A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle

A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
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? "

" yes , if_you_have nothing better to_do " minute later were both hansom , driving furiously for_the Brixton road

it_was foggy , cloudy morning , and dun -coloured veil hung over the house -tops, looking like the reflection of_the mud -coloured streets beneath companion was in_the best spirits, and prattled away about Cremona fiddles, and_the difference between Stradivarius and Amati for_myself , i_was silent , for_the dull weather and_the melancholy business upon_which were engaged , depressed spirits

" you don't seem to_give much thought to_the matter hand ," I_said last , interrupting Holmes' musical disquisition

" data yet ," answered " it_is capital mistake theorize before_you have all the evidence biases the judgment "

" you_will_have your data soon ," I remarked, pointing with finger ; " this_is_the Brixton road , and that_is_the house , I_am not very_much mistaken "

" it_is stop , driver , stop ! " were still hundred yards from_it , but insisted upon our alighting, and finished our journey upon foot

number 3, Lauriston Gardens wore ill -omened and minatory look it_was one four which stood back some little way from_the street , two being occupied and two empty the latter looked out with three tiers vacant melancholy windows, which were and dreary , save that here and there " let " card had developed like cataract upon_the bleared panes small garden sprinkled over with scattered eruption sickly plants separated each of_these houses from_the street , and was traversed narrow pathway , yellowish colour, and consisting apparently mixture clay and gravel the whole place was very sloppy rain which had fallen through_the night the garden was bounded three - foot brick wall with fringe wood rails upon_the top , and against this wall was leaning stalwart police constable , surrounded small knot loafers, who craned their necks and strained their eyes in_the vain hope catching some glimpse of_the proceedings within

I had imagined that Sherlock Holmes would once have hurried into_the house and plunged into study of_the mystery nothing appeared to_be further from_his intention with air nonchalance which , under the circumstances , seemed to_me border upon affectation , lounged and down the pavement , and gazed vacantly at_the ground , the sky , the opposite houses and_the line railings Having finished his scrutiny , proceeded slowly down the path , rather down the fringe grass which flanked the path , keeping his eyes riveted upon_the ground twice stopped , and once I_saw him smile , and heard him utter exclamation satisfaction there were many marks footsteps wet clayey soil , but since_the police had_been coming and going over , i_was unable to_see how companion could hope learn anything from_it still I had had such extraordinary evidence of_the quickness of_his perceptive faculties, that I had no_doubt that could_see great deal which_was hidden from

at_the door of_the house were met tall , white - faced , flaxen -haired man , with notebook in_his hand , who rushed forward and wrung companion 's hand with effusion " it_is indeed kind you to_come ," he_said , " I_have_had everything left untouched "

" except that ! " friend answered , pointing at_the pathway " herd buffaloes had passed along there could_not_be greater mess no_doubt , however , you had drawn your own conclusions, Gregson, before_you permitted this "

" I_have_had so_much to_do inside the house ," the detective said evasively " colleague , Mr Lestrade, here I had relied upon him look after_this "

Holmes glanced and raised his eyebrows sardonically " with two such men yourself and Lestrade upon_the ground , there will_not_be much for third party to_find out ," he_said

Gregson rubbed his hands self - satisfied way " i_think we_have_done all that_can_be done ," answered ; " 's queer case though , and I_knew your taste for such things "

" you_did_not come here cab ? " asked Sherlock Holmes

" , sir "

" nor Lestrade ? "

" , sir "

" then let_us and look at_the room " with_which inconsequent remark strode into_the house , followed Gregson, whose features expressed his astonishment

short passage , bare planked and dusty , led to_the kitchen and offices two doors opened out to_the left and to_the right one_of_these had obviously been closed for many weeks the other belonged to_the dining- room , which_was the apartment in_which_the mysterious affair had occurred Holmes walked , and I followed him with_that subdued feeling heart which the presence death inspires

it_was large square room , looking all the larger from_the absence all furniture vulgar flaring paper adorned the walls, but it_was blotched places with mildew , and here and there great strips had become detached and hung down , exposing the yellow plaster beneath opposite the door was showy fireplace , surmounted mantelpiece imitation white marble one corner this_was stuck the stump red wax candle the solitary window was dirty that_the light was hazy and uncertain , giving dull grey tinge everything , which_was intensified by_the thick layer dust which coated the whole apartment

all these details I observed afterwards present attention was centred upon_the single grim motionless which lay stretched boards, with vacant sightless eyes staring at_the discoloured ceiling was_that man about forty- three forty-four years_of_age , middle - sized , broad shouldered , with crisp curling black hair , and short stubbly beard he_was dressed heavy broadcloth frock coat and waistcoat , with light -coloured trousers , and immaculate collar and cuffs top hat , well brushed and trim, was placed upon_the floor beside him his hands were clenched and_his arms thrown abroad , while his lower limbs were interlocked as_though his death struggle had_been grievous one on_his rigid face there stood expression horror , and seemed to_me , hatred , such I_have never seen upon human features this malignant and terrible contortion , combined with_the low forehead , blunt nose , and prognathous jaw gave the dead man singularly simious and ape- like appearance , which_was increased his writhing, unnatural posture I_have_seen death many forms, but never has appeared to_me more fearsome aspect than in_that dark grimy apartment , which looked out upon one_of_the main arteries suburban London

Lestrade, lean and ferret - like ever , was standing by_the doorway , and greeted companion and myself

" this_case will make stir , sir ," remarked " beats anything I_have_seen , and I_am chicken "

" there_is clue ? " said Gregson

" none all ," chimed Lestrade

Sherlock Holmes approached the body , and , kneeling down , examined intently " you_are_sure that_there_is wound ? " asked , pointing numerous gouts and splashes blood which lay all round

