The Adventure of the Norwood Builder - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Solve crimes with the great detective in "Sherlock Holmes Short Stories." Featuring classic tales by Arthur Conan Doyle, this podcast brings you the brilliant deductions and thrilling adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of Holmes, these timeless mysteries will keep you captivated.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
The adventure of the Norward builder. From the point of
view of the criminal expert, said mister Sherlock Holmes, London
has become a singularly uninteresting city since the death of
the late lamented Professor Moriarty. I can hardly think you
would find many decent citizens to agree with you, I answered, well, well,

(00:22):
I must not be selfish, said he with a smile,
as he pushed back his chair from the breakfast table.
The community is certainly the gainer, and no one the loser,
save the poor out of work specialist whose occupation has
gone with that man in the field. One's morning paper
presented infinite possibilities. Often it was only the smallest trace, Watson,

(00:44):
the faintest indication, and yet it was enough to tell
me that the great malignant brain was there. As the
gentlest tremors of the edges of the web remind one
of the foul spider which lurks in the center. Petty thefts,
wanton assaults, purposeless outrage to the man who held the clue.
All could be worked into one connected hole. To the

(01:06):
scientific student of the higher criminal world. No capital in
Europe offered the advantage which London then possessed, But now
he shrugged his shoulders in humorous depreciation of the state
of things which he had himself done so much to produce.
At the time of which I speak, Holmes had been

(01:26):
back for some months, and I, at his request, had
sold my practice and returned to share the old quarters
in Baker Street. A young doctor named Werner had purchased
my small Kensington practice and given, with astonishingly little demur
the highest price that I ventured to ask, an incident
which only explained itself some years later, when I found

(01:49):
that Verner was a distant relation of homes, and that
it was my friend who had really found the money.
Our months of partnership had not been so uneventful as
he had stated, for I find, on looking over my
notes that this period includes the case of the papers
of ex President Murillo, and also the shocking affair of
the Dutch steamship Frieslant, which so nearly cost us both

(02:13):
our lives. His cold and proud nature was always a verse, however,
from anything in the shape of public applause, and he
bound me, in the most stringent terms, to say no
further word of himself, his methods, or his successes. A prohibition, which,
as I have explained, has only now been removed. Mister

(02:35):
Sherlock Holmes was leaning back in his chair after his
whimsical protest, and was unfolding his morning paper in a
leisurely fashion when our attention was arrested by a tremendous
ring at the bell, followed immediately by a hollow, drumming sound,
as if someone were beating on the outer door with
his fist. As it opened, there came a tumultuous rush

(02:58):
into the hall. Rapid feet clattered up the stair, and
an instant later a wild eyed and frantic young man, pale,
disheveled and palpitating, burst into the room. He looked from
one to the other of us, and under our gaze
of inquiry, he became conscious that some apology was needed
for this unceremonious entry. I'm sorry, mister Elmes, he cried,

(03:24):
You mustn't blame me. I'm nearly mad, mister Elmes. I
am the unhappy John Hector mac farlane. He made the
announcement as if the name alone would explain both his
visit and its manner. But I could see by my
companion's unresponsive face that it meant no more to him
than to me have a cigarette, mister mac Farland said,

(03:45):
he pushing his case across. I am sure that with
your symptoms, my friend doctor Watson here would prescribe a sedative.
The weather has been so very warm these last few days. Now,
if you feel a little more more composed, I should
be glad if you would sit down in that chair
and tell us very slowly and quietly, who you are

(04:08):
and what it is that you want. You mentioned your
name as if I should recognize it, but I assure
you that beyond the obvious facts that you are a bachelor,
a solicitor, a freemason, and an asthmatic, I know nothing
whatever about you. Familiar as I was with my friend's methods,
it was not difficult for me to follow his deductions

(04:29):
and to observe the untidiness of attire, the sheaf of
legal papers, the watch charm, and the breathing which had
prompted them. Our client, however, stared in amazement. Yes, I'm
all that, mister Elmes. And in addition, I am the
most unfortunate man at this moment in London. For Evan's sake,

(04:49):
don't abandon me, mister Holmes. If they come to arrest
me before I have finished my story, make them give
me time so that I may tell you the whole truth.
I could go to jail happy if I knew that
you were working for me outside arrest you said, Holmes,
this is really most gratty, most interesting. On what charge

(05:14):
do you expect to be arrested? Upon the charge of
murdering mister James Oldacre of Lower Norwood. My companion's expressive
face showed a sympathy which was not I am afraid,
entirely unmixed with satisfaction, dear me, said he. It was
only this moment at breakfast that I was saying to

(05:35):
my friend doctor Watson, that sensational cases had disappeared out
of our papers. Our visitor stretched forward a quivering hand
and picked up the Daily Telegraph, which still lay upon
Holmes's knee. If you had looked at it, sir, you
would have seen at a glance what the errand is
on which I have come to you this morning. I

(05:57):
feel as if my name and my misfortune must be
in every man's mouth. He turned it over to expose
the central page. Here it is, and with your permission,
I will read it to you. Listen to this, mister Holmes.
The headlines are mysterious affair at Lower Norwood, disappearance of
a well known builder, suspicion of murder and arson. A

(06:21):
clue to the criminal. That is the clue which they
are already following, mister Holmes, and I know that it
leads infallibly to me. I have been followed from London
Bridge Station, and I am sure that they are only
waiting for the warrant to arrest me. It will break
my mother's heart. It will break her heart. He wrung

(06:42):
his hands in an agony of apprehension, and swayed backward
and forward in his chair. I looked with interest upon
this man who was accused of being the perpetrator of
a crime of violence. He was flaxen haired and handsome
in a washed out negative fashion, with frightened blue eyes
and a clean shaven face with a weak, sensitive mouth.

