　　becameabsolutelyclear。Shehadgoneoffwithaman，andtheman
　　waseitheraloverorwasaprevioushusband-thechancesbeingin
　　favourofthelatter。”
　　“Andhowintheworlddidyoufindthem？“
　　“Itmighthavebeendifficult，butfriendLestradeheld
　　informationinhishandsthevalueofwhichhedidnothimselfknow。
　　Theinitialswere，ofcourse，ofthehighestimportance，butmore
　　valuablestillwasittoknowthatwithinaweekhehadsettledhis
　　billatoneofthemostselectLondonhotels。”
　　“Howdidyoudeducetheselect？“
　　“Bytheselectprices。Eightshillingsforabedandeightpence
　　foraglassofsherrypointedtooneofthemostexpensivehotels。
　　TherearenotmanyinLondonwhichchargeatthatrate。Inthe
　　secondonewhichIvisitedinNorthumberlandAvenue，Ilearnedbyan
　　inspectionofthebookthatFrancisH。Moulton，anAmericangentleman，
　　hadleftonlythedaybefore，andonlookingovertheentries
　　againsthim，IcameupontheveryitemswhichIhadseeninthe
　　duplicatebill。Hislettersweretobeforwardedto226GordonSquare；
　　sothitherItravelled，andbeingfortunateenoughtofindthe
　　lovingcoupleathome，Iventuredtogivethemsomepaternaladvice
　　andtopointouttothemthatitwouldbebetterineverywaythat
　　theyshouldmaketheirpositionalittleclearerbothtothegeneral
　　publicandtoLordSt。Simoninparticular。Iinvitedthemtomeethim
　　here，and，asyousee，Imadehimkeeptheappointment。”
　　“Butwithnoverygoodresult，“Iremarked。“Hisconductwas
　　certainlynotverygracious。”
　　“Ah。Watson，“saidHolmes，smiling，“perhapsyouwouldnotbevery
　　graciouseither，if，afterallthetroubleofwooingandwedding，
　　youfoundyourselfdeprivedinaninstantofwifeandoffortune。I
　　thinkthatwemayjudgeLordSt。Simonverymercifullyandthankour
　　starsthatweareneverlikelytofindourselvesinthesameposition。
　　Drawyourchairupandhandmemyviolin，fortheonlyproblemwehave
　　stilltosolveishowtowhileawaythesebleakautumnalevenings。”-
　　THEEND。
　　1903
　　SHERLOCKHOMES
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHENORWOODBUILDER
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHENORWOODBUILDER
　　“Fromthepointofviewofthecriminal“saidMr。SherlockHolmes，
　　“Londonhasbecomeasingularlyuninterestingcitysincethedeath
　　ofthelatelamentedProfessorMoriarty。”
　　“Icanhardlythinkthatyouwouldfindmanydecentcitizensto
　　agreewithyou，“Ianswered。
　　“Well，well，Imustnotbeselfish，“saidhe，withasmile，asbe
　　pushedbackhischairfromthebreakfast-table。“Thecommunityis
　　certainlythegainer，andnoonetheloser，savethepoor
　　out-of-workspecialist，whoseoccupationhasgone。Withthatmanin
　　thefield，one”smorningpaperpresentedinfinitepossibilities。Often
　　itwasonlythesmallesttrace，Watson，thefaintestindication，and
　　yetitwasenoughtotellmethatthegreatmalignantbrainwasthere，
　　asthegentlesttremorsoftheedgesofthewebremindoneofthefoul
　　spiderwhichlurksinthecentre。Pettythefts，wantonassaults，
　　purposelessoutrage-tothemanwhoheldtheclueallcouldbe
　　workedintooneconnectedwhole。Tothescientificstudentofthe
　　highercriminalworld，nocapitalinEuropeofferedtheadvantages
