1 ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES.

109

poor fellow, can

be of little aid.
I have heard of
you, Mr. Holmes;
I have heard of
you from 1\11 s.
A dvelZtures of Sherlock Ilolmes. Farintosh, whom
you helped in
the hour of her
VIII.-THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND. sore need. It was
By A. CONAN DOYLE.
from her that I
had your address.
N glancing over my notes of Oh, sir, do you

U
lady has arrived in a considerable state of . not think that
the seventy odd cases in which excitement, who insists upon seeing me.
I have during the last eight She is waiting now in the sitting-room. you could help
years studied the methods of me too, and at
N ow, when young ladies wander about the
, my friend Sherlock Holmes, Metropolis at this hour of the morning, least throw a
~ I find many tragic, some and knock sleepy people up out of their little light
comic, a large number merely strange, but beds,. I pres';1me that it is something very through the
none commonplace; for, working as he did pressmg whtch they have to communicate. dense darkness
rather for the love of his art than for the Should it prove to be an interesting case which surrounds
acquirement of wealth, he refused to asso­ me ? At present
you would, I am sure, wish to follow it
ciate himself with any investigation which from the outset. I thought at any rate it is out of my
did not tend towards the unusual, and even that I should call you, and give you the power to reward
I' SHE RAISED HER VEIL."
you for your ser­
the fantastic. Of all these varied cases, chance."
however, I cannot recall any which presented vices, but in a
"My dear fellow, I would not miss it for
more singular features than that which was anything." but her hair was shot with premature grey, month or six weeks I shall be married,
associated with the well-known Surrey I had no keener pleasure than in following and her expression was weary and haggard. with the control of my own income, and
family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Holmes in his professional investicrations Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of then at least you shall not find me ungrate­
The events in question occurred in the and in admiring the rapid deductions, a~ his quick, all-comprehensive glances. ful."
early days of my association with Holmes, swift as intuitions, and yet always founded "You must not fear," said he, soothingly, Holmes turned to his desk, and unlocking
when we were sharing rooms as bachelors, on a logical basis, with which he unravelled bending forward and patting her forearm. it, drew out a small case-book which he
in Baker-street. It is possible that I might the problems which were submitted to him. " We shall soon set matters right, I have consulted.
have placed them upon record before, but I rapidly threw on my clothes, and was no doubt. You have come in by train this "Farintosh," said he. " Ah, yes, I recall
a promise of secrecy was made at the time, ready in a few minutes to accompany my morning, I see." the case; it was concerned with an opal
from which I have only been freed during friend down to the sitting-room. A lady " You know me, then? " tiara. I think it was before your time,
the last month by the untimely death of dressed in black and heavily veiled, who " No, but I observe the second half of a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I
the lady to whom the pledge was given. had been sitting in the window, rose as we return ticket in the palm of your left glove. shall be happy to devote the same care to
It is perhaps as well that the facts should entered. You must have started early, and yet you your case a'3 I did to that of your friend.
now come to light, for I have reasons to "Good morning, madam," said Holmes, had a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy As to reward, my profession is its own
know that there are widespread rumours as cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. roads, before you reached the station." reward; but you are at liberty to defray
to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which This is my intimate friend and associate, The lady gave a violent start, and stared whatever expenses I may be put to, at the
tend to make the matter even more terrible Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak in bewilderment at my companion. time which suits you best. And now I beg
than the truth. as freely as before myself. Ha, I am glad " There is no mystery, my dear madam," that you will lay before us everything that
It was early in April in the year '83 that to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good said he, smiling. "The left arm of your may help us in forming an opinion upon
I woke one morning to find Sherlock sense to light the fire. Pray draw up to it, jacket is spattered with mud in no less than the matter."
Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee seven places. The marks are perfectly " Alas!" replied our visitor. "The very
of my bed. He was a late riser as a rule, for I observe that you are shivering." , fresh. There is. no vehicle save a dog-cart horror of mv situation lies in the fact that
and, as the clock on the mantelpiece showed "It is n0t cold which makes me shiver," which throws up mud in that way, and my fears are' so vague, and n.y suspicions
me that it was only a quarter past seven, I said the ,"oman in a low voice, changing then only when you sit on the left hand depend so entirely upon small points, which
blinked up at him in some surprise, and her seat as requested. side of the driver." might seem trivial to another, that even he
perhaps just a little resentment, for I was "What then? " "Whatever your reasons may be, you to whom of all others I have a right to
myself regular in my habits. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." are perfectly correct," said she. " I started look for help and advice looks upon all
"Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," She raised her veil as she spoke, and we from home before six, reached Leatherhead that I tell him about it as the fancies of a
said he, "but it's the common lot this could see that she was indeed in a pitiable at twenty past, and came in by the first nelTOUS woman. He does not say so, but I
morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked state of agitation, her face all drawn and train to Waterloo. Sir, I can stand this can read it from his soothing answers and
up, she retorted upon me, and I on you." grey, with restless. frightened eyes, like strain no longer, I shall go mad if it con­ averted eyes. But I have heard, Mi.
" What is it, then? A fire? " those of some hunted animal. Her features tinues. I have no one to turn to- none, Holmes, that you can see deeply into the
"No, a client. It seems that a young and figure were those of a woman of thirty" save only one, who cares fm me, and he. manifold wickednes.s of the human heart.