(07:06):
His age may have been about twenty seven. His dress
and bearing that of a gentleman. From the pocket of
his light summer overcoat protruded the bundle of endorsed papers
which proclaimed his profession. We must use what time we have,
said Holmes, Watson, would you have the kindness to take
the paper and to read the paragraph in question. Underneath

(07:29):
the vigorous headlines which our client had quoted, I read
the following suggestive narrative. Late last night or early this morning,
an incident occurred at Lower Norward which points it is
feared to a serious crime. Mister Jonas Oldacre is a
well known resident of that suburb, where he is carried
on his business as a builder for many years. Mister

(07:52):
Oldacre is a bachelor fifty two years of age, and
lives in deep Dean House at the Sydenham end of
the road of that aim. He has had the reputation
of being a man of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring.
For some years, he has practically withdrawn from the business
in which he is said to have massed considerable wealth.

(08:13):
A small timber yard still exists, however, at the back
of the house, and last night about twelve o'clock, an
alarm was given that one of the stacks was on fire.
The engines were soon upon the spot, but the dry
wood burned with great fury, and it was impossible to
arrest the conflagration until the stack had been entirely consumed

(08:34):
up to this point, the incident bore the appearance of
an ordinary accident, but fresh indications seemed to point to
serious crime. Surprise was expressed at the absence of the
Master of the establishment from the scene of the fire,
and an inquiry followed which showed that he had disappeared
from the house. An examination of his room revealed that

(08:54):
the bed had not been slept in, that a safe
which stood in it was open, that a number of
imp important papers were scattered about the room, and finally
that there were signs of a murderous struggle, slight traces
of blood being found within the room, and an oaken
walking stick which also showed stains of blood upon the handle.

(09:16):
It is known that mister Jonas Oldacre had received a
late visitor in his bedroom upon that night, and the
stick found has been identified as the property of this person,
who is a young London solicitor named John Hector MacFarlane,
junior partner of Graham and McFarlane of four twenty six
Gresham Buildings, e c. The police believe that they have

(09:39):
evidence in their possession which supplies a very convincing motive
for the crime, and altogether it cannot be doubted that
sensational developments will follow later. It is rumoured, as we
go to press that mister John Hector MacFarlane has actually
been arrested on the charge of the murder of mister

(09:59):
Jonas Oldacre. It is at least certain that a warrant
has been issued. There have been further and sinister developments
in the investigation at Norwood. Besides the signs of a
struggle in the room of the unfortunate builder, it is
now known that the French windows of his bedroom, which
is on the ground floor, were found to be open,

(10:19):
that there were marks as if some bulky object had
been dragged across to the woodpile. And finally it is
asserted that charred remains have been found among the charcoal
ashes of the fire. The police theory is that a
most sensational crime has been committed, that the victim was
clubbed to death in his own bedroom, his papers rifled,

(10:40):
and his dead body dragged across to the woodstack, which
was then ignited so as to hide all traces of
the crime. The conduct of the criminal investigation has been
left in the experienced hands of Inspector Less Strade of
Scotland Yard, who is following up the clues with his
accustomed energy and sagacity. Sherlock Holmes listened with closed eyes

(11:04):
and finger tips together to this remarkable account. The case
has certainly some points of interest, said he, in his
languid fashion. May I ask, in the first place, mister
mac Farland, how it is that you are still at liberty,
since there appears to be enough evidence to justify your arrest.

(11:25):
I live at Torrington Lodge, Blackheath, with my parents, mister Holmes,
but last night, having to do business very late with
mister Jonas Oldacre, I stayed at an hotel in Norwood
and came to my business from there. I knew nothing
of this affair until I was in the train when
I read what you have just heard. I at once
saw the horrible danger of my position, and I hurried

(11:50):
to put the case into your hands. I have no
doubt that I should have been arrested, either at my
city office or at my home. A man followed me
from London Bridge station, and I have no doubt, Great Heaven,
what is that? It was a clang of the bell,
followed instantly by heavy steps upon the stair. A moment later,

(12:12):
our old friend Lestrade appeared in the doorway. Over his shoulder,
I caught a glimpse of one or two uniformed policemen outside.
Mister Johnnick to mac Farland, said Lestrade, our unfortunate client
rose with a ghastly face. I arrest you for the
wilful murder of mister Jonas Oldacre of Lower Norwood. Mac

(12:36):
Farland turned to us with a gesture of despair, and
sank into his chair once more, like one who is crushed.
One moment, Lestrade said Holmes. Half an hour more or
less can make no difference to you, and the gentleman
was about to give us an account of this very
interesting affair, which might aid us in clearing it up. Oh,

(12:58):
I think there will be no difficulty in clear it up,
said Lestrade grimly, none the less, with your permission, I
should be much interested to hear his account. Well, mister Olmes,
it is difficult for me to refuse you anything, for
you have been of use to the force once or
twice in the past, and we owe your good turn

(13:19):
at Scotland Yard, said Lestrade. At the same time, I
must remain with my prisoner, and I am bound to
warn him that anything he may say will appear in
evidence against him. I wish nothing better, said our client.
All I ask is that you should hear and recognize
the absolute truth. Lestride looked at his watch. I'll give