　　whichLondonthenpossessed。Butnow-“Heshruggedhisshouldersin
　　humorousdeprecationofthestateofthingswhichhehadhimself
　　donesomuchtoproduce。
　　AtthetimeofwhichIspeak，Holmeshadbeenbackforsome
　　months，andIathisrequesthadsoldmypracticeandreturnedto
　　sharetheoldquartersinBakerStreet。Ayoungdoctor，named
　　Verner，hadpurchasedmysmallKensingtonpractice，andgivenwith
　　astonishinglylittledemurthehighestpricethatIventuredtoask-
　　anincidentwhichonlyexplaineditselfsomeyearslater，whenIfound
　　thatVernerwasadistantrelationofHolmes，andthatitwasmy
　　friendwhohadreallyfoundthemoney。
　　Ourmonthsofpartnershiphadnotbeensouneventfulashehad
　　stated，forIfind，onlookingovermynotes，thatthisperiod
　　includesthecaseofthepapersofex-PresidentMurillo，andalso
　　theshockingaffairoftheDutchsteamshipFriesland，whichso
　　nearlycostusbothourlives。Hiscoldandproudnaturewasalways
　　averse，however，fromanythingintheshapeofpublicapplause，andhe
　　boundmeinthemoststringenttermstosaynofurtherwordof
　　himself，hismethods，orhissuccesses-aprohibitionwhich，asIhave
　　explained，hasonlynowbeenremoved。
　　Mr。SherlockHolmeswasleaningbackinhischairafterhis
　　whimsicalprotest，andwasunfoldinghismorningpaperina
　　leisurelyfashion，whenourattentionwasarrestedbyatremendous
　　ringatthebell，followedimmediatelybyahollowdrummingsound，
　　asifsomeonewerebeatingontheouterdoorwithhisfist。Asit
　　openedtherecameatumultuousrushintothehall，rapidfeet
　　clatteredupthestair，andaninstantlaterawild-eyedandfrantic
　　youngman，pale，disheveled，andpalpitating，burstintotheroom。
　　Helookedfromonetotheotherofus，andunderourgazeofinquiry
　　hebecameconsciousthatsomeapologywasneededforthis
　　unceremoniousentry。
　　“I”msorry，Mr。Holmes，“hecried。“Youmustn”tblameme。Iam
　　nearlymad。Mr。Holmes，IamtheunhappyJohnHectorMcFarlane。”
　　Hemadetheannouncementasifthenamealonewouldexplainbothhis
　　visitanditsmanner，butIcouldsee，bymycompanion”s
　　unresponsiveface，thatitmeantnomoretohimthantome。
　　“Haveacigarette，Mr。McFarlane，“saidhe，pushinghiscaseacross。
　　“Iamsurethat，withyoursymptoms，myfriendDr。Watsonherewould
　　prescribeasedative。Theweatherhasbeensoverywarmtheselastfew
　　days。Now，ifyoufeelalittlemorecomposed，Ishouldbegladifyou
　　wouldsitdowninthatchair，andtellusveryslowlyandquietly
　　whoyouare，andwhatitisthatyouwant。Youmentionedyourname，as
　　ifIshouldrecognizeit，butIassureyouthat，beyondtheobvious
　　factsthatyouareabachelor，asolicitor，aFreemason，andan
　　asthmatic，Iknownothingwhateveraboutyou。”
　　FamiliarasIwaswithmyfriend”smethods，itwasnotdifficultfor
　　metofollowhisdeductions，andtoobservetheuntidinessof
　　attire，thesheafoflegalpapers，thewatch-charm，andthe
　　breathingwhichhadpromptedthem。Ourclient，however，staredin
　　amazement。
　　“Yes，Iamallthat，Mr。Holmes；and，inaddition，Iamthemost
　　unfortunatemanatthismomentinLondon。Forheaven”ssake，don”t
　　abandonme，Mr。Holmes！IftheycometoarrestmebeforeIhave
