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Story number 8 in The Adventures
of Sherlock Holmes by Sir, 

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Arthur Conan Doyle. 
This LibriVox recording is in 

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the public domain. 
Story number 8, the adventure of

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the Speckled Band. 
On glancing over my notes of the

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seventy odd cases in which I 
have during the last eight years

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study, the methods of my friend 
Sherlock Holmes. 

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I find many tragic, some comic, 
a large number, merely strange, 

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but non common place for working
as he did rather for the love of

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his art than for the acquirement
of wealth. 

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He refused to associate himself 
with any investigation which did

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not tend towards the unusual and
even the Fantastic of all these 

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varied case. 
However, I cannot recall any 

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which presented more singular 
features than that, which was 

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associated with the well-known 
Surrey family of the roylott's 

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of stoke. 
Moran the events in question 

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occurred in the early days of my
association with homes. 

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When we were sharing rooms as 
bachelors in Baker Street, it is

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possible that I might have 
placed them upon record before, 

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but a promise of secrecy was 
made at the time from which I've

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only been freed during the last 
month by the untimely death of 

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the lady. 
He To Whom The Pledge was given.

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It is perhaps as well, that the 
facts should now come to light 

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for. 
I have reasons to know that 

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there are widespread rumors as 
to the death of dr. 

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Grimesby roylott. 
Which tend to make the matter 

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even more terrible than the 
truth. 

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It was early in April, in the 
year 83 that I woke one morning 

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to find Sherlock Holmes standing
fully dressed by the side of my 

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bed. 
He was a late Riser, as a rule 

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and as the clock on the 
mantelpiece, showed me that it 

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was only 7:15. 
I blinked up at him in some 

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surprise and perhaps just a 
little resentment for I Was 

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Myself regular in my habits. 
Very sorry to knock you up. 

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Watson said he but it's the 
common lot. 

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This morning. 
Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up.

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She retorted upon me and I on 
you. 

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What is it? 
Then the fire? 

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No, a client. 
It seems that a young lady has 

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arrived in a considerable. 
State of excitement who insists 

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upon seeing me. 
She is waiting now in the 

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sitting-room. 
Now, when young ladies wander 

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about the Metropolis at this 
hour of the morning, Knock 

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sleepy people up out of their 
beds. 

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I presume that it is something 
very pressing which they should 

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have to communicate. 
Should it prove to be an 

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interesting case you would, I am
sure wish to follow it from the 

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outset. 
I thought at any rate that I 

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should call you and give you the
chance. 

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My dear fellow, I would not miss
it for anything. 

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I had no Keener pleasure that in
following homes in his 

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professional investigations and 
in admiring the rapid deductions

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as Swift as intuitions and yet 
always founded on a logical 

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basis with which he unraveled 
the problems, which was 

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submitted to him. 
I rapidly threw on my clothes 

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and was ready in a few minutes 
to accompany my friend down to 

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the sitting-room, a lady dressed
in black and heavily veiled. 

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Who'd been sitting in the window
Rose as we entered. 

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Good morning. 
Madam said, Holmes. 

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Cheerily. 
My name is Sherlock Holmes. 

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This is my intimate friend and 
Associate. 

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Dr. Watson before whom you can 
speak as freely as before 

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myself, huh? 
I'm glad to see that. 

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Mrs. Hudson has had the good 
sense to light the fire. 

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Pray draw up to it. 
And I shall order you a cup of 

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hot coffee for. 
I observe that you are 

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shivering. 
It is not cold, which makes me 

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shiver said the woman in a low 
voice changing her seat as 

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requested. 
What then it is fear. 

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Mr. Holmes. 
It is Terror. 

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She raised her veil as she spoke
and we could see that she was 

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indeed in a pitiable. 
State of agitation her face all 

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drawn and grey with Restless, 
frightened eyes, like those of 

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some hunted animal her features 
and figure with those of a woman

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of thirty, but her hair was shot
with premature. 

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And her expression was weary and
Haggard. 

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Sherlock Holmes, ran her over 
with one of his quick 

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all-comprehensive glances. 
You must not fear said he 

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soothingly bending forward and 
patting her forearm. 

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We shall soon set matters, 
right? 

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I have no doubt. 
You have come in by train this 

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morning. 
I see. 

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You know me then. 
No, but I observe the second 

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half of a return ticket in the 
palm of your left glove. 

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You must have started early and 
yet you had a good drive in a 

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dog-cart along heavy roads. 
Before you reached the station, 

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the lady gave a violent start 
and stared in bewilderment at my

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companion. 
There is no mystery. 

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My dear Madam said, he smiling 
the left. 

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Arm of your jacket is spattered 
with mud in no less than seven 

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places. 
The marks are perfectly fresh. 

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There is no vehicle, save a 
dog-cart, which throws up mud in

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that way. 
And then only when you sit on 

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the left-hand side of the 
driver. 

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Whatever your reasons may be, 
you are perfectly. 

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Correct said she I started from 
home before six reached 

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Leatherhead at twenty past and 
came in by the first train to 

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Waterloo sir. 
I can stand this strain, no 

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longer. 
I shall go mad. 