108
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I
ADVENIURES OF SHERLOCK HOLJlI-o'S. 111
110 THE STRAND .MAGAZINE.
bramble-covered land which represent the we knew that he had not retired to rest, for
You may advise me how to walk amid the was enough for all our wants, and there family estate, and would accept in return my sister was troubled by the smell of the
dangers which encompass me." seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the hospitality of their tents, wandering strong Indian cigars which it was his custom
" I am all attention, madam." "But a terrible change came over our step­ away with them sometimes for weeks on to smoke. She left her room, therefore,
"My name is Helen Stoner, and 1 am father about this time. Instead of making end. He has a passion also for Indian ani­ and came into mine, where she sat for some
!i\'ing with my stepfather, who is the last friends and exchanging visits with our nub, which are sent over to him by a time, chatting about her approaching wed­
survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families neighbours, who had at first been over­ correspondent, and he has at this moment a ding. At eleven o'clock she rose to leave
in England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran joyed to see a Roylott of Stoke Moran back cheetah and a baboon, which wander freely me, but she paused at the door and looked
on the western border of Surrey." , iri the old family seat, he shut himself up over his grounds, and are feared by the back.
Holmes nodded his hC:ld. "The name in his house, and seldom came out sa\'e to villagers almost as much as their master. " 'Tell me, Helen.' said she, 'have you
is familiar to me," said he. indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever " You can imagine from what I say that
ever heard anyone whistle in the dead of
" The family was at one time among the might cross his path. Violence of temper my poor sister Julia and I had no great the night? '

richest in England, and the estates extended approaching to mania has been hereditary in pleasure in our lives. No servant would '" Never,' said 1.

over the borders into Berkshire in the the men of the family, and in my stepfather's stay with us, and for a long time we did all
" , I suppose that you could not possibly
north, and Hampshire in the west. In the case it had, I believe, been intensified by the work of the house. She was but thirty
whistle yourself in your sleep? '
last century, however, four successive heirs his long residence in the tropics. A series at the time of her death, and yet her hair " , Certainly not. But why? '
were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition of disgraceful brawls took place, two of had already begun to whiten, even as mine " 'Because during the last few nights I
and the family ruin was eventually com: which ended in the police-court, until at has." have always, about three in the morning,
pleted by a gambler in the days of the last he became the terror of the village, and " Your sister is dead, then? ., heard a low clear whistle. I am a light
Regency. Nothing was left save a few the folks would fly at his approach, for he " She died just two years ago, and it is of sleeper, and it has awakened me. I cannot
acres of ground, and the two-hundred-year­ is a man of immense strength, and abso­ her death that I wish to speak to you. You tell where it came from-perhaps from the
old house, which is itself crushed under a lutely uncontrollable in his anger. can understand that, living the life which I next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought
heavy: mo~tgage. The l~s~ squire dragged "Last week he hurled the local black­ have described, we were. little likely to see
that I would just ask you whether you had
out hIS eXIstence there, hvmg the horrible smith over a parapet into a stream, and it anyone of our own age and position. We heard it.'

life of an aristocratic pauper; but his only was only by· paying over all the money had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden " , No, I have not. It must be those
son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt which I could gather together that I was sister, Miss Honoria vVestphail, who lives wretched gipsies in the plantation.'
himself to the new conditions, obtained an able to avert another public exposure. He near Harrow, and we were occasionally " , Very likely. And yet if it were on the
advance from a relative, which enabled him had no friends at all save the wandering allowed to pay short visits at this lady's
lawn I wonder that you did not hear it
to take a medical degree, and went out to gipsies, and he would give these vagabonds house. Julia went there at Christmas two
also.'
Calcutta, where, by his professional skill leave to encamp upon the few acres of ~'ears ago, and met there a half-pay Major of " , Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.'
and his force of character, he established Marines, to whom she became engaged. My " , Well, it is of no great consequence at
a large practice. In a fit of anger, how­ stepfather learned of the engagement when any rate,' she ,miled back at me, closed my
ever, caused by some robberies which my sister returned, and offered no objection
door, and a few moments later I heard her
had been perpetrated in the house he to the marriage; but within a fortnight of key turn in the lock."

beat his native butler to death, and ~ar­ the day which had been fixed for the wed­ " Indeed," said Holmes. " Was it your
rowly escaped a capital sentence. As it ding, the terrible event occurred which has
custom always to lock yourselves in at
was, he suffered a long term of im­ deprived me of my only companion." night? "

prisonment, and afterwards returned to Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back "Always."

England a morose and disappointed man. in his chair with his eyes closed, and his "And why?"

"\Vhen Dr. Roylott was in India he head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened " I think that I mentioned to )TOil that
married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the his lids now, and glanced across at his the Doctor kept a cheetah and a baboon.
young widow of Major-General Stoner, visitor.
We had no feeling of security unless our
of the Bengal Artillery. My sister Julia " Pray be precise as to details," said he.
doors were locked."
and I were twins, and we were only two "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of
"Quite so. Pray proceed with your
years old at the time of my mother's re­ that dreadful time is seared into my memory. statement."