　　finishedmystory，makethemgivemetime，sothatImaytellyou
　　thewholetruth。IcouldgotojailhappyifIknewthatyouwere
　　workingformeoutside。”
　　“Arrestyou！“saidHolmes。“Thisisreallymostgrati-most
　　interesting。Onwhatchargedoyouexpecttobearrested？“
　　“UponthechargeofmurderingMr。JonasOldacre，ofLowerNorwood。”
　　Mycompanion”sexpressivefaceshowedasympathywhichwasnot，Iam
　　afraid，entirelyunmixedwithsatisfaction。
　　“Dearme，“saidhe，“itwasonlythismomentatbreakfastthatIwas
　　sayingtomyfriend，Dr。Watson，thatsensationalcaseshad
　　disappearedoutofourpapers。”
　　Ourvisitorstretchedforwardaquiveringhandandpickedupthe
　　DailyTelegraph，whichstilllayuponHolmes”sknee。
　　“Ifyouhadlookedatit，sir，youwouldhaveseenataglance
　　whattheerrandisonwhichIhavecometoyouthismorning。Ifeelas
　　ifmynameandmymisfortunemustbeineveryman”smouth。”He
　　turneditovertoexposethecentralpage。“Hereitis，andwith
　　yourpermissionIwillreadittoyou。Listentothis，Mr。Holmes。The
　　headlinesare：`MysteriousAffairatLowerNorwood。Disappearanceofa
　　WellKnownBuilder。SuspicionofMurderandArson。ACluetothe
　　Criminal。”Thatisthecluewhichtheyarealreadyfollowing，Mr。
　　Holmes，andIknowthatitleadsinfalliblytome。Ihavebeen
　　followedfromLondonBridgeStation，andIamsurethattheyare
　　onlywaitingforthewarranttoarrestme。Itwillbreakmymother”s
　　heart-itwillbreakherheart！“Hewrunghishandsinanagonyof
　　apprehension，andswayedbackwardandforwardinhischair。
　　Ilookedwithinterestuponthisman，whowasaccusedofbeingthe
　　perpetratorofacrimeofviolence。Hewasflaxen-hairedandhandsome，
　　inawashed-outnegativefashion，withfrightenedblueeyes，anda
　　clean-shavenface，withaweak，sensitivemouth。Hisagemayhavebeen
　　abouttwenty-seven，hisdressandbearingthatofagentleman。From
　　thepocketofhislightsummerovercoatprotrudedthebundleof
　　indorsedpaperswhichproclaimedhisprofession。
　　“Wemustusewhattimewehave，“saidHolmes“Watson，wouldyouhave
　　thekindnesstotakethepaperandtoreadtheparagraphinquestion？“
　　Underneaththevigorousheadlineswhichourclienthadquoted，I
　　readthefollowingsuggestivenarrative：
　　“Latelastnight，orearlythismorning，anincidentoccurredat
　　LowerNorwoodwhichpoints，itisfeared，toaseriouscrime。Mr。
　　JonasOldacreisawellknownresidentofthatsuburb，wherehehas
　　carriedonhisbusinessasabuilderformanyyears。Mr。Oldacreis
　　abachelor，fifty-twoyearsofage，andlivesinDeepDeneHouse，at
　　theSydenhamendoftheroadofthatname。Hehashadthereputation
　　ofbeingamanofeccentrichabits，secretiveandretiring。Forsome
　　yearshehaspracticallywithdrawnfromthebusiness，inwhichheis
　　saidtohavemassedconsiderablewealth。Asmalltimber-yardstill
　　exists，however，atthebackofthehouse，andlastnight，about
　　twelveo”clock，analarmwasgiventhatoneofthestackswasonfire。
　　Theenginesweresoonuponthespot，butthedrywoodburnedwith
　　greatfury，anditwasimpossibletoarresttheconflagrationuntil
　　thestackhadbeenentirelyconsumed。Uptothispointtheincident
　　boretheappearanceofanordinaryaccident，butfreshindications