" positive ! " cried both detectives

" then , of_course , this blood belongs second individual -- {8} presumably the murderer , murder has_been committed reminds of_the circumstances attendant on_the death Van Jansen, Utrecht, in_the year '34 do_you remember the case , Gregson ? "

" , sir "

" read -- you really should there_is nothing new under the sun has all been done before "

spoke , his nimble fingers were flying here , there , and everywhere , feeling, pressing, unbuttoning, examining, while his eyes wore the same far - away expression which I_have already remarked upon swiftly was_the examination made , that one would hardly have guessed the minuteness with_which it_was conducted finally , sniffed the dead man 's lips, and then glanced at_the soles of_his patent leather boots

" has_not_been moved all ? " asked

" more than was necessary for_the purposes of_our examination "

" you_can take him to_the mortuary now ," he_said " there_is nothing more to_be learned "

Gregson had stretcher and four men hand his call they entered the room , and_the stranger was lifted and carried out as_they raised him , ring tinkled down and rolled across the floor Lestrade grabbed and stared with mystified eyes

" there 's been woman here ," cried " 's woman 's wedding- ring "

held out , spoke , upon_the palm of_his hand all gathered round him and gazed there could_be no_doubt that that circlet plain gold had once adorned the finger bride

" this complicates matters," said Gregson " heaven knows, they were complicated enough before "

" you 're sure doesn't simplify them ? " observed Holmes " there 's nothing to_be learned staring what did you find in_his pockets ? "

" we_have all here ," said Gregson, pointing litter objects upon one_of_the bottom steps of_the stairs "A gold watch , 97163, Barraud, London gold Albert chain , very heavy and solid gold ring , with masonic device gold pin -- bull - dog 's head , with rubies eyes Russian leather card - case , with cards Enoch J Drebber Cleveland , corresponding with_the E J D upon_the linen purse , but loose money to_the extent seven pounds thirteen pocket edition Boccaccio's `Decameron,' with name Joseph Stangerson fly - leaf two letters -- one addressed E J Drebber and one Joseph Stangerson "

" what address ? "

" American exchange , strand -- to_be left till called for they_are both from_the Guion steamship company , and refer to_the sailing of_their boats from Liverpool it_is clear that_this unfortunate man was about return New_York "

" have_you_made any inquiries as_to_this man , Stangerson ? "

" I_did once , sir ," said Gregson " I_have_had advertisements sent all the newspapers, and one of_my men has gone to_the American exchange , but has_not returned yet "

" have_you sent Cleveland ? "

" telegraphed this_morning "

" how did you word your inquiries ? "

" simply detailed the circumstances , and said that we_should_be_glad any information which could help_us "

" you_did_not ask for particulars any point which appeared to_you to_be crucial ? "

"I asked about Stangerson "

" nothing else ? is_there circumstance on_which this whole case appears hinge ? will_you not telegraph again ? "

" I_have said all I_have to_say ," said Gregson, offended voice

Sherlock Holmes chuckled himself , and appeared to_be about to_make some remark , when Lestrade, who had_been in_the front room while were holding this conversation in_the hall , reappeared upon_the scene, rubbing his hands pompous and self - satisfied manner

" Mr Gregson," he_said , " I_have just made discovery of_the highest importance , and one which would_have_been overlooked had I not made careful examination of_the walls "

the little man 's eyes sparkled spoke , and he_was evidently state suppressed exultation having scored point against his colleague

" come here ," he_said , bustling back into_the room , the atmosphere of_which felt clearer since_the removal of_its ghastly inmate " now , stand there ! "

struck match on_his boot and held against the wall

" look at_that ! " he_said , triumphantly

I_have remarked that_the paper had fallen away parts in_this particular corner of_the room large piece had peeled off , leaving yellow square coarse plastering across this bare space there_was scrawled blood - red letters single word --

RACHE

" what do_you_think of_that ? " cried the detective , with_the air showman exhibiting his show " this_was overlooked because it_was in_the darkest corner of_the room , and one thought looking there the murderer has_written with_his her own blood see this smear where has trickled down the wall ! that disposes of_the idea suicide anyhow why was_that corner chosen write ? i_will tell you see that candle on_the mantelpiece it_was lit at_the_time , and if_it_was lit this corner would_be the brightest instead of_the darkest portion of_the wall "

" and what does mean now that you_have found ? " asked Gregson depreciatory voice

" mean ? why , means that_the writer was going to_put the female name Rachel , but was disturbed before she had time finish you mark words, when this_case comes to_be cleared you_will_find that woman named Rachel has something to_do with 's all very_well for_you laugh , Mr Sherlock Holmes you_may_be very smart and clever , but the old hound is_the best , when all said and done "

"I really beg your pardon ! " said companion , who had ruffled the little man 's temper bursting into explosion laughter " you certainly have the credit being the first to_find this out , and , as_you say , bears every mark having been written by_the other participant last night 's mystery I_have_not_had time examine this room yet , but with your permission I_shall do_so now "

spoke , whipped tape measure and large round magnifying glass from_his pocket with_these two implements trotted noiselessly about_the room , sometimes stopping, occasionally kneeling, and once lying flat upon his face engrossed was with_his occupation that appeared to_have forgotten our presence , for chattered away himself under his breath the whole time , keeping running fire exclamations, groans, whistles, and little cries suggestive encouragement and hope I watched him i_was irresistibly reminded pure - blooded well - trained foxhound dashes backwards and forwards through_the covert , whining its eagerness , until comes across the lost scent for twenty minutes

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