marriage. She had a considerable sum The manor house is, as I have already " I could not sleep that night. A vague
of money, not less than a thousand a said, very old, and only one wing is now feeling of impending misfortune impressed
year, and this she bequeathed to Dr. inhabited. The bedrooms in this wing are me. My sister and I, you will recollect,
Rdylott entirely whilst we resided with on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms being were twins, and you know how subtle are
him, with a provision that a certain in the central block of the buildings. Of the links which bind two souls which are
annual sum should be allowed to each these bedrooms the first is Dr. Roylott's, the so closely allied. It was a wild night. The
of us in the event of our marriage. second my sister's, and the third my own. wind was howling outside, and the rain was
Shortly after our return to England my There is no communication between them, beating and splashing against the windows.
mother died-she was killed eight years but they all open out into the same corridor. Suddenly, amidst all the hubbub of the
ago in a railway accident near Crewe. Do I make myself plain?" gale, there burst forth the wild scream of
Dr. Roylott then abandoned his attempts " Perfectly so." a terrified woman. I knew that it was my
to establish himself in practice in Lon­ " The windows of the three rooms open sister's voice. I sprang from my bed,
don, and took us to live with him in out upon the lawn. That fatal night Dr. wrapped a shawl round me, and rushed into
the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. Roylott had gone to his room early, though the corridor. As I opened my door I
The money which my mother had left '~HF. HT.'"RI.Fl1 Tilf. l~LACKS~I1TIi o\'~:r~ ,\ 1':\I\Al'ET,"
 -
THE STRAND MAGAZINE. ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. 113
112
seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my she was unconscious, and though he poured shutters with broad iron bars, which were the room. I was too shaken to go to bed

sister described, and a few moments later a brandy down her throat, and sent for secured every night. The walls were care­ again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as

clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had medical aid from the village,all efforts were fully sounded, and were shown to be quite it was daylight I slipped down, got a dog­

fallen. As I ran down the passage my in vain, for she slowly sank and died without solid all round, and the flooring was also cart at the 'Crown' inn, which is 0Ppc­

sister's door was unlocked, and revolved having recovered her consciousness. Such thoroughly examined, with the same result. site, and drove to Leatherhead, from whenc(;

slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." The chimney is wide, but is barred up by I have come on this morning with the one

horror-stricken, not knowing what was " One moment," said Holmes; " are you four large staples. It is certain, therefore, object of seeing you and asking your

about to issue from it. By the light of the sure about this whistle and metallic sound? that my sister was quite alone when she advice."

corridor lamp I saw my sister appear at the Could you swear to it ? " met her end. Besides, there were no marks "You have done wisely," said my friend.

opening, her face blanched with terror, her "That was what the county coroner of any violence upon her." " But have you told me all ? "

hands groping for help, her whole figure asked me at the inquiry. It is my strong " How about poison? " "Yes, all."
swaying to and fro like that of a drunkard. impression that I heard it, and yet among "The doctors examined her for it, but "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are
I ran to her and threw my arms round her, the crash of the gale, and the creaking of without success." screening your stepfather."
but at that moment her knees seemed to an old house, I may possibly have been "What do you think that this unfortu­ "Why, what do you mean? "
give way and she fell to the ground. She deceived." nate lady died of, then?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill
writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and " Was your sister dressed ? " "It is my belief that she died of pure of black lace which fringed the hand that
her limbs were dreadfully convulsed. At' " No, she was in her nightdress. In her fear and nervous shock, though what it was lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little
first I thought that she had not recognised right hand was found the charred stump of which frightened her I cannot imagine." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a
me, but as I bent over her she suddenly a match, and in her left a matchbox." " Were there gipsies in the plantation at thumb, were printed upon the white wrist.
·the time?" "You have been cruelly used," said
"Yes, there are nearly always some Holmes.
there." The lady coloured deeply, and covered
" Ah, and what did you gather from this over her injured wrist. "He is a hard
allusion to a band-a speckled band? " man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly
" Sometimes I have thought that it was knows his own strength."
merely the wild talk of delirium, sometimes There was a long silence, during which
that it may have referred to some band of Holmes leaned his chin up0n his hands and
people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the stared into the crackling fire.
plantation. I do not know whether the "This is a very deep business," he ~aid
spotted handkerchiefs' which so many of at last. "There are a thousand details
them wear over their heads might have which I should desire to know before I
suggested the strange adjective which she decide upon our course of action. Yet we
used." have not a moment to lose. If we were to
Holmes shook his head like a man who come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be
is far from being satisfied. possible for us to see over these rooms
"These are very deep waters," said he ; without the knowledge of your stepfather? "
"pray go on with your narrative." " As it happens, he spoke of coming into
" Two years have passed since then, and my town to-day upon some most important
life has been until lately lonelier than ever. business. It is probable that he will be
A month ago, however, a dear friend, whom I away all day, and that there would be
have known for many years, has done me nothing to disturb you. We have a house­

the honour to ask my hand in marriage. keeper now, but she is old and foolish, a·nd

His name is Armitage-Percy Armitage­ I could easily get her out of the way."

the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane "Excellent. You are not averse to this

Water, near Reading. My stepfather has trip, Watson? "

..
.~
offered no opposition to the match, and we "By no means."