　　seemtopointtoseriouscrime。Surprisewasexpressedatthe
　　absenceofthemasteroftheestablishmentfromthesceneofthefire，
　　andaninquiryfollowed，whichshowedthathehaddisappearedfromthe
　　house。Anexaminationofhisroomrevealedthatthebedhadnotbeen
　　sleptin，thatasafewhichstoodinitwasopen，thatanumberof
　　importantpaperswerescatteredabouttheroom，andfinally，that
　　thereweresignsofamurderousstruggle，slighttracesofbloodbeing
　　foundwithintheroom，andanoakenwalking-stick，whichalsoshowed
　　stainsofblooduponthehandle。ItisknownthatMr。JonasOldacre
　　hadreceivedalatevisitorinhisbedroomuponthatnight，andthe
　　stickfoundhasbeenidentifiedasthepropertyofthisperson，whois
　　ayoungLondonsolicitornamedJohnHectorMcFarlane，juniorpartner
　　ofGrahamandMcFarlane，of426GreshamBuildings，E。C。Thepolice
　　believethattheyhaveevidenceintheirpossessionwhichsuppliesa
　　veryconvincingmotiveforthecrime，andaltogetheritcannotbe
　　doubtedthatsensationaldevelopmentswillfollow。
　　“LATER-ItisrumouredaswegotopressthatMr。JohnHector
　　McFarlanehasactuallybeenarrestedonthechargeofthemurderof
　　Mr。JonasOldacre。Itisatleastcertainthatawarranthasbeen
　　issued。Therehavebeenfurtherandsinisterdevelopmentsinthe
　　investigationatNorwood。Besidesthesignsofastruggleinthe
　　roomoftheunfortunatebuilderitisnowknownthattheFrench
　　windowsofhisbedroomwhichisonthegroundfloorwerefoundtobe
　　open，thatthereweremarksasifsomebulkyobjecthadbeendragged
　　acrosstothewood-pile，and，finally，itisassertedthatcharred
　　remainshavebeenfoundamongthecharcoalashesofthefire。The
　　policetheoryisthatamostsensationalcrimehasbeencommitted，
　　thatthevictimwasclubbedtodeathinhisownbedroom，hispapers
　　rifled，andhisdeadbodydraggedacrosstothewood-stack，which
　　wasthenignitedsoastohidealltracesofthecrime。Theconductof
　　thecriminalinvestigationhasbeenleftintheexperiencedhandsof
　　InspectorLestrade，ofScotlandYard，whoisfollowinguptheclues
　　withhisaccustomedenergyandsagacity。”
　　SherlockHolmeslistenedwithclosedeyesandfingertipstogetherto
　　thisremarkableaccount。
　　“Thecasehascertainlysomepointsofinterest，“saidhe，inhis
　　languidfashion。“MayIask，inthefirstplace，Mr。McFarlane，howit
　　isthatyouarestillatliberty，sincethereappearstobeenough
　　evidencetojustifyyourarrest？“
　　“IliveatTorringtonLodge，Blackheath，withmyparents，Mr。
　　Holmes，butlastnight，havingtodobusinessverylatewithMr。Jonas
　　Oldacre，IstayedatanhotelinNorwood，andcametomybusinessfrom
　　there。IknewnothingofthisaffairuntilIwasinthetrain，when
　　Ireadwhatyouhavejustheard。Iatoncesawthehorribledanger
　　ofmyposition，andIhurriedtoputthecaseintoyourhands。I
　　havenodoubtthatIshouldhavebeenarrestedeitheratmycity
　　officeoratmyhome。AmanfollowedmefromLondonBridgeStation，
　　andIhavenodoubt-Greatheaven！whatisthat？“
　　Itwasaclangofthebell，followedinstantlybyheavystepsupon
　　thestair。Amomentlater，ouroldfriendLestradeappearedinthe
　　doorway。OverhisshoulderIcaughtaglimpseofoneortwo
