Page 45 - The Noorwood Mistery

@,apter seven in every room on that floor, then did the same on the ground
The man on the top floor floor. There was no furniture in many of the rooms, but
Holmes looked thoughtfully at the walls and at the floor. He
W atson did not know what to think. , and Watson then went upstairs and visited all the bedrooms
and the bathroom. After that they climbed to the top floor
'I don't understand this, Holmes ' he said at last.
'I don't understand this at all. If the thumbprint wasn't of the house, where there were three bedrooms, all empty.
here yesterday-' Holmes began to laugh. He laughed and laughed. Watson
Holmes held up a hand to stop him. looked at his friend, astonished.
'There are two possibilities, Watson. The first is that John 'Holmes, what is it?' he asked. 'Are you not feeling well?'
Mcfarlane left his cell at Scotland Yard during the night, Holmes stopped laughing at once and turned to Watson.
,
took the train to Norwood and came to Deep Dene Lodge to Tm feeling very well, Watson ' he said with a strange
make a bloody thumbprint on the wall here. I do not think smile. 'Come, let us find Inspector Lestrade.'
this is very probable, Watson, do you?' They went downstairs and found the Inspector at his table.
'Of course not, Holmes,' said Watson. I le was busy writing his report.
'Then you and I and Inspector Lestrade have the same 'Are you writing your report already, Inspector?' asked
opinion, and it was not John Mcfarlane who left this I lolmes. 'Are you so sure that you have your murderer?'
thumbprint.' Lestrade stopped writing and put down his pen. He did
'But Lestrade said that it was McFarlane's thumbprint!' not look pleased.
said Watson excitedly. 'Mr Holmes, I have shown you my proof. John McFarlane's
'Oh I am sure that it is McFarlane's thumbprint, ' Holmes t h umbprint proves that he killed Jonas Oldacre. I have my
replied, 'but I am also sure that it was not John Mcfarlane m u rderer. He is in his cell at Scotland Yard as we speak.'
who left it here. Come, Watson.' 'I think, Inspector, ' said Holmes, 'that you should speak to
Dr Watson followtld his friend out into the garden. one more person before you finish writing your report.'
'v
'What are we d,oing, Holmes?' he asked. ' W ho is this person?' asked Lestrade. 'And where can I
'-We're lOoking,' said Holmes, 'we're looking very carefully.' l l n d him?'
Holmes stood in the garden and looked thoughtfully at 'How many policemen do you have here today, Inspector?'
the front of the house. Then he walked across the lawn and Lestrade was surprised, but he answered immediately. furniture tables
and chairs for
looked at the side of the house. Next Watson followed him 'Sergeant Judd and two others.' example
report what
to the back of the house and then to the other side, which 'And are they all big, strong men with loud voices?'
cell a small room someone writes to
in a prison or looked onto the Sydenham Road. Here Holmes stood for a Lestrade looked at Watson. Watson looked at Lestrade. explain something
police station that has happened
probable almost long time with a look of great interest on his face. ' l 'hey were both baffled. prove to show
certainly true that something is
'Good,' he said at last, and walked quickly back to the front 'They are all tall and I'm sure that they can shout very certainly true
basement
downstairs from door, which was still open. Watson followed him inside and loudly if they need to,' the Inspector replied, 'but I don't baffled when you
the ground floor of don't understand
a house downstairs into the basement. Holmes looked very carefully 11 nderstand-' something
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