" HER FACE BLANCHED WITH TERROR." are to be married in the course of the " Then we shall both come. What are

spring. Two days ago some repairs were you going to do yourself? "

shrieked out in a voice which I shall never "Showing that she had struck a light started in the west wing of the building, " I have one or two things which I would

forget, ' Oh, my God! Helen! It was the and looked about her when the alarm took and my bedroom wall has been pierced, so wish to do now that I am in town. But I

band! The speckled band!' There was place. That is important. And what con­ that I have had to move into the chamber shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so

something else which she wouli fain have clusions did the coroner come to? " in which my sister died, and to sleep in the as to be there in time for your coming."

said, and she stabbed with her finger into "He investigated the case with great very bed in which she slept. Imagine, "And you may expect us early in the

the air in the direction of the Doctor's care, for Dr. Roylott's conduct had long been then, my thrill of terror when last night, afternoon. I have myself some small

room, but a fresh convulsion seized her and notorious in the county, but he was unable as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible business matters to attend to. Will you

choked her words. I rushed out, calling to find any satisfactory cause of death. My fate, I suddenly heard in the silence of the not wait and breakfast? "

loudly for my stepfather, and I met him evidence showed that the door had been night the low whistle which had been the " No, I must go. My heart is lightened

hastening from his room in his dressing­ fastened upon the inner side, and the herald of her own death. I sprang up and already since I have confided my trouble to

gown. When he reached my sister's side windows were blocked by old-fashioned lit the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in you. I shall look forward to seeing you

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114 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. "lDPENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLJiE,,,'. 115
again this afternoon." She dropped her tions are fatal, or if they may be explained " Ea ! You put me off, do you?" said our this beauty would have had a mere pittance,
thick black veil over her face, and glided away. But what, in the name of the new visitor, taking a step forward, and while even one of them would cripple him
from the room. devil! " to a very serious extent. My morning's
shaking his hunting crop. "I know you,
"And what do you think of it all, The ejaculation had been drawn from my you scoundrel! I have heard of you before. work has not been wasted, since it has
Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, leaning companion by the fact that our door had You are Holmes the meddler." proved that he has the very strongest motives
back in his chair. been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge for standing in the way of anything of the
My friend smiled.
" It seems to me to be a most dark and man had framed himself in the aperture. " Holmes the busybody! " sort. And now, Watson, this is too serious
sinister business." His costume was a peculiar mixture of the for dawdling, especially as the old man is
His smile broadened.
" Dark enough, and sinister enough." professional and of the agricultural, having "Holmes the Scotland-yard Jack-in­ aware that we are interesting ourselves in
"Yet if the lady is correct in saying that a black top hat, a long frock coat, and a pair his affairs, so if you are ready we shall call
office! "
the flooring and walls are sound, and that of high gaiters, with a hunting crop swing­ Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your con­ a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be
the door, window, and chimney are im­ ing in his hand. So tall was he that his versation is most entertaining," said he. very much obliged if you would slip your
passable, then her sister must have been hat actually brushed the cross bar of the " \Vhen you go out close the door, for there revolver into your pocket. An Eley's No.2
undGubtedly alone when she met her doorway, and his breadth seemed to span it is a decided draughl." is an excellent argument with gentlemen
mysterious end." across from side to side. A large face, "I will go when I have said my say. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That
" \Vhat becomes, then, of these nocturnal seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned Don't you dare to meddle with my affairs. and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we
whistles, and yellow w~th the need."
I know that Miss Stoner has been here-I
what of the very sun, and marked traced her! I am a dangerous m~,n to fall At Waterloo we were fortunate in catch­
peculiar words with every evil ing a train for Leatherhead, where we hired
of the dying foul of! See here." He stepped swiftly
passion, was forward, seized the poker, ar..td bent it into a trap at the station inn, and drove for four
woman? " turned from one or five miles through the lovely Surrey
"I cannot
a curve with his huge brown hands.
to the other of " See that you keep yourself out of my lanes. It was a perfect day, with a bright
think."
us, while his sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens.
"When you grip," he snarled, and hurling the twisted
deep-set, b i I e­ poker into the fireplace, he strode out of The trees and wayside hedges were just
combine the shot eyes, and throwing out their first green shoots, and
ideas of whistles the room.
his high thin " He seems a very amiable person," said the air was full of the pleasant smell of the
at night, the fl es h I ess nose, moist earth. To me at least there was a
presence of a Holmes, laughing. "I am not quite so
gave him some­ bulky, but if he had remained I might have strange contrast between the sweet promise
band of gipsies what the re­ of the spring and this sinister quest u~on
who are on in­ shown him that my grip was not much
semblance to a more feeble than his own." As he spoke which we were engaged. My compamon
timate terms fierce old bird he picked up the steel poker, and with a sat in the front of the trap, his arms folded,
with this old of prey. sudden effort straightened it out again. his hat pulled down over his eyes, and his
DOc:tor, the fact "'Which of "Fancy his having the insolence to con­ chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the
that we have you is Holmes? "
every reason to found me with the official detective force! deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he
asked this ap­ This incident gives zest to our investiga­ started, tapped me on the shoulder, and
believe that the parition.
Doctor has an tion, however, and I only trust that our pointed over the meadows.
"My name, little friend will not suffer from her impru­ " Look there!" said he.
interest in pre­ si 1', bu t you dence in allowing this brute to trace her. A heavily-timbered park stretched up ill
ven ting his have the advan­
stepdaughter's And now, vVatson, we shall order break­ a gentle slope, thickening into a grove at
tage of me," fast, and afterwards I shall walk down to the highest point. From amidst the
marriage, the said my com­
dying allusion Doctors' Commoll'3, "ivhere I hope to get branches there jutted out the grey gables
panion, quietly, some data which may help us in this and high roof-tree of a very old mansion.
to a band, and "I am Dr.
finally, the fact matter." " Stoke Moran?" said he.
Grimesby Roy­ "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr,
that Miss Helen "WHICH OF YOU IS HOI."ES?"
lott, of Stoke
Stoner heard a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Grimesby Roylott," remarked the driver.
Moran." Holmes returned from his excursion. He " There is some building going on there,"
metallic clang, which might have been " Indeed, Doc­
caused by one of those metal bars which held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, said Holmes; " that is where we are going."
tor ," sa i d scrawled over with notes and figures. "There's the village," said the drivur,
secured the shutters falling back into their Holmes, blandly. "Pray take a scat."
place, I think that there is good ground to "I have seen the will of the deceased pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance
" I will do nothing of the kind. My step­ wife," said he. "To determine its exact to the left ; "but if you want to get to the
think that t.he mystery may be cleared daughter has been here. I have traced her.
along those hnes." meaning I have been obliged to work out house, you'll find it shorter to get over this
What has she been saying to you? " the present prices of the investments with stile, and so by the footpath over the
" But what, then, did the gipsies do ? "
" It is a little cold for the time. of the
" I cannot imagine."
which it is concerned. The total income, fields. There it is, where the lady is
year," said Holtnes. which at the time of the wife's death was walking."
"I see many objections to allY such
"\Vhal has she been saying to you?"
theory." little short of £1,100, is now through the " And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner,"
screamed the old maIl furiously. fall in agricultural prices not more than observed Holmes, shading his eyes. "Yes,
" And so do 1. It is precisely for that "But I have heard that the crocuses
reason that we are going to Stoke Moran £7 ~o. Each daughter can claim ~n ir~come I think we had better do as you suggest."
promise well," continued my companion of £;2 50, in case of marriage. It 15 eVIdent, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap
this day. I want to see whether the objec­ imperturbably. therefore, that if both girls had married rattled back on its way to Leatherhead.
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116 THE STRAND MAGAZINE. ADVENTDRES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. 117

stone, with a high the shutter open, but without success. panelled. Finally he walked over to the

central portion, There was no slit through which a knife bed and spent some time in staring at it, and

and two curving could be passed to raise the bar. Then in running his eye up and down the wall.

wings, like the with his lens he tested the hinges, but they Finally he took the bell-rope in his hand

claws of a crab, were of solid iron, built firmly into the and gave it a brisk tug.

thrown out on massive masonry. " Hum !" said he, "Why, it's a dummy," said he.

each side. In scratching his chin in some perplexity, "Won't it ring?"

one ofthesewings "my theory certainly presents some diffi­ " No, it is not even attached to a wire.

the windows culties. No one could pass thcoe shutters This is very interesting. You can see now

were broken, and if they were bolted. Well, we shall see if that it is fastened to a hook just above

blocked with the inside throws any light upon the where the little opening for the ventilator

wooden boards, matter." is."

while the roof A small side door led into the white­ " How very absurd! I never noticed that
was partly caved washed corridor from which the three bed­ before."
in, a picture of rooms opened. Holmes refused to examine "Very strange!" muttered Holmes,
ruin. The central the third chamber, so we passed at once to pulling at the rope. "There are one or
portion was in the second, that in which Miss Stoner was two very singular points about this room.
little better re­ now sleeping, and in which her sister had For example, what a fool a builder must be
pair, but the met with her fate. It was a homely little to open a ventilator into another room,
right-hand block room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fire­ when, with the same trouble, he might
was compara­ place, after the fashion of old country have communicated with the outside air! "
H WE GOT OFF, PAID OUR FARE,"
tively modern, houses. A brown chest of drawers stood "That is also quite modern," said the
and the blinds in in one corner, a narrowwhite-counterpaned lady.
"I thought it as well," said Holmes, as the windows, with the blue smoke curling bed in another, and a dressing-table on the " Done about the same time as the 'bell­
we climbed the stile, "that this fellow up from the chimneys, showed that this was left-hand side of the window. These rope? " remarked Holmes.
should think we had come here as archi­ where the family resided. Some scaffolding articles, with two small wickerwork chairs, " Yes, there were several little changes
tects, or on some definite business. It may had been erected against the end wall, and made up all the furniture in the room, save carried out about that time."
stop his gossip. Good afternoon, Miss the stonework had been broken into, but for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. "They seem to have been of a most
Stoner. You see that we have been as there were no signs of any workmen at the The boards round and the panelling of interesting character-dummy bell-ropes,
good as our word." moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, and ventilators which do not ventilate.
Our client of the morning had hurried up and down the ill-trimmed lawn, and so old and discoloured that it may have With your permission, Miss Stoner, we
forward to meet us with a face which spoke examined with deep attention the outsides dated from the original building of the shall now carry our researches into the
her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly of the windows. house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into inner apartment."
for you," she cried, shaking hands with us " This, I take it, belongs to the room in a corner and sat silent, while his eyes Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was
warmly. "All has turned out splendidly. which you used to sleep, the centre one to travelled round and round and up and larger than that of his step-daughter, but was
Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is your sister's, and the one next to the main down, taking in every detail of the apart­ as plainly furnished. A camp bed, a small
unlikely that he will be back before building to Dr. Roylott's chamber? " ment. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a
evening." " Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in "Where does that bell communicate technical character, an armchair beside the
" We have had the pleasure of making the middle one." with?" he asked at last, pointing to a bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall,
the Doctor's acquaintance," said Holmes, "Pending the alterations, as I under­ thick bell-rope which hung down beside a round table, and a large iron safe were
and in a few words he sketched out what stand. By the way, there does not seem to the bed, the tassel actually lying upon the the principal things which met the eye.
had occurred. Miss Stoner turned white be any very pressing need for repairs at pillow. Holmes walked slowly round and examined
to the lips as she listened. that end wall." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." each and all of them with the keenest
"Good heavens!" she cried, "he has " There were none. I believe that it was " It looks newer than the other things?" interest.
followed me, then." an excuse to move me from my room." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of "What's in here?" he asked, tappinr
"So it appears." " Ah ! that is suggestive. Now, on the years ago." the safe.