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If it continues. 
I have no one to turn to none. 

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Save only one who cares for me 
and he poor fellow can be of 

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little Aid. 
I have heard of you. 

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Mr. Holmes, I have heard. 
You from mrs. 

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Farintosh whom you helped in the
hour of her sore need it was 

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from her that I had your 
address. 

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Oh, sir. 
Do you not think that you could 

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help me, too? 
And at least throw a little 

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light through the dense 
darkness, which surrounds me at 

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present. 
It is out of my power to reward 

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you for your services, but in a 
month or six weeks, I shall be 

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married with the control of my 
own income and then, at least 

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you shall not find me, 
ungrateful. 

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Holmes turned to his desk and 
unlocking it drew out a small 

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case book, which he consulted 
farintosh said he. 

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Oh, yes, I recall the case. 
It was concerned with an opal 

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Tiara. 
I think it was before your time 

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Watson. 
I can only say Madam that I 

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shall be happy to devote. 
The same care to your case. 

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As I did to that of your friend 
as to reward. 

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My profession is its own reward,
but you are at Liberty to defray

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whatever expenses, I may be put.
At the time, which suits you 

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best. 
And now I beg that you will lay 

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before us everything that may 
help us in forming an opinion 

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upon the matter. 
Alas replied our visitor, the 

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very horror of my situation lies
in the fact that my fears are so

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vague. 
And my suspicions depend so 

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entirely upon small points which
might seem trivial to another, 

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but even he to whom of all 
others. 

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I have a right to look for help 
and advice. 

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Looks upon all that. 
I tell him about it as the 

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fancies of a nervous woman. 
He does not say so but I can 

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read it from his soothing 
answers, and averted eyes. 

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But I've heard mr. 
Holmes, that you can see deeply 

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into the manifold wickedness of 
the human heart. 

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You may advise me how to walk 
amid the dangers, which 

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Encompass me. 
I am all attention. 

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Madam. 
My name is Helen Stoner and I am

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living with my stepfather who is
the last survivor of one of the 

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oldest Saxon families in 
England? 

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The roylott's of stoke, Moran on
the Western border of Surrey 

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Holmes, nodded his head. 
The name is familiar to me said 

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he, the family was at one time 
among the richest in England and

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the estate's extended over the 
borders into Berkshire in the 

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north and Hampshire in the West 
in the last century. 

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However, four successive heirs 
were of a dissolute and wasteful

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disposition and the family ruin 
was eventually completed by a 

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Blur in the days of the Regency.
Nothing was left. 

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Save a few Acres of ground and 
the two-hundred-year-old house, 

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which is itself crushed under a 
heavy mortgage. 

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The last Squire dragged out, his
existence. 

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There living the horrible life 
of an aristocratic Pauper, but 

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his only son, my stepfather 
seeing that he must adapt 

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himself to the new conditions 
obtained. 

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An advance from a relative which
enabled him to take a medical 

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degree. 
The and went out to Calcutta, 

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where by his professional skill 
and his force of character. 

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He established a large practice 
in a fit of anger. 

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However, caused by some 
robberies, which have been 

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perpetrated in the house. 
He beat his native, Butler's 

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death and narrowly escaped, a 
capital sentence as it was he 

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suffered a long term of 
imprisonment and afterwards 

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returned to England a morose and
disappointed man. 

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When dr. 
Roylott was in India, he married

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my mother mrs. 
Stoner, the young Widow of 

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major-general Stoner of the 
Bengal artillery. 

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My sister Julia and I were Twins
and we were only two years old 

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at the time of my mother's 
remarriage. 

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She had a considerable sum of 
money, not less than 1,000 

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pounds a year. 
And this, she bequeathed to dr. 

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Roylott entirely while we 
resided with him with a 

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provision that a certain An 
annual sum should be allowed to 

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each of us in the event of our 
marriage. 

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Shortly after I returned to 
England. 

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My mother died. 
She was killed eight years ago 

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in a railway accident near 
Crewe. 

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Dr. Roylott then abandoned his 
attempts to establish himself, 

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in practice, in London and took 
us to live with him in the old 

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ancestral house. 
At Stoke, Moran the money, which

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my mother had left was enough 
for all our wants and there seem

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to be no obstacle to our 
happiness. 

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But a terrible change, came over
our stepfather about this time, 

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instead of making friends and 
exchanging visits with our 

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neighbors, who had at first been
Overjoyed to see a roylott of 

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stoke, Moran, back in the old 
family seat. 

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He shut himself up in his house 
and seldom came out. 

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Save to indulge in ferocious 
quarrels with whoever might 

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cross his path violence of 
temper approaching to Mania has 

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been hereditary in the men of 
the family and Stepfather's case

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it had, I Believe been 
intensified by his long 

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residence. 
In the tropics, a series of 

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disgraceful brawls took place, 
two of which ended in the 

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police-court until at last. 
He became the terror of the 

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village and the folks would fly 
at his approach for years. 

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A man of immense strength and 
absolutely uncontrollable in his

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anger. 
Last week, he hurