Этюд в багровых тонах
Our Advertisement brings a Visitor.
HethrewthepaperacrosstomeandIglancedattheplaceindicated. Itwasthefirstannouncementinthe“Found”column. “InBrixtonRoad,thismorning,”itran,“aplaingoldweddingring,foundintheroadwaybetweenthe‘WhiteHart’TavernandHollandGrove. ApplyDr.Watson,221B,BakerStreet,betweeneightandninethisevening.”
“Excusemyusingyourname,”hesaid. “IfIusedmyownsomeofthesedunderheadswouldrecognizeit,andwanttomeddleintheaffair.”
“Thatisallright,”Ianswered. “Butsupposinganyoneapplies,Ihavenoring.”
“Ohyes,youhave,”saidhe,handingmeone. “Thiswilldoverywell.Itisalmostafacsimile.”
“Andwhodoyouexpectwillanswerthisadvertisement.”
“Why,themaninthebrowncoat—ourfloridfriendwiththesquaretoes. Ifhedoesnotcomehimselfhewillsendanaccomplice.”
“Wouldhenotconsideritastoodangerous?”
“Notatall. Ifmyviewofthecaseiscorrect,andIhaveeveryreasontobelievethatitis,thismanwouldratherriskanythingthanlosethering. AccordingtomynotionhedroppeditwhilestoopingoverDrebber’sbody,anddidnotmissitatthetime. Afterleavingthehousehediscoveredhislossandhurriedback,butfoundthepolicealreadyinpossession,owingtohisownfollyinleavingthecandleburning. Hehadtopretendtobedrunkinordertoallaythesuspicionswhichmighthavebeenarousedbyhisappearanceatthegate.