　　uniformedpolicemenoutside。
　　“Mr。JohnHectorMcFarlane？“saidLestrade。
　　Ourunfortunateclientrosewithaghastlyface。
　　“IarrestyouforthewilfulmurderofMr。JonasOldacre，ofLower
　　Norwood。”
　　McFarlaneturnedtouswithagestureofdespair，andsankinto
　　hischaironcemorelikeonewhoiscrushed。
　　“Onemoment，Lestrade，“saidHolmes。“Halfanhourmoreorless
　　canmakenodifferencetoyou，andthegentlemanwasabouttogive
　　usanaccountofthisveryinterestingaffair，whichmightaidusin
　　clearingitup。”
　　“Ithinktherewillbenodifficultyinclearingitup，“said
　　Lestrade，grimly。
　　“Nonetheless，withyourpermission，Ishouldbemuchinterestedto
　　hearhisaccount。”
　　“Well，Mr。Holmes，itisdifficultformetorefuseyouanything，
　　foryouhavebeenofusetotheforceonceortwiceinthepast，and
　　weoweyouagoodturnatScotlandYard，“saidLestrade。“Atthe
　　sametimeImustremainwithmyprisoner，andIamboundtowarnhim
　　thatanythinghemaysaywillappearinevidenceagainsthim。”
　　“Iwishnothingbetter，“saidourclient。“AllIaskisthatyou
　　shouldhearandtheabsolutetruth。”
　　Lestradelookedathiswatch。“I”llgiveyouhalfanhour，“saidhe。
　　“Imustexplainfirst，“saidMcFarlane，“thatIknewnothingof
　　Mr。JonasOldacre。Hisnamewasfamiliartome，formanyyearsago
　　myparentswereacquaintedwithhim，buttheydriftedapart。Iwas
　　verymuchsurprisedtherefore，whenyesterday，aboutthreeo”clock
　　intheafternoon，hewalkedintomyofficeinthecity。ButIwas
　　stillmoreastonishedwhenhetoldmetheobjectofhisvisit。He
　　hadinhishandseveralsheetsofanotebook，coveredwithscribbled
　　writing-heretheyare-andhelaidthemonmytable。
　　“`Hereismywill”saidhe。`Iwantyou，Mr。McFarlane，tocast
　　itintoproperlegalshape。Iwillsitherewhileyoudoso。”
　　“Isetmyselftocopyit，andyoucanimaginemyastonishmentwhenI
　　foundthat，withsomereservations，hehadleftallhispropertyto
　　me。Hewasastrangelittleferret-likeman，withwhiteeyelashes，and
　　whenIlookedupathimIfoundhiskeengrayeyesfixeduponme
　　withanamusedexpression。IcouldhardlybelievemyownasIreadthe
　　termsofthewill；butheexplainedthathewasabachelorwithhardly
　　anylivingrelation，thathehadknownmyparentsinhisyouth，and
　　thathehadalwaysheardofmeasaverydeservingyoungman，and
　　wasassuredthathismoneywouldbeinworthyhands。Ofcourse，I
　　couldonlystammeroutmythanks。Thewillwasdulyfinished，
　　signed，andwitnessedbymyclerk。Thisisitonthebluepaper，and
　　theseslips，asIhaveexplained，aretheroughdraft。Mr。Jonas
　　Oldacretheninformedmethattherewereanumberofdocuments-
　　buildingleases，title-deeds，mortgages，scrip，andsoforth-whichit
　　wasnecessarythatIshouldseeandunderstand。Hesaidthathis
　　mindwouldnotbeeasyuntilthewholethingwassettled，andhe
　　beggedmetocomeouttohishouseatNorwoodthatnight，bringingthe
　　willwithme，andtoarrangematters。`Remember，myboy，notone
　　wordtoyourparentsabouttheaffairuntileverythingissettled。
　　Wewillkeepitasalittlesurpriseforthem。”Hewasvery
　　insistentuponthispoint，andmademepromiseitfaithfully。
　　“Youcanimagine，Mr。Holmes，thatIwasnotinahumourtorefuse
