WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:05.120 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in 2 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:10.160 the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, visit 3 00:00:10.199 --> 00:00:16.679 LibriVox dot org. Recorded by Kirsten Ferrairi. The Adventures of 4 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:22.760 Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, Chapter eight, The Adventure 5 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:26.640 of the Speckled Band. On glancing over my notes of 6 00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:29.359 the seventy odd cases in which I have, during the 7 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:33.000 last eight years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes, 8 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:38.399 I find many tragic, some comic, a large number merely strange, 9 00:00:38.479 --> 00:00:42.560 but noncommonplace for working as he did, rather for the 10 00:00:42.600 --> 00:00:45.240 love of his art than for the acquirement of wealth. 11 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:49.479 He refused to associate himself with any investigation which did 12 00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:54.479 not tend towards the unusual and even the fantastic. Of 13 00:00:54.520 --> 00:00:57.719 all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 14 00:00:57.759 --> 00:01:01.240 presented more singular features than that which was associated with 15 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:05.040 the well known Surrey family of the Roylots of Stoke, Moran. 16 00:01:06.319 --> 00:01:08.799 The events in question occurred in the early days of 17 00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:12.040 my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as 18 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:15.560 bachelors in Baker Street. It is possible that I might 19 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:18.920 have placed them upon record before, but a promise of 20 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:21.439 secrecy was made at the time, from which I have 21 00:01:21.519 --> 00:01:24.239 only been free during the month by the untimely death 22 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:27.480 of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It 23 00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:29.680 is perhaps as well that the facts should now come 24 00:01:29.680 --> 00:01:32.239 to light, for I have reasons to know that there 25 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:35.760 are widespread rumors as to the death of doctor grimesby Roylet, 26 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.519 which tend to make the matter even more terrible than 27 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:42.480 the truth. It was early in April in the year 28 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:45.400 eighty three, that I woke one morning to find Sherlock 29 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:48.719 Holmes standing fully dressed by the side of my bed. 30 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:51.680 He was a late riser as a rule, and as 31 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:53.879 the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was 32 00:01:53.920 --> 00:01:56.680 only a quarter past seven, I blinked up at him 33 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:00.599 in some surprise and perhaps just a little resentment, for 34 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:04.920 I was myself regular in my habits. Very sorry to 35 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:07.680 knock you up, Watson said he, but it's the common 36 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:10.719 lot this morning. Missus Hudson has been knocked up, she 37 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:14.800 retorted upon me, and I on you. What is it then? 38 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:18.639 A fire? No, her client, it seems that a young 39 00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:22.080 lady has arrived in a considerable state of excitement who 40 00:02:22.120 --> 00:02:24.840 insists upon seeing me. She is waiting now in the 41 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:28.400 sitting room. Now, when young ladies wander about the metropolis 42 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:30.759 at this hour of the morning and knock sleepy people 43 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:33.039 up out of their beds, I presume that it is 44 00:02:33.080 --> 00:02:36.400 something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 45 00:02:36.479 --> 00:02:38.520 prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am 46 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:41.439 sure wish to follow it from the outset. I've thought 47 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:43.159 at any rate that I should call you and give 48 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:46.280 you the chance, My dear fellow, I would not miss 49 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:50.000 it for anything. I had no keener pleasure than in 50 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:54.240 following Holmes in his professional investigations, and in admiring the 51 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:58.240 rapid deductions, as swift as intuition, and yet always founded 52 00:02:58.280 --> 00:03:01.599 on a logical basis with which he unraveled the problems 53 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:04.680 which were submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my 54 00:03:04.759 --> 00:03:07.199 clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accompany 55 00:03:07.240 --> 00:03:10.400 my friend down to the sitting room. A lady dressed 56 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:13.080 in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in 57 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:17.879 the window, rose as we entered. Good morning, Madam, said 58 00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:21.599 Holmes cheerily. My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my 59 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:25.199 intimate friend and Associate doctor Watson, before whom you can 60 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:28.280 speak as freely as before myself. Ah. I am glad 61 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:30.439 to see that missus Hudson has had the good sense 62 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:33.120 to light the fire. Pray, draw up to it, and 63 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.479 I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for 64 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:39.280 I observe that you are tivering. It is not cold, 65 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:42.520 which makes me shiver, said the woman, in a low voice, 66 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:48.520 changing her seat, as requested. What then it is fear, 67 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:52.520 mister Holmes, it is terror. She raised her veil as 68 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:55.159 she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed 69 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:58.560 in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn 70 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:01.599 and gray, with wrestlers frightened eyes like those of some 71 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.960 hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a 72 00:04:05.000 --> 00:04:08.400 woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, 73 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:13.080 and her expression was weary and haggard. Sherlock Holmbs ran 74 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:16.639 her over with one of his quick, all comprehensive glances. 