Theoldwomanfacedroundandlookedkeenlyathimfromherlittlered-rimmedeyes。\"Thegentlemanaskedmefor_my_address，\"shesaid。\"Sallylivesinlodgingsat3，MayfieldPlace，Peckham。\"
\"Andyournameis——?\"
\"MynameisSawyer——her\'sisDennis，whichTomDennismarriedher——andasmart，cleanlad，too，aslongashe\'satsea，andnostewardinthecompanymorethoughtof；butwhenonshore，whatwiththewomenandwhatwithliquorshops——\"
\"Hereisyourring，Mrs。Sawyer，\"Iinterrupted，inobediencetoasignfrommycompanion；\"itclearlybelongstoyourdaughter，andIamgladtobeabletorestoreittotherightfulowner。\"
Withmanymumbledblessingsandprotestationsofgratitudetheoldcronepackeditawayinherpocket，andshuffledoffdownthestairs。SherlockHolmessprangtohisfeetthemomentthatshewasgoneandrushedintohisroom。
Hereturnedinafewsecondsenvelopedinanulsterandacravat。\"I\'llfollowher，\"hesaid，hurriedly；\"shemustbeanaccomplice，andwillleadmetohim。Waitupforme。\"
ThehalldoorhadhardlyslammedbehindourvisitorbeforeHolmeshaddescendedthestair。LookingthroughthewindowIcouldseeherwalkingfeeblyalongtheotherside，whileherpursuerdoggedhersomelittledistancebehind。\"Eitherhiswholetheoryisincorrect，\"Ithoughttomyself，\"orelsehewillbelednowtotheheartofthemystery。\"Therewasnoneedforhimtoaskmetowaitupforhim，forIfeltthatsleepwasimpossibleuntilIheardtheresultofhisadventure。
Itwascloseuponninewhenhesetout。Ihadnoideahowlonghemightbe，butIsatstolidlypuffingatmypipeandskippingoverthepagesofHenriMurger\'s\"ViedeBoheme。\"{12}
Teno\'clockpassed，andIheardthefootstepsofthemaidastheypatteredofftobed。Eleven，andthemorestatelytreadofthelandladypassedmydoor，boundforthesamedestination。
ItwascloseupontwelvebeforeIheardthesharpsoundofhislatch-key。TheinstantheenteredIsawbyhisfacethathehadnotbeensuccessful。Amusementandchagrinseemedtobestrugglingforthemastery，untiltheformersuddenlycarriedtheday，andheburstintoaheartylaugh。
\"Iwouldn\'thavetheScotlandYardersknowitfortheworld，\"
hecried，droppingintohischair；\"Ihavechaffedthemsomuchthattheywouldneverhaveletmeheartheendofit。
Icanaffordtolaugh，becauseIknowthatIwillbeevenwiththeminthelongrun。\"
\"Whatisitthen?\"Iasked。
\"Oh，Idon\'tmindtellingastoryagainstmyself。Thatcreaturehadgonealittlewaywhenshebegantolimpandshoweverysignofbeingfoot-sore。Presentlyshecametoahalt，andhailedafour-wheelerwhichwaspassing。Imanagedtobeclosetohersoastoheartheaddress，butIneednothavebeensoanxious，forshesangitoutloudenoughtobeheardattheothersideofthestreet，`Driveto13，DuncanStreet，Houndsditch，\'shecried。Thisbeginstolookgenuine，Ithought，andhavingseenhersafelyinside，Iperchedmyselfbehind。That\'sanartwhicheverydetectiveshouldbeanexpertat。Well，awaywerattled，andneverdrewreinuntilwereachedthestreetinquestion。Ihoppedoffbeforewecametothedoor，andstrolleddownthestreetinaneasy，loungingway。Isawthecabpullup。Thedriverjumpeddown，andIsawhimopenthedoorandstandexpectantly。Nothingcameoutthough。WhenIreachedhimhewasgropingaboutfranticallyintheemptycab，andgivingventtothefinestassortedcollectionofoathsthateverIlistenedto。Therewasnosignortraceofhispassenger，andIfearitwillbesometimebeforehegetshisfare。
