Theoldwomanfacedroundandlookedkeenlyathimfromherlittlered-rimmedeyes。"Thegentlemanaskedmefor_my_address，"shesaid。"Sallylivesinlodgingsat3，MayfieldPlace，Peckham。"
"Andyournameis——?"
"MynameisSawyer——her'sisDennis，whichTomDennismarriedher——andasmart，cleanlad，too，aslongashe'satsea，andnostewardinthecompanymorethoughtof；butwhenonshore，whatwiththewomenandwhatwithliquorshops——"
"Hereisyourring，Mrs。Sawyer，"Iinterrupted，inobediencetoasignfrommycompanion；"itclearlybelongstoyourdaughter，andIamgladtobeabletorestoreittotherightfulowner。"
Withmanymumbledblessingsandprotestationsofgratitudetheoldcronepackeditawayinherpocket，andshuffledoffdownthestairs。SherlockHolmessprangtohisfeetthemomentthatshewasgoneandrushedintohisroom。
Hereturnedinafewsecondsenvelopedinanulsterandacravat。"I'llfollowher，"hesaid，hurriedly；"shemustbeanaccomplice，andwillleadmetohim。Waitupforme。"
ThehalldoorhadhardlyslammedbehindourvisitorbeforeHolmeshaddescendedthestair。LookingthroughthewindowIcouldseeherwalkingfeeblyalongtheotherside，whileherpursuerdoggedhersomelittledistancebehind。"Eitherhiswholetheoryisincorrect，"Ithoughttomyself，"orelsehewillbelednowtotheheartofthemystery。"Therewasnoneedforhimtoaskmetowaitupforhim，forIfeltthatsleepwasimpossibleuntilIheardtheresultofhisadventure。
Itwascloseuponninewhenhesetout。Ihadnoideahowlonghemightbe，butIsatstolidlypuffingatmypipeandskippingoverthepagesofHenriMurger's"ViedeBoheme。"{12}
Teno'clockpassed，andIheardthefootstepsofthemaidastheypatteredofftobed。Eleven，andthemorestatelytreadofthelandladypassedmydoor，boundforthesamedestination。
ItwascloseupontwelvebeforeIheardthesharpsoundofhislatch-key。TheinstantheenteredIsawbyhisfacethathehadnotbeensuccessful。Amusementandchagrinseemedtobestrugglingforthemastery，untiltheformersuddenlycarriedtheday，andheburstintoaheartylaugh。
"Iwouldn'thavetheScotlandYardersknowitfortheworld，"
hecried，droppingintohischair；"Ihavechaffedthemsomuchthattheywouldneverhaveletmeheartheendofit。
Icanaffordtolaugh，becauseIknowthatIwillbeevenwiththeminthelongrun。"
"Whatisitthen?"Iasked。
"Oh，Idon'tmindtellingastoryagainstmyself。Thatcreaturehadgonealittlewaywhenshebegantolimpandshoweverysignofbeingfoot-sore。Presentlyshecametoahalt，andhailedafour-wheelerwhichwaspassing。Imanagedtobeclosetohersoastoheartheaddress，butIneednothavebeensoanxious，forshesangitoutloudenoughtobeheardattheothersideofthestreet，`Driveto13，DuncanStreet，Houndsditch，'shecried。Thisbeginstolookgenuine，Ithought，andhavingseenhersafelyinside，Iperchedmyselfbehind。That'sanartwhicheverydetectiveshouldbeanexpertat。Well，awaywerattled，andneverdrewreinuntilwereachedthestreetinquestion。Ihoppedoffbeforewecametothedoor，andstrolleddownthestreetinaneasy，loungingway。Isawthecabpullup。Thedriverjumpeddown，andIsawhimopenthedoorandstandexpectantly。Nothingcameoutthough。WhenIreachedhimhewasgropingaboutfranticallyintheemptycab，andgivingventtothefinestassortedcollectionofoathsthateverIlistenedto。Therewasnosignortraceofhispassenger，andIfearitwillbesometimebeforehegetshisfare。
OninquiringatNumber13wefoundthatthehousebelongedtoarespectablepaperhanger，namedKeswick，andthatnooneofthenameeitherofSawyerorDennishadeverbeenheardofthere。"
"Youdon'tmeantosay，"Icried，inamazement，"thatthattottering，feebleoldwomanwasabletogetoutofthecabwhileitwasinmotion，withouteitheryouorthedriverseeingher?"
"Oldwomanbedamned!"saidSherlockHolmes，sharply。
"Weweretheoldwomentobesotakenin。Itmusthavebeenayoungman，andanactiveone，too，besidesbeinganincomparableactor。Theget-upwasinimitable。Hesawthathewasfollowed，nodoubt，andusedthismeansofgivingmetheslip。ItshowsthatthemanweareafterisnotaslonelyasIimaginedhewas，buthasfriendswhoarereadytorisksomethingforhim。Now，Doctor，youarelookingdone-up。
Takemyadviceandturnin。"
Iwascertainlyfeelingveryweary，soIobeyedhisinjunction。
IleftHolmesseatedinfrontofthesmoulderingfire，andlongintothewatchesofthenightIheardthelow，melancholywailingsofhisviolin，andknewthathewasstillponderingoverthestrangeproblemwhichhehadsethimselftounravel。
CHAPTERVI。
TOBIASGREGSONSHOWSWHATHECANDO。
THEpapersnextdaywerefullofthe"BrixtonMystery，"
astheytermedit。Eachhadalongaccountoftheaffair，andsomehadleadersuponitinaddition。Therewassomeinformationinthemwhichwasnewtome。Istillretaininmyscrap-booknumerousclippingsandextractsbearinguponthecase。Hereisacondensationofafewofthem:——
The_DailyTelegraph_remarkedthatinthehistoryofcrimetherehadseldombeenatragedywhichpresentedstrangerfeatures。TheGermannameofthevictim，theabsenceofallothermotive，andthesinisterinscriptiononthewall，allpointedtoitsperpetrationbypoliticalrefugeesandrevolutionists。TheSocialistshadmanybranchesinAmerica，andthedeceasedhad，nodoubt，infringedtheirunwrittenlaws，andbeentrackeddownbythem。AfteralludingairilytotheVehmgericht，aquatofana，Carbonari，theMarchionessdeBrinvilliers，theDarwiniantheory，theprinciplesofMalthus，andtheRatcliffHighwaymurders，thearticleconcludedbyadmonishingtheGovernmentandadvocatingacloserwatchoverforeignersinEngland。
The_Standard_commenteduponthefactthatlawlessoutragesofthesortusuallyoccurredunderaLiberalAdministration。
Theyarosefromtheunsettlingofthemindsofthemasses，andtheconsequentweakeningofallauthority。ThedeceasedwasanAmericangentlemanwhohadbeenresidingforsomeweeksintheMetropolis。Hehadstayedattheboarding-houseofMadameCharpentier，inTorquayTerrace，Camberwell。
Hewasaccompaniedinhistravelsbyhisprivatesecretary，Mr。JosephStangerson。ThetwobadeadieutotheirlandladyuponTuesday，the4thinst。，anddepartedtoEustonStationwiththeavowedintentionofcatchingtheLiverpoolexpress。
Theywereafterwardsseentogetherupontheplatform。
NothingmoreisknownofthemuntilMr。Drebber'sbodywas，asrecorded，discoveredinanemptyhouseintheBrixtonRoad，manymilesfromEuston。Howhecamethere，orhowhemethisfate，arequestionswhicharestillinvolvedinmystery。
NothingisknownofthewhereaboutsofStangerson。WearegladtolearnthatMr。LestradeandMr。Gregson，ofScotlandYard，arebothengageduponthecase，anditisconfidentlyanticipatedthatthesewell-knownofficerswillspeedilythrowlightuponthematter。
The_DailyNews_observedthattherewasnodoubtastothecrimebeingapoliticalone。ThedespotismandhatredofLiberalismwhichanimatedtheContinentalGovernmentshadhadtheeffectofdrivingtoourshoresanumberofmenwhomighthavemadeexcellentcitizensweretheynotsouredbytherecollectionofallthattheyhadundergone。Amongthesementherewasastringentcodeofhonour，anyinfringementofwhichwaspunishedbydeath。Everyeffortshouldbemadetofindthesecretary，Stangerson，andtoascertainsomeparticularsofthehabitsofthedeceased。Agreatstephadbeengainedbythediscoveryoftheaddressofthehouseatwhichhehadboarded——aresultwhichwasentirelyduetotheacutenessandenergyofMr。GregsonofScotlandYard。
SherlockHolmesandIreadthesenoticesovertogetheratbreakfast，andtheyappearedtoaffordhimconsiderableamusement。
"Itoldyouthat，whateverhappened，LestradeandGregsonwouldbesuretoscore。"
"Thatdependsonhowitturnsout。"
"Oh，blessyou，itdoesn'tmatterintheleast。Ifthemaniscaught，itwillbe_onaccount_oftheirexertions；ifheescapes，itwillbe_inspite_oftheirexertions。It'sheadsIwinandtailsyoulose。Whatevertheydo，theywillhavefollowers。`Unsottrouvetoujoursunplussotquil'admire。'"
"Whatonearthisthis?"Icried，foratthismomenttherecamethepatteringofmanystepsinthehallandonthestairs，accompaniedbyaudibleexpressionsofdisgustuponthepartofourlandlady。
"It'stheBakerStreetdivisionofthedetectivepoliceforce，"saidmycompanion，gravely；andashespokethererushedintotheroomhalfadozenofthedirtiestandmostraggedstreetArabsthateverIclappedeyeson。
"'Tention!"criedHolmes，inasharptone，andthesixdirtylittlescoundrelsstoodinalinelikesomanydisreputablestatuettes。"InfutureyoushallsendupWigginsalonetoreport，andtherestofyoumustwaitinthestreet。
Haveyoufoundit，Wiggins?"
"No，sir，wehain't，"saidoneoftheyouths。
"Ihardlyexpectedyouwould。Youmustkeeponuntilyoudo。
Hereareyourwages。{13}Hehandedeachofthemashilling。
"Now，offyougo，andcomebackwithabetterreportnexttime。"
Hewavedhishand，andtheyscamperedawaydownstairslikesomanyrats，andweheardtheirshrillvoicesnextmomentinthestreet。
"There'smoreworktobegotoutofoneofthoselittlebeggarsthanoutofadozenoftheforce，"Holmesremarked。
"Themeresightofanofficial-lookingpersonsealsmen'slips。Theseyoungsters，however，goeverywhereandheareverything。Theyareassharpasneedles，too；alltheywantisorganisation。"
"IsitonthisBrixtoncasethatyouareemployingthem?"Iasked。
"Yes；thereisapointwhichIwishtoascertain。Itismerelyamatteroftime。Hullo!wearegoingtohearsomenewsnowwithavengeance!HereisGregsoncomingdowntheroadwithbeatitudewrittenuponeveryfeatureofhisface。
Boundforus，Iknow。Yes，heisstopping。Thereheis!"
Therewasaviolentpealatthebell，andinafewsecondsthefair-haireddetectivecameupthestairs，threestepsatatime，andburstintooursitting-room。
"Mydearfellow，"hecried，wringingHolmes'unresponsivehand，"congratulateme!Ihavemadethewholethingasclearasday。"
Ashadeofanxietyseemedtometocrossmycompanion'sexpressiveface。
"Doyoumeanthatyouareontherighttrack?"heasked。
"Therighttrack!Why，sir，wehavethemanunderlockandkey。"
"Andhisnameis?"
"ArthurCharpentier，sub-lieutenantinHerMajesty'snavy，"
criedGregson，pompously，rubbinghisfathandsandinflatinghischest。
SherlockHolmesgaveasighofrelief，andrelaxedintoasmile。
"Takeaseat，andtryoneofthesecigars，"hesaid。
"Weareanxioustoknowhowyoumanagedit。Willyouhavesomewhiskeyandwater?"
"Idon'tmindifIdo，"thedetectiveanswered。
"ThetremendousexertionswhichIhavegonethroughduringthelastdayortwohavewornmeout。Notsomuchbodilyexertion，youunderstand，asthestrainuponthemind。
Youwillappreciatethat，Mr。SherlockHolmes，forwearebothbrain-workers。"
"Youdometoomuchhonour，"saidHolmes，gravely。
"Letushearhowyouarrivedatthismostgratifyingresult。"
Thedetectiveseatedhimselfinthearm-chair，andpuffedcomplacentlyathiscigar。Thensuddenlyheslappedhisthighinaparoxysmofamusement。
"Thefunofitis，"hecried，"thatthatfoolLestrade，whothinkshimselfsosmart，hasgoneoffuponthewrongtrackaltogether。HeisafterthesecretaryStangerson，whohadnomoretodowiththecrimethanthebabeunborn。Ihavenodoubtthathehascaughthimbythistime。"
TheideatickledGregsonsomuchthathelaugheduntilhechoked。
"Andhowdidyougetyourclue?"
"Ah，I'lltellyouallaboutit。Ofcourse，DoctorWatson，thisisstrictlybetweenourselves。ThefirstdifficultywhichwehadtocontendwithwasthefindingofthisAmerican'santecedents。Somepeoplewouldhavewaiteduntiltheiradvertisementswereanswered，oruntilpartiescameforwardandvolunteeredinformation。ThatisnotTobiasGregson'swayofgoingtowork。Yourememberthehatbesidethedeadman?"
"Yes，"saidHolmes；"byJohnUnderwoodandSons，129，CamberwellRoad。"
Gregsonlookedquitecrest-fallen。
"Ihadnoideathatyounoticedthat，"hesaid。
"Haveyoubeenthere?"
"No。"
"Ha!"criedGregson，inarelievedvoice；"youshouldneverneglectachance，howeversmallitmayseem。"
"Toagreatmind，nothingislittle，"remarkedHolmes，sententiously。
"Well，IwenttoUnderwood，andaskedhimifhehadsoldahatofthatsizeanddescription。Helookedoverhisbooks，andcameonitatonce。HehadsentthehattoaMr。Drebber，residingatCharpentier'sBoardingEstablishment，TorquayTerrace。ThusIgotathisaddress。"
"Smart——verysmart!"murmuredSherlockHolmes。
"InextcalleduponMadameCharpentier，"continuedthedetective。"Ifoundherverypaleanddistressed。Herdaughterwasintheroom，too——anuncommonlyfinegirlsheis，too；shewaslookingredabouttheeyesandherlipstrembledasIspoketoher。Thatdidn'tescapemynotice。
Ibegantosmellarat。Youknowthefeeling，Mr。SherlockHolmes，whenyoucomeupontherightscent——akindofthrillinyournerves。`HaveyouheardofthemysteriousdeathofyourlateboarderMr。EnochJ。Drebber，ofCleveland?'Iasked。
"Themothernodded。Shedidn'tseemabletogetoutaword。
Thedaughterburstintotears。Ifeltmorethaneverthatthesepeopleknewsomethingofthematter。
"`Atwhato'clockdidMr。Drebberleaveyourhouseforthetrain?'Iasked。
"`Ateighto'clock，'shesaid，gulpinginherthroattokeepdownheragitation。`Hissecretary，Mr。Stangerson，saidthatthereweretwotrains——oneat9。15andoneat11。
Hewastocatchthefirst。{14}
"`Andwasthatthelastwhichyousawofhim?'
"Aterriblechangecameoverthewoman'sfaceasIaskedthequestion。Herfeaturesturnedperfectlylivid。Itwassomesecondsbeforeshecouldgetoutthesingleword`Yes'——andwhenitdidcomeitwasinahuskyunnaturaltone。
"Therewassilenceforamoment，andthenthedaughterspokeinacalmclearvoice。
"`Nogoodcanevercomeoffalsehood，mother，'shesaid。
`Letusbefrankwiththisgentleman。We_did_seeMr。Drebberagain。'
"`Godforgiveyou!'criedMadameCharpentier，throwingupherhandsandsinkingbackinherchair。`Youhavemurderedyourbrother。'
"`Arthurwouldratherthatwespokethetruth，'thegirlansweredfirmly。
"`Youhadbesttellmeallaboutitnow，'Isaid。
`Half-confidencesareworsethannone。Besides，youdonotknowhowmuchweknowofit。'
"`Onyourheadbeit，Alice!'criedhermother；andthen，turningtome，`Iwilltellyouall，sir。Donotimaginethatmyagitationonbehalfofmysonarisesfromanyfearlestheshouldhavehadahandinthisterribleaffair。
Heisutterlyinnocentofit。Mydreadis，however，thatinyoureyesandintheeyesofothershemayappeartobecompromised。Thathoweverissurelyimpossible。Hishighcharacter，hisprofession，hisantecedentswouldallforbidit。'
"`Yourbestwayistomakeacleanbreastofthefacts，'
Ianswered。`Dependuponit，ifyoursonisinnocenthewillbenonetheworse。'
"`Perhaps，Alice，youhadbetterleaveustogether，'shesaid，andherdaughterwithdrew。`Now，sir，'shecontinued，`Ihadnointentionoftellingyouallthis，butsincemypoordaughterhasdiscloseditIhavenoalternative。Havingoncedecidedtospeak，Iwilltellyouallwithoutomittinganyparticular。'
"`Itisyourwisestcourse，'saidI。
"`Mr。Drebberhasbeenwithusnearlythreeweeks。Heandhissecretary，Mr。Stangerson，hadbeentravellingontheContinent。Inoticeda"Copenhagen"labeluponeachoftheirtrunks，showingthatthathadbeentheirlaststoppingplace。
Stangersonwasaquietreservedman，buthisemployer，Iamsorrytosay，wasfarotherwise。Hewascoarseinhishabitsandbrutishinhisways。Theverynightofhisarrivalhebecameverymuchtheworsefordrink，and，indeed，aftertwelveo'clockinthedayhecouldhardlyeverbesaidtobesober。Hismannerstowardsthemaid-servantsweredisgustinglyfreeandfamiliar。Worstofall，hespeedilyassumedthesameattitudetowardsmydaughter，Alice，andspoketohermorethanonceinawaywhich，fortunately，sheistooinnocenttounderstand。Ononeoccasionheactuallyseizedherinhisarmsandembracedher——anoutragewhichcausedhisownsecretarytoreproachhimforhisunmanlyconduct。'
"`Butwhydidyoustandallthis，'Iasked。`Isupposethatyoucangetridofyourboarderswhenyouwish。'
"Mrs。Charpentierblushedatmypertinentquestion。`WouldtoGodthatIhadgivenhimnoticeontheverydaythathecame，'shesaid。`Butitwasasoretemptation。Theywerepayingapoundadayeach——fourteenpoundsaweek，andthisistheslackseason。Iamawidow，andmyboyintheNavyhascostmemuch。Igrudgedtolosethemoney。Iactedforthebest。Thislastwastoomuch，however，andIgavehimnoticetoleaveonaccountofit。Thatwasthereasonofhisgoing。'
"`Well?'
