Page 54 - The Noorwood Mistery

Ten minutes later the three men were in a cab and travelling McFarlane was in a cell here at Scotland Yard, he didn't guilty who has
done something
south towards Scotland Yard. put it there, so I asked myself who did. The answer to the wrong
'Why are we going to Scotland Yard, Holmes?' asked mystery was obvious. Oldacre, of course. And how is the
Watson. Norwood builder '
?
n
Tm sure that our good friend, inspector Lestrade, has 'He's not a happy ma , ' said Lestrade, smiling a t last. 'It
something to say to Mr Mcfarlane,' Holmes replied. was all a joke, he says. And of course he didn't want to
At Scotland Yard they found Lestrade in his office. He hurt Mr. McFarlane here.'
looked surprised to see them. 'A strange joke!' said Dr Watson.
,
'I was just finishing my report,' he explained. 'Yes ' Holmes agreed, 'it's a very strange joke that sends
'I thought that you might have something to say to Mr a man to his death!'
,
Mcfarlane, Inspector, ' said Holmes as the young man followed 'I have to thank you, Mr Holmes ' said Lestrade, 'for saving
the detective and Dr Watson into Lestrade's office. the life of an innocent man.'
'Oh, of course,' Lestrade agreed. He didn't look very happy. Holmes smiled.
'Mr McFarlane, I am very sorry that I thought that you 'That is my business, Inspector: to save innocent people
were a murderer. I was wrong, of course, and Mr Holmes and make sure that those who are guilty go to prison. As
was right. I hope that the time you spent here at Scotland long as I can do that, I will be a happy man.'
Yard wasn't too unpleasant.'
'It wasn't the happiest time of my life,' Mcfarlane replied,
'but the important _thing is that I am now a free man
- thanks to Mr Sherlock Holmes.'
'Yes, Mr Holmes ha-5 been very helpful, once again,' said
Lestrade. 'We work very well together, Mr Holmes and I.'
Holmes smiled. Waj;�on looked angry, but said nothing.
'Mr Holmes, as you're here, ' the Inspector went on, 'and
I'm writing my report, I have one more question for you.
Why was Mr McFarlane's thumbprint on the wall?'
,
'Oldacre put it there ' Holmes explained. 'When he and
Mr Mcfarlane were working on his papers he asked Mr
unpleasant not McFarlane to seal a letter with wax.
nice
thanks to He then had John's thumbprint in the wax and he put
because of
this on the wall with some of his own blood.'
seal to close by
sticking two parts 'Very clever, ' said Les trade.
together
'Yes,' Holmes agreed. 'His only problem was that I knew
wax candles are
made of wax that the thumbprint wasn't there the day before. As Mr

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