Page 53 - The Noorwood Mistery

me, Mr Holmes, how you proved to Inspector Lestrade that
I was innocent of this crime.'
A free man
Holmes did not speak for a long moment. He looked very
wo days later, on a fine summer morning, Holmes and thoughtful.
T Watson were sitting once again in their Baker Street 'It was a long time before I realized that there was no
rooms. Watson was reading the newspaper excitedly. murder, but when I realized this, I understood everything.
'It's here, Holmes!' he cried. 'The story of our Norwood Oldacre once loved your mother and was very angry when
builder. Listen to this: Inspector Lestrade o f Scotland Y a rd she married another man. He had a lot of trouble with his
realized that Jonas Oldacre was still alive and f o und him on business last year and lost a lot of money. His plan was to
the top floor o f his house, Deep Dene Lodge at Norwood, where disappear, with Mrs Lexington perhaps, and start a new life
he was hiding in a secret room. But Lestrade realized nothing with a different name: Mr Cornelius. He wanted everyone to
11 at all, Holmes! This is terrible. If you-' think that he was dead because he didn't want anyone to
look for him. And he wanted to hurt your mother and father.
'It's not important, Watson, ' said Holmes quietly. 'What
I is important is that Oldacre will go to prison and John He wanted you to die for a crime that never happened.'
McFarlane will not die for a crime that he didn't commit. 'But the burnt remains in the timber yard - what were
Lestrade knows what really happened, after all.' they?' Mcfarlane wanted to know.
'I don't understand how you can be so calm about this, ' 1\ dead dog, I think ' , Holmes replied. ' N ot a dead
said Watson crossly. 'It was you who realized that the builder builder.'
wasn't dead, not Lestrade. Lestrade was convinced that John 'What an evil man!' cried McFarlane. 'My mother was
Mcfarlane was a murderer.' right to say no when he asked her to marry him.'
Just then the door opened and Mrs Hudson came in. 'Oh yes, ' Holmes agreed. 'Jonas Oldacre is a very bad man
1\ young man to see ' you, Mr Holmes,' she said with a and I hope that he will go to prison for a very long time.'
,{
sm il e. .. ... 'I don't know how to thank you, Mr Holmes, ' said
John McFarlane walked into the room. He looked calm McFarlane. 'I am so pleased that I came to you in my
and very happy. Holmes and Watson stood up. trouble.'
'Mr McFarlane,' said Holmes, Tm very pleased to see you.' Holmes put out his cigarette and turned to Watson.
'Mr Holmes, Dr Watson, what can I say?' McFarlane replied. 1\re we free this morning, Watson?' he asked.
'Thank you so much for everything. You have saved my life. 'Yes,' his friend replied in surprise. 'Why do you ask?'
The police were convinced that I killed Jonas Oldacre.' ' I t's a beautiful morning,' said Holmes. 'Let's go out.'
Watson asked the young man to sit down, and Mrs Hudson Watson and McFarlane followed Holmes down the stairs
realize to suddenly left them. Holmes lit a cigarette from the box on the table. 11nd out into Baker Street. The sun was shining and the
understand
something 'I was sure that I would die,' Mcfarlane went on. 'I was streets of London were warm.
commit to do a
crime at Deep Dene House. I had a very good motive. And when 'A beautiful morning,' Holmes said once again. 'Watson,
disappear to go
calm not worried the police found my thumbprint on the wall . . . Please tel l please find us a cab.' away suddenly

50 51