WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.200 --> 00:00:06.879 The speckled band. In glancing over the notes of these 2 00:00:06.919 --> 00:00:09.679 seventy odd cases in which I have, during the last 3 00:00:09.679 --> 00:00:12.640 eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, 4 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:18.239 I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, 5 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:22.239 but none commonplace for working as he did, rather for 6 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:25.079 the love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth. 7 00:00:25.399 --> 00:00:29.199 He refused to associate himself with any investigation which did 8 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:33.719 not tend towards the unusual and even the fantastic. Of 9 00:00:33.759 --> 00:00:37.479 all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 10 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:41.439 presented more singular features than that which was associated with 11 00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:45.679 the well known Surrey family of the Roylots of Stoke, Moran. 12 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:49.679 The events in question occurred in the early days of 13 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:53.039 my association with Homes, when we were sharing rooms as 14 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:56.960 bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I might 15 00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:00.520 have placed them upon record before, but the promise of 16 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:03.320 secrecy was made at the time from which I have 17 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:06.760 only been freed during the last month by the untimely 18 00:01:06.879 --> 00:01:09.120 death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. 19 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:12.680 It is perhaps as well that the facts should now 20 00:01:12.719 --> 00:01:15.920 come to light, for I have reasons to know that 21 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:19.079 there are widespread rumors as to the death of doctor 22 00:01:19.159 --> 00:01:23.000 grimesby Roylot, which tend to make the matter even more 23 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:28.480 terrible than the truth. It was early in April in 24 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:30.879 the year eighty three that I woke one morning to 25 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:34.799 find Sherlock Holmes standing fully dressed by the side of 26 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:38.239 my bed. He was a late riser as a rule, 27 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:40.519 and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that 28 00:01:40.640 --> 00:01:43.599 it was only a quarter past seven, I blinked up 29 00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:47.280 at him in some surprise and perhaps just a little resentment, 30 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:51.680 for I was myself regular in my habits. Very sorry 31 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:54.480 to knock you up, Watson said he, but it's the 32 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:57.680 common lot this morning. Missus Hudson has been knocked up, 33 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:01.920 she retorted upon me, and I on you. What is 34 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:05.480 it then? A fire? No, a client. It seems that 35 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:08.479 a young lady has arrived in a considerable state of excitement, 36 00:02:08.759 --> 00:02:12.360 who insists, upon seeing me she is waiting now in 37 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:15.439 the sitting room. Now, when young ladies wander about the 38 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:18.919 metropolis at this hour of the morning and knock sleepy 39 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:21.560 people up out of their beds, I presume that it 40 00:02:21.639 --> 00:02:26.120 is something very pressing which they have to communicate should 41 00:02:26.120 --> 00:02:28.400 it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I 42 00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.560 am sure wish to follow it from the outset. I 43 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:33.319 thought at any rate that I should call you and 44 00:02:33.360 --> 00:02:36.080 give you the chance, My dear fellow, I would not 45 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:39.560 miss it for anything. I had no keener pleasure than 46 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:44.240 in following Homes in his professional investigations, and in admiring 47 00:02:44.280 --> 00:02:48.159 the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always 48 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:51.319 founded on a logical basis with which he unraveled the 49 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:55.000 problems which were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on 50 00:02:55.080 --> 00:02:57.360 my clothes and was ready in a few minutes to 51 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:00.759 accompany my friend down to the sitting room. A lady 52 00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:03.360 dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting 53 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:07.120 in the window, rose as we entered. Good morning, Madam, 54 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:11.039 said Holmes cheerily. My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is 55 00:03:11.080 --> 00:03:14.599 my intimate friend and associate doctor Watson, before whom you 56 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:17.879 can speak freely as before myself. Ha. I am glad 57 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:19.840 to see that missus Hudson has had the good sense 58 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:23.000 to light the fire. Pray draw up to it, and 59 00:03:23.080 --> 00:03:25.560 I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for 60 00:03:25.639 --> 00:03:28.120 I observe that you are shivering. It is not the 61 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:30.960 cold which makes me shiver, said the woman, in a 62 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:35.199 low voice, changing her seat, as requested, What then it 63 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:38.879 is fear, mister Holmes, it is terror. She raised her 64 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:41.639 veil as she spoke, and we could see that she 65 00:03:41.800 --> 00:03:44.919 was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face 66 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:48.319 all drawn and gray, with restless, frightened eyes like those 67 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:52.400 of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those 68 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:55.439 of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot 69 00:03:55.479 --> 00:03:59.360 with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard. 70 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:02.960 Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, 71 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:07.560 all comprehensive glances. You must not fear, said he soothingly, 72 00:04:07.879 --> 00:04:11.439 bending forward and patting her forearm. We shall soon set 73 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:14.199 matters right. I have no doubt you have come in 74 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:17.959 by train this morning. I see you know me then no, 75 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:20.839 but I observe the second half of a return ticket 76 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:23.399 in the palm of your left glove. You must have 77 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:25.519 started early, and yet you had a good drive in 78 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:29.079 a dog cart along heavy roads before you reached the station. 