OninquiringatNumber13wefoundthatthehousebelongedtoarespectablepaperhanger，namedKeswick，andthatnooneofthenameeitherofSawyerorDennishadeverbeenheardofthere。\"
\"Youdon\'tmeantosay，\"Icried，inamazement，\"thatthattottering，feebleoldwomanwasabletogetoutofthecabwhileitwasinmotion，withouteitheryouorthedriverseeingher?\"
\"Oldwomanbedamned!\"saidSherlockHolmes，sharply。
\"Weweretheoldwomentobesotakenin。Itmusthavebeenayoungman，andanactiveone，too，besidesbeinganincomparableactor。Theget-upwasinimitable。Hesawthathewasfollowed，nodoubt，andusedthismeansofgivingmetheslip。ItshowsthatthemanweareafterisnotaslonelyasIimaginedhewas，buthasfriendswhoarereadytorisksomethingforhim。Now，Doctor，youarelookingdone-up。
Takemyadviceandturnin。\"
Iwascertainlyfeelingveryweary，soIobeyedhisinjunction。
IleftHolmesseatedinfrontofthesmoulderingfire，andlongintothewatchesofthenightIheardthelow，melancholywailingsofhisviolin，andknewthathewasstillponderingoverthestrangeproblemwhichhehadsethimselftounravel。
CHAPTERVI。
TOBIASGREGSONSHOWSWHATHECANDO。
THEpapersnextdaywerefullofthe\"BrixtonMystery，\"
astheytermedit。Eachhadalongaccountoftheaffair，andsomehadleadersuponitinaddition。Therewassomeinformationinthemwhichwasnewtome。Istillretaininmyscrap-booknumerousclippingsandextractsbearinguponthecase。Hereisacondensationofafewofthem:——
The_DailyTelegraph_remarkedthatinthehistoryofcrimetherehadseldombeenatragedywhichpresentedstrangerfeatures。TheGermannameofthevictim，theabsenceofallothermotive，andthesinisterinscriptiononthewall，allpointedtoitsperpetrationbypoliticalrefugeesandrevolutionists。TheSocialistshadmanybranchesinAmerica，andthedeceasedhad，nodoubt，infringedtheirunwrittenlaws，andbeentrackeddownbythem。AfteralludingairilytotheVehmgericht，aquatofana，Carbonari，theMarchionessdeBrinvilliers，theDarwiniantheory，theprinciplesofMalthus，andtheRatcliffHighwaymurders，thearticleconcludedbyadmonishingtheGovernmentandadvocatingacloserwatchoverforeignersinEngland。
The_Standard_commenteduponthefactthatlawlessoutragesofthesortusuallyoccurredunderaLiberalAdministration。
Theyarosefromtheunsettlingofthemindsofthemasses，andtheconsequentweakeningofallauthority。ThedeceasedwasanAmericangentlemanwhohadbeenresidingforsomeweeksintheMetropolis。Hehadstayedattheboarding-houseofMadameCharpentier，inTorquayTerrace，Camberwell。
Hewasaccompaniedinhistravelsbyhisprivatesecretary，Mr。JosephStangerson。ThetwobadeadieutotheirlandladyuponTuesday，the4thinst。，anddepartedtoEustonStationwiththeavowedintentionofcatchingtheLiverpoolexpress。
Theywereafterwardsseentogetherupontheplatform。
NothingmoreisknownofthemuntilMr。Drebber\'sbodywas，asrecorded，discoveredinanemptyhouseintheBrixtonRoad，manymilesfromEuston。Howhecamethere，orhowhemethisfate，arequestionswhicharestillinvolvedinmystery。