"`MyheartgrewlightwhenIsawhimdriveaway。Mysonisonleavejustnow，butIdidnottellhimanythingofallthis，forhistemperisviolent，andheispassionatelyfondofhissister。WhenIclosedthedoorbehindthemaloadseemedtobeliftedfrommymind。Alas，inlessthananhourtherewasaringatthebell，andIlearnedthatMr。Drebberhadreturned。Hewasmuchexcited，andevidentlytheworsefordrink。Heforcedhiswayintotheroom，whereIwassittingwithmydaughter，andmadesomeincoherentremarkabouthavingmissedhistrain。HethenturnedtoAlice，andbeforemyveryface，proposedtoherthatsheshouldflywithhim。"Youareofage，"hesaid，"andthereisnolawtostopyou。Ihavemoneyenoughandtospare。Nevermindtheoldgirlhere，butcomealongwithmenowstraightaway。Youshalllivelikeaprincess。"PoorAlicewassofrightenedthatsheshrunkawayfromhim，buthecaughtherbythewristandendeavouredtodrawhertowardsthedoor。Iscreamed，andatthatmomentmysonArthurcameintotheroom。WhathappenedthenIdonotknow。Iheardoathsandtheconfusedsoundsofascuffle。Iwastooterrifiedtoraisemyhead。
WhenIdidlookupIsawArthurstandinginthedoorwaylaughing，withastickinhishand。"Idon'tthinkthatfinefellowwilltroubleusagain，"hesaid。"Iwilljustgoafterhimandseewhathedoeswithhimself。"Withthosewordshetookhishatandstartedoffdownthestreet。
ThenextmorningweheardofMr。Drebber'smysteriousdeath。'
"ThisstatementcamefromMrs。Charpentier'slipswithmanygaspsandpauses。AttimesshespokesolowthatIcouldhardlycatchthewords。Imadeshorthandnotesofallthatshesaid，however，sothatthereshouldbenopossibilityofamistake。"
"It'squiteexciting，"saidSherlockHolmes，withayawn。
"Whathappenednext?"
"WhenMrs。Charpentierpaused，"thedetectivecontinued，"Isawthatthewholecasehungupononepoint。FixingherwithmyeyeinawaywhichIalwaysfoundeffectivewithwomen，Iaskedheratwhathourhersonreturned。
"`Idonotknow，'sheanswered。
"`Notknow?'
"`No；hehasalatch-key，andhelethimselfin。'
"`Afteryouwenttobed?'
"`Yes。'
"`Whendidyougotobed?'
"`Abouteleven。'
"`Soyoursonwasgoneatleasttwohours?'
"`Yes。'
"`Possiblyfourorfive?'
"`Yes。'
"`Whatwashedoingduringthattime?'
"`Idonotknow，'sheanswered，turningwhitetoherverylips。
"Ofcourseafterthattherewasnothingmoretobedone。
IfoundoutwhereLieutenantCharpentierwas，tooktwoofficerswithme，andarrestedhim。WhenItouchedhimontheshoulderandwarnedhimtocomequietlywithus，heansweredusasboldasbrass，`IsupposeyouarearrestingmeforbeingconcernedinthedeathofthatscoundrelDrebber，'
hesaid。Wehadsaidnothingtohimaboutit，sothathisalludingtoithadamostsuspiciousaspect。"
"Very，"saidHolmes。
"HestillcarriedtheheavystickwhichthemotherdescribedhimashavingwithhimwhenhefollowedDrebber。Itwasastoutoakcudgel。"
"Whatisyourtheory，then?"
