Page 5 - The Noorwood Mistery

and again. Mrs Hudson, the housekeeper, ran to open the Mcfarlane saw Watson's newspaper on the breakfast table
door and a wild, excited young man fell into the hall. He and opened it.
pushed the poor housekeeper out of his way and ran up 'It's here,' he said, 'in today's newspaper. The story of
the stairs. the murder of Jonas Oldacre. I'll read it to you. Terrible
'Who are you, sir?' asked Watson. '.And what do you want?' crime at Norwood. Murder of well-known builder. The
The young man looked at Watson, then at Holmes, and police are sure that I am the man who killed
started to explain. him. They've followed me here from the station
Tm sorry, Mr Holmes, I'm sorry,' he said. 'Please don't and are waiting to arrest me. This news
be angry. I feel so afraid, Mr Holmes.' will kill my poor old mother, Mr Holmes,
Holmes asked the young man to come into the room and it will kill her.'
told him to sit down. Mcfarlane was still shaking and
'Have a cigarette,' he said, 'and tell us who you are and smoking his cigarette. Watson
why you have come here.' looked at him in an interested way.
The man took a cigarette from the box on the table, and Mcfarlane was a good-looking
Watson lit it for him. After some minutes he stopped shaking young man with bright blue eyes
and spoke. and long hair, but he looked very
'My name is John Mcfarlane,' he began. Neither Holmes afraid. He was about twenty­
nor Watson knew the name. seven years old and Watson
'.And?' asked Holmes. could see that he came from
'.And,' replied Mcfarlane, starting to shake again, 'I am in a good f amily.
terrible trouble. You must help me, Mr Holmes. The police 'If the police are following
want to arrest me and send me to prison. And I have done you, said Holmes, 'we
nothing, Mr Holmes, notqlng.' must work quickly. Mr
housekeeper a
woman who looks 'Interesting,' � aid Holmes, 'very interesting. Don't you Mcfarlane, please have
after a person's
house agree, Watson?' another cigarette.
hall a room in the Watson saw that his friend was excited by this mystery,
middle of a house
from which you and wanted to know more.
can go to all the
other rooms 'Mr Mcfarlane, ' Holmes went on, 'why do the police want
trouble difficulty to arrest you? What have you done?'
arrest to take a
person to prison 'Nothing. I told you, I've done nothing. But they think that
mystery I murdered a man called Jon as Old acre, a builder who lives
something that
you cannot explain - who lived - in south London, at Norwood.'
easily
Holmes lit another cigarette. Tm very sorry to hear this,
builder a man
who makes houses Mr Mcfarlane. Please tell us your story.'

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