NothingisknownofthewhereaboutsofStangerson。WearegladtolearnthatMr。LestradeandMr。Gregson，ofScotlandYard，arebothengageduponthecase，anditisconfidentlyanticipatedthatthesewell-knownofficerswillspeedilythrowlightuponthematter。
The_DailyNews_observedthattherewasnodoubtastothecrimebeingapoliticalone。ThedespotismandhatredofLiberalismwhichanimatedtheContinentalGovernmentshadhadtheeffectofdrivingtoourshoresanumberofmenwhomighthavemadeexcellentcitizensweretheynotsouredbytherecollectionofallthattheyhadundergone。Amongthesementherewasastringentcodeofhonour，anyinfringementofwhichwaspunishedbydeath。Everyeffortshouldbemadetofindthesecretary，Stangerson，andtoascertainsomeparticularsofthehabitsofthedeceased。Agreatstephadbeengainedbythediscoveryoftheaddressofthehouseatwhichhehadboarded——aresultwhichwasentirelyduetotheacutenessandenergyofMr。GregsonofScotlandYard。
SherlockHolmesandIreadthesenoticesovertogetheratbreakfast，andtheyappearedtoaffordhimconsiderableamusement。
\"Itoldyouthat，whateverhappened，LestradeandGregsonwouldbesuretoscore。\"
\"Thatdependsonhowitturnsout。\"
\"Oh，blessyou，itdoesn\'tmatterintheleast。Ifthemaniscaught，itwillbe_onaccount_oftheirexertions；ifheescapes，itwillbe_inspite_oftheirexertions。It\'sheadsIwinandtailsyoulose。Whatevertheydo，theywillhavefollowers。`Unsottrouvetoujoursunplussotquil\'admire。\'\"
\"Whatonearthisthis?\"Icried，foratthismomenttherecamethepatteringofmanystepsinthehallandonthestairs，accompaniedbyaudibleexpressionsofdisgustuponthepartofourlandlady。
\"It\'stheBakerStreetdivisionofthedetectivepoliceforce，\"saidmycompanion，gravely；andashespokethererushedintotheroomhalfadozenofthedirtiestandmostraggedstreetArabsthateverIclappedeyeson。
\"\'Tention!\"criedHolmes，inasharptone，andthesixdirtylittlescoundrelsstoodinalinelikesomanydisreputablestatuettes。\"InfutureyoushallsendupWigginsalonetoreport，andtherestofyoumustwaitinthestreet。
Haveyoufoundit，Wiggins?\"
\"No，sir，wehain\'t，\"saidoneoftheyouths。
\"Ihardlyexpectedyouwould。Youmustkeeponuntilyoudo。
Hereareyourwages。{13}Hehandedeachofthemashilling。
\"Now，offyougo，andcomebackwithabetterreportnexttime。\"
Hewavedhishand，andtheyscamperedawaydownstairslikesomanyrats，andweheardtheirshrillvoicesnextmomentinthestreet。
\"There\'smoreworktobegotoutofoneofthoselittlebeggarsthanoutofadozenoftheforce，\"Holmesremarked。
\"Themeresightofanofficial-lookingpersonsealsmen\'slips。Theseyoungsters，however，goeverywhereandheareverything。Theyareassharpasneedles，too；alltheywantisorganisation。\"
\"IsitonthisBrixtoncasethatyouareemployingthem?\"Iasked。
\"Yes；thereisapointwhichIwishtoascertain。Itismerelyamatteroftime。Hullo!wearegoingtohearsomenewsnowwithavengeance!HereisGregsoncomingdowntheroadwithbeatitudewrittenuponeveryfeatureofhisface。
Boundforus，Iknow。Yes，heisstopping。Thereheis!\"
Therewasaviolentpealatthebell，andinafewsecondsthefair-haireddetectivecameupthestairs，threestepsatatime，andburstintooursitting-room。
\"Mydearfellow，\"hecried，wringingHolmes\'unresponsivehand，\"congratulateme!Ihavemadethewholethingasclearasday。\"
Ashadeofanxietyseemedtometocrossmycompanion\'sexpressiveface。
\"Doyoumeanthatyouareontherighttrack?\"heasked。
\"Therighttrack!Why，sir，wehavethemanunderlockandkey。\"
\"Andhisnameis?\"
\"ArthurCharpentier，sub-lieutenantinHerMajesty\'snavy，\"
criedGregson，pompously，rubbinghisfathandsandinflatinghischest。
SherlockHolmesgaveasighofrelief，andrelaxedintoasmile。
\"Takeaseat，andtryoneofthesecigars，\"hesaid。
\"Weareanxioustoknowhowyoumanagedit。Willyouhavesomewhiskeyandwater?\"
\"Idon\'tmindifIdo，\"thedetectiveanswered。
\"ThetremendousexertionswhichIhavegonethroughduringthelastdayortwohavewornmeout。Notsomuchbodilyexertion，youunderstand，asthestrainuponthemind。
Youwillappreciatethat，Mr。SherlockHolmes，forwearebothbrain-workers。\"
\"Youdometoomuchhonour，\"saidHolmes，gravely。
\"Letushearhowyouarrivedatthismostgratifyingresult。\"
Thedetectiveseatedhimselfinthearm-chair，andpuffedcomplacentlyathiscigar。Thensuddenlyheslappedhisthighinaparoxysmofamusement。
\"Thefunofitis，\"hecried，\"thatthatfoolLestrade，whothinkshimselfsosmart，hasgoneoffuponthewrongtrackaltogether。HeisafterthesecretaryStangerson，whohadnomoretodowiththecrimethanthebabeunborn。Ihavenodoubtthathehascaughthimbythistime。\"
TheideatickledGregsonsomuchthathelaugheduntilhechoked。
\"Andhowdidyougetyourclue?\"
\"Ah，I\'lltellyouallaboutit。Ofcourse，DoctorWatson，thisisstrictlybetweenourselves。ThefirstdifficultywhichwehadtocontendwithwasthefindingofthisAmerican\'santecedents。Somepeoplewouldhavewaiteduntiltheiradvertisementswereanswered，oruntilpartiescameforwardandvolunteeredinformation。ThatisnotTobiasGregson\'swayofgoingtowork。Yourememberthehatbesidethedeadman?\"
\"Yes，\"saidHolmes；\"byJohnUnderwoodandSons，129，CamberwellRoad。\"
Gregsonlookedquitecrest-fallen。
\"Ihadnoideathatyounoticedthat，\"hesaid。
\"Haveyoubeenthere?\"
\"No。\"
\"Ha!\"criedGregson，inarelievedvoice；\"youshouldneverneglectachance，howeversmallitmayseem。\"
\"Toagreatmind，nothingislittle，\"remarkedHolmes，sententiously。
\"Well，IwenttoUnderwood，andaskedhimifhehadsoldahatofthatsizeanddescription。Helookedoverhisbooks，andcameonitatonce。HehadsentthehattoaMr。Drebber，residingatCharpentier\'sBoardingEstablishment，TorquayTerrace。ThusIgotathisaddress。\"
\"Smart——verysmart!\"murmuredSherlockHolmes。
\"InextcalleduponMadameCharpentier，\"continuedthedetective。\"Ifoundherverypaleanddistressed。Herdaughterwasintheroom，too——anuncommonlyfinegirlsheis，too；shewaslookingredabouttheeyesandherlipstrembledasIspoketoher。Thatdidn\'tescapemynotice。
Ibegantosmellarat。Youknowthefeeling，Mr。SherlockHolmes，whenyoucomeupontherightscent——akindofthrillinyournerves。`HaveyouheardofthemysteriousdeathofyourlateboarderMr。EnochJ。Drebber，ofCleveland?\'Iasked。
\"Themothernodded。Shedidn\'tseemabletogetoutaword。
Thedaughterburstintotears。Ifeltmorethaneverthatthesepeopleknewsomethingofthematter。
\"`Atwhato\'clockdidMr。Drebberleaveyourhouseforthetrain?\'Iasked。
\"`Ateighto\'clock，\'shesaid，gulpinginherthroattokeepdownheragitation。`Hissecretary，Mr。Stangerson，saidthatthereweretwotrains——oneat9。15andoneat11。
Hewastocatchthefirst。{14}
\"`Andwasthatthelastwhichyousawofhim?\'
\"Aterriblechangecameoverthewoman\'sfaceasIaskedthequestion。Herfeaturesturnedperfectlylivid。Itwassomesecondsbeforeshecouldgetoutthesingleword`Yes\'——andwhenitdidcomeitwasinahuskyunnaturaltone。
\"Therewassilenceforamoment，andthenthedaughterspokeinacalmclearvoice。
\"`Nogoodcanevercomeoffalsehood，mother，\'shesaid。
`Letusbefrankwiththisgentleman。We_did_seeMr。Drebberagain。\'
\"`Godforgiveyou!\'criedMadameCharpentier，throwingupherhandsandsinkingbackinherchair。`Youhavemurderedyourbrother。\'
\"`Arthurwouldratherthatwespokethetruth，\'thegirlansweredfirmly。
\"`Youhadbesttellmeallaboutitnow，\'Isaid。
`Half-confidencesareworsethannone。Besides，youdonotknowhowmuchweknowofit。\'
\"`Onyourheadbeit，Alice!\'criedhermother；andthen，turningtome，`Iwilltellyouall，sir。Donotimaginethatmyagitationonbehalfofmysonarisesfromanyfearlestheshouldhavehadahandinthisterribleaffair。
Heisutterlyinnocentofit。Mydreadis，however，thatinyoureyesandintheeyesofothershemayappeartobecompromised。Thathoweverissurelyimpossible。Hishighcharacter，hisprofession，hisantecedentswouldallforbidit。\'
\"`Yourbestwayistomakeacleanbreastofthefacts，\'
Ianswered。`Dependuponit，ifyoursonisinnocenthewillbenonetheworse。\'
\"`Perhaps，Alice，youhadbetterleaveustogether，\'shesaid，andherdaughterwithdrew。`Now，sir，\'shecontinued，`Ihadnointentionoftellingyouallthis，butsincemypoordaughterhasdiscloseditIhavenoalternative。Havingoncedecidedtospeak，Iwilltellyouallwithoutomittinganyparticular。\'
\"`Itisyourwisestcourse，\'saidI。
\"`Mr。Drebberhasbeenwithusnearlythreeweeks。Heandhissecretary，Mr。Stangerson，hadbeentravellingontheContinent。Inoticeda\"Copenhagen\"labeluponeachoftheirtrunks，showingthatthathadbeentheirlaststoppingplace。
Stangersonwasaquietreservedman，buthisemployer，Iamsorrytosay，wasfarotherwise。Hewascoarseinhishabitsandbrutishinhisways。Theverynightofhisarrivalhebecameverymuchtheworsefordrink，and，indeed，aftertwelveo\'clockinthedayhecouldhardlyeverbesaidtobesober。Hismannerstowardsthemaid-servantsweredisgustinglyfreeandfamiliar。Worstofall，hespeedilyassumedthesameattitudetowardsmydaughter，Alice，andspoketohermorethanonceinawaywhich，fortunately，sheistooinnocenttounderstand。Ononeoccasionheactuallyseizedherinhisarmsandembracedher——anoutragewhichcausedhisownsecretarytoreproachhimforhisunmanlyconduct。\'
\"`Butwhydidyoustandallthis，\'Iasked。`Isupposethatyoucangetridofyourboarderswhenyouwish。\'
\"Mrs。Charpentierblushedatmypertinentquestion。`WouldtoGodthatIhadgivenhimnoticeontheverydaythathecame，\'shesaid。`Butitwasasoretemptation。Theywerepayingapoundadayeach——fourteenpoundsaweek，andthisistheslackseason。Iamawidow，andmyboyintheNavyhascostmemuch。Igrudgedtolosethemoney。Iactedforthebest。Thislastwastoomuch，however，andIgavehimnoticetoleaveonaccountofit。Thatwasthereasonofhisgoing。\'
