From Watson’s Tin Box – The Norwood Builder | The Fourth Garrideb

“Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, MD, Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid.”

– The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR)

Familiar as I was with my friend’s methods, it was not difficult for me to follow his deductions, 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. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

Watson’s Tin Box, a BSI scion that meets in Columbia, Maryland, shares a few select items from their tin evidence box for The Adventure of the Norwood Builder with us here at The Fourth Garrideb. These evidence boxes were originally created by the late Paul Churchill, BSI, one of the founders of Watson’s Tin Box and contains both genuine artifacts and genuine faux reproductions that he (and others) created. These items create a great deal of discussion at their monthly meetings and we hope it will do the same here. Enjoy!

‘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 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, Mr Holmes. The headlines are: MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT LOWER NORWOOD. DISAPPEARANCE OF A WELL-KNOWN BUILDER. SUSPICION OF MURDER AND ARSON. A CLUE TO THE CRIMINAL.~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

He had in his hand several sheets of a note-book, covered with scribbled writing – here they are – and he laid them on my table. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

The will was duly finished, signed, and witnessed by my clerk. This is it on the blue paper, and these slips, as I have explained, are the rough draft. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

Mr Jonas Oldacre then informed me that 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. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

She rummaged in a bureau, and presently she produced a photograph of a woman, shamefully defaced and mutilated with a knife. “That is my own photograph,” said she. “He sent it to me in that state, with his curse, upon my wedding morning.” ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

‘This place, Deep Dene 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 and some distance back from the road was the timber-yard which had been the scene of the fire. Here’s a rough plan on a leaf of my note-book. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

They were not, so far as I could judge, of any great value, nor did the bankbook show that Mr Oldacre was in such very affluent circumstances. But it seemed to me that all the papers were not there. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

An open telegram lay upon the table.
‘What do you think of this, Watson?’ he asked, tossing it across.
It was from Norwood, and ran as follows:
IMPORTANT FRESH EVIDENCE TO HAND. MCFARLANE’S GUILT DEFINITELY ESTABLISHED. ADVISE YOU TO ABANDON CASE. LESTRADE ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

‘Well, then, will you please compare that print with this wax impression of young McFarlane’s right thumb, taken by my orders this morning?’
As he held the waxen print close to the blood-stain it did not take a magnifying glass to see that the two were undoubtedly from the same thumb. It was evident to me that our unfortunate client was lost. ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

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 cheques to a certain Mr Cornelius, who is, I imagine, himself under another name. I have not traced these cheques 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.’ ~ WTB NORW Evidence Box

Thanks to the 42nd Garrideb, Denny Dobry, for the scans in this post. Thanks also to Debbie Clark, the 58th Garrideb, the current keeper of the evidence boxes.

Watson’s Tin Box, a BSI scion in Columbia, MD, is one of the most active Sherlockian groups in the Middle Atlantic region, Generally meeting on the last Monday of each month, the meetings feature canonical toasts, good conversations and dining, as well as a discussion of the month’s featured story and an educational presentation. For more information about Watson’s Tin Box, please visit their website HERE.

A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars