Этюд в багровых тонах

           “Wonderful!”Iejaculated. 

           “Commonplace,”saidHolmes,thoughIthoughtfromhisexpressionthathewaspleasedatmyevidentsurpriseandadmiration. “Isaidjustnowthattherewerenocriminals. ItappearsthatIamwrong—lookatthis!” Hethrewmeoverthenotewhichthecommissionairehadbrought. 

           “Why,”Icried,asIcastmyeyeoverit,“thisisterrible!” 

           “Itdoesseemtobealittleoutofthecommon,”heremarked,calmly. “Wouldyoumindreadingittomealoud?” 

           ThisistheletterwhichIreadtohim—— 

           “MYDEARMR.SHERLOCKHOLMES,— 

           “Therehasbeenabadbusinessduringthenightat3,LauristonGardens,offtheBrixtonRoad. Ourmanonthebeatsawalightthereabouttwointhemorning,andasthehousewasanemptyone,suspectedthatsomethingwasamiss. Hefoundthedooropen,andinthefrontroom,whichisbareoffurniture,discoveredthebodyofagentleman,welldressed,andhavingcardsinhispocketbearingthenameof‘EnochJ.Drebber,Cleveland,Ohio,U.S.A.’ Therehadbeennorobbery,noristhereanyevidenceastohowthemanmethisdeath. Therearemarksofbloodintheroom,butthereisnowounduponhisperson. Weareatalossastohowhecameintotheemptyhouse;indeed,thewholeaffairisapuzzler. Ifyoucancomeroundtothehouseanytimebeforetwelve,youwillfindmethere. IhavelefteverythinginstatuquountilIhearfromyou. IfyouareunabletocomeIshallgiveyoufullerdetails,andwouldesteemitagreatkindnessifyouwouldfavourmewithyouropinion.