79 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:33.360 The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment 80 00:04:33.399 --> 00:04:36.720 at my companion. There is no mystery, my dear madam, 81 00:04:36.800 --> 00:04:39.639 said he smiling. The left arm of your jacket is 82 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:42.399 spattered with mud in no less than seven places. The 83 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:45.920 marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a 84 00:04:46.000 --> 00:04:49.120 dog cart which throws up mud in that way, and 85 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:51.560 then only when you sit on the left hand side 86 00:04:51.600 --> 00:04:55.079 of the driver. Whatever your reasons may be, you are 87 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:59.160 perfectly correct, said she. I started from home before six 88 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:03.000 re to Leatherhead twenty past, and came in by the 89 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:06.480 first train to Waterloo. Sir, I can stand this strain 90 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:09.480 no longer. I shall go mad if it continues. I 91 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:12.240 have no one to turn to, none save only one 92 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:14.639 who cares for me, and he, poor fellow, can be 93 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:17.759 of little aid. I have heard of you, mister Holmes. 94 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:21.199 I have heard of you from Missus farinage, whom you 95 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:24.519 helped in the hour of her sore need. It was 96 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:26.839 from her that I had your address. Oh, sir, do 97 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:29.319 you not think that you could help me too, and 98 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:31.959 at least throw a little light through the dense darkness 99 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:35.040 which surrounds me. At present, it is out of my 100 00:05:35.160 --> 00:05:38.240 power to reward you for your services. But in a 101 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.759 month or two I shall be married, with the control 102 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:43.160 of my own income, and then at least you shall 103 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:47.079 not find me ungrateful. Holmes turned to his desk, and, 104 00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:52.240 unlocking it, drew out a small case book, which he consulted. Farinage. 105 00:05:52.360 --> 00:05:54.639 Said he Ah, yes, I recall the case. It was 106 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:57.800 concerned with an opal Tiara. I think it was before 107 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:01.000 your time, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I 108 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:03.160 shall be happy to devote the same care to your 109 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:06.279 case as I did to that of your friend. As 110 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:09.680 to reward, my profession is its reward. But you are 111 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:12.480 at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put 112 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:15.399 to at the time which suits you best. And now 113 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:17.480 I beg that you will lay before us everything that 114 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:21.160 may help us informing an opinion upon the matter. Alas 115 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:25.800 replied our visitor, the very horror of my situation lies 116 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:28.879 in the fact that my fears are so vague, and 117 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:33.000 my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points which might 118 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:36.879 seem trivial to another, that even he to whom of 119 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:38.879 all others I have a right to look for help 120 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:41.639 and advice, looks upon all that I tell him about 121 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:45.040 it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does 122 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:47.000 not say so, but I can read it from his 123 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:51.399 soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have heard, mister Holmes, 124 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:54.319 that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of 125 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:57.399 the human heart. You may advise me how to walk 126 00:06:57.439 --> 00:07:01.560 amid the dangers which encompass me. I am all attention, madam. 127 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:04.959 My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with 128 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:08.040 my step father, who is the last survivor of one 129 00:07:08.079 --> 00:07:12.399 of the oldest Saxon families in England, the roy Lots 130 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:16.879 of Stoke, Moran, on the western border of Surrey. Holmes 131 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.519 nodded his head. The name is familiar to me, said he. 132 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:24.199 The family was at one time among the richest in England, 133 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:27.680 and the estate extended over the borders into Berkshire in 134 00:07:27.759 --> 00:07:31.600 the north and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, 135 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:35.879 four successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, 136 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:39.399 and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler 137 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:42.959 in the days of the regency. Nothing was left save 138 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.680 a few acres of ground and the two hundred year 139 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:49.319 old house, which is itself crushed under a heavy mortgage. 