\"`Well?\'
\"`MyheartgrewlightwhenIsawhimdriveaway。Mysonisonleavejustnow，butIdidnottellhimanythingofallthis，forhistemperisviolent，andheispassionatelyfondofhissister。WhenIclosedthedoorbehindthemaloadseemedtobeliftedfrommymind。Alas，inlessthananhourtherewasaringatthebell，andIlearnedthatMr。Drebberhadreturned。Hewasmuchexcited，andevidentlytheworsefordrink。Heforcedhiswayintotheroom，whereIwassittingwithmydaughter，andmadesomeincoherentremarkabouthavingmissedhistrain。HethenturnedtoAlice，andbeforemyveryface，proposedtoherthatsheshouldflywithhim。\"Youareofage，\"hesaid，\"andthereisnolawtostopyou。Ihavemoneyenoughandtospare。Nevermindtheoldgirlhere，butcomealongwithmenowstraightaway。Youshalllivelikeaprincess。\"PoorAlicewassofrightenedthatsheshrunkawayfromhim，buthecaughtherbythewristandendeavouredtodrawhertowardsthedoor。Iscreamed，andatthatmomentmysonArthurcameintotheroom。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。
IfoundoutwhereLieutenantCharpentierwas，tooktwoofficerswithme，andarrestedhim。WhenItouchedhimontheshoulderandwarnedhimtocomequietlywithus，heansweredusasboldasbrass，`IsupposeyouarearrestingmeforbeingconcernedinthedeathofthatscoundrelDrebber，\'
hesaid。Wehadsaidnothingtohimaboutit，sothathisalludingtoithadamostsuspiciousaspect。\"
\"Very，\"saidHolmes。
\"HestillcarriedtheheavystickwhichthemotherdescribedhimashavingwithhimwhenhefollowedDrebber。Itwasastoutoakcudgel。\"
\"Whatisyourtheory，then?\"
\"Well，mytheoryisthathefollowedDrebberasfarastheBrixtonRoad。Whenthere，afreshaltercationarosebetweenthem，inthecourseofwhichDrebberreceivedablowfromthestick，inthepitofthestomach，perhaps，whichkilledhimwithoutleavinganymark。Thenightwassowetthatnoonewasabout，soCharpentierdraggedthebodyofhisvictimintotheemptyhouse。Astothecandle，andtheblood，andthewritingonthewall，andthering，theymayallbesomanytrickstothrowthepoliceontothewrongscent。\"
\"Welldone!\"saidHolmesinanencouragingvoice。\"Really，Gregson，youaregettingalong。Weshallmakesomethingofyouyet。\"
\"IflattermyselfthatIhavemanageditratherneatly，\"
thedetectiveansweredproudly。\"Theyoungmanvolunteeredastatement，inwhichhesaidthatafterfollowingDrebbersometime，thelatterperceivedhim，andtookacabinordertogetawayfromhim。Onhiswayhomehemetanoldshipmate，andtookalongwalkwithhim。Onbeingaskedwherethisoldshipmatelived，hewasunabletogiveanysatisfactoryreply。
Ithinkthewholecasefitstogetheruncommonlywell。WhatamusesmeistothinkofLestrade，whohadstartedoffuponthewrongscent。Iamafraidhewon\'tmakemuchof{15}
Why，byJove，here\'stheverymanhimself!\"
ItwasindeedLestrade，whohadascendedthestairswhileweweretalking，andwhonowenteredtheroom。Theassuranceandjauntinesswhichgenerallymarkedhisdemeanouranddresswere，however，wanting。Hisfacewasdisturbedandtroubled，whilehisclothesweredisarrangedanduntidy。HehadevidentlycomewiththeintentionofconsultingwithSherlockHolmes，foronperceivinghiscolleagueheappearedtobeembarrassedandputout。Hestoodinthecentreoftheroom，fumblingnervouslywithhishatanduncertainwhattodo。