(13:41):
you half an hour, said he. I must explain first,
said mac Farland, that I knew nothing of mister Jonas Oldacre.
His name was familiar to me for many years ago.
My parents were acquainted with him, but they drifted apart.
I was very much surprised therefore, when yesterday, about three

(14:02):
o'clock in the afternoon, he walked into my office in
the city. But I was still more astonished when he
told me the object of his visit. He had in
his hand several sheets of a note book covered with
scribled writing. Here they are, and he laid them on
my table. Here is my will, said he. I want you,

(14:23):
mister mac Farland, to cast it into proper legal shape.
I will sit here while you do so. I set
myself to copy it, and you can imagine my astonishment
when I found that, with some reservations, he had left
all his property to me. He was a strange, little
ferret like man with white eyelashes, and when I looked

(14:44):
up at him, I found his keen, gray eyes fixed
upon me with an amused expression. I could hardly believe
my own as I read the terms of the will.
But he explained that he was a bachelor with hardly
any living relation, that he had known my parents in
his youth, and that he had always heard of me
as a very deserving young man, and was assured that

(15:06):
his money would be in worthy hands. Of course, I
could only stammer out my thanks. The will was duly finished,
signed and witnessed by my clerk. This is it on
the blue paper, and these slips, as I've explained, are
the rough draft. Mister Jonas Oldacre then informed me that

(15:28):
there were a number of documents building, leases, title deeds, mortgages,
scrip and so forth, which it was necessary that I
should see and understand. He said that his mind would
not be easy until the whole thing was settled, and
he begged me to come out to his house at
Norwould that night, bringing the will with me, and to

(15:48):
arrange matters. Remember, my boy, not one word to your
parents about the affair until everything is settled. We will
keep it as a little surprise for them. He was
very insist upon this point, and made me promise it faithfully.
You can imagine, mister Holmes, that I was not in
a humor to refuse him anything that he might ask.

(16:09):
He was my benefactor, and all my desire was to
carry out his wishes in every particular. I sent a
telegram home therefore, to say that I had important business
on hand, and that it was impossible for me to
say how late I might be. Mister Oldacre had told
me that he would like me to have supper with
him at nine, as he might not be home before

(16:30):
that hour. I had some difficulty in finding his house, however,
and it was nearly half past before I reached it.
I found him one moment, said Holmes, who opened the
door a middle aged woman who was I suppose his housekeeper.
And it was she, I presume, who mentioned your name exactly,

(16:54):
said mac farlan. Pray proceed. Mac Farland wiped his damp
brow and then continued his narrative. I was shown by
this woman into a sitting room, where a frugal supper
was laid out. Afterwards, mister Jonas Oldacre led me into
his bedroom, in which there stood a heavy safe. This

(17:15):
he opened and took out a mass of documents, which
we went over together. It was between eleven and twelve.
When we finished, he remarked that we must not disturb
the housekeeper. He showed me out through his own French window,
which had been open all this time. Was the blind down,
asked Holmes. I will not be sure, but I believe

(17:37):
that it was only half down. Yes, I remember how
we pulled it up in order to swing open the window.
I could not find my stick, and he said, never mind,
my boy, and I shall see a good deal of
you now, I hope, And I'll keep your stick until
you come back to claim it. I left him there,
the safe open and the papers made up in packets

(17:59):
upon the table. It was so late that I could
not get back to Blackheath, so I spent the night
at the Anneley Arms, and I knew nothing more until
I read of this horrible affair in the morning. Anything
more that you'd like to ask, mister Elmes, said Lestrade,
whose eyebrows had gone up once or twice during this
remarkable explanation. Not until I've been to black Heath. You

(18:24):
mean to Norwood, said Lestrade. Oh, yes, no doubt, that
is what I must have meant, said Holmes, with his
enigmatical smile. Lestrade had learned, by more experiences than he
could care to acknowledge that that brain could cut through
that which was impenetrable to him. I saw him look

(18:45):
curiously at my companion. I think I should like to
have a word with you. Presently, mister Sherlock Holmes said
he Now, mister mac farlane, two more constables are at
the door, and there is a four wheel away in
the wretched young man arose, and, with a last beseeching

(19:06):
glance at us, walked from the room. The officers conducted
him to the cab, but Lestrade remained. Holmes had picked
up the pages which formed the rough draft of the will,
and was looking at them with the keenest interest upon
his face. There are some points about that document, Lestrade,
are they not? Said he, pushing them over. The official

(19:29):
looked at them with a puzzled expression. I could read
the first few lines when these in the middle of
the second page, and one or two at the end,
those are as clear as print, said he. But the
writing in between is very bad, and there are three
places where I cannot read it at all. What do
you make of that, said Holmes, Well, what do you

(19:52):
make of it? That it was written in a train.
The good writing represents stations, the bad writing movement, and
the very bad writing passing over points. A scientific expert
would pronounce at once that this was drawn up on
a suburban line, since nowhere save in the immediate vicinity

(20:12):
of a great city could there be so quick a
succession of points. Granting that his whole journey was occupied
in drawing up the will, then the train was an express,
only stopping once between Norwood and London Bridge. Lestrade began
to laugh, Ah, you are too many for me when
you begin to get on your theories. Mister Olmes said he,

(20:35):
how does this bear on the case. Well, it corroborates
the young man's story to the extent that the will
was drawn up by Jonas Oldacre in his journey yesterday.
It is curious, is it not that a man should
draw up so important a document in so haphazard a fashion.
It suggests that he did not think it was going