75 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:20.800 You must not fear, said he soothingly, bending forward and 76 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:23.839 patting her forearm. We shall soon set matters right. I 77 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:26.439 have no doubt you have come in by train this morning. 78 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:30.800 I see you know me then, no, But I observed 79 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:32.839 the second half of a return ticket in the palm 80 00:04:32.839 --> 00:04:35.800 of your left glove. You must have started early, and 81 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:37.800 yet you had a good drive in a dog cart 82 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:41.879 along heavy roads before you reached the station. The lady 83 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:45.639 gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion. 84 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:50.279 There's no mystery, my dear madam, said he smiling. The 85 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:52.600 left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in 86 00:04:52.680 --> 00:04:56.439 no less than seven places. The marks are perfectly fresh. 87 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:59.000 There is no vehicle save a dog cart which throws 88 00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:01.560 up mud in that way, and then only when you 89 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:05.920 sit on the left hand side of the driver. Whatever 90 00:05:06.000 --> 00:05:08.480 your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct, said she. 91 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:12.959 I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at twenty past, 92 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:16.360 and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, 93 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:18.399 I can stand this strain no longer. I shall go 94 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:21.279 mad if it continues. I have no one to turn to, 95 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:24.759 none save only one who cares for me, and he, 96 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:28.079 poor fellow, can be of little aid. I've heard of you, 97 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:31.199 mister Holmes. I have heard of you from Missus Farintosh, 98 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:33.800 whom you helped in the hour of her sore need. 99 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:37.519 It was from her that I had your address. Oh sir, 100 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:39.319 do you not think that you could help me too, 101 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:42.079 and at least throw a little light through the dense 102 00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:45.399 darkness which surrounds me. At present it is out of 103 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:48.240 my power to reward you for your services. But in 104 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:50.759 a month or six weeks I shall be married, with 105 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.040 the control of my own income, and then at least 106 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:56.759 you shall not find me ungrateful. Holmes turned to his 107 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:00.399 desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small case book, 108 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.720 which he consulted. Farintosh said, he ah, yes, I recall 109 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:08.759 the case. It was concerned with an opal tiera. I 110 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:12.439 think it was before your time, Watson. I can only say, madam, 111 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:14.560 that I shall be happy to devote the same care 112 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:16.560 to your case as I did to that of your friend. 113 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:20.319 As to reward, my profession is its own reward. But 114 00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:23.160 you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may 115 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:25.519 be put to at the time which suits you best. 116 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:27.879 And now I beg that you will lay before us 117 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:30.160 everything that may help us in forming an opinion on 118 00:06:30.240 --> 00:06:34.759 the matter. Alas, replied our visitor, the very horror of 119 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:37.360 my situation lies in the fact that my fears are 120 00:06:37.399 --> 00:06:41.439 so vague, and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small 121 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:45.199 points which might seem trivial to another, that even he 122 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:47.319 to whom of all others, I have a right to 123 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:50.199 look for help and advice, looks upon all that I 124 00:06:50.240 --> 00:06:53.040 tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman. 125 00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:56.480 He does not say so, but I can read it 126 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:00.319 from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I heard, 127 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:03.439 mister Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold 128 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:06.519 wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how 129 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:10.560 to walk amid the dangers which encompass me. I am 130 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:15.800 all attention, madam. My name is Helen Stoner, and I 131 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:18.920 am living with my stepfather, who is the last survivor 132 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:21.959 of one of the oldest Saxon families in England, the 133 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:25.279 Roylots of Stoke, Moran on the western border of Surrey. 