Этюд в багровых тонах
What John Rance had to tell.
Thethoughtgavemeakindo’turn,andIwalkedbacktothegatetoseeifIcouldseeMurcher’slantern,buttherewasn’tnosignofhimnorofanyoneelse.”
“Therewasnooneinthestreet?”
“Notalivin’soul,sir,norasmuchasadog. ThenIpulledmyselftogetherandwentbackandpushedthedooropen. Allwasquietinside,soIwentintotheroomwherethelightwasa-burnin’. Therewasacandleflickerin’onthemantelpiece—aredwaxone—andbyitslightIsaw——”
“Yes,Iknowallthatyousaw. Youwalkedroundtheroomseveraltimes,andyoukneltdownbythebody,andthenyouwalkedthroughandtriedthekitchendoor,andthen——”
JohnRancesprangtohisfeetwithafrightenedfaceandsuspicioninhiseyes. “Wherewasyouhidtoseeallthat?”hecried. “Itseemstomethatyouknowsadealmorethanyoushould.”
Holmeslaughedandthrewhiscardacrossthetabletotheconstable. “Don’tgetarrestingmeforthemurder,”hesaid. “Iamoneofthehoundsandnotthewolf;Mr.GregsonorMr.Lestradewillanswerforthat. Goon,though. Whatdidyoudonext?”
Ranceresumedhisseat,withouthoweverlosinghismystifiedexpression. “Iwentbacktothegateandsoundedmywhistle. ThatbroughtMurcherandtwomoretothespot.”
“Wasthestreetemptythen?”
“Well,itwas,asfarasanybodythatcouldbeofanygoodgoes.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Theconstable’sfeaturesbroadenedintoagrin.