(20:55):
to be of much practical importance. If a man drew
up a will which he did not in tend ever
to be effective, he might do it so well he
drew up his own death warrant. At the same time,
said Lestride, Oh, you think so, don't you. Well, this
is quite possible, But the case is not clear to

(21:17):
me yet not clear. Well, if that isn't clear, what
could be clear. Here is a young man who learns
suddenly that if a certain older man dies, he will
succeed to a fortune. What does he do? He says
nothing to anyone, but he arranges that he shall go out,
on some pretext to see his client that night. He

(21:39):
waits until the only other person in the house is
in bed, and then, in the solitude of a man's room,
he murders him, burns his body in the woodpile, and
departs to a neighboring hotel. The bloodstains in the room
and also on the stick, are very slight. It is
probable that he imagined his crime to be a bloodless one,
and hope. But if the body were consumed, it would

(22:02):
adde all traces of the method of his death, traces
which for some reason must have pointed to him. Is
not all this obvious. It strikes me, my good lestrade,
as being just a trifle too obvious, said Holmes. You
do not add imagination to your other great qualities. But

(22:23):
if you could, for one moment to put yourself in
the place of this young man. Would you choose the
very night after the will had been made to commit
your crime? Would it not seem dangerous to you to
make so very close a relation between the two incidents. Again,
would you choose an occasion when you are known to
be in the house, when a servant has let you in?

(22:44):
And finally, would you take the great pains to conceal
the body and yet leave your own stick as a
sign that you were the criminal? Confess Lestrade that all
this is very unlikely. As to the stick, mister Olmes,
you know as well as I do that a criminal
is often flurried and does such things which a cool

(23:07):
man would avoid. He is very likely afraid to go
back to the room. Give me another theory that would
fit the facts. I could very easily give you half
a dozen, said Holmes. Here, for example, is a very
possible and even probable one. I make you a free
present of it. The older man is showing documents which

(23:29):
are of evident value. A passing tramp sees them through
the window, the blind of which is only half down.
Exit the solicitor enter the tramp he sees as a
stick which he observes there kills Oldacre and departs after
burning the body. Why should the tramp burn the body?

(23:51):
For the matter of that, why should MacFarlane to hide
some evidence? Possibly the tramp wanted to hide that any
murder at all had been committed. And why did the
tramp take nothing because there were papers that he could
not negotiate? Thestrage shook his head, though it seemed to

(24:11):
me that his manner was less absolutely assured than before. Well,
mister Sherlock Holmes, you may look for your tramp, and
while you're finding him, we will hold on to our man.
The future will show which is right. Just notice this point,
mister Olmes. And so far as we know, none of
the papers were removed, and that the prisoner is the

(24:33):
one man in the world who had no reason for
removing them, since he was heir at law and would
come into them in any case. My friend seemed struck
by this remark. I don't mean to deny that the
evidence is in some ways very strongly in favor of
your theory, said he. I only wish to point out

(24:54):
that there are other theories possible. As you say, the
future will decide. Good morning, I dare say that in
the course of the day I shall drop in at
Norward and see how you are getting on. When the
detective departed, my friend rose and made his preparations for
the day's work with the alert air of a man

(25:14):
who has a congenial task before him. My first movement,
Watson said he as he bustled into his frock coat, must,
as I said, be in the direction of Blackheath, And
why not Norward, Because we have in this case one
singular incident coming close to the heels of another singular incident.

(25:37):
The police are making the mistake of concentrating their attention
upon the second, because it happens to be the one
which is actually criminal. But it is evident to me
that the logical way to approach the case is to
begin by trying to throw some light upon the first incident.
The curious will so suddenly made, and to so unactit

(26:00):
spected an air, it may do something to simplify what followed. No,
my dear fellow, I don't think you can help me.
There is no prospect of danger, or I should not
dream of stirring out without you. I trust that when
I see you in the evening, I will be able
to report that I have been able to do something
for this unfortunate youngster who has thrown himself upon my protection.

(26:25):
It was late when my friend returned, and I could see,
by a glance at his haggard and anxious face, that
the high hopes with which he had started had not
been fulfilled. For an hour, he droned away upon his violin,
endeavoring to soothe his own ruffled spirits. At last he
flung down the instrument and plunged into a detailed account

(26:48):
of his misadventures. It's all going wrong, Watson, all as
wrong as it can go. I kept a bold face
before Lestrade, but upon my soul I believe that for
once a fellow is on the right track, and we
are on the wrong. All my instincts are one way,

(27:11):
and all the facts are the other. And I much
fear that British juries have not yet attained that pitch
of intelligence when they will give the preference to my
theories over Lestrade's facts. Did you go to Blackheath, yes, Watson,
I went there, and I found very quickly that the
late lamented Oldacre was a pretty considerable blackguard. The father

(27:34):
was away in search of his son, the mother was
at home, a little, fluffy, blue eyed person in a
tremor of fear and indignation. Of course, she would not
admit even the possibility of his guilt, but she would
not express either surprise or regret over the fate of Oldacre.
On the contrary, she spoke of him with such bitterness

(27:58):
that she was unconsciously considerably strengthening the case of the police. For,
of course, if her son had heard her speak of
the man in this fashion, it would predispose him towards
hatred and violence. He was more like a malignant and
cunning ape than a human being, said she, And he
always was ever since he was a young man. You

(28:18):
knew him at that time, said I, yes, I knew
him well. In fact, he was an old suitor of mine.
Thank Heaven that I had the sense to turn away
from him and to marry a better, if poorer man.
I was engaged to him, mister Olmes, when I heard
a shocking story of how he had turned a cat
loose in an avery, and I was so horrified at

