No. 2 The Adventure of the Norwood Builder by Arthur Conan Doyle
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the adventure of_the Norwood builder

by Arthur Conan Doyle

" from_the point of view of_the criminal expert," said Mr Sherlock Holmes, " London has become a singularly uninteresting city since_the death of_the late lamented professor Moriarty ."

" I_can hardly think that you_would find many decent citizens to agree with_you," I answered .

" well, well, I_must not be selfish," said he, with a smile, as he pushed back his chair from_the breakfast- table ." the community is certainly the gainer, and no one the loser, save the poor out- of- work specialist, whose occupation has gone . with_that man in_the field one's morning paper presented infinite possibilities . often it_was only the smallest trace, Watson, the faintest indication, and yet it_was enough to_tell me that_the great malignant brain was there, as_the gentlest tremors of_the edges of_the web remind one_of_the foul spider which lurks in_the centre . petty thefts, wanton assaults, purposeless outrage -- to_the man who held the clue all could_be worked into one connected whole . to_the scientific student of_the higher criminal world no capital in Europe offered the advantages which London then possessed . but now ----" he shrugged his shoulders in humorous deprecation of_the state of things which he had himself done so_much to_produce .

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 young doctor, named Verner, had purchased my small Kensington practice, and given with astonishingly little demur the highest price that I ventured to ask -- an incident which only explained itself some_years later when I_found that Verner was a distant relation of Holmes's, and that_it_was my friend who had really found the money .

our months of partnership had_not_been so uneventful as he had stated, for I_find, on looking over my notes, that_this period includes the case of_the papers of Ex- president Murillo, and also the shocking affair of_the Dutch steamship Friesland, which so nearly cost us both our lives . his cold and proud nature was always averse, however, to anything in_the shape of public applause, and he bound me in_the most stringent terms to_say no further word of himself, his methods, or his successes -- a prohibition which, as I_have explained, has only now been removed .

Mr Sherlock Holmes was leaning back in_his chair after his whimsical protest, and was unfolding his morning paper in a leisurely fashion, when our attention was arrested by a tremendous ring at_the bell, followed immediately by a hollow drumming sound, as_if someone were beating on_the outer door with_his fist . as it opened there came a tumultuous rush into_the hall, rapid feet clattered up the stair, and an instant later a wild- eyed and frantic young man, pale, dishevelled, and palpitating, burst into_the room . 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 .

"I'm sorry, Mr Holmes," he cried ." you mustn't blame me . I_am nearly mad .Mr Holmes, I_am the unhappy John Hector McFarlane ."

he_made the announcement as if_the name alone would explain both his visit and its manner; but I could_see by my companion's unresponsive face that_it meant no more to him than to_me .

" have a cigarette, Mr McFarlane," said he, pushing his case across ." I_am_sure that with your symptoms my friend Dr .Watson here would prescribe a sedative . the weather has_been so very warm these last few_days . now, if_you feel a little more composed, i_should_be glad if_you_would sit down in_that chair and tell us very slowly and quietly who you_are and what it is_that you_want . you mentioned your_name as_if i_should recognise it, but I assure you that, beyond the obvious facts that you_are a bachelor, a solicitor, a freemason, and an asthmatic, I_know nothing whatever about you ."

familiar as i_was with my friend's methods, it_was not difficult for_me to_follow his deductions, and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of legal papers, the watch- charm, and_the breathing which had prompted them . our client, however, stared in amazement .

" yes, I_am all that, Mr Holmes, and in_addition I_am the most unfortunate man at_this moment in London . for heaven's sake don't abandon me, Mr Holmes ! 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 . I_could go to gaol happy if I_knew that you were working for_me outside ."

" arrest you ! " said Holmes ." this_is really most grati -- most interesting . on what charge do_you expect to_be arrested ? "

" upon_the charge of murdering Mr Jonas Oldacre, of lower Norwood ."

my companion's expressive face showed a sympathy which_was not, I_am afraid, entirely unmixed with satisfaction .