"Well，mytheoryisthathefollowedDrebberasfarastheBrixtonRoad。Whenthere，afreshaltercationarosebetweenthem，inthecourseofwhichDrebberreceivedablowfromthestick，inthepitofthestomach，perhaps，whichkilledhimwithoutleavinganymark。Thenightwassowetthatnoonewasabout，soCharpentierdraggedthebodyofhisvictimintotheemptyhouse。Astothecandle，andtheblood，andthewritingonthewall，andthering，theymayallbesomanytrickstothrowthepoliceontothewrongscent。"
"Welldone!"saidHolmesinanencouragingvoice。"Really，Gregson，youaregettingalong。Weshallmakesomethingofyouyet。"
"IflattermyselfthatIhavemanageditratherneatly，"
thedetectiveansweredproudly。"Theyoungmanvolunteeredastatement，inwhichhesaidthatafterfollowingDrebbersometime，thelatterperceivedhim，andtookacabinordertogetawayfromhim。Onhiswayhomehemetanoldshipmate，andtookalongwalkwithhim。Onbeingaskedwherethisoldshipmatelived，hewasunabletogiveanysatisfactoryreply。
Ithinkthewholecasefitstogetheruncommonlywell。WhatamusesmeistothinkofLestrade，whohadstartedoffuponthewrongscent。Iamafraidhewon'tmakemuchof{15}
Why，byJove，here'stheverymanhimself!"
ItwasindeedLestrade，whohadascendedthestairswhileweweretalking，andwhonowenteredtheroom。Theassuranceandjauntinesswhichgenerallymarkedhisdemeanouranddresswere，however，wanting。Hisfacewasdisturbedandtroubled，whilehisclothesweredisarrangedanduntidy。HehadevidentlycomewiththeintentionofconsultingwithSherlockHolmes，foronperceivinghiscolleagueheappearedtobeembarrassedandputout。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，fumblingnervouslywithhishatanduncertainwhattodo。
"Thisisamostextraordinarycase，"hesaidatlast——
"amostincomprehensibleaffair。"
"Ah，youfinditso，Mr。Lestrade!"criedGregson，triumphantly。"Ithoughtyouwouldcometothatconclusion。
HaveyoumanagedtofindtheSecretary，Mr。JosephStangerson?"
"TheSecretary，Mr。JosephStangerson，"saidLestradegravely，"wasmurderedatHalliday'sPrivateHotelaboutsixo'clockthismorning。"
CHAPTERVII。
LIGHTINTHEDARKNESS。
THEintelligencewithwhichLestradegreeteduswassomomentousandsounexpected，thatwewereallthreefairlydumfoundered。Gregsonsprangoutofhischairandupsettheremainderofhiswhiskeyandwater。IstaredinsilenceatSherlockHolmes，whoselipswerecompressedandhisbrowsdrawndownoverhiseyes。
"Stangersontoo!"hemuttered。"Theplotthickens。"
"Itwasquitethickenoughbefore，"grumbledLestrade，takingachair。"Iseemtohavedroppedintoasortofcouncilofwar。"
"Areyou——areyousureofthispieceofintelligence?"
stammeredGregson。
"Ihavejustcomefromhisroom，"saidLestrade。
"Iwasthefirsttodiscoverwhathadoccurred。"
"WehavebeenhearingGregson'sviewofthematter，"Holmesobserved。"Wouldyoumindlettingusknowwhatyouhaveseenanddone?"