(28:38):
this brutal cruelty that I would have nothing more to
do with him. She rummaged in a bureau and presently
she produced a photograph of a woman shamefully defaced and
mutilated with a knife, my own photograph, she said, He
sent it to me in that state with this curse
upon my wedding morning. Well, said I, at least he

(29:01):
has forgiven you now, since he has left all his
property to your son. Neither my son nor I want
anything from Jonas Oldacre, dead or alive. She cried with
a proper spirit. There is a god in heaven, mister Holmes,
and that same God who has punished that wicked man,
will show in his own good time that my son's
hands are guiltless of his blood. Well. I tried one

(29:25):
or two leads, but could get at nothing which would
help our hypothesis, and several points which would make against it.
I gave it at last, and off I went to Norwood.
This place, Deep Dean House, is a big modern villa
of staring brick, standing back in its own grounds, with
a laurel clumped lawn in front of it. To the right,

(29:47):
and some distance back from the road was the timber
yard which had been the scene of the fire. Here
is a rough plan on a leaf of my note book.
This window on the left is the one which opens
into Oldacre's room. You can look into it from the road.
You see. That is about the only bit of consolation
I've had to day. Lestrade was not there, but his

(30:09):
head constable did the honors. They had just found a
great treasure trove. They had spent the morning raking among
the ashes of the burned woodpile, and besides the charred
organic remains, they had secured several discolored metal disks. I
examined them with care, and there was no doubt that
they were trouser buttons. I even distinguished that one of

(30:32):
them was marked with the name of Higham's, who was
Oldacre's tailor. I then worked the lawn very carefully for
signs and traces, but this drought has made everything as
hard as iron. Nothing was to be seen save that
some body or bundle had been dragged through a low
privet hedge, which is in a line with the woodpile.

(30:54):
All that, of course, fits in with the official theory.
I crawled about the lawn an August sun on my back,
but I got up at the end of an hour
no wiser than before. Well after this fiasco, I went
into the bedroom and examined that also The blood stains
were very slight, mere smears and discolorations, but undoubtedly fresh.

(31:19):
The stick had been removed, but there also the remarks
were slight. There is no doubt about the stick belonging
to our client. He admits it. Footmarks of both men
could be made out on the carpet, but none of
any third person, which again is a trick for the
other side. They were piling up their score all the time,

(31:40):
and we were at a standstill. Only one little gleam
of hope did I get, and yet it amounted to nothing.
I examined the contents of the safe, most of which
had been taken out and left on the table. The
papers had been made up into sealed envelopes, one or
two of which had been opened by the police. They

(32:00):
were not, so far as I could judge, of any
great value. Nor did the bank book show that mister
Oldacre was in such very affluent circumstances. But it seemed
to me that all the papers were not there. There
were allusions to some deeds, possibly the more valuable, which
I could not find. This, of course, if we could

(32:21):
definitely prove it would turn Lestrade's argument against himself, For
who would steal a thing if he knew that he
would shortly inherit it. Finally, having drawn every other cover
and picked up no scent, I tried my luck with
the housekeeper, missus Lexington is her name, A little, dark,

(32:41):
silent person with suspicious and sidelong eyes. She could tell
us something if she would. I am convinced of it.
But she was as close as wax. Yes. She had
let mister mac farlan in at half past nine. She
wished her hand had withered before she had done so.
She had gone to bed at past ten. Her room

(33:02):
was at the other end of the house, and she
could hear nothing of what had passed. Mister mac Farland
had left his hat and, to the best of her belief,
his stick in the hall. She had been awakened by
the alarm of fire. Her poor dear master had certainly
been murdered. Had he any enemies, well, every man had enemies,
but mister Oldacre kept himself very much to himself and

(33:25):
only met people in the way of business. She had
seen the buttons and was sure that they belonged to
the clothes which he had worn last night. The wood
pile was very dry, for it had not rained for
a month. It burned like tinder, and by the time
she reached the spot nothing could be seen but flames.
She and all the firemen smelled the burned flesh from

(33:46):
inside it. She knew nothing of the papers, nor of
mister Oldacre's private affairs. So, my dear Watson, there's my
report of a failure. And yet, and yet he clenched
his thin hands in a paroxysm of conviction. I know
it's all wrong. I feel it in my bones. There

(34:10):
is something that has not come out, and that housekeeper
knows it. There was a sort of sulky defiance in
her eyes, which only goes with guilty knowledge. However, there's
no good talking any more about it, Watson. But unless
some lucky chance comes our way, I fear that the
Norward disappearance case will not figure in that chronicle of

(34:33):
our successes, which I foresee that a patient public will
sooner or later have to endure. Surely, said I, the
man's appearance would go far with any jury. That is
a dangerous argument, My dear Watson. You remember that terrible
murderer Bert Stevens, who wanted us to get him off

(34:53):
in eighty seven. Was there ever a more mild mannered
Sunday school young man. It is true, true. Unless we
succeed in establishing an alternative theory, this man is lost.
You can hardly find a flaw in the case which
can now be presented against him, and all further investigation

(35:13):
has served to strengthen it. By the way, there is
one curious little point about those papers, which may serve
us as the starting point for an inquiry. On looking
over the bank book, I found that the low state
of the balance was principally due to large checks which
have been made out during the last year to mister Cornelius.