140 00:07:50.279 --> 00:07:54.279 The last squire dragged out his existence there, living the 141 00:07:54.319 --> 00:07:58.519 horrible life of an aristocrat pauper, but his only son, 142 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:02.120 my stepfather, Seeing that he must adapt himself to the 143 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:06.360 new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative which enabled 144 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:09.680 him to take a medical degree, and went out to Calcutta, where, 145 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:13.920 by his professional skill and force of character, he established 146 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:18.399 a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused 147 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:21.199 by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, 148 00:08:21.839 --> 00:08:25.680 he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped 149 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:29.240 to capital sentence. As it was, he suffered a long 150 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:33.679 term of imprisonment, and afterwards returned to England a morose 151 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:39.200 and disappointed man. When doctor roylott was in India, he 152 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:42.799 married my mother, Missus Stoner, the young widow of Major 153 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:47.600 General Stoner of the Bengal Artillery. My sister Julia and 154 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:50.480 I were twins, and we were only two years old 155 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:53.600 at the time of my mother's remarriage. She had a 156 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:57.279 considerable sum of money, not less than a thousand a year, 157 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:01.240 and this she bequeathed to Doctor Roylottie entirely, whilst we 158 00:09:01.320 --> 00:09:04.840 resided with him, with a provision that a certain annual 159 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:07.399 sum should be allowed to each of us in the 160 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:12.200 event of our marriage Shortly after our return to England, 161 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:15.799 my mother died. She was killed eight years ago in 162 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:20.639 a railway accident near Crewe. Doctor Roylott then abandoned his 163 00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:24.440 attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took 164 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:27.679 us to live with him in the ancestral house at Stoke, Moran. 165 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.360 The money which my mother had left was enough for 166 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:35.559 all our wants, and there seemed no obstacle to our happiness. 167 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:39.039 But a terrible change came over our step father about 168 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:43.039 this time. Instead of our making friends and exchanging visits 169 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:45.639 with our neighbors, who had at first been overjoyed to 170 00:09:45.679 --> 00:09:47.720 see a roy loot of Stoke Moran back in the 171 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:50.679 old family seat, he shut himself up in his house 172 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:55.080 and seldom came out, save to indulge in ferocious quarrels 173 00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:59.759 with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper approaching 174 00:09:59.799 --> 00:10:02.679 to me. The mania has been hereditary in the men 175 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:05.799 of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, 176 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:10.240 I believe, been intensified by his long residence in the tropics. 177 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:14.600 A series of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which 178 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:17.840 ended in the police court, until at last he became 179 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:20.639 the terror of the village, and the folks would fly 180 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:23.399 at his approach, for he is a man of immense 181 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:29.200 strength and absolutely uncontrollable. In his anger. Last week he 182 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:32.559 hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream. 183 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:35.799 And it was only by paying over all the money 184 00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:38.279 that I could gather that I was able to avert 185 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:42.519 another public exposure. He had no friends at all save 186 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:46.159 the wandering gypsies, and he would give these vagabonds leave 187 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:49.080 to encamp upon the few acres of bramble covered land 188 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:53.559 which represent the family estate, and would accept in return 189 00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:57.519 the hospitality of their tents, wandering away with them, sometimes 190 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:02.399 for weeks on end, as a passion, also for Indian animals, 191 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:06.360 which are sent over to him by a correspondent. And 192 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.559 he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, 193 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:13.720 which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by 194 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:17.840 the villagers almost as much as their master. You can 195 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:20.440 imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia 196 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:24.120 and I had no great pleasure in our lives. No 197 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:26.559 servant would stay with us, and for a long time 198 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:29.360 we did all the work of the house. She was 199 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:32.039 but thirty at the time of her death, and yet 200 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:36.200 her hair had already begun to whiten, even as mine has. 201 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:40.919 Your sister is dead. Then, she died just two years ago, 202 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:43.200 and it is of her death that I wish to 203 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:46.360 speak to you. You can understand that living the life 204 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:48.879 which I have described, we were