Этюд в багровых тонах
A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D.
“Theywereverycunning,though. Theymusthavethoughtthattherewassomechanceoftheirbeingfollowed,fortheywouldnevergooutalone,andneverafternightfall. DuringtwoweeksIdrovebehindthemeveryday,andneveroncesawthemseparate. Drebberhimselfwasdrunkhalfthetime,butStangersonwasnottobecaughtnapping. Iwatchedthemlateandearly,butneversawtheghostofachance;butIwasnotdiscouraged,forsomethingtoldmethatthehourhadalmostcome. Myonlyfearwasthatthisthinginmychestmightburstalittletoosoonandleavemyworkundone.
“Atlast,oneeveningIwasdrivingupanddownTorquayTerrace,asthestreetwascalledinwhichtheyboarded,whenIsawacabdriveuptotheirdoor. Presentlysomeluggagewasbroughtout,andafteratimeDrebberandStangersonfollowedit,anddroveoff. Iwhippedupmyhorseandkeptwithinsightofthem,feelingveryillatease,forIfearedthattheyweregoingtoshifttheirquarters. AtEustonStationtheygotout,andIleftaboytoholdmyhorse,andfollowedthemontotheplatform. IheardthemaskfortheLiverpooltrain,andtheguardanswerthatonehadjustgoneandtherewouldnotbeanotherforsomehours. Stangersonseemedtobeputoutatthat,butDrebberwasratherpleasedthanotherwise. IgotsoclosetotheminthebustlethatIcouldheareverywordthatpassedbetweenthem.