134 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:29.759 Holmes nodded his head. The name is familiar to me, 135 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:34.199 said he. The family was at one time the richest 136 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:37.439 in England, and the estates extended over the borders into 137 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:40.360 Berkshire in the north and Hampshire in the west. In 138 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:44.000 the last century, however, four successive heirs were of a 139 00:07:44.040 --> 00:07:48.360 dissolute and wasteful disposition, and the family ruin was eventually 140 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:51.000 completed by a gambler in the days of the regency. 141 00:07:52.040 --> 00:07:54.839 Nothing was left save a few acres of ground and 142 00:07:54.959 --> 00:07:58.120 the two hundred year old house, which is itself crushed 143 00:07:58.199 --> 00:08:01.560 under a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his 144 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:05.560 existence there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper. 145 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:10.360 But his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must 146 00:08:10.439 --> 00:08:13.759 adapt himself in the new conditions, obtained an advance from 147 00:08:13.839 --> 00:08:17.279 relative which enabled him to take a medical degree, and 148 00:08:17.399 --> 00:08:20.800 went out to Calcutta, where, by his professional skill and 149 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:25.040 force of character, he established a large practice. In a 150 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:28.160 fit of anger, however, caused by some robberies which had 151 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:31.079 been perpetrated in the house, he beat his native butler 152 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:34.720 to death and narrowly escaped a capital sentence. As it was, 153 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:38.159 he suffered a long term of imprisonment, and afterwards returned 154 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:43.639 to England a morose and disappointed man. When doctor Roylett 155 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:47.360 was in India, he married my mother, Missus Stoner, the 156 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:50.480 young widow of Major General Stoner of the Bengal Artillery. 157 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:54.000 My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were 158 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:56.759 only two years old at the time of my mother's remarriage. 159 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:00.320 She had a considerable sum of money, not less one 160 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:03.360 thousand pounds a year, and this she bequeathed to doctor 161 00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:06.840 Roylet entirely while we resided with him, with a provision 162 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.399 that a certain annual sum should be allowed to each 163 00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:12.519 of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after 164 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:15.639 our return to England, my mother died. She was killed 165 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:19.559 eight years ago in a railway accident near Crewe. Doctor 166 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:22.919 Roylett then abandoned his attempts to establish himself in practice 167 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:25.159 in London and took us to live with him in 168 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:29.240 the old ancestral house at Stoke, Moran. The money which 169 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.600 my mother had left was enough for all our wants, 170 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:35.440 and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. 171 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:39.159 But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. 172 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:43.320 Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our neighbors, 173 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:46.240 who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylot 174 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:48.960 of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he 175 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:52.200 shut himself up in his house and seldom came out, 176 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.480 save to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross 177 00:09:55.519 --> 00:10:00.879 his path. Violence of temper approaching to mania has hereditary 178 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:03.600 in the men of the family, and in my stepfather's 179 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:06.759 case it had, I believe, been intensified by his long 180 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:11.639 residence in the tropics. A series of disgraceful brawls took place, 181 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:14.799 two of which ended in the police court, until at 182 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:17.480 last he became the terror of the village, and the 183 00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:20.320 folks would fly at his approach, for he is a 184 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:24.600 man of immense strength and absolutely uncontrollable. In his anger. 185 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:29.240 Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet 186 00:10:29.240 --> 00:10:32.080 into a stream. And it was only by paying over 187 00:10:32.200 --> 00:10:34.519 all the money which I could gather together, that I 188 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:38.559 was able to avert another public exposure. He had no 189 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:41.679 friends at all save the wandering gypsies, and he would 190 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:44.879 give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few acres 191 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:48.720 of bramble covered land which represent the family estate, and 192 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:52.559 would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wandering 193 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:56.039 away with them, sometimes for weeks on end. He has 194 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:59.399 a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over 195 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:02.039 to him by a correspondent, and he has at this 196 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:05.480 moment a cheetah and a baboon, which wander freely over 197 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:08.679 his grounds and are feared by the villagers. Almost as 198 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:12.480 much as their master. You can imagine from what I 199 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:15.080 say that my poor sister Julia and I had no 200 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:18.679 great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with us, 201 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:20.799 and for a long time we did all the work 202 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:23.360 of the house. She was but thirty at the time 203 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:26.200 of her death, and yet her hair had already begun 204 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:30.200 to whiten, even as mine has. Your sister is dead. Then, 205 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.039 she died just two years ago, and it is of 206 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:37.240 her death that I wish to speak to you. You 207 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:40.559 can understand that living the life which I have described, 208 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.799 we were little likely to see any one of our 209 00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:46.919 own age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my 210 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.799 mother's maiden sister, Miss Honoria Westvale, who lives near Harrow, 211 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:54.200 and we were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at 212 00:11:54.200 --> 00:11:57.679 this lady's house. Julia went there at Christmas two years 213 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.679 ago and met there a half pay major of Marines, 214 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:04.200 to whom she became engaged. My stepfather learned of the 215 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:07.320 engagement when my sister returned, and offered no objection to 216 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:10.159 the marriage. But within a fortnight of the day which 217 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:13.200 had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event occurred 218 00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:18.200 which has deprived me of my only companion, Sherlock Holmes, 219 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.279 had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes 220 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:23.360 closed and his head sunk in a cushion. But he 221 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:26.600 half opened his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. 222 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:32.240 Pray be precise as to details, said he. It is 223 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:34.600 easy for me to be so, for every event of 224 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:38.120 that dreadful time is seared into my memory. The manor 225 00:12:38.159 --> 00:12:41.080 house is, as I have already said, very old, and 226 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:44.480 only one wing is now inhabited. The bedrooms in this 227 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:47.519 wing are on the ground floor, the sitting rooms being 228 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:51.120 in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms, 229 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:55.240 the first is doctor Roylant's, the second my sisters, and 230 00:12:55.360 --> 00:12:59.039 the third my own. There is no communication between them, 231 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:02.320 but they all open out into the same corridor. Do 232 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:07.960 I make myself plain perfectly? So? The windows of the 233 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:11.480 three rooms open out upon the lawn. That fatal night, 234 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:14.320 Doctor Roylot had gone to his room early, though we 235 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:16.840 knew that he had not retired to rest, for my 236 00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:19.519 sister was troubled by the smell of the strong Indian 237 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:23.320 cigars which it was his custom to smoke. She left 238 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:26.080 her room therefore, and came into mine, where she sat 239 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:30.919 for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At eleven o'clock, 240 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:33.399 she rose to leave me, but she paused at the 241 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:37.919 door and looked back. Tell me, Helen, said she, have 242 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:40.000 you ever heard any one whistle in the dead of 243 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:45.039 the night, never, said I. I suppose that you could 244 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:51.039 not possibly whistle yourself in your sleep? Certainly not. But why, 245 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:55.480 because during the last few nights I have always, about 246 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:58.879 three in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I 247 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:01.799 am a light sleeper, and it has awakened me. I 248 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:05.320 cannot tell where it came from, perhaps from the next room, 249 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:07.919 perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would just 250 00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:11.159 ask you whether you'd heard it. No, I have not. 251 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:15.840 It must be those wretched gypsies in the plantation, very likely. 252 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:18.639 And yet if it were on the lawn, I wondered 253 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:21.720 that you did not hear it? Also, Ah, but I 254 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:24.960 sleep more heavily than you. Well, it is of no 255 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:28.320 great consequence at any rate. She smiled back at me, 256 00:14:28.840 --> 00:14:31.240 closed my door, and a few moments later I heard 257 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:34.960 her key turn in the lock. Indeed, said Holmes, was 258 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:39.240 it your custom always to lock yourselves in at night? Always? 259 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:43.519 And why? I think that I mentioned to you that 260 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:46.360 the doctor kept a cheetah and a baboon. We had 261 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:50.200 no feeling of security unless our doors were locked. Quite so, 262 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:55.159 pray proceed with your statement. I could not sleep that night. 263 00:14:56.000 --> 00:15:00.039 A vague feeling of impending misfortune impressed me. My my 264 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:02.960 sister and I you will recollect, were twins. And you 265 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:05.799 know how subtle are the lynks which bind two souls 266 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:09.360 which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. 267 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:12.919 The wind was howling outside, and the rain was beating 268 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:17.759 and splashing against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub 269 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:20.279 of the gale, there burst forth the wild scream of 270 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:23.879 a terrified woman. I knew that it was my sister's voice. 