little likely to see 205 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:52.720 any one of our own age and position. We had, however, 206 00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:57.600 an aunt, my mother's maiden sister, Miss Honoria Westvale, who 207 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:00.960 lives near Harrow, and we were occasionally allowed to pay 208 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:04.720 short visits at this lady's house. Julia went there at 209 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:08.200 Christmas two years ago and met there a half pay 210 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:13.159 major of Marines, to whom she became engaged. My stepfather 211 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:16.759 learnt of the engagement when my sister returned, and offered 212 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.360 no objection to the marriage. But within a fortnight of 213 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.639 the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the 214 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:26.879 terrible event occurred which has deprived me of my only companion. 215 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:30.679 Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with 216 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:33.519 his eyes closed and his head sunk in a cushion, 217 00:12:34.200 --> 00:12:36.919 but he half opened his lids now and glanced across 218 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:40.840 at his visitor. Pray be precise as to the details, 219 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:44.080 said he. It is easy for me to be so, 220 00:12:44.720 --> 00:12:47.519 for every event of that dreadful time is seared into 221 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:51.039 my memory. The manor houses, as I have already said, 222 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:55.039 very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The 223 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:58.000 bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the 224 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:01.320 sitting rooms being in the central block of the buildings. 225 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:06.039 Of these bedrooms, the first is doctor Roylott's, the second 226 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:09.720 my sisters, and the third my own. There is no 227 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:12.720 communication between them, but they all open out into the 228 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:17.799 same corridor. Do I make myself plain perfectly? So? The 229 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:20.600 windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. 230 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:24.519 That fateful night, Doctor Roylett had gone to his room early, 231 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:27.440 though we knew that he had not retired to rest, 232 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:30.200 for my sister was troubled by the smell of the 233 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:33.320 strong Indian cigars, which it was his custom to smoke. 234 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:37.279 She left her room therefore, and came into mine, where 235 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:40.679 she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. 236 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:44.399 At eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she 237 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:47.879 paused at the door and looked back. Tell me, Helen, 238 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:51.120 said she, have you ever heard any one whistle in 239 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:55.559 the dead of night? Never said I. I suppose that 240 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:59.480 you could not possibly whistle yourself in your sleep? Certainly not? 241 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:03.320 But why, because during the last few nights I have always, 242 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:06.159 about three in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. 243 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:09.080 I am a light sleeper, and it has awakened me. 244 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:12.240 I cannot tell where it came from, perhaps from the 245 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:15.399 next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I 246 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:18.080 would just ask you whether you had heard it. No, 247 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:21.519 I have not. It must be those wretched gypsies in 248 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:25.039 the plantation, very likely. And yet if it were on 249 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:29.000 the lawn, I wonder that you did not hear it. Also, Ah, 250 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:31.720 but I sleep more heavily than you. Well, it is 251 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:34.840 of no great consequence at any rate. She smiled back 252 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:38.279 at me, closed my door, and a few moments later 253 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:42.120 I heard her key turn in the lock. Indeed, said Holmes, 254 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:46.240 was it your custom always to lock yourselves in at night? Always? 255 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:49.639 And why? I think that I mentioned to you that 256 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:52.879 the doctor kept a cheater and a baboon. We had 257 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:56.720 no feeling of security unless our doors were locked. Quite so, 258 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:01.279 pray proceed with your statement. I could not sleep that night. 259 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:05.879 A vague feeling of impending misfortune impressed me. My sister 260 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:08.840 and I you will recollect, were twins and you know 261 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:11.600 how subtle are the links which bind two souls which 262 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:15.320 are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The 263 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:18.000 wind was howling outside, and the rain was beating and 264 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:22.240 splashing against the windows. Suddenly, amidst all the hubbub of 265 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:25.240 the gale, there burst forth the wild scream of a 266 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:28.840 terrified woman. I knew that it was my sister's voice. 