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

"The case has certainly some points of interest," said he, languid fashion "May I ask, first place, Mr McFarlane, how it still at liberty, since there appears enough evidence to justify your arrest ? "

"I live at Torrington Lodge, Blackheath, with my parents, Mr Holmes; but last night, having business very late with Mr Jonas Oldacre, I stayed at an hotel in Norwood, and came to my business from there nothing affair until train, when what just heard I at once saw the horrible danger position, and I hurried the case into your hands that I arrested either at my City office or at my home man followed me from London Bridge Station, and --- Great Heaven, what ? "

clang bell, followed instantly by heavy steps stair moment later our old friend Lestrade appeared doorway Over his shoulder I caught glimpse of uniformed policemen outside

" Mr John Hector McFarlane ? " said Lestrade

Our unfortunate client rose with ghastly face

"I arrest you wilful murder of Mr Jonas Oldacre, of Lower Norwood "

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

"One moment, Lestrade," said Holmes "Half an hour more or less can make no difference , gentleman was about to an account very interesting affair, which might aid us in clearing it up "

" no difficulty in clearing it up," said Lestrade, grimly

"None the less, with your permission, much interested to hear his account "

"Well, Mr Holmes, difficult to refuse you anything, for of use force , and we owe you good turn at Scotland Yard," said Lestrade " same time remain with my prisoner, and bound to warn him that anything say will appear in evidence against him "

" nothing better," said our client "All I ask hear and recognise the absolute truth "

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

" explain first," said McFarlane, "that nothing of Mr Jonas Oldacre His name was familiar , for many my parents were acquainted , but they drifted apart surprised, therefore, when yesterday, about three o'clock afternoon, he walked into my office City But still more astonished when me the object visit He had hand several sheets of note-book, covered with scribbled writing -- here -- and he laid them on my table

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

"I set myself to copy it, and imagine my astonishment when that, with some reservations, he had left all his property strange little, ferret-like man, with white eyelashes, and when I looked up at him his keen grey eyes fixed upon me with an amused expression hardly believe my own senses as the terms will; but he explained that bachelor with hardly any living relation, that he had known my parents youth, he had always heard of me as very deserving young man, and was assured that his money in worthy hands , only stammer out my thanks The will was duly finished, signed, and witnessed by my clerk it blue paper, and these slips, as explained, are the rough draft Mr Jonas Oldacre then informed me that there were number of documents -- building leases, title-deeds, mortgages, scrip, and so forth -- which necessary that I and understand that his mind easy until the whole thing was settled, and he begged me out house at Norwood that night, bringing the will with me, and to arrange matters `Remember, my boy, not one word to your parents affair until everything is settled keep it as little surprise ' very insistent point, and made me promise it faithfully

" imagine, Mr Holmes, that not in humour to refuse him anything that he might ask my benefactor, and all my desire was to carry out his wishes in every particular telegram home, therefore, that I had important business on hand, and impossible how late Mr Oldacre had told me that like me supper at nine, as he home hour I had some difficulty in finding his house, however, and nearly half-past before I reached it him ---"

"One moment ! " said Holmes "Who opened the door ? "

"A middle-aged woman, who was, I suppose, his housekeeper "

"And she, I presume, who mentioned ? "

"Exactly," said McFarlane

"Pray proceed "

McFarlane wiped his damp brow and then continued his narrative:--

" shown woman into sitting-room, where frugal supper was laid out Afterwards Mr Jonas Oldacre led me into his bedroom, there stood heavy safe This he opened and took out mass of documents, which we went over together between eleven and twelve when we finished He remarked that not disturb the housekeeper He showed me out through his own French window, which open all "

" blind down ? " asked Holmes

" sure, but I believe only half down Yes, I remember how he pulled it up to swing open the window find my stick, and , `Never mind, my boy; see of you now, , keep your stick until you come back to claim it ' I left him there, the safe open, papers made up in packets table so late that get back to Blackheath, so I spent the night Anerley Arms, and nothing more until horrible affair morning "

"Anything more that like to ask, Mr Holmes ? " said Lestrade, whose eyebrows had gone up during this remarkable explanation

"Not until to Blackheath "

"You mean to Norwood," said Lestrade

"Oh, yes; what meant," said Holmes, enigmatical smile Lestrade had learned by more experiences than care to acknowledge that that razor-like brain could cut impenetrable to him him look curiously at my companion

" like word presently, Mr Sherlock Holmes," said he "Now, Mr McFarlane, two constables are door and four-wheeler waiting " The wretched young man arose, and with last beseeching glance at us walked room The officers conducted him cab, but Lestrade remained

Holmes had picked up the pages which formed the rough draft will, and was looking at them keenest interest upon his face

" some points document, Lestrade, are there not ? " said he, pushing them over

The official looked at them with puzzled expression

" read the first few lines, and these middle second page, and end Those are as clear as print," said he; "but the writing in between is very bad, and three places where read it at all "

"What make ? " said Holmes