(35:36):
I confess that I should be interested to know who
this mister Cornelius may be, with whom a retired builder
has such very large transactions. Is it possible that he
has had a hand in the affair? Cornelius might be
a broker, But we have found no script to correspond
with these large payments. Failing any other indication, my research

(35:59):
is must now take the direction of an inquiry at
the bank for the gentleman who has cashed these checks.
But I fear, my dear fellow, that our case will
end ingloriously by lestrade hanging our client, which will certainly
be a triumph for Scotland Yard. I do not know
how far Sherlock Holmes took any sleep that night, but

(36:21):
when I came down to breakfast, I found him pale
and harassed. His bright eyes the brighter for the dark
shadows round them. The carpet round his chair was littered
with cigarette ends and with the early editions of the
morning papers. An open telegram lay upon the table. What
do you think of this, Watson, he asked, tossing it across.

(36:43):
It was from Norwood and ran as follows important fresh
evidence to hand. Mac Farland's guilt definitely established, advised you
to abandon case Lastrade, this sounds serious, said I. It
is Lestrade's little cock adoodle of victory. Holmes answered with

(37:03):
a bitter smile. And yet it may be premature to
abandon the case. After all, important fresh evidence is a
two edged thing and may possibly cut in a very
different direction to that which Lestrade imagines. Take your breakfast, Watson,
and we will go out together and see what we
can do. I feel as if I shall need your

(37:25):
company and your moral support to day. My friend had
no breakfast himself, for it was one of his peculiarities
that in his more intense moments he would permit himself
no food, and I have known him presume upon his
eyron strength until he has fainted from pure in nation.
At present, I cannot spare energy and nerve force for digestion,

(37:48):
he would say, in answer to my medical remonstrances. I
was not surprised therefore, when this morning he left his
untouched meal behind him and started with me for Norwood.
A crowd of morbid sightseers was still gathered round deep
Dean House, which was just such a suburban villa as
I had pictured within the gates. Lestrade met us, his

(38:11):
face flushed with victory, his manner grossly triumphant. Well, mister Elmes,
have you proved us to be wrong? Yet? Have you
found your tramp? He cried. I have formed no conclusion whatever,
my companion answered. But we formed ours yesterday, and now

(38:32):
it proves to be correct. So you must acknowledge that
we have been a little in front of you this time.
Mister Elmes, you certainly have the air of something unusual
having occurred, said Holmes. Lestrade laughed loudly. Ha, you don't
like being beaten any more than the rest of us do,
said he. A man can't expect always to have it

(38:54):
his own way, can he? Doctor Watson? Step this way,
if you please, gentlemen, and I think I can convince
you once for all that it was John mc farlane
who did this crime. He led us through the passage
and out into a dark hall beyond. This is why
young mac Farland must have come out to get his
hat after the crime was done. Said he. Now look

(39:17):
at this with dramatic suddenness. He struck a match and
by its light exposed a stain of blood upon the
whitewashed wall. As he held the match nearer, I saw
that it was more than a stain. It was the
well marked print of a thumb. Look at that with
your magnifying glass, mister Olmes, Yes, I am doing so.

(39:41):
You are aware that no two thumb marks are alike.
I have heard something of the kind. Well, then, will
you please compare that print with this wax impression of
young mac Farland's right thumb, taken by my orders this morning.
As he held the wax and print close to the
blood stain, it did not take a magnifying glass to

(40:04):
see that the two were undoubtedly from the same thumb.
It was evident to me that our unfortunate client was lost.
That is final, said Lestrade. Yes, that is final. I
involuntary echoed, It is final, said Holmes. Something in his

(40:24):
tone caught my ear, and I turned to look at him.
An extraordinary change had come over his face. It was
writhing with inward merriment. His two eyes were shining like stars.
It seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts
to restrain a convulsive attack of laughter. Dear me, dear me,

(40:47):
he said at last. Well, now, who would have thought it?
And how deceptive appearances may be? To be sure, such
a nice young man to look at. It is a
lesson to us not to trust our own judgment, is
it not, Lestrade? Yes, some of us are a little
too much inclined to be cockashare mister Elmes? Said Lestrade.

(41:10):
The man's insolence was maddening, but we could not resent it.
What a providential thing that this young man should press
his right thumb against the wall in taking his hat
from the peg. Such a very natural action, too, if
you come to think of it. Holmes was outwardly calm,
but his whole body gave a wriggle of suppressed excitement

(41:31):
as he spoke. By the way, Lestrade who made this
remarkable discovery. It was the housekeeper, missus Lexington, who drew
the narc constable's attention to it. Where was the night constable?
He remained on guard in the bedroom where the crime
was committed, so as to say that nothing was touched.

(41:52):
But why didn't the police see this mark yesterday? Well,
we had no particular reason to make a careful examination
of all. Besides, it's not in a very prominent place,
as you see. No, no, of course not. I suppose
there is no doubt that the mark was there yesterday.
Lestrade looked at Holmes as if he thought he was

(42:14):
going out of his mind. I confess that I was
myself surprised, both at his hilarious manner, and that is
rather wild observation. I don't know whether you think that
MacFarland came out of jail in the dead of the
knight in order to strengthen the evidence against himself, said Lestrade.
I'll leave it to any expert in the world whether

(42:36):
that is not the mark of his thumb. It is
unquestionably the mark of his thumb. Here that's enough, said Lestrade.
I am a practical man, mister Elmes. And when I've
got my evidence, so I come to my conclusions. If
you have anything to say, you'll find me right in
my report. In my sitting room, Holmes had recovered his equanimity,

(42:58):
though I still seemed to detec gleams of musement in
his expression. Dear me, this is a very sad development, Watson,
is it not, said he? And yet there are singular
points about it which hold out some hopes for our client.
I am delighted to hear it, said I heartily. I