" He is so cunning that I never know other side of this narrow wing runs the " Your sister asked for it, I suppose? " "My stepfather's business papers."

when '1 am safe from him. What will he corridor from which these three rooms " No, I never heard of her using it. We " Oh ! you have seen inside, then? "

say when he returns? " open. There are windows in it, of course? " used always to get what we wanted for " Only once, some years ago. I remem­
"He must guard himself,for he may find " Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow ourselves." ber that it was full of papers."
that there is someone more cunning than for anyone to pass through." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put "There isn't a cat in it, for example? "
himself upon his track. You must lock " As you both locked your doors at night so nice a bell-pull there. You will excuse "No. What a strange idea! .,
yourself up from him to-night. If he is your rooms were unapproachable from that me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself " Well, look at this!" He took up a
violent, we shall take yc u away to your side. Now, would you have the kindness as to this floor." He threw himself down small saucer of milk which stood 011 the top
aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make to go into your room, and to bar your upon his face with his lens in his hand, and of it.
the best use of our time, so kindly take us shutters," crawled swiftly backwards and forwards, " No; we don't keep a cat. But there
at once to the rooms which we are to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a examining minutely the cracks between is a cheetah and a baboon."
examine." careful examination through the open the boards. Then he did the same with "Ah, yes, of course ! Well, a cheetah
The building was of grey, lichen-blotched window, endeavoured in every way to force the woodwork with which the chamber was is just a big cat, and yet a saucer of milk
 118 1'HE STRA1YD JfA GAZ/}I;rE. ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLJfES. 119

does not go very far in satis­ The trap drove on, and a few
fying its wants, I daresay. minutes later we saw a sudden
There is one point which J light spring up among the trees
should wish to as the lamp was lit in one of the
determine." He :iitting-rooms.
squatted down "Do you know, 'VVatson," said
in front of the Holmes, as we sat together in
wooden chair, the gathering darkness, "I haye
and examined really some scruples as to taking
the seat of it you to-night. There is a distinct
with the great­ element of danger."
est attention. " Can I be of assistance? "
" Thank you. " Your presence might be m-
That is quite valuable."
settled," said he, "Then I shall certainly come."
rising and put­ " It is very kind of you."
ting his lens in "You speak of danger. You
his pac k e t. have evidently seen more in
" Hullo! here these rooms than was visible to
is something in­ me."
teresting ! " "No, but I fancy that I may
"WELL LOOK AT THIS."
The a bj ect J
have deduced a little more. I
which had imagine that you sawall that I
caught his eye was a small dog lash hung "Very good. Your windows would be did."
on one corner of the bed. The lash, how­ visible from there? " "I saw nothing remarkable
ever, was curled upon itself, and tied so " Certainly." save the bell rope, and what pur­
as to make a loop of whipcord. " You must confine yourself to your pose that could answer I confess
" \Vhat do you make of that, Watson?" room, on pretence of a headache, when your is more than I can imagine."
"It's a common enough lash. But I stepfather come~ back. Then when you " You saw the ventilator, too?"
don't know why it should be tied." hear him retire for the night, you must " Yes, but I do not think that
"That is not quite so common, is it? open the shutters of your window, undo it is such a very unusual thing
Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and when a the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to to have a small opening between
clever man turns his brains to crime it is us, and then withdraw quietly with every­ two rooms. It was so small that
the worst of all. I think that I have seen thing which you are likely to want into a rat could hardly pass through."
enough now, Miss Stoner, and, with your per­ the room which you used to occupy. I " I knew that we should find a
mission, we shall walk out upon the lawn." have no doubt that, in spite of the repairs, ventilator before ever we came to
I had never seen my friend's face so grim, you could manage there for one night." Stoke Moran."
or his brow so dark, as it was when we "Oh, yes, easily." "My dear Holmes! "
turned from the scene of this investigation. "The rest you will leave in our hands." H GOOD-BYE, AND BE BRAVE," " Oh, yes, I did. You remem­
We had walked several times up and down " But what will you do ? " ber in her statement she said that
the lawn, neither Miss Stoner nor myself " We shall spend the night in your room, saw us, our journey would be in vain. her sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar.
liking to break in upon his thoughts, before and we shall investigate the cause of this Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do N ow, of course that suggested at once that
he roused himself from his reverie. noise which has disturbed you." what I have told you, you may rest assured there must be a communication between
"It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said " I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have that we shall soon drive away the dangers the two rooms. It could only be a small
he, " that you should absolutely follow my already made up your mind," said Miss that threaten you." one, or it would have been remarked upon
advice in every respect." Stoner, laying her hand upon my com­ Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty at the Coroner's inquiry. I deduced a
"I shall most certainly do so." panion's sleeve. in engaging a bedroom and sitting-room at ventilator."
"The matter is too serious for any hesi­ " Perhaps I have." the "Crown" Inn. They were on the " But what harm can there be in that? ,.
tation. Your life may depend upon your "Then for pity's sake tell me what was upper floor, and from our window we could " Well, there is at least a curious coinci­
compliance. " the cause of my sister's death." command a view of the avenue gate, and dence of dates. A ventilator. is made, a
"I assure that I am in your hands." " I should prefer to have clearer proofs of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the
" In the first place, both my friend and I before I speak." Manor House. At dusk we saw Dr. bed dies. 'Does not that strike you? "
must spend the night in your room." " You can at least tell me whether my Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge " I cannot as yet see any connection."
Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in own thought is correct, and if she died from form looming up beside the little figure of " Did you observe anything very peculiar
astonishment. some sudden fright." the' lad who drove him. The boy had about that bed? "
"Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I "No, I do not think so. I think that some slight difficulty in undoing the heavy "No."
believe that that is the village inn over there was probably some more tangible iron gates, and we heard the hoarse roar of " It was clamped to the floor. Did you
there? " cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must the doctor's voice, and saw the fury with ever see a bed fastened like that before? ,.
" Yes, that is the' Crown.' " leave you, for if Dr. Roylott returned and which he shook his clenched fists at him. " I cannot say that I have. ,. .
 120 THE STRAND MAGAZINE.
" The lady could not move her bed. It
must always be in the same relative posi­
I had forgotten the strange pets which
the Doctor affected. There was a cheetah,
ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, 121 l
tion to the ventilator and to the rope-for too; perhaps we might find it upon our
so we may call it, since it was clearly never shoulders at any moment. I confess that I
meant for a bell-pul1." felt easier in my mind when, after following
" Holmes," I cried, " I seem to see dimly Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes,
what you are hinting at. vVe are only just I found myself inside the bedroom. My
in time to prevent some subtle and horrible companion noiselessly closed the shutters,
crime." moved the lamp on to the table, and cast
"Subtle enough, and horrible enough. his eyes round the room. All was as we
When a doctor does go wrong, he is the had seen it in the day-time. Then creep­
first of criminals. He has nerve and he ing up to me and making a trumpet of his
has knowledge. Palmer and Pritchard hand, he whispered into my ear again so
were among the heads of their profession. gently that it was all that I could do to dis­
This man strikes even deeper, but I think, tinguish the words.
Watson, that we shall be able to strike " The least sound would be fatal to our
deeper still. But we shall have horrors plans."
enough before the night is over; for good­ I nodded to show that I had heard.
ness' sake let us have a quiet pipe, and turn " We must sit without light. He would
our minds for a few hours to something see it through the ventilator.
more cheerful." I nodded again.
" Do not go asleep; your very life may
About nine o'clock the light among the depend upon it. Have your pistol ready in
trees was extinguished, and all was dark in case we should need it. I will sit on the

