Этюд в багровых тонах
A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D.
Drebbersaidthathehadalittlebusinessofhisowntodo,andthatiftheotherwouldwaitforhimhewouldsoonrejoinhim. Hiscompanionremonstratedwithhim,andremindedhimthattheyhadresolvedtosticktogether. Drebberansweredthatthematterwasadelicateone,andthathemustgoalone. IcouldnotcatchwhatStangersonsaidtothat,buttheotherburstoutswearing,andremindedhimthathewasnothingmorethanhispaidservant,andthathemustnotpresumetodictatetohim. OnthattheSecretarygaveitupasabadjob,andsimplybargainedwithhimthatifhemissedthelasttrainheshouldrejoinhimatHalliday’sPrivateHotel; towhichDrebberansweredthathewouldbebackontheplatformbeforeeleven,andmadehiswayoutofthestation.
“ThemomentforwhichIhadwaitedsolonghadatlastcome. Ihadmyenemieswithinmypower. Togethertheycouldprotecteachother,butsinglytheywereatmymercy. Ididnotact,however,withundueprecipitation. Myplanswerealreadyformed. Thereisnosatisfactioninvengeanceunlesstheoffenderhastimetorealizewhoitisthatstrikeshim,andwhyretributionhascomeuponhim. IhadmyplansarrangedbywhichIshouldhavetheopportunityofmakingthemanwhohadwrongedmeunderstandthathisoldsinhadfoundhimout. ItchancedthatsomedaysbeforeagentlemanwhohadbeenengagedinlookingoversomehousesintheBrixtonRoadhaddroppedthekeyofoneoftheminmycarriage.
