Этюд в багровых тонах
Tobias Gregson shows what he can do.
WhathappenedthenIdonotknow. Iheardoathsandtheconfusedsoundsofascuffle. Iwastooterrifiedtoraisemyhead. WhenIdidlookupIsawArthurstandinginthedoorwaylaughing,withastickinhishand. “Idon’tthinkthatfinefellowwilltroubleusagain,”hesaid. “Iwilljustgoafterhimandseewhathedoeswithhimself.” Withthosewordshetookhishatandstartedoffdownthestreet. ThenextmorningweheardofMr.Drebber’smysteriousdeath.’
“ThisstatementcamefromMrs.Charpentier’slipswithmanygaspsandpauses. AttimesshespokesolowthatIcouldhardlycatchthewords. Imadeshorthandnotesofallthatshesaid,however,sothatthereshouldbenopossibilityofamistake.”
“It’squiteexciting,”saidSherlockHolmes,withayawn. “Whathappenednext?”
“WhenMrs.Charpentierpaused,”thedetectivecontinued,“Isawthatthewholecasehungupononepoint. FixingherwithmyeyeinawaywhichIalwaysfoundeffectivewithwomen,Iaskedheratwhathourhersonreturned.
“‘Idonotknow,’sheanswered.
“‘Notknow?’
“‘No;hehasalatch-key,andhelethimselfin.’
“‘Afteryouwenttobed?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘Whendidyougotobed?’
“‘Abouteleven.’
“‘Soyoursonwasgoneatleasttwohours?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘Possiblyfourorfive?’
“‘Yes.’
“‘Whatwashedoingduringthattime?’
“‘Idonotknow,’sheanswered,turningwhitetoherverylips.
“Ofcourseafterthattherewasnothingmoretobedone.
