Этюд в багровых тонах
Our Advertisement brings a Visitor.
Nowputyourselfinthatman’splace. Onthinkingthematterover,itmusthaveoccurredtohimthatitwaspossiblethathehadlosttheringintheroadafterleavingthehouse. Whatwouldhedo,then? Hewouldeagerlylookoutfortheeveningpapersinthehopeofseeingitamongthearticlesfound. Hiseye,ofcourse,wouldlightuponthis.Hewouldbeoverjoyed. Whyshouldhefearatrap? Therewouldbenoreasoninhiseyeswhythefindingoftheringshouldbeconnectedwiththemurder. Hewouldcome.Hewillcome. Youshallseehimwithinanhour?”
“Andthen?”Iasked.
“Oh,youcanleavemetodealwithhimthen. Haveyouanyarms?”
“Ihavemyoldservicerevolverandafewcartridges.”
“Youhadbettercleanitandloadit. Hewillbeadesperateman,andthoughIshalltakehimunawares,itisaswelltobereadyforanything.”
Iwenttomybedroomandfollowedhisadvice. WhenIreturnedwiththepistolthetablehadbeencleared,andHolmeswasengagedinhisfavouriteoccupationofscrapinguponhisviolin.
“Theplotthickens,”hesaid,asIentered;“IhavejusthadananswertomyAmericantelegram. Myviewofthecaseisthecorrectone.”
“Andthatis?”Iaskedeagerly.
“Myfiddlewouldbethebetterfornewstrings,”heremarked. “Putyourpistolinyourpocket. Whenthefellowcomesspeaktohiminanordinaryway. Leavetheresttome. Don’tfrightenhimbylookingathimtoohard.”
“Itiseighto’clocknow,”Isaid,glancingatmywatch.
“Yes.Hewillprobablybehereinafewminutes.
