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.
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 me the paragraph in question?"Underneath the vigorous head-lines which our client had quoted I read the following suggestive narrative:---Late last night, or early this morning, an incident occurred at Lower Norwood which points, it is feared, to a serious crime.
Mr.Jonas Oldacre is a well-known resident of that suburb, where he has carried on his business as a builder for many years.
Mr.Oldacre is a bachelor, fifty-two years of age, and lives in Deep Dene House, at the Sydenham end of the road of that name.
He has had the reputation of being a man of eccentric habits, secretive and retiring.For some years he has practically withdrawn from the business, in which he is said to have amassed considerable wealth.A small timber-yard still exists, however, at the back of the house, and last night,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.Up to this point the incident bore the appearance of an ordinary accident, but fresh indications seem 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 the bed had not been slept in, that a safe which stood in it was open, that a number of 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.It is known that Mr.