\"Thisisamostextraordinarycase，\"hesaidatlast——
\"amostincomprehensibleaffair。\"
\"Ah，youfinditso，Mr。Lestrade!\"criedGregson，triumphantly。\"Ithoughtyouwouldcometothatconclusion。
HaveyoumanagedtofindtheSecretary，Mr。JosephStangerson?\"
\"TheSecretary，Mr。JosephStangerson，\"saidLestradegravely，\"wasmurderedatHalliday\'sPrivateHotelaboutsixo\'clockthismorning。\"
CHAPTERVII。
LIGHTINTHEDARKNESS。
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。
Ithensettoworkcallinguponallthehotelsandlodging-housesinthevicinityofEuston。Yousee，IarguedthatifDrebberandhiscompanionhadbecomeseparated，thenaturalcourseforthelatterwouldbetoputupsomewhereinthevicinityforthenight，andthentohangaboutthestationagainnextmorning。\"
\"Theywouldbelikelytoagreeonsomemeeting-placebeforehand，\"
remarkedHolmes。
\"Soitproved。Ispentthewholeofyesterdayeveninginmakingenquiriesentirelywithoutavail。ThismorningI
beganveryearly，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。Igaveacry，whichbroughttheBootsback。Henearlyfaintedwhenhesawit。Thedoorwaslockedontheinside，butweputourshoulderstoit，andknockeditin。Thewindowoftheroomwasopen，andbesidethewindow，allhuddledup，laythebodyofamaninhisnightdress。Hewasquitedead，andhadbeenforsometime，forhislimbswererigidandcold。Whenweturnedhimover，theBootsrecognizedhimatonceasbeingthesamegentlemanwhohadengagedtheroomunderthenameofJosephStangerson。
Thecauseofdeathwasadeepstabintheleftside，whichmusthavepenetratedtheheart。Andnowcomesthestrangestpartoftheaffair。Whatdoyousupposewasabovethemurderedman?\"
Ifeltacreepingoftheflesh，andapresentimentofcominghorror，evenbeforeSherlockHolmesanswered。
\"ThewordRACHE，writteninlettersofblood，\"hesaid。
\"Thatwasit，\"saidLestrade，inanawe-struckvoice；
andwewereallsilentforawhile。
Therewassomethingsomethodicalandsoincomprehensibleaboutthedeedsofthisunknownassassin，thatitimpartedafreshghastlinesstohiscrimes。Mynerves，whichweresteadyenoughonthefieldofbattletingledasIthoughtofit。
\"Themanwasseen，\"continuedLestrade。\"Amilkboy，passingonhiswaytothedairy，happenedtowalkdownthelanewhichleadsfromthemewsatthebackofthehotel。Henoticedthataladder，whichusuallylaythere，wasraisedagainstoneofthewindowsofthesecondfloor，whichwaswideopen。
Afterpassing，helookedbackandsawamandescendtheladder。Hecamedownsoquietlyandopenlythattheboyimaginedhimtobesomecarpenterorjoineratworkinthehotel。Hetooknoparticularnoticeofhim，beyondthinkinginhisownmindthatitwasearlyforhimtobeatwork。Hehasanimpressionthatthemanwastall，hadareddishface，andwasdressedinalong，brownishcoat。Hemusthavestayedintheroomsomelittletimeafterthemurder，forwefoundblood-stainedwaterinthebasin，wherehehadwashedhishands，andmarksonthesheetswherehehaddeliberatelywipedhisknife。\"