the direction of the Manor House. Two side of the bed, and you in that chair."

hours passed slowly away,and then, sud­ I took out my revolver and laid it on the

denly, just at the stroke of eleven, a single corner of the table.

bright light shone out right in front of ~s. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane,
"HOLMES LASHE~·" FURIOUSLY. ~
"That is our signal," said Holmes, and this he placed upon the bed beside
springing to his feet; "it comes from the him. By it he laid the box of matches and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I he at me, until the last echoes of it had
middle window." the stump of a candle. Then he turned sat with straining ears. Then suddenly died away into the silence from which it
As we passed out he exchanged a few down the lamp, and we were left in dark­ another sound became audible-a very rose.
words with the landlord, explaining that we ness. gentle, soothing sound, like that of a small "What can it mean? " I gasped.
were going on a late visit to an acquaint­ How shall I ever forget that dreadful jet of steam escaping continually from a "It means that it is all over," Holmes
ance, and that it was possible that we vigil? I could not hear a sound, not even kettle. The instant that we heard it, answered. "And perhaps, after all, it is
might spend the night there. A moment the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew Holmes sprang from the bed, struck a for the best. Take your pistol, and we
later we were out on the dark road, a chill that my companion sat open-eyed, within a match, and lashed furiously with his cane shall enter Dr. Roylott's room."
wind blowing in our faces, and one yellow few feet of me, in the $ame state of nervous at the bell-pull. vVith a grave f<:l.ce he lit the lamp, and
light twinkling in front of us through the tension in which I was myself. The shut­ "You see it, 'IVatson?" he yelled. led the way down tt,e corridor. Twice he
gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ters cut off the least ray of light, and we "You see it?" struck at the chamber door without any
There was little difficulty in entering the waited in absolute darkness. From outside But I saw nothing. At the moment reply from within. Then he turned the
grounds, for unrepaired br-eaches gaped in came the occasional cry of a night bird, and when Holmes struck the light I heard a low, handle and entered, I at his heels, with the
the old park wall. Making our way among once at our very window a long drawn, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing cocked pistol in my hand.
the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, cat-like whine, which told us that the into my weary eyes made it impossible for It was a singular sight which met our
and were about to enter through the win­ cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away me to tell what it was at which my friend eyes. On the table stood a dark lantern
dow, when out from a clump of laurel we could hear the deep tones of the parish lashed so savagely. I could, howe\'er, see with the shutter half open, throwiJ;lg a
bushes there darted what seemed to be a clock, which boomed out every quarter of that his face was deadly pale, and filled brilliant beam of light UPGJl1 the iron safe,
hideous and distorted child, who threw an hour. Ho,Y long they seemed, those with horror and loathing. the door of which was ajar. Beside this
itself upon the grass with writhing limbs, quarters! Twelve struck, and one, and He had ceased to strike, and was gazing table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr.
and then ran swiftly across the lawn into two, and three, and still we sat waiting up at the ventilator, when suddenly there Grimesby Roylott, clad in a long grey
the darkness. silently for whatever might befall. broke from the silence of the night the dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding
"My God!" I whispered; "did you see Suddenly there was the momentary most horrible cry to which I have ever beneath, and his feet thrust into red heel­
it ?" . gleam of a light up in the direction of the listened. It swelled up louder and louder, less Turkish slippers. Across his lap lay
Holmes was for the moment as startled ventilator, which vanished immediately, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all the short stock with the long lash which
as 1. His hand closed like a vice upon my but was succeeded by a strong smell of mingled in the one dreadful shriek. They we had noticed during the day. His chin
wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into burning oil and heated metal. Someone say that away down in the village, and even was cocked upwards, and his eyes were
a low laugh, and put his lips to my ear. in the next room had lit a dark lantern. I in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the fixed in a dreadful rigid stare at the corner
"It is a nice household," he murmured. heard a gentle sound of movement, and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to of the ceiling. Rounrl his brow he had a'