　　himanythingthathemightask。Hewasmybenefactor，andallmy
　　desirewastocarryouthiswishesineveryparticular。Isenta
　　telegramhome，therefore，tosaythatIhadimportantbusinesson
　　hand，andthatitwasimpossibleformetosayhowlateImightbe。
　　Mr。Oldacrehadtoldmethathewouldlikemetohavesupperwith
　　himatnine，ashemightnotbehomebeforethathour。Ihadsome
　　difficultyinfindinghishouse，however，anditwasnearly
　　half-pastbeforeIreachedit。Ifoundhim-“
　　“Onemoment！“saidHolmes。“Whoopenedthedoor？“
　　“Amiddle-agedwoman，whowas，Isuppose，hishousekeeper。”
　　“Anditwasshe，Ipresume，whomentionedyourname？“
　　“Exactly，“saidMcFarlane。
　　“Prayproceed。”
　　McFarlanewipedhisdampbrow，andthencontinuedhisnarrative：
　　“Iwasshownbythiswomanintoasitting-room，whereafrugal
　　supperwaslaidout。Afterwards，Mr。JonasOldacreledmeintohis
　　bedroom，inwhichtherestoodaheavysafe。Thisheopenedandtook
　　outamassofdocuments，whichwewentovertogether。Itwasbetween
　　elevenandtwelvewhenwefinished。Heremarkedthatwemustnot
　　disturbthehousekeeper。HeshowedmeoutthroughhisownFrench
　　window，whichhadbeenopenallthistime。”
　　“Wastheblinddown？“askedHolmes。
　　“Iwillnotbesure，butIbelievethatitwasonlyhalfdown。
　　Yes，Irememberhowhepulleditupinordertoswingopenthewindow。
　　Icouldnotfindmystick，andhesaid，`Nevermind，myboy，Ishall
　　seeagooddealofyounow，Ihope，andIwillkeepyourstickuntil
　　youcomebacktoclaimit。”Ilefthimthere，thesafeopen，andthe
　　papersmadeupinpacketsuponthetable。ItwassolatethatI
　　couldnotgetbacktoBlackheath，soIspentthenightatthe
　　AnerleyArms，andIknewnothingmoreuntilIreadofthishorrible
　　affairinthemorning。”
　　“Anythingmorethatyouwouldliketoask，Mr。Holmes？“said
　　Lestrade，whoseeyebrowshadgoneuponceortwiceduringthis
　　remarkableexplanation。
　　“NotuntilIhavebeentoBlackheath。”
　　“YoumeantoNorwood，“saidLestrade。
　　“Oh，yes，nodoubtthatiswhatImusthavemeant，“saidHolmes，
　　withhisenigmaticalsmile。Lestradehadlearnedbymoreexperiences
　　thanhewouldcaretoacknowledgethatthatbraincouldcutthrough
　　thatwhichwasimpenetrabletohim。Isawhimlookcuriouslyatmy
　　companion。
　　“IthinkIshouldliketohaveawordwithyoupresently，Mr。
　　SherlockHolmes，“saidhe。“Now，Mr。McFarlane，twoofmyconstables
　　areatthedoor，andthereisafour-wheelerwaiting。”Thewretched
　　youngmanarose，andwithalastbeseechingglanceatuswalkedfrom
　　theroom。Theofficersconductedhimtothecab，butLestrade
　　remained。
　　Holmeshadpickedupthepageswhichformedtheroughdraftofthe
　　will，andwaslookingatthemwiththekeenestinterestuponhisface。
　　“Therearesomepointsaboutthatdocument，Lestrade，arethere
　　not？“saidhe，pushingthemover。
　　Theofficiallookedatthemwithapuzzledexpression。
　　“Icanreadthefirstfewlinesandtheseinthemiddleofthe
　　secondpage，andoneortwoattheend。Thoseareasclearas
　　print，“saidhe，“butthewritinginbetweenisverybad，andthere
　　arethreeplaceswhereIcannotreaditatall。”
　　“Whatdoyoumakeofthat？“saidHolmes。
　　“Well，whatdoyoumakeofit？“
　　“Thatitwaswritteninatrain。Thegoodwritingrepresents
