During the 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 Mr. Cornelius, who is, I imagine, himself under another name.  I have not traced these checks yet, but I have no doubt that they 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 that in disappearing he might throw all pursuit off 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 give an obvious motive for the crime, the secret visit unknown to his own parents, the retention of the stick, the blood, and the animal remains and buttons in the wood-pile, 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 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 parlour, with a policeman upon each side of him.

“It 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 Mr. McFarlane.”

“That’s for a jury to decide,” said Lestrade.  “Anyhow, we shall have you on a charge of conspiracy, if not for attempted murder.”

“And you’ll probably find that your creditors will impound the banking account of Mr. Cornelius,” said Holmes.

The little man started, and turned his malignant eyes upon my friend.

“I have to thank you for a good deal,” said he.  “Perhaps I’ll pay 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?  Dear me, how very unkind of you!  Well, well, I daresay 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.”

THE ADVENTURE OF THE DANCING MEN