Этюд в багровых тонах
A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D.
IhaddrivensomedistancewhenIputmyhandintothepocketinwhichIusuallykeptLucy’sring,andfoundthatitwasnotthere. Iwasthunderstruckatthis,foritwastheonlymementothatIhadofher. ThinkingthatImighthavedroppeditwhenIstoopedoverDrebber’sbody,Idroveback,andleavingmycabinasidestreet,Iwentboldlyuptothehouse—forIwasreadytodareanythingratherthanlosethering. WhenIarrivedthere,Iwalkedrightintothearmsofapolice-officerwhowascomingout,andonlymanagedtodisarmhissuspicionsbypretendingtobehopelesslydrunk.
“ThatwashowEnochDrebbercametohisend. AllIhadtodothenwastodoasmuchforStangerson,andsopayoffJohnFerrier’sdebt. IknewthathewasstayingatHalliday’sPrivateHotel,andIhungaboutallday,buthenevercameout. 26fancythathesuspectedsomethingwhenDrebberfailedtoputinanappearance. Hewascunning,wasStangerson,andalwaysonhisguard. Ifhethoughthecouldkeepmeoffbystayingindoorshewasverymuchmistaken. Isoonfoundoutwhichwasthewindowofhisbedroom,andearlynextmorningItookadvantageofsomeladderswhichwerelyinginthelanebehindthehotel,andsomademywayintohisroominthegreyofthedawn. Iwokehimupandtoldhimthatthehourhadcomewhenhewastoanswerforthelifehehadtakensolongbefore. IdescribedDrebber’sdeathtohim,andIgavehimthesamechoiceofthepoisonedpills.