　　stations，thebadwritingmovement，andtheverybadwritingpassing
　　overpoints。Ascientificexpertwouldpronounceatoncethatthiswas
　　drawnuponasuburbanline，sincenowheresaveintheimmediate
　　vicinityofagreatcitycouldtherebesoquickasuccessionof
　　points。Grantingthathiswholejourneywasoccupiedindrawingupthe
　　will，thenthetrainwasanexpress，onlystoppingoncebetween
　　NorwoodandLondonBridge。”
　　Lestradebegantolaugh。
　　“Youaretoomanyformewhenyoubegintogetonyourtheories，Mr。
　　Holmes，“saidhe。“Howdoesthisbearonthecase？“
　　“Well，itcorroboratestheyoungman”sstorytotheextentthat
　　thewillwasdrawnupbyJonasOldacreinhisjourneyyesterday。Itis
　　curious-isitnot？-thatamanshoulddrawupsoimportantadocument
　　insohaphazardafashion。Itsuggeststhathedidnotthinkitwas
　　goingtobeofmuchpracticalimportance。Ifamandrewupawill
　　whichhedidnotintendevertobeeffective，hemightdoitso。”
　　“Well，hedrewuphisowndeathwarrantatthesametime，“said
　　Lestrade。
　　“Oh，youthinkso？“
　　“Don”tyou？“
　　“Well，itisquitepossible，butthecaseisnotcleartomeyet。”
　　“Notclear？Well，ifthatisn”tclear，whatcouldbeclear？Here
　　isayoungmanwholearnssuddenlythat，ifacertainolderman
　　dies，hewillsucceedtoafortune。Whatdoeshedo？Hesaysnothing
　　toanyone，buthearrangesthatheshallgooutonsomepretexttosee
　　hisclientthatnight。Hewaitsuntiltheonlyotherpersoninthe
　　houseisinbed，andtheninthesolitudeofaman”sroomhemurders
　　him，burnshisbodyinthewood-pile，anddepartstoaneighbouring
　　hotel。Theblood-stainsintheroomandalsoonthestickarevery
　　slight。Itisprobablethatheimaginedhiscrimetobeabloodless
　　one，andhopedthatifthebodywereconsumeditwouldhidealltraces
　　ofthemethodofhisdeath-traceswhich，forsomereason，musthave
　　pointedtohim。Isnotallthisobvious？“
　　“Itstrikesme，mygoodLestrade，asbeingjustatrifletoo
　　obvious，“saidHolmes。“Youdonotaddimaginationtoyourothergreat
　　qualities，butifyoucouldforonemomentputyourselfintheplace
　　ofthisyoungman，wouldyouchoosetheverynightafterthewill
　　hadbeenmadetocommityourcrime？Woulditnotseemdangeroustoyou
　　tomakesoveryclosearelationbetweenthetwoincidents？Again，
　　wouldyouchooseanoccasionwhenyouareknowntobeinthehouse，
　　whenaservanthasletyouin？And，finally，wouldyoutakethe
　　greatpainstoconcealthebody，andyetleaveyourownstickasa
　　signthatyouwerethecriminal？Confess，Lestrade，thatallthisis
　　veryunlikely。”
　　“Astothestick，Mr。Holmes，youknowaswellasIdothata
　　criminalisoftenflurried，anddoessuchthings，whichacoolman
　　wouldavoid。Hewasverylikelyafraidtogobacktotheroom。Giveme
　　anothertheorythatwouldfitthefacts。”
　　“Icouldveryeasilygiveyouhalfadozen，“saidHolmes。“Here
　　forexample，isaverypossibleandevenprobableone。Imakeyoua
　　freepresentofit。Theoldermanisshowingdocumentswhichareof
　　evidentvalue。Apassingtrampseesthemthroughthewindow，theblind
　　ofwhichisonlyhalfdown。Exitthesolicitor。Enterthetramp！He
　　seizesastick，whichheobservesthere，killsOldacre，anddeparts
　　afterburningthebody。”