267 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.840 I sprang from my bed, wrapped a shawl round me, 268 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:35.279 and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door, 269 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:37.279 I seemed to hear a low whistle such as my 270 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:41.279 sister described, and a few moments later a clanging sound, 271 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:45.279 as if a mass of metal had fallen. As I 272 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:48.639 ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked and 273 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:52.559 revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it, horror stricken, 274 00:15:53.039 --> 00:15:56.080 not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 275 00:15:56.120 --> 00:15:58.200 the light of the corridor lamp, I saw my sister 276 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:02.039 appear at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her 277 00:16:02.080 --> 00:16:05.080 hands groping for help, her whole figure swaying to and 278 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:08.039 fro like that of a drunkard. I ran to her 279 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:11.240 and threw my arms round her, but at that moment 280 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:13.320 her knees seemed to give way, and she fell to 281 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:17.120 the ground. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, 282 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:21.399 and her limbs were dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought 283 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:23.919 that she had not recognized me, But as I bent 284 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:26.600 over her, she suddenly shrieked out in a voice which 285 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:30.039 I shall never forget. Oh, my God, Helen. It was 286 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:35.039 the band, the speckled band. There was something else which 287 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:37.799 she would fain have said, and she stabbed with her 288 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:40.759 finger into the air in the direction of the doctor's room. 289 00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:44.679 But a fresh convulsion seized her and choked her words. 290 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:48.399 I rushed out, calling loudly for my step father, and 291 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:51.200 I met him hastening from his room in his dressing gown. 292 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:55.559 When he reached my sister's side, she was unconscious, and 293 00:16:55.679 --> 00:16:57.879 though he poured brandy down her throat and sent for 294 00:16:57.919 --> 00:17:00.720 medical aid in the village, all efforts were in vain, 295 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:05.640 for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her consciousness. 296 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:10.319 Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister. One 297 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:14.519 moment said Holmes, are you sure about this whistle and 298 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:18.200 metallic sound? Could you swear to it? That is what 299 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:21.640 the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is 300 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:24.440 my strong impression that I heard it, and yet among 301 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:26.599 the crash of the gale and the creaking of an 302 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:31.400 old house, I may possibly have been deceived. Was your 303 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:35.200 sister dressed? No, she was in her night dress. In 304 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:37.799 her right hand was found the child's stump of a match, 305 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:41.480 and in her left a match box, showing that she 306 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:43.759 had struck a light and looked about her when the 307 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:48.240 alarm took place. That is important and what conclusion did 308 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:52.119 the coroner come to. He investigated the case with great 309 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:55.720 care for Doctor Roylett's conduct has long been notorious in 310 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:59.440 the county, but he was unable to find any satisfactory 311 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:02.880 cause of death. My evidence showed that the door had 312 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:06.039 been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows were 313 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:09.680 blocked by old fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, which 314 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:14.000 were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded and 315 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:17.000 were shown to be quite solid or round, and the 316 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:21.039 flooring was also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The 317 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:24.640 chimney is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. 318 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:28.200 It is certain, therefore, that my sister was quite alone 319 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:31.400 when she met her end. Besides, there were no marks 320 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:35.960 of any violence upon her. How about poison? The doctors 321 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:39.119 examined her for it, but without success. What do you 322 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:42.880 think that this unfortunate lady died of? Then? It is 323 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:45.960 my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock. 324 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:49.599 Though what it was which frightened her I cannot imagine. 325 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:53.359 Were there gypsies in the plantation at the time, Yes, 326 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:57.920 there are nearly always some there. Ah, And what did 327 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:01.240 you gather from this allusion to a bad and is 328 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:05.279 speckled band. Sometimes I have thought that it was merely 329 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:08.920 the wild talk of delirium, Sometimes that it may have 330 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:12.480 referred to some band of people, perhaps to these very 331 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:16.079 gypsies in the plantation. I do not know whether these 332 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:19.279 spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear over their heads, 333 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:24.680 might have suggested the strange adjective which she used. Holmes 334 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.799 shook his head like a man who is far from 335 00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:32.519 being satisfied. These are very deep waters, said he pray, 336 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:36.359 go on with your narrative. Two years have passed since then, 337 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:40.279 and my life has been until lately lonelier than ever. 338 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:44.079 A month ago. However, a dear friend whom I have 339 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.640 known for many years has done me the honor to 340 00:19:46.680 --> 00:19:52.400 ask my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage, Percy Armitage, 341 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:55.839 the second son of mister Armitage of Crane Water, near Reading. 