before.â
As he spoke, his nimble fingers were flying here, there, and everywhere, feeling, pressing, unbuttoning, examining, while his eyes wore the same faraway expression which I have already remarked upon. So swiftly was the examination made, that one would hardly have guessed the minuteness with which it was conducted. Finally, he sniffed the dead manâs lips, and then glanced at the soles of his patent leather boots.
âHe has not been moved at all?â he asked.
âNo more than was necessary for the purposes of our examination.â
âYou can take him to the mortuary now,â he said. âThere is nothing more to be learned.â
Gregson had a stretcher and four men at hand. At his call they entered the room, and the stranger was lifted and carried out. As they raised him, a ring tinkled down and rolled across the floor. Lestrade grabbed it up and stared at it with mystified eyes.
âThereâs been a woman here,â he cried. âItâs a womanâs wedding-ring.â
He held it out, as he spoke, upon the palm of his hand. We all gathered round him and gazed at it. There could be no doubt that that circlet of plain gold had once adorned the finger of a bride.
âThis complicates matters,â said Gregson. âHeaven knows, they were complicated enough before.â
âYouâre sure it doesnât simplify them?â observed Holmes. âThereâs nothing to be learned by staring at it. What did you find in his pockets?â
âWe have it all here,â said Gregson, pointing to a litter of objects upon one of the bottom steps of the stairs. âA gold watch, No. 97163, by Barraud, of London. Gold Albert chain, very heavy and solid. Gold ring, with masonic device. Gold pin â bull-dogâs head, with rubies as eyes. Russian leather card-case with cards of Enoch J. Drebber of Cleveland, corresponding with the E.J.D. upon the linen. No purse, but loose money to the extent of seven pounds thirteen. Pocket edition of Boccaccioâs
Decameron
, with name of Joseph Stangerson upon the fly-leaf. Two letters â one addressed to E. J. Drebber and one to Joseph Stangerson.â
âAt what address?â
âAmerican Exchange, Strand â to be left till called for. They are both from the Guion Steamship Company, and refer to the sailing of their boats from Liverpool. It is clear that this unfortunate man was about to return to New York.â
âHave you made any inquiries as to this man Stangerson?â
âI did it at once, sir,â said Gregson. âI have had advertisements sent to all the newspapers, and one of my men has gone to the American Exchange, but he has not returned yet.â
âHave you sent to Cleveland?â
âWe telegraphed this morning.â
âHow did you word your inquiries?â
âWe simply detailed the circumstances, and said that we should be glad of any information which could help us.â
âYou did not ask for particulars on any point which appeared to you to be crucial?â
âI asked about Stangerson.â
âNothing else? Is there no circumstance on which this whole case appears to hinge? Will you not telegraph again?â
âI have said all I have to say,â said Gregson, in an offended voice.
Sherlock Holmes chuckled to himself, and appeared to be about to make some remark, when Lestrade, who had been in the front room while we were holding this conversation in the hall, reappeared upon the scene, rubbing his hands in a pompous and self-satisfied manner.
âMr Gregson,â he said, âI have just made a discovery of the highest importance, and one which would have been overlooked had I not made a careful examination of the walls.â
The little manâs eyes sparkled as he spoke, and he was evidently in a state of suppressed exultation at having scored a point against his colleague.
âCome here,â he said, bustling