" no objection," Lestrade answered, seating himself "I freely confess that opinion that Stangerson was concerned death of Drebber This fresh development has shown me that completely mistaken Full one idea, I set myself out what had become Secretary They seen together at Euston Station about half-past eight evening third At two morning Drebber found Brixton Road The question which confronted me was out how Stangerson employed between 8 30 time crime, and what had become of him afterwards I telegraphed to Liverpool, giving description man, and warning them watch American boats I then set to work calling upon all the hotels and lodging-houses vicinity of Euston , I argued that if Drebber companion had become separated, the natural course latter up somewhere vicinity night, and then to hang station again next morning "

" likely to agree on some meeting-place beforehand," remarked Holmes

"So it proved I spent the whole of yesterday evening in making enquiries entirely without avail I began very early, and at eight o'clock I reached Halliday's Private Hotel, in Little George Street On my enquiry whether Mr Stangerson was living there, they at once answered me affirmative

"` the gentleman whom expecting,' they said `He waiting for gentleman for two days '

"`Where is he now ? ' I asked

"` upstairs in bed called at nine '

"` go up him at once,'

"It seemed that my sudden appearance might shake his nerves and lead him something unguarded The Boots volunteered to show me the room: second floor, and small corridor leading up The Boots pointed out the door , and was about downstairs again when something that made me feel sickish, twenty years' experience From under the door there curled little red ribbon of blood, which had meandered across the passage and formed little pool along the skirting other side cry, which brought the Boots back He nearly fainted when it The door was locked inside, but we put our shoulders , and knocked it in The window room was open, and beside the window, all huddled up, lay the body of man nightdress quite dead, and for , limbs were rigid and cold When we turned him over, the Boots recognized him at once as being the same gentleman who had engaged the room under the name of Joseph Stangerson The cause of death was deep stab left side, have penetrated the heart And now comes the strangest part affair What suppose was above the murdered man ? "

creeping flesh, and presentiment of coming horror, even before Sherlock Holmes answered

"The word RACHE, written in letters of blood,"

"That ," said Lestrade, in an awe-struck voice; and we were all silent for while

something so methodical and so incomprehensible deeds unknown assassin, imparted fresh ghastliness crimes My nerves, which were steady enough field of battle tingled as of it

"The man was seen," continued Lestrade "A milk boy, passing way dairy, happened to walk down the lane which leads mews back hotel He noticed that ladder, which usually lay there, was raised against windows second floor, wide open After passing, he looked back and saw man descend the ladder down so quietly and openly boy imagined him some carpenter or joiner at work hotel no particular notice of him, beyond thinking own mind early for him at work He has an impression man was tall, had reddish face, and was dressed in long, brownish coat stayed room some little time murder, for blood-stained water basin, where he had washed his hands, and marks sheets where he had deliberately wiped his knife "

I glanced at Holmes on hearing the description murderer, which tallied so exactly own , however, no trace of exultation or satisfaction upon his face

"Did you find nothing room which could furnish clue murderer ? " he asked

"Nothing Stangerson had Drebber's purse pocket, but it seems was usual, as all the paying eighty odd pounds , but nothing taken Whatever the motives extraordinary crimes, robbery is certainly not There were no papers or memoranda murdered man's pocket, except single telegram, dated from Cleveland about month ago, and containing the words, `J H is in Europe ' no name appended message "

"And nothing else ? " Holmes asked

"Nothing of any importance The man's novel, he had read himself to sleep was lying bed, pipe was on chair beside him glass of water table, and window-sill small chip ointment box containing couple of pills "

Sherlock Holmes sprang chair with an exclamation of delight

"The last link," he cried, exultantly "My case is complete "

The two detectives stared at him in amazement

" now in my hands," my companion said, confidently, "all the threads formed such tangle , , details filled in, but as certain of all the main facts, time that Drebber parted from Stangerson station, discovery body latter, I had seen them with my own eyes proof knowledge Could you lay your hand upon those pills ? "

" them," said Lestrade, producing small white box; " them purse telegram, intending them put in place of safety Police Station It merest chance my taking these pills, for bound that attach any importance "

"Give them here," said Holmes "Now, Doctor," turning , "are those ordinary pills ? "

They certainly They were of pearly grey colour, small, round, and almost transparent against the light "From their lightness and transparency, imagine soluble in water," I remarked

"Precisely so," answered Holmes "Now would you mind going down and fetching that poor little devil of terrier been bad , and which the landlady wanted you out pain yesterday "

I went downstairs and carried the dog upstair in my arms It's laboured breathing and glazing eye showed not far from its end Indeed, its snow-white muzzle proclaimed had already exceeded the usual term of canine existence I placed it upon cushion rug

" now cut pills in two," said Holmes, and drawing his penknife he suited the action word "One half we return box for future purposes The other half place wine glass, in teaspoonful of water You perceive friend, the Doctor, is right, it readily dissolves "

" very interesting," said Lestrade, injured tone of one who suspects that being laughed at, "I , however, what it do death of Mr Joseph Stangerson "