342 00:19:56.880 --> 00:20:00.160 My stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and 343 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:02.079 we are to be married in the course of the spring. 344 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:06.279 Two days ago some repairs were started in the west 345 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:10.000 wing of the building, and my bedroom wall has been pierced, 346 00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:12.559 so that I have had to move into the chamber 347 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:15.559 in which my sister died, and to sleep in the 348 00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:19.279 very bed in which she slept. Imagine then, my thrill 349 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:22.359 of terror when last night, as I lay awake, thinking 350 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:25.759 over her terrible fate, I suddenly heard in the silence 351 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:27.799 of the night the low whistle, which had been the 352 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:31.000 herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit 353 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:33.759 the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. 354 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:36.680 I was too shaken to go to bed again, however, 355 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:39.200 so I dressed, and as soon as it was daylight, 356 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:42.200 I slipped down, got a dog cart at the Crown Inn, 357 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:46.319 which is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead. From whence I 358 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:48.880 have come on this morning with the one object of 359 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:53.359 seeing you and asking your advice. You have done wisely, 360 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:57.559 said my friend. But have you told me all? Yes, all, 361 00:20:58.519 --> 00:21:02.279 miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather. 362 00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:06.640 Why what do you mean for answer? Holmes pushed back 363 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:09.599 the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that 364 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:14.160 lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little livid spots, the 365 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:17.400 marks of four fingers and a thumb were printed upon 366 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:21.799 the white wrist. You have been cruelly used, said Holmes. 367 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:25.599 The lady colored deeply and covered over her injured wrist. 368 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:29.200 He is a hard man, she said, and perhaps he 369 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:32.960 hardly knows his own strength. There was a long silence, 370 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:35.839 during which Holmes leaned his chin upon his hands and 371 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:40.279 stared into the crackling fire. This is a very deep business, 372 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:44.000 he said, at last. There are a thousand details which 373 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:46.400 I should desire to know before I decide upon our 374 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:49.640 course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. 375 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.720 If we were to come to Stoke Moran to day, 376 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:55.039 would it be possible for us to see over these 377 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:58.599 rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather? As it happens, 378 00:21:58.640 --> 00:22:01.000 he spoke of coming into time to day upon some 379 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:04.440 most important business. It is probable that he will be 380 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:07.480 away all day, and that there would be nothing to 381 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:11.079 disturb you. We have a housekeeper now, but she is 382 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:14.200 old and foolish, and I could easily get her out 383 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:18.839 of the way. Excellent, You are not averse to this trip, Watson? 384 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:23.039 By no means, then we shall both come. What are 385 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:25.519 you going to do yourself? I have one or two 386 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:27.200 things which I would wish to do now that I 387 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:30.119 am in town. But I shall return by the twelve 388 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:32.680 o'clock train, so as to be there in time for 389 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:36.279 your coming, and you may expect us early in the afternoon. 390 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:39.680 I have myself some small business matters to attend to. 391 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:43.559 Will you not wait and breakfast? No, I must go. 392 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:46.839 My heart is lightened already since I have confided my 393 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:49.839 trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 394 00:22:49.880 --> 00:22:53.799 again this afternoon. She dropped her thick black veil over 395 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:58.079 her face and glided from the room. And what do 396 00:22:58.079 --> 00:23:00.920 you think of it all, Watson us s Sherlock Holmes, 397 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:03.599 leaning back in his chair. It seems to me to 398 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:06.799 be a most dark and sinister business. Dark enough and 399 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:10.799 sinister enough. Yet, if the lady is correct in saying 400 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:14.200 that the floor and walls are sound, and that the door, 401 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:17.960