"Ihavenoobjection，"Lestradeanswered，seatinghimself。
"IfreelyconfessthatIwasoftheopinionthatStangersonwasconcernedinthedeathofDrebber。ThisfreshdevelopmenthasshownmethatIwascompletelymistaken。
Fulloftheoneidea，IsetmyselftofindoutwhathadbecomeoftheSecretary。TheyhadbeenseentogetheratEustonStationabouthalf-pasteightontheeveningofthethird。AttwointhemorningDrebberhadbeenfoundintheBrixtonRoad。ThequestionwhichconfrontedmewastofindouthowStangersonhadbeenemployedbetween8。30andthetimeofthecrime，andwhathadbecomeofhimafterwards。
ItelegraphedtoLiverpool，givingadescriptionoftheman，andwarningthemtokeepawatchupontheAmericanboats。
Ithensettoworkcallinguponallthehotelsandlodging-housesinthevicinityofEuston。Yousee，IarguedthatifDrebberandhiscompanionhadbecomeseparated，thenaturalcourseforthelatterwouldbetoputupsomewhereinthevicinityforthenight，andthentohangaboutthestationagainnextmorning。"
"Theywouldbelikelytoagreeonsomemeeting-placebeforehand，"
remarkedHolmes。
"Soitproved。Ispentthewholeofyesterdayeveninginmakingenquiriesentirelywithoutavail。ThismorningI
beganveryearly，andateighto'clockIreachedHalliday'sPrivateHotel，inLittleGeorgeStreet。OnmyenquiryastowhetheraMr。Stangersonwaslivingthere，theyatonceansweredmeintheaffirmative。
"`Nodoubtyouarethegentlemanwhomhewasexpecting，'
theysaid。`Hehasbeenwaitingforagentlemanfortwodays。'
"`Whereishenow?'Iasked。
"`Heisupstairsinbed。Hewishedtobecalledatnine。'
"`Iwillgoupandseehimatonce，'Isaid。
"Itseemedtomethatmysuddenappearancemightshakehisnervesandleadhimtosaysomethingunguarded。TheBootsvolunteeredtoshowmetheroom:itwasonthesecondfloor，andtherewasasmallcorridorleadinguptoit。TheBootspointedoutthedoortome，andwasabouttogodownstairsagainwhenIsawsomethingthatmademefeelsickish，inspiteofmytwentyyears'experience。Fromunderthedoortherecurledalittleredribbonofblood，whichhadmeanderedacrossthepassageandformedalittlepoolalongtheskirtingattheotherside。Igaveacry，whichbroughttheBootsback。Henearlyfaintedwhenhesawit。Thedoorwaslockedontheinside，butweputourshoulderstoit，andknockeditin。Thewindowoftheroomwasopen，andbesidethewindow，allhuddledup，laythebodyofamaninhisnightdress。Hewasquitedead，andhadbeenforsometime，forhislimbswererigidandcold。Whenweturnedhimover，theBootsrecognizedhimatonceasbeingthesamegentlemanwhohadengagedtheroomunderthenameofJosephStangerson。
Thecauseofdeathwasadeepstabintheleftside，whichmusthavepenetratedtheheart。Andnowcomesthestrangestpartoftheaffair。Whatdoyousupposewasabovethemurderedman?"
Ifeltacreepingoftheflesh，andapresentimentofcominghorror，evenbeforeSherlockHolmesanswered。
"ThewordRACHE，writteninlettersofblood，"hesaid。
"Thatwasit，"saidLestrade，inanawe-struckvoice；
andwewereallsilentforawhile。
Therewassomethingsomethodicalandsoincomprehensibleaboutthedeedsofthisunknownassassin，thatitimpartedafreshghastlinesstohiscrimes。Mynerves，whichweresteadyenoughonthefieldofbattletingledasIthoughtofit。
"Themanwasseen，"continuedLestrade。"Amilkboy，passingonhiswaytothedairy，happenedtowalkdownthelanewhichleadsfromthemewsatthebackofthehotel。Henoticedthataladder，whichusuallylaythere，wasraisedagainstoneofthewindowsofthesecondfloor，whichwaswideopen。
Afterpassing，helookedbackandsawamandescendtheladder。Hecamedownsoquietlyandopenlythattheboyimaginedhimtobesomecarpenterorjoineratworkinthehotel。Hetooknoparticularnoticeofhim，beyondthinkinginhisownmindthatitwasearlyforhimtobeatwork。Hehasanimpressionthatthemanwastall，hadareddishface，andwasdressedinalong，brownishcoat。Hemusthavestayedintheroomsomelittletimeafterthemurder，forwefoundblood-stainedwaterinthebasin，wherehehadwashedhishands，andmarksonthesheetswherehehaddeliberatelywipedhisknife。"