Light in the Darkness.

           TheintelligencewithwhichLestradegreeteduswassomomentousandsounexpected,thatwewereallthreefairlydumfoundered. Gregsonsprangoutofhischairandupsettheremainderofhiswhiskeyandwater. IstaredinsilenceatSherlockHolmes,whoselipswerecompressedandhisbrowsdrawndownoverhiseyes. 

           “Stangersontoo!”hemuttered. “Theplotthickens.” 

           “Itwasquitethickenoughbefore,”grumbledLestrade,takingachair. “Iseemtohavedroppedintoasortofcouncilofwar.” 

           “Areyou—areyousureofthispieceofintelligence?”stammeredGregson. 

           “Ihavejustcomefromhisroom,”saidLestrade. “Iwasthefirsttodiscoverwhathadoccurred.” 

           “WehavebeenhearingGregson’sviewofthematter,”Holmesobserved. “Wouldyoumindlettingusknowwhatyouhaveseenanddone?” 

           “Ihavenoobjection,”Lestradeanswered,seatinghimself. “IfreelyconfessthatIwasoftheopinionthatStangersonwasconcernedinthedeathofDrebber. ThisfreshdevelopmenthasshownmethatIwascompletelymistaken. Fulloftheoneidea,IsetmyselftofindoutwhathadbecomeoftheSecretary. TheyhadbeenseentogetheratEustonStationabouthalf-pasteightontheeveningofthethird. AttwointhemorningDrebberhadbeenfoundintheBrixtonRoad. ThequestionwhichconfrontedmewastofindouthowStangersonhadbeenemployedbetween8.30andthetimeofthecrime,andwhathadbecomeofhimafterwards. ItelegraphedtoLiverpool,givingadescriptionoftheman,andwarningthemtokeepawatchupontheAmericanboats.