Этюд в багровых тонах
Light in the Darkness.
Ithensettoworkcallinguponallthehotelsandlodging-housesinthevicinityofEuston. Yousee,IarguedthatifDrebberandhiscompanionhadbecomeseparated,thenaturalcourseforthelatterwouldbetoputupsomewhereinthevicinityforthenight,andthentohangaboutthestationagainnextmorning.”
“Theywouldbelikelytoagreeonsomemeeting-placebeforehand,”remarkedHolmes.
“Soitproved. Ispentthewholeofyesterdayeveninginmakingenquiriesentirelywithoutavail. ThismorningIbeganveryearly,andateighto’clockIreachedHalliday’sPrivateHotel,inLittleGeorgeStreet. OnmyenquiryastowhetheraMr.Stangersonwaslivingthere,theyatonceansweredmeintheaffirmative.
“‘Nodoubtyouarethegentlemanwhomhewasexpecting,’theysaid. ‘Hehasbeenwaitingforagentlemanfortwodays.’
“‘Whereishenow?’Iasked.
“‘Heisupstairsinbed. Hewishedtobecalledatnine.’
“‘Iwillgoupandseehimatonce,’Isaid.
“Itseemedtomethatmysuddenappearancemightshakehisnervesandleadhimtosaysomethingunguarded. TheBootsvolunteeredtoshowmetheroom:itwasonthesecondfloor,andtherewasasmallcorridorleadinguptoit. TheBootspointedoutthedoortome,andwasabouttogodownstairsagainwhenIsawsomethingthatmademefeelsickish,inspiteofmytwentyyears’experience. Fromunderthedoortherecurledalittleredribbonofblood,whichhadmeanderedacrossthepassageandformedalittlepoolalongtheskirtingattheotherside.