" dear me," said he; " it_was only this moment at breakfast that i_was saying to my friend, Dr .Watson, that sensational cases had disappeared out of_our papers ."

our visitor stretched forward aquivering hand and picked up the daily telegraph, which still lay upon Holmes's knee .

" 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 . I_feel as_if my name and my misfortune must_be in every man's mouth ." he turned it over to expose the central page ." here it_is, and with your permission i_will read it to_you . listen to_this, Mr Holmes . the head-lines are: ` mysterious Affair at lower Norwood . disappearance of a well- known builder . suspicion of murder and arson .aClue to_the criminal .' that_is_the clue which they_are already following, Mr Holmes, and I_know that_it leads infallibly to_me . I_have_been followed from London bridge station, and I_am_sure that_they_are only waiting for_the warrant to arrest me . it_will break my mother's heart -- it_will break her heart ! " he wrung his hands in an agony of apprehension, and swayed backwards and forwards in_his chair .

I looked with interest upon_this man, who was accused of being the perpetrator of a crime of violence . he_was flaxen-haired and handsome in a washed- out negative fashion, with frightened blue eyes and a clean-shaven face, with a weak, sensitive mouth . his age may have_been about twenty-seven; his dress and bearing that of a gentleman . from_the pocket of_his light summer overcoat protruded the bundle of endorsed papers which proclaimed his profession .

" we_must use what time we_have," said Holmes ."Watson, would you_have the kindness to take_the paper and to read me the paragraph in_question ? "

underneath the vigorous head-lines which our client had quoted I_read the following suggestive narrative:---

late last night, or early this_morning, an incident occurred at lower Norwood which points, it_is feared, to a serious crime .Mr Jonas Oldacre is a well- known resident of_that suburb, where he has carried on_his business as a builder for many years .Mr Oldacre is a bachelor, fifty- two years_of_age, and lives in deep Dene house, at_the Sydenham end of_the road of_that name . he has had the reputation of being a man of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring . for_some_years he has practically withdrawn from_the business, in_which he_is said to_have amassed considerable wealth .a small timber- yard still exists, however, at_the back of_the house, and last night, about twelve o'clock, an alarm was given that one_of_the stacks was on fire . the engines were soon upon_the spot, but the dry wood burned with great fury, and it_was impossible to arrest the conflagration until the stack had_been entirely consumed . up to_this point the incident bore the appearance of an ordinary accident, but fresh indications seem to point to serious crime . surprise was expressed at_the absence of_the master of_the establishment from_the scene of_the fire, and an inquiry followed, which showed that he had disappeared from_the house . an examination of_his room revealed that_the bed had_not_been slept in, that a safe which stood in it_was open, that a number of important papers were scattered about_the room, and, finally, that there were signs of a murderous struggle, slight traces of blood being found within_the room, and an oaken walking- stick, which also showed stains of blood upon_the handle . it_is known that Mr Jonas Oldacre had received a late visitor in_his bedroom upon that night, and_the stick found has_been identified as_the property of_this person, who_is a young London solicitor named John Hector McFarlane, junior partner of Graham and McFarlane, of 426, Gresham buildings, E .C . the police believe that they_have evidence in their possession which supplies a very convincing motive for_the crime, and altogether it cannot_be doubted that sensational developments will follow .

later .-- it_is rumoured as_we go to press that Mr John Hector McFarlane has actually been arrested on_the charge of_the murder of Mr Jonas Oldacre . it_is at_least certain that a warrant has_been issued . there_have been further and sinister developments in_the investigation at Norwood . besides the signs of a struggle in_the room of_the unfortunate builder it_is now known that_the French windows of_his bedroom ( which_is on_the ground floor) were found to_be open, that there were marks as_if some bulky object had_been dragged across to_the wood- pile, and, finally, it_is asserted that charred remains have_been found among_the charcoal ashes of_the fire . the police theory is_that a most sensational crime has_been committed, that_the victim was clubbed to death in_his own bedroom, his papers rifled, and_his dead body dragged across to_the wood- stack, which_was then ignited so as_to hide all traces of_the crime . the conduct of_the criminal investigation has_been left in_the experienced hands of inspector Lestrade, of Scotland yard, who_is following up the clues with_his accustomed energy and sagacity .

Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes and finger-tips together to_this remarkable account .

" the case has certainly some points of interest," said he, in_his languid fashion ." may I ask, in_the first place, Mr McFarlane, how it is_that you_are still at liberty, since there appears to_be enough evidence to justify your arrest ? "

"I live at Torrington lodge, Blackheath, with my parents, Mr Holmes; but last night, having to_do business very late with Mr Jonas Oldacre, I stayed at an hotel in Norwood, and came to my business from there . I_knew nothing of_this affair until i_was in_the train, when I_read what you_have just heard .I at once saw the horrible danger of_my position, and I hurried to_put the case into your hands . I_have no_doubt that I should_have_been arrested either at my city office or at my home .a man followed me from London bridge station, and I_have no_doubt --- great heaven, what_is that ? "

it_was a clang of_the bell, followed instantly by heavy steps upon_the stair .a moment later our old friend Lestrade appeared in_the doorway . over his shoulder I caught a glimpse of one_or_two uniformed policemen outside .

" Mr John Hector McFarlane ? " said Lestrade .

our unfortunate client rose with a ghastly face .

"I arrest you for_the wilful murder of Mr Jonas Oldacre, of lower Norwood ."

McFarlane turned to_us with a gesture of despair, and sank into his chair once more like one who_is crushed .

" one moment, Lestrade," said Holmes ." half an hour more or less can make no difference to_you, and_the gentleman was about to_give us an account of_this very interesting affair, which might aid us in clearing it up ."

" i_think there_will_be no difficulty in clearing it up," said Lestrade, grimly .

" none the less, with your permission, i_should_be much interested to hear his account ."

" well, Mr Holmes, it_is difficult for_me to refuse you anything, for you_have_been of use to_the force once_or_twice in_the_past, and we owe you a good turn at Scotland yard," said Lestrade ." at_the same time I_must remain with my prisoner, and I_am bound to warn him that anything he_may say will appear in evidence against him ."

" i_wish nothing better," said our client ." all I ask is_that you_should hear and recognise the absolute truth ."

Lestrade looked at his watch ."I'll give_you half an hour," said he .

" I_must explain first," said McFarlane, " that I_knew nothing of Mr Jonas Oldacre . his name was familiar to_me, for many years_ago my parents were acquainted with_him, but they drifted apart . i_was very_much surprised, therefore, when yesterday, about three o'clock in_the afternoon, he walked into my office in_the city . but i_was still more astonished when he_told me the object of_his visit . he had in_his hand several sheets of a note- book, covered with scribbled writing -- here they_are -- and he laid them on my table .

"` here_is my will,' said he .` i_want you, Mr McFarlane, to cast it into proper legal shape . i_will sit here while you_do so .'

"I set myself to copy it, and you_can imagine my astonishment when I_found that, with some reservations, he had left all his property to_me . he_was a strange little, ferret- like man, with white eyelashes, and when I looked up at him I_found his keen grey eyes fixed upon me with an amused expression . I_could hardly believe my own senses as I_read the terms of_the will; but he explained that he_was a bachelor with hardly any living relation, that he had known my parents in_his youth, and_that he had always heard of me as a very deserving young man, and was assured that his money would_be in worthy hands . of_course, I_could only stammer out my thanks . the will was duly finished, signed, and witnessed by my clerk . this_is it on_the blue paper, and these slips, as I_have explained, are the rough draft .Mr Jonas Oldacre then informed me that there were a number of documents -- building leases, title-deeds, mortgages,

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