(43:19):
was afraid it was all up with him. I would
hardly go so far as to say that, my dear Watson.
The fact is that there is one really serious flow
in this evidence to which our friend attaches so much importance. Indeed, Holmes,
what is it only this that I know that that

(43:40):
mark was not there when I examined the hall yesterday?
And now, Watson, let us have a little stroll round
in the sunshine. With a confused brain, but with a
heart into which some warmth of hope was returning. I
accompanied my friend in a walk round the garden. Holmes
took each face of the house in turn and examined

(44:01):
it with great interest. He then led the way inside
and went over the whole building, from basement to attic.
Most of the rooms were unfurnished, but none the less
Holmes inspected them all minutely. Finally, on the top corridor,
which ran outside three untenanted bedrooms, he again was seized

(44:21):
with a spasm of merriment. There are really some very
unique features about this case, Watson said he. I think
it is time now that we took our friend Lestrade
into our confidence. He has had his little smile at
our expense, and perhaps we may do as much by
him if my reading of this problem proves to be correct. Yes, yes,

(44:44):
I think I see how we should approach it. The
Scotland Yard Inspector was still writing in the parlor when
Holmes interrupted him. I understand that you were writing a
report of this case, said he, so, I M. And
don't you think it might be a little premature? I

(45:05):
can't help thinking that your evidence is not complete. Lestrade
knew my friend too well to disregard his words. He
laid down his pen and looked curiously at him. What
do you mean, mister Olmes? Only that there is an
important witness whom you have not seen. Can you produce him?

(45:26):
I think I can then do so. I will do
my best. How many constables have you? There are three
within call? Excellent, said Holmes. May I ask if they
are all large, able bodied men with powerful voices. I've
no doubt they are, though or fail to see what

(45:47):
their voices have to do with it. Perhaps I can
help you to see that, and one or two other
things as well, said Holmes. Kindly summon your men and
I will try. Five minutes later, three policemen had assembled
in the hall in the outhouse. You will find a
considerable quantity of straw, said Holmes. I will ask you

(46:10):
to carry in two bundles of it. I think it
will be of the greatest assistance in producing the witness
whom I require. Thank you very much. I believe you
have some matches in your pocket Watson. Now, mister Lestrade,
I will ask you all to accompany me to the
top landing. As I have said, there was a broad

(46:31):
corridor there which ran outside three empty bedrooms. At one
end of the corridor, we were all marshaled by Sherlock Holmes,
the constables grinning and Lestrade staring at my friend with amazement, expectation,
and derision, chasing each other across his features. Holmes stood
before us with the air of a conjurer who is

(46:51):
performing a trick. Would you kindly send one of your
constables for two buckets of water? Put the straw on
the floor here, free from the wall on either side.
Now I think that we are all ready. Lestrade's face
had begun to grow red and angry. Ah don't know
whether you're playing a game with us, mister Sherlock, Holmes

(47:12):
said he If you know anything, you can surely say
it without all this tomfoolery. I assure you, my good Lestrade,
that I have an excellent reason for everything that I do.
You may possibly remember that you chased me a little
some hours ago when the sun seemed on your side
of the hedge, So you must not grudge me a

(47:32):
little pomp and ceremony. Now, might I ask you, Watson,
to open that window and then to put a match
to the edge of the straw. I did so, and,
driven by the draft, a coil of gray smoke swirled
down the corridor, while the dry straw crackled and flamed.
Now we must see if we can find this witness

(47:53):
for you, lestrade, Might I ask you all to join
in the cry of fire now? Then one, two, three, fire?
We all yelled, thank you, I will trouble you once again. Fire,
just one small gentleman, and all together fire. A shout

(48:19):
must have rung over norward. It had hardly died away
when an amazing thing happened. A door suddenly flew open
out of what appeared to be solid wall at the
end of the corridor, and a little wizened man darted
out of it like a rabbit out of its burrow. Capital,
said Holmes, calmly, Watson, a bucket of water over the straw.

(48:41):
That will do, Lestrade, Allow me to present you with
your principal missing witness, mister Jonas Oldacre. The detective stared
at the newcomer with blank amazement. The latter was blinking
in the bright light of the corridor and peering at us,
and that the smalling fire. It was an odious face, crafty, vicious, malignant,

(49:06):
with shifty light, gray eyes and white lashes. What cists, then,
said Lestrade? At last, what have you been doing all
this time? Eh? Oldacre gave an uneasy laugh, shrinking back
from the furious red face of the angry detective. I
have done no harm, no harm. You've done your best

(49:26):
to get an innocent man hanged. If it wasn't for
this gentleman here, I'm not sure that you would not
have succeeded. The wretched creature began to whimper. I'm sure, sir,
it was only my practical joke. Oh a joke, was it.
You won't find a laugh on your side. I'll promise
you take him down and keep him in the sitting

(49:47):
room until I come, mister Olmes, he continued, when they
had gone, I could not speak before the constables, but
I don't mind saying in the presence of Dr Watson,
for this is the brightest thing that you you have
done yet, though it is a mystery to me how
he did it. You have saved an innocent man's life,
and you have prevented a very grave scandal which would

(50:09):
have ruined more reputation in the force. Holmes smiled and
clapped Lestrade upon the shoulder. Instead of being ruined, my
good sir, you will find that your reputation has been
enormously enhanced. Just make a few alterations in that report
which you were writing, and they will understand how hard
it is to throw dust in the eyes of Inspector Lestrade.

