Этюд в багровых тонах
The Lauriston Garden Mystery
Twodoorsopenedoutofittotheleftandtotheright. Oneofthesehadobviouslybeenclosedformanyweeks. Theotherbelongedtothedining-room,whichwastheapartmentinwhichthemysteriousaffairhadoccurred. Holmeswalkedin,andIfollowedhimwiththatsubduedfeelingatmyheartwhichthepresenceofdeathinspires.
Itwasalargesquareroom,lookingallthelargerfromtheabsenceofallfurniture. Avulgarflaringpaperadornedthewalls,butitwasblotchedinplaceswithmildew,andhereandtheregreatstripshadbecomedetachedandhungdown,exposingtheyellowplasterbeneath. Oppositethedoorwasashowyfireplace,surmountedbyamantelpieceofimitationwhitemarble. Ononecornerofthiswasstuckthestumpofaredwaxcandle. Thesolitarywindowwassodirtythatthelightwashazyanduncertain,givingadullgreytingetoeverything,whichwasintensifiedbythethicklayerofdustwhichcoatedthewholeapartment.
AllthesedetailsIobservedafterwards. Atpresentmyattentionwascentreduponthesinglegrimmotionlessfigurewhichlaystretchedupontheboards,withvacantsightlesseyesstaringupatthediscolouredceiling. Itwasthatofamanaboutforty-threeorforty-fouryearsofage,middle-sized,broadshouldered,withcrispcurlingblackhair,andashortstubblybeard. Hewasdressedinaheavybroadclothfrockcoatandwaistcoat,withlight-colouredtrousers,andimmaculatecollarandcuffs. Atophat,wellbrushedandtrim,wasplaceduponthefloorbesidehim.
