"Well, fiasco I went bedroom and examined that also The blood-stains were very slight, mere smears and discolourations, but undoubtedly fresh The stick removed, but there also the marks were slight stick belonging to our client He admits it Footmarks of both men made out carpet, but none of any third person, which again is trick other side They were piling up their score all the time and we were at standstill

" little gleam of hope did I get -- and yet it amounted to nothing I examined the contents safe, most taken out and left table The papers made up into sealed envelopes, opened police They , as judge, of any great value, nor did the bank-book show that Mr Oldacre was very affluent circumstances But it seemed that all the papers there There were allusions to some deeds -- possibly the more valuable -- which find This, , definitely prove it, would turn Lestrade's argument against himself, for steal thing if that shortly inherit it ?

"Finally, having drawn cover and picked up no scent, I tried my luck housekeeper Mrs Lexington is her name, little, dark, silent person, with suspicious and sidelong eyes tell us something if -- convinced of it But she was as close as wax Yes, she had let Mr McFarlane in at half-past nine She wished her hand had withered before she had done so She had gone to bed at half-past ten Her room was other end house, and hear nothing of what passed Mr McFarlane had left his hat, and best of her belief his stick, hall She awakened alarm of fire Her poor, dear master had certainly been murdered Had he any enemies ? Well, every man had enemies, but Mr Oldacre kept himself to himself, and only met people way of business She had seen the buttons, and was sure belonged clothes which he had worn last night The wood-pile was very dry, rained for month It burned like tinder, and she reached the spot nothing seen but flames She and all the firemen smelled the burned flesh from inside it She knew nothing papers, nor of Mr Oldacre's private affairs

"So, my dear Watson, there's my report of failure And yet -- and yet ---" -- he clenched his thin hands in paroxysm of conviction -- " it's all wrong it in my bones something that come out, housekeeper knows it sort of sulky defiance in her eyes, which only goes with guilty knowledge However, there's no good talking any more , Watson; but unless some lucky chance comes our way Norwood Disappearance Case will not figure chronicle successes which I foresee that patient public will sooner or later have to endure "

"Surely," said I, "the man's appearance would go far with any jury ? "

" dangerous argument, my dear Watson You remember that terrible murderer, Bert Stevens, who wanted us him off in '87 ? Was there ever more mild-mannered, Sunday-school young man ? "

" true "

"Unless we succeed in establishing an alternative theory this man is lost hardly find flaw case which can now be presented against him, and all further investigation has served to strengthen it , one curious little point papers serve us starting-point for an inquiry On looking over the bank-book low state balance was principally due to large cheques been made out year to Mr Cornelius I confess that interested who this Mr Cornelius retired builder has such very large transactions possible that he has had hand affair ? Cornelius broker, but found no scrip to correspond large payments Failing indication my researches must now direction of an inquiry bank gentleman who has cashed these cheques But , my dear fellow, case will end ingloriously by Lestrade hanging our client, which will certainly be triumph for Scotland Yard "

know how far Sherlock Holmes took any sleep that night, but when down to breakfast him pale and harassed, his bright eyes the brighter dark shadows round them The carpet round his chair was littered with cigarette-ends and early editions morning papers An open telegram lay table

"What , Watson ? " he asked, tossing it across

from Norwood, and ran as follows:--

"important fresh evidence to hand Mcfarlane's guilt definitely Established Advise you to abandon case -- Lestrade "

"This sounds serious," said I

" Lestrade's little cock-a-doodle of victory," Holmes answered, with bitter smile "And yet it premature to abandon the case After all, important fresh evidence is two-edged thing, and may possibly cut in very different direction which Lestrade imagines Take your breakfast, Watson, and go out together what do need your company and your moral support to-day "

My friend had no breakfast himself, for one peculiarities that more intense moments permit himself no food, and known him presume upon his iron strength until he has fainted from pure inanition "At present spare energy and nerve force for digestion," say in answer to my medical remonstrances not surprised, therefore, when he left his untouched meal behind him and started with me for Norwood crowd of morbid sightseers were still gathered round Deep Dene House, just such suburban villa as I had pictured gates Lestrade met us, his face flushed with victory, his manner grossly triumphant

"Well, Mr Holmes, proved us wrong yet ? found your tramp ? " he cried

" formed no conclusion whatever," my companion answered

"But we formed ours yesterday, and now it proves correct; so acknowledge that little in front of you , Mr Holmes "

"You certainly have the air of something unusual having occurred," said Holmes

Lestrade laughed loudly

"You don't like being beaten any more rest of us do," said he "A man can't expect always it his own way, can he, Dr Watson ? Step , please, gentlemen, and convince you once for all John McFarlane who did this crime "

He led us passage and out into dark hall beyond

" where young McFarlane come out his hat crime ," said he "Now, look " With dramatic suddenness he struck match and by its light exposed stain of blood whitewashed wall As he held the match nearer more than stain It well-marked print of thumb

"Look with your magnifying glass, Mr Holmes "