Gregson rubbed his hands in self-satisfied way " all that ," he answered; "it's queer case though, and your taste for such things "

" come here in cab ? " asked Sherlock Holmes

"No, sir "

"Nor Lestrade ? "

"No, sir "

"Then go and look room " inconsequent remark he strode on house, followed by Gregson, whose features expressed his astonishment

short passage, bare planked and dusty, led kitchen and offices Two doors opened out of it left and right had obviously been closed for many weeks The other belonged dining-room, the apartment mysterious affair had occurred Holmes walked in, and I followed him subdued feeling at my heart which the presence of death inspires

large square room, looking all the larger absence of all furniture vulgar flaring paper adorned the walls, but blotched in 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 by mantelpiece of imitation white marble On one corner of stuck the stump of red wax candle The solitary window was so dirty light was hazy and uncertain, giving dull grey tinge to everything, intensified thick layer of dust which coated the whole apartment

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

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

" will make stir, sir," he remarked "It beats anything , and no chicken "

" no clue ? " said Gregson

"None at all," chimed in Lestrade

Sherlock Holmes approached the body, and, kneeling down, examined it intently " no wound ? " he asked, pointing to numerous gouts and splashes of blood which lay all round

"Positive ! " cried both detectives

"Then, , this blood belongs to second individual -- {8} presumably the murderer, if murder committed It reminds me circumstances attendant death of Van Jansen, in Utrecht, year '34 remember the case, Gregson ? "

"No, sir "

"Read it up -- you really should nothing new under the sun It has all been done before "

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

"He moved at all ? " he asked

"No more than was necessary purposes examination "

" take him mortuary now," " nothing more learned "

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

"There's been woman here," he cried "It's woman's wedding-ring "

He held it out, as he spoke, palm hand We all gathered round him and gazed at it There that that circlet of plain gold had once adorned the finger of bride

"This complicates matters," said Gregson "Heaven knows, they were complicated enough before "

"You're sure it doesn't simplify them ? " observed Holmes "There's nothing learned by staring at it What did you find pockets ? "

" it all here," said Gregson, pointing to litter of objects upon bottom steps stairs "A gold watch, No 97163, by Barraud, of London Gold Albert chain, very heavy and solid Gold ring, with masonic device Gold pin -- bull-dog's head, with rubies as eyes Russian leather card-case, with cards of Enoch J Drebber of Cleveland, corresponding E J D linen No purse, but loose money extent of seven pounds thirteen Pocket edition of Boccaccio's `Decameron,' with name of Joseph Stangerson fly-leaf Two letters -- one addressed to E J Drebber and one to Joseph Stangerson "

"At what address ? "

"American Exchange, Strand -- left till called for both Guion Steamship Company, and refer sailing boats from Liverpool clear unfortunate man was about to return to New York "

" any inquiries man, Stangerson ? "

" it at once, sir," said Gregson " advertisements sent to all the newspapers, and one men has gone American Exchange, but he returned yet "

" sent to Cleveland ? "

"We telegraphed "

"How did you word your inquiries ? "

"We simply detailed the circumstances, and said that of any information which could "

" ask for particulars on any point which appeared crucial ? "

"I asked about Stangerson "

"Nothing else ? no circumstance this whole case appears to hinge ? not telegraph again ? "

" said all ," said Gregson, in an offended voice

Sherlock Holmes chuckled to himself, and appeared about some remark, when Lestrade, who front room while we were holding this conversation hall, reappeared scene, rubbing his hands in pompous and self-satisfied manner

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

The little man's eyes sparkled as he spoke, and evidently in state of suppressed exultation at having scored point against his colleague

"Come here," , bustling back room, the atmosphere felt clearer removal ghastly inmate "Now, stand there ! "

He struck match boot and held it up against the wall

"Look ! " , triumphantly

remarked paper had fallen away in parts particular corner room large piece had peeled off, leaving yellow square of coarse plastering Across this bare space scrawled in blood-red letters single word --

RACHE

"What ? " cried the detective, air of showman exhibiting his show " overlooked because darkest corner room, and no one thought of looking there The murderer it or her own blood See this smear where it has trickled down the wall ! That disposes idea of suicide anyhow Why corner chosen to write it on ? tell you See that candle mantelpiece lit , and lit this corner the brightest instead darkest portion wall "

"And what does it mean now that found it ? " asked Gregson in depreciatory voice