271 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:26.759 I sprang from my bed, wrapped a shawl around me, 272 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:29.840 and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door, 273 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:32.639 I seemed to hear a low whistle such as my 274 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:36.639 sister described, and a few moments later a clanging sound, 275 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:40.600 as if a massive metal had fallen. As I ran 276 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:44.360 down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked and revolved 277 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:48.159 slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it, horror stricken, 278 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:51.519 not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 279 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:53.480 the light of the corridor lamp. I saw my sister 280 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:57.120 appear at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her 281 00:15:57.159 --> 00:16:01.120 hands groping for help. Her whole figure swayed to and fro, 282 00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:04.080 like that of a drunkard. I ran to her and 283 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:06.879 threw my arms round her, but at that moment her 284 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:09.360 knees seemed to give way, and she fell to the ground. 285 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:12.799 She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and 286 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:16.960 her limbs were dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that 287 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:20.320 she had not recognized me, but as I bent over her, 288 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:24.399 she suddenly shrieked in a voice which I shall never forget. Oh, 289 00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:28.080 my God, Helen. It was the band, the speckled band. 290 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:31.480 There was something else which she would fain have said, 291 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:33.960 and she stabbed with her finger in the air in 292 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:37.000 the direction of the doctor's room. But a fresh convulsion 293 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:40.080 seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling 294 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:43.279 loudly from my stepfather, and I met him hastening from 295 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.919 his room in his dressing gown. When he reached my 296 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:49.600 sister's side, she was unconscious, and though he poured brandy 297 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:52.320 down her throat and sent for medical aid from the village, 298 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:55.840 all efforts were in vain, for she slowly sank and 299 00:16:55.879 --> 00:17:00.440 died without having recovered her consciousness. Such was the dreadful 300 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:05.039 end of my beloved sister. One moment said Holmes, are 301 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:08.000 you sure about this whistle and metallic sound? Could you 302 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:11.599 swear to it? That was what the country coroner asked 303 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:14.400 me at the enquiry. It is my strong impression that 304 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:16.720 I heard it, And yet among the crash of the 305 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.640 gale and the creaking of an old house, I may 306 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:24.039 possibly have been deceived. Was your sister dressed? No, she 307 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:26.599 was in her night dress. In her right hand was 308 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:29.079 found the charred stump of a match and in her 309 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:32.519 left a match box, showing that she had struck a 310 00:17:32.599 --> 00:17:34.920 light and looked about her when the alarm took place. 311 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:38.960 That is important and what conclusions did the coroner come to. 312 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:44.079 He investigated the case with great care, for doctor Roylott's 313 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:46.920 conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he 314 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:50.640 was unable to find any satisfactory cause of death. My 315 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:53.319 evidence showed that the door had been fastened upon the 316 00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:56.480 inner side, and the windows were blocked by old fashioned 317 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:59.960 shutters with broad iron bars, which were secured every night. 318 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.240 The walls were carefully sounded and were shown to be 319 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:06.519 quite solid all round. And the flooring was also thoroughly 320 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:10.319 examined with the same result. The chimney is wide, but 321 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:14.440 it is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, therefore, 322 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:18.119 that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Besides, 323 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:21.519 there were no marks of any violence upon her. How 324 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:26.160 about poison? The doctors examined her for it, but without success. 325 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:30.000 What do you think this unfortunate lady died of? Then? 326 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:33.720 It is my belief that she died of pure fear 327 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:36.559 and nervous shock. Though what it was that frightened her 328 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:40.519 I cannot imagine. Were there gypsies in the plantation at 329 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:44.799 the time, Yes, there are nearly always some there. Ah, 330 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:47.440 And what did you gather from this allusion to a band, 331 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:52.319 a speckled band? Sometimes I have thought that it was 332 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:55.640 merely the wild talk of delirium. Sometimes that it may 333 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:58.839 have referred to some band of people, perhaps to those 334 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:02.079 very gypsies in the place. I do not know whether 335 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.720 the spotted handkerchief which so many of them wear over 336 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:08.440 their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which she used. 337 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:11.960 Holmes shook his head like a man who is far 338 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:16.480 from being satisfied. These are very deep waters, said he pray, 339 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:20.880 go on with your narrative. Two years have passed since then, 340 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:24.160 and my life has been until lately lonelier than ever. 341 00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:27.680 A month ago, however, a dear friend whom I have 342 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:30.319 known for many years has done me the honor to 343 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:35.240 ask my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage, Percy Armitage, 344 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:38.079 the second son of mister Armitage of Cranewater, near Reading. 345 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:42.079 My stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and 346 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:44.079 we are to be married in the course of the spring. 347 00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:47.799 Two days ago, some repairs were started in the west 348 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:51.240 wing of the building, and my bedroom wall has been pierced, 349 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:53.319 so that I have had to move into the chamber 350 00:19:53.400 --> 00:19:56.319 in which my sister died, and to sleep in the 351 00:19:56.440 --> 00:20:00.279 very bed in which she slept. Imagine then, my thrill 352 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:03.119 of terror when last night, as I lay awake, thinking 353 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:06.759 over her terrible fate, I suddenly heard in the silence 354 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:09.440 of the night the low whistle, which had been the 355 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:13.039 herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit 356 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:15.319 the lamp, but nothing's to be seen in the room. 357 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.960 I was too shaken to go to bed again, however, 358 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:20.400 so I dressed and As soon as it was daylight, 359 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:23.200 I slipped down, got a dog cart at the Crown Inn, 360 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:26.200 which is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead From whence I 361 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:28.880 have come on this morning with the one object of 362 00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:33.519 seeing you and asking your advice. You've done wisely, said 363 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:37.240 my friend. But have you told me all? Yes, all, 364 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:41.640 miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your step father. 365 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:47.160 Why what do you mean for answer? Holmes pushed back 366 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:50.200 the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that 367 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:54.920 lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little livid spots, the 368 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:57.440 marks of four fingers and a thumb were printed upon 369 00:20:57.440 --> 00:21:02.319 the white wrist. You have been cruelly used, said Holmes. 370 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:06.440 The lady colored deeply and covered over her injured wrist. 371 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:10.119 He is a hard man, she said, and perhaps he 372 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:14.720 hardly knows his own strength. There was a long silence, 373 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:17.680 during which Holmes leaned his chin upon his hands and 374 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:22.319 stared into the crackling fire. This is a very deep business, 375 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:25.400 he said, at last. There are a thousand details which 376 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:27.799 I should desire to know before I decide upon our 377 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:30.480 course of action. Yet we have not a moment to 378 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:33.480 lose if we were to come to Stoke, Moran to day. 379 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:36.160 Would it be possible for us to see over these 380 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:40.240 rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather? As it happens, 381 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:42.319 he spoke of coming into town to day upon some 382 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:45.359 most important business. It is probable that he will be 383 00:21:45.400 --> 00:21:47.759 away all day, and that there would be nothing to 384 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:50.960 disturb you. We have a housekeeper now, but she's old 385 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:53.160 and foolish, and I could easily get her out of 386 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:57.200 the way. Excellent, you are not averse to this trip, Watson? 387 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:01.440 By no means, then we shall both come. What are 388 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:04.920 you going to do yourself? I have one or two 389 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.599 things which I would wish to do now that I 390 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:08.640 am in town. But I shall return by the twelve 391 00:22:08.680 --> 00:22:11.039 o'clock train, so as to be there in time for 392 00:22:11.079 --> 00:22:14.880 your coming, and you may expect us early in the afternoon. 393 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:18.480 I have myself some small business matters to attend to. 394 00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:22.200 Will you not wait in breakfast? No, I must go. 395 00:22:22.680 --> 00:22:25.119 My heart is lightened already since I have confided my 396 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:27.640 trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 397 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:31.319 again this afternoon. She dropped her thick black veil over 398 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:34.680 her face and glided from the room. And what do 399 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:37.799 you think of it all? Watson asked? Sherlock Holmes, leaning 400 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:40.880 back in his chair, it seems to me to be 401 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:46.519