Page 49 - The Noorwood Mistery

little man, who was standing in front of them and shaking. 'I must speak to that woman again, ' said Lestrade. 'I tell lies to say
He had grey eyes and white hair and was very ugly. always thought she had her secrets.' things which are
not true
'Well,' said Lestrade at last when the fire was out. 'Do you 'Perhaps she has a very big secret,' said Holmes. 'Perhaps prison a place
where people must
have nothing to say, Mr Jonas Oldacre?' she is more to Mr Oldacre than a housekeeper.' stay when they do
something wrong
Lestrade's face was red and angry. Oldacre looked very Lestrade looked thoughtful. 'Of course,' he said at last.
afraid, but he laughed excitedly. 'That's why she was happy to tell lies for him. She will go
'It was a joke, Inspector, ' he explained. 'No more. I never to prison for this, Mr Holmes.'
wanted to make any trouble for anybody.' 'Very good, ' Holmes replied. 'Norwood will be a better
'What?' said Lestrade angrily. 'You didn't want to make place without her.'
any trouble? And an innocent man is in the cells at Scotland 'I have just one more question for you, Mr Holmes,' said
Yard as we speak!' Lestrade. 'Why did Oldacre do this? Why did he want me
'Just my little joke, Inspector, ' the builder said again. to arrest John McFarlane?'
'Take him away, Sergeant,' said Lestrade. 'The man is Holmes gave the Inspector a long look.
dangerous.' 'Many years ago, Inspector,' he explained, 'Jonas Oldacre
Oldacre went downstairs with Judd and the other policemen. fell in love. He fell in love with John McFarlane's mother.
Lestrade turned to Holmes. They spent some time together, but Mrs McFarlane saw that
'Well, Mr Holmes, once again I have to thank you. This Oldacre was cruel and dangerous and she sent him
time I was wrong and you were right. John McFarlane is uway. Later she married John's father. On the
an innocent man. It's obvious that there was no murder day that they married Oldacre sent her a
here.' photograph of herself with her face
'That's right, Inspector, ' Holmes smiled, 'but I understand slashed. He was very angry and he
your mistake. Jonas bldacre was very clever.' never forgot it.'
'But Sherlock Ho�es was cleverer!' said Watson. 'V ery ' I see,' said Lestrade. 'So that's why
good work Holmes. ' you went to Blackheath.'
:
'Thank you, Watson. Now let's see the secret room.' ' [ wanted to talk to John's parents, '
Watson and Lestrade followed Holmes into the room, which I lolmes explained. ' I couldn' t
was about two metres long. It was impossible to see the 1 1 nderstand why Oldacre wanted to
door from the passage, but in the room they found some lcuve everything to John in his will.'
furniture, food and water, newspapers and books. Holmes ' I 've been very stupid, ' said Lestrade
picked up a newspaper. 1md ly.
'This morning's newspaper,' he said. 'I'm sure that Oldacre 'Not at all,' said Watson kindly. 'But
has enjoyed reading about Mr McFarlane's arrest. And I
ugly not beautiful Sh ·dock Holmes has been very clever.'
passage the suppose that Mrs Lexington is the person who has brought I lolmes himself said nothing.
space between
rooms in a house him his newspapers and his food and drink.'

46 47