" That is the baboon." then all was silent once more, though the our hearts. and I stood gazing at Holmes, and peculiar yellow baorl, wi th brownish
 122 THE STRAND 111AGAZ[NE. ADVE'NTURES OF SHERLOCK HULMBs. 123
speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran. It door. My attention was speedily drawn, the rope, and land on the bed. It might or
round his head. As we entered he made is not necessary that I should prolong a as I have already remarked to you, to this might not bite the occupant, perhaps she
neither sound nor motion. narrative which has already run to too great ventilator, and to the bell rope which hung might escape every night for a week, but
" The band! the speckled band!" whis­ a length, by telling how we broke the sad down to the bed. The discovery that this sooner or later she must fall a victim.
pered Holmes. news to the terrified girl, how we con­ was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped " I had come to these conclusions before
I took a step forward. In an instant his veyed her by the morning train to the to the floor, instantly gave rise to the ever I had entered his room. An inspection
strange headgear began to move, and there care of her good aunt at Harrow, of how suspicion that the rope was there as a of his chair showed me that he had been in
reared itself from among his hair the squat the slow process of official inquiry came to bridge for something passing through the the habit of standing on it, which, of
diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a the conclusion that the Doctor met his fate hole, and coming to the bed. The idea of course, would be necessary in order that he
loathsome serpent. while indiscreetly playing with a dangerous a snake instantly occurred to me, and when should reach the ventilator. The sight of
1 coupled it with my knowledge that the the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop
Doctor was furnished with a supply of of whipcord were enough to finally dispel
creatures from India, I felt that I was pro­ any doubts which may have remained. The
bably on the right track. The idea of metallic clang heard by Miss Stoner was
using a form of poison which could not obviously caused by her father hastily
possibly be discovered by any chemical test closing the door of his safe upon its terrible
was just such a one as would occur to a occupant. Having once made up my mind,
clever and ruthless man who had had an you know the steps which I took in order
Eastern training. The rapidity with which to put the matter to the proof. I heard the
such a poison would take effect would also, creature hiss, as I have no doubt that you
from his point of view, be an advantage. It did also, and I instantly lit the light and
would be a sharp-eyed Coroner indeed attacked it."
who could distinguish the two little dark " With the result of driving it through
punctures which would show where the the ventilator."
poison fangs had done their work. Then "And also with the result of causing it
I thought of the whistle. Of course, he to turn upon its master at the other side.
must recall the snake before the morning Some of the blows of my cane came home,
light revealed it to the victim. He had and roused its snakish temper, so that it
trained it, probably by the use of the milk flew upon the first person it saw. In this
which we saw, to return to him when sum­ way I am no doubt indirectly responsible
moned. He would put it through this ven­ for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I
tilator at the hour that he thought best, cannot say that it is likely to weigh very
with the certainty that it would crawl down heavily upon my conscience."

"HE MADE l\'EITHER SQUKD NOR :\IOTIOX."

" It is a swamp adder! "cried Holmes­ pet. The little which I had yet to learn of
"the deadliest snake in India. He has the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as
di~d within ten. seconds of being bitten. we travelled back next day.
~IOlence does, 111 truth, recoil upon the "I had," said he, " come to an entirely
VIOlent, and the schemer falls into the pit erroneous conclusion, which shows, my
which he digs for another. Let us thrust dear Watson, h.ow dan.gerous it always is
this creature back into its den and we can to reason from 1I1sufficlent data. The pre­
then remove Miss Stoner to s~me place of senc" of the gipsies, and the li3e of the
shelter, and let the county police know w:ord 'band,' which was used by the poor
what has happened." girl.. no doubt, to explain the appearance
As he spoke he drew the dog whip swiftly which s~e had caught a hurried glimpse of
from the dead man's lap, and throwing the by the ltght of her match, were sufficient
noose round the reptile's neck he drew it to put me upon an entirely wrong scent.
from its horrid perch, and, ca~ryi:1g it at I can only claim the merit that I instantly
arm's length threw it into the iron safe reconsidered my position when, however, it
which he closed upon it. ' became clear to me that whatever danger
threatened an occupant of the room could
Such are the true facts of the death of not come either from the window or the
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