(50:33):
And you don't want your name to appear not at all.
The work is its own reward. Perhaps I shall get
the credit also at some distant day, when I permit
my zealous historian to lay out his foolscap once more.
Hey Watson, Well, now let us see where this rat
has been lurking. A lathe and plaster partition had been

(50:55):
run across the passage, six feet from the end, with
a door cunning concealed in it. It was lit within
by slits under the eaves. A few articles of furniture
and a supply of food and water were within, together
with a number of books and papers. There's the advantage
of being a builder, said Holmes as we came out.

(51:15):
He was able to fix up his own little hiding
place without any confederate, save, of course, that precious housekeeper
of his, whom I should lose no time in adding
to your bag, Lestrade. I'll take your advice, But how
did you know of this place, mister Olmes? I made
up my mind that the fellow was in hiding in

(51:35):
the house when I paced one corridor and found it
six feet shorter than the corresponding one below. It was
pretty clear where he was. I thought he had not
the nerve to lie quiet before an alarm of fire.
We could of course have gone in and taken him,
but it amused me to make him reveal himself. Besides,

(51:57):
I owed you a little mystification lestrade for your chafe
in the morning. Well, sir, you certainly got equal with
me on that. But how in the world did you
know that he was in the house at all? The
thumb marked lestrade? You said it was final, and so
it was. In a very different sense. I knew it

(52:18):
had not been there the day before. I pay a
good deal of attention to matters of detail, as you
may have observed, and I had examined the hall and
was sure that the wall was clear. Therefore it had
been put on during the night. But how very simply
when those packets were sealed up, Jonas Oldacre got mac

(52:41):
Farland to secure one of the seals by putting his
thumb upon the soft wax. It would be done so
quickly and so naturally that I dare say the young
man himself has no recollection of it. Very likely it
just so happened, and Oldacre had himself no notion of
the use. He would put it to brooding over the

(53:01):
case in that den of his it suddenly struck him
what absolutely damning evidence he could make against mac Farland
by using that thumb mark. It was the simplest thing
in the world for him to take a wax impression
from the seal, to moisten it in as much blood
as he could get from a pinprick, and to put
the mark upon the wall during the night, either with

(53:22):
his own hand or with that of his housekeeper. If
you examine among those documents which he took with him
into his retreat, I will lay your wager that you
will find the seal with the thumb mark upon it. Wonderful,
said Lestrade. Wonderful, It's all as clear as crystal as
you put it. But what is the object of this

(53:43):
deep deception, mister Alms. It was amusing to me to
see how the detective's overbearing manner had changed suddenly to
that of a child asking questions of its teacher. Well,
I don't think that it is very hard to explain.
A very deep, malicious, vindictive person. Is the gentleman who

(54:03):
is now waiting us downstairs. You know that he was
once refused by mac Farland's mother. You don't, I told
you that you should go to Blackheath first and Norwold afterwards. Well,
this injury, as he would consider it, has rankled in
his wicked, scheming brain, and all his life he has
longed for vengeance, but never seen his chance. During the

(54:27):
last year or two, things have gone against him, secret speculation,
I think, and he finds himself in a bad way.
He determines to swindle his creditors, and for this purpose
he pays large checks to a certain mister Cornelius, who
is I imagine himself under another name. I have not traced
these checks yet, but I have no doubt that they

(54:49):
were banked under that name at some provincial town where Oldacre,
from time to time led a double existence. He intended
to change his name altogether, draw this money, and vanish,
starting life again elsewhere. Well, that's likely enough. It would
strike him in that in disappearing he might throw all

(55:11):
pursuit of his track and at the same time have
an ample and crushing revenge upon his old sweetheart. If
he could give the impression that he had been murdered
by her only child. It was a masterpiece of villainy,
and he carried it out like a master. The idea
of the will, which would have given an obvious motive
for the crime, the secret visit unknown to his own parents,

(55:35):
the retention of the stick, the blood and the animal remains,
and buttons in the woodpile, all were admirable. It was
a net from which it seemed to me a few
hours ago that there was no possible escape. But he
had not that supreme gift of the artist, the knowledge
of when to stop. He wished to improve that which

(55:55):
was already perfect, to draw the rope tighter yet round
the neck of his unfortunate victim, And so he ruined all.
Let us descend, lestrade. There are just one or two
questions that I would ask him. The malignant creature was
seated in his own parlor, with a policeman upon each

(56:16):
side of him, who was a joke, my good sir,
A practical joke, nothing more, he whined incessantly. I assure you, sir,
that I simply concealed myself in order to see the
effect of my disappearance. And I am sure that you
would not be so unjust as to imagine that I
would have allowed any harm to befall poor young m
mac farlane. That's for a jury to decide, said lestrade. Anyhow,

(56:40):
we shall have you on a charge of conspiracy, if
not for attempted murder, and you will probably find that
your creditors will impound the banking account of mister Cornelius,
said Holmes. The little man started and turned his malignant
eyes upon my friend. I have to thank you. Thank
you for a good deal, said he. Perhaps I'll pay

(57:04):
my debt some day, Holmes smiled indulgently. I fancy that
for some few years you will find your time very
fully occupied, said he. By the way, what was it
you put into the wood pile besides your old trousers?
A dead dog, or rabbits or what? You won't tell

(57:26):
dear me, how very unkind of you? Well, well, I
dare say that a couple of rabbits would account both
for the blood and for the charred ashes. If ever
you write an account, Watson, you can make rabbits serve
your turn. End of the Adventure of the Norward Builder