“Here is another possibility: The older man is showing documentswhich are of evident value. A passing tramp sees them through thewindow, the blind of which is only half down. Exit the solicitor.Enter the tramp! He seizes a stick, which he observes there, killsOldacre, and departs after burning the body.”
“Why should the tramp burn the body?”
“For the matter of that why should McFarlane?”
“To hide some evidence.”
“Possibly the tramp wanted to hide that any murder at allhad been committed.”
“And why did the tramp take nothing?”
“Because they were papers that he could not negotiate.”
