Sherlock Holmes Complete Works 2

Chapter 28 Return 4
"In the opinion of criminal experts," said Holmes, "London has become dead after Professor Moriarty's death."

"Every decent citizen will refute your point," I replied.

"You've got a point too, I shouldn't be selfish," he smiled. "Of course, it's a great benefit to society, except that the poor expert has nothing to do, and everyone is safe. The guy is alive." At that time, there were many possibilities in the morning papers every day. And, Watson, I could know where the villainous bandit was, if I had the slightest clue, a very vague indication, It's like the slight trembling of the edge of a spider web, making you immediately think of the treacherous spider lurking in the center of the web. Every murderer with unknown intentions that I have mastered can be connected into a whole. Similarly, in a study of the upper underworld In the eyes of many scholars, no other capital in Europe has had the very favorable conditions that London had at that time. But now..." He shrugged, humorously showing his embarrassment to the status quo caused by his own efforts. dissatisfied.

It was quite some time since the time of which I speak, and Holmes had been back for several months.I sold my practice and moved back into the old flat we used to share in Baker Street.A doctor named Verner bought my small practice in Kensington, and he happily paid the high price I proposed.I learned years later that Verner was a distant relative of Holmes, who raised the money.

The few months we have been together have not been idle like he said.After skimming through my notes, I came across the shocking incident with the ex-President Murillo files and the Dutch steamer Friesland, the latter of which nearly cost us our lives. .But his strict rules prevent me from saying a single word about him, his methods, or his success.As I said earlier, the ban has only now been lifted.

After finishing speaking, Mr. Holmes leaned back in his chair leisurely and opened the newspaper of the day.A frightening ringing of the doorbell and knocking at the door caught our attention.The door opened and someone rushed down the hallway and up the stairs.A young man burst into the room like a madman, his face was pale, his hair was disheveled, his eyes were full of anger, and his whole body was trembling.The two of us were looked back and forth by him, we fixed him with questioning eyes, and he had to offer his apology for the rude intrusion.

"I am so sorry, Mr. Holmes, that I am going mad, and I am that wretched John Hector McFarlane," he cried.

"Have a cigarette first, Mr. McFarlane," he said, handing over the pack. "I'm sure Dr. Watson will prescribe a tranquilizer for you. Sit in that chair first, and then take your time." Tell me who you are and what happened. You just said your first name, as if I should know you, but all I know is that you're a bachelor, a lawyer, a Masonic, an asthmatic."

I soon understood his reasoning, for I noticed that the young man's unkempt appearance, the bundle of papers he carried with him, the charm on his watch-chain, and the sound of his breathing led Holmes to the above conclusion.But the young client was dumbfounded.

"Yes, that's me you're talking about, but besides that, I'm the unluckiest man in London right now. For God's sake you must help me, Mr. Holmes. If I'm caught before I finish speaking If you are arrested, please tell them anyway and give me a little time to tell you the whole story."

"They want you!" said Holmes. "Why?"

"For the murder of Mr. Jonas Oldecke, of Lower Norwood."

There was a sort of sympathy that seemed somewhat self-satisfied on my companion's expressive face.

"Oh, I thought all the cases that caused a sensation in society were gone?"

The Daily Telegraph which lay on Holmes' lap was picked up by our visitor's outstretched, trembling hand.

"If you've read the paper, sir, you'll know why I've come to see you today. People seem to be talking about my name and my misfortune." He turned to the news page. "Here it is, I'll read it to you. It's titled 'Mystery in Lower Norwood—Disappearance of Famous Architect—Fire Suspected of Murder—Criminal Lead,' and that's the lead they're pursuing, sir. It will definitely lead to me. I was followed as soon as I stepped off the train at London Bridge station." In extreme terror he rubbed his hands and shook back and forth in his chair.

The man accused of murder: fair-haired, handsome, but tired, with large dull blue eyes, clean-shaven, and nervous, indecisive lips.He was about 20 years old and looked like a gentleman from the way he dressed and behaved.A roll of endorsed certificates protruding from the corner of the pocket of his light summer coat indicated his occupation.

"Let us make good use of the time we have now," said Holmes. "Watson, would you please read that passage over?"

Below the main title of the article, there is the following suggestive narrative text, which I read verbatim:

"At midnight yesterday or early this morning, an accident occurred in the Lower Norwood area. It may be a very serious crime. Mr. Jonas Oldek, a well-known resident, has been in the construction business for many years and has a wealthy family. Oldek Mr. is 52 years old and single. He lives in Glen Hills at the end of Siddenham Road. He has eccentric habits and few words. He has actually quit the construction industry in recent years, but the lumber yard behind his house still exists. Last night around 12 o'clock , a fire was sounded at the lumberyard, and although the fire-engines arrived in time, they were too dry to put out, and the fire was too ferocious to put out the whole pile of wood. Here, it seems that the cause of the fire was purely accidental, but there are other indications that it was very serious. It may be a serious crime. What is particularly strange is that no head of the household was found at the scene of the fire. After investigation, it was found that the head of the household was missing. When I checked the bedroom, I found that no one had slept on the bed, but the door of the safe was open. Important documents were scattered all over the floor. Finally, there were signs of a violent struggle in the room, and some blood and a blood-stained oak cane were found. It is now confirmed that Mr. Oldek received visitors in the bedroom that night. The cane belonged to the client. The late-night visitor was a young lawyer, Mr. John Hector McFarlane, one of the partners in Graham & McFarlane, 426 Gresham Building, Middle East. The police have strong evidence of a motive for the crime. In short, there can be no doubt that the matter is moving very quickly.

When this paper was about to go to print, it was said that Mr. McFarlane had been arrested for murder, and that a warrant had been issued.Meanwhile the investigations being carried out at Lower Norwood have made some progress.In the downstairs bedroom where the architect lived, French windows were now found open, in addition to signs of fighting, and there were signs of heavy objects being dragged from the interior to the wood pile.The charred remains of a person were found among the ashes of the fire.According to the police, it was a heinous murder.The head of the household was killed, the documents were stolen, and the body was dragged to the wood pile and burned to eliminate traces.The case has been entrusted to Scotland Yard's prestigious Inspector Ray Mired, who is now pursuing the leads with his usual style and tact. "

With closed eyes, Holmes listened attentively to this astonishing report.

"There are a few things worth noting in this case," he began. "Mr. McFarlane, I want to ask you: How can you come to me now when there seems to be enough evidence to arrest you?" ?”

"Sir, I live at Dorrington, Blackheath, with my parents. I had to do some errands for Mr. Oldacre last night. I stayed at a hotel in Lower Norwood and went to his house to get my errands done. I just got the news on the train home and came here to see you. If I had been in the office or at home, I would have been caught. I've been followed from London Bridge station, and I don't mind at all. No doubt—ah! Who's coming?"

The doorbell rang several times, and footsteps were heard on the stairs.After a while, old friend Raymond came to the door, followed by two uniformed police officers.

Our unfortunate young man turned pale.

"I am going to arrest you now for the attempted murder of Mr. Jonas Oldecke of Lower Norwood."

McFarlane was desperate.

"Just a moment, Raymond," said Holmes. "We are hearing this very interesting incident from this gentleman, which may help us to ascertain the facts."

"Will it be difficult to figure it out?" Remired asked with a straight face.

"But, with your permission, I'd be interested to hear him finish."

"Well, Mr. Holmes, I obey, because we still owe you a favor," said Remired, "but I must be with him, and tell him that what he said will be evidence in court." .”

"It is better this way," said the poor young man; "I only ask you to listen to me to the end, and to believe that I am telling the truth."

"Just half an hour." Remy Reid looked at his watch and said.

"The first thing I want to say is that I don't know anything about Mr. Oldecke," said McFarlane. "I know his name because he was an old acquaintance with my father. So yesterday afternoon about three o'clock when he I was astonished when I entered my office in the city. He had in his hand a few sheets torn out of a notebook,--and these were--and laid them on my desk.

"'Here is my will,' said he. 'Mr. McFarlane, you write it out in statutory form. You write it yourself, and I sit by.'

"When I was copying my will, I found that he had left me all his property, except for a few reservations. When I looked up at him, I saw that he too was staring at him with his piercing gray eyes. He looked at me with a happy smile on his face. But he told me that he was a bachelor with no relatives and no family. Hand me the money. Of course I just stammered some words of thanks. Later, he signed and was witnessed by my clerk. It was written on this blue paper. I said these little notes It was only a draft, and Mr. Oldecker then told me that there were some other documents I should look at, such as leases, deeds, temporary certificates, etc., and asked me to take the will and go to Lower Norwood that night to arrange everything at his house Just a moment. 'Remember, my boy, don't tell your parents anything until this is all over. Let's surprise them.' He cared enough to make me swear.

"As you may guess, Mr. Holmes, I had no intention of refusing him. He became my protector, and I did exactly as he wished. I therefore had urgent matters at hand, and it was not easy for me to return. Mr. Oldeke also told me that he would like to have dinner with me at nine o'clock, but since his place was very difficult to find, it was almost 09:30 when I arrived at his house: [-]. I found him..."

"Just a moment, please!" said Holmes. "Who opened the door."

"A middle-aged woman who looks like his housekeeper."

"It was probably she who gave your name to the police."

"Right," McFarlane said.

"Go on."

McFarlane wiped the sweat from his brow, then went on:

"It was the same woman who led me into a sitting room. Then I was taken into his bedroom by Mr. Oldecke. He took out a large pile of papers from the safe. I went through the pile of papers until I got to the Between 11 and 12 he said we needn't disturb the housekeeper, and I went out through the French window which was kept open."

"Are the curtains drawn or drawn?" asked Holmes.

"I didn't notice that, but I thought maybe one of them was down. Yes, I remember, he drew the curtains to open the window. My walking stick was gone, and he said, 'It's all right, my Boy, I hope to see you often from now on. I'll put away your cane.' I left the safe unclosed and the papers in small packets on the table. It was late I had to spend the night at the Annaly Arms Hotel. But this morning I suddenly found out about it in the newspapers."

"Is there anything else you want to ask, Mr. Holmes?" Remy Read asked impatiently.Once or twice he raised his eyebrows as he listened to the young man's account of the experience.

"I don't have any more questions to ask, just before I go to Blackheath."

"Not to Blackheath, but to Lower Norwood."

"Oh, yes, that's what I'm going to talk about," said Holmes, with a smile on his face.Remy Reid knew very well that Holmes' brain was like a sharp sword, which could solve all the complicated things to him.But he didn't want to admit it, but he still looked at my friend curiously.

"Mr. Holmes, I should like to have a word or two with you in a moment," said he. "Now, Mr. McFarlane, there is a carriage waiting outside." The poor young man got up, After taking one last look, he went out of the house, but Remired stayed behind.

Holmes looked with interest at the few pages of the will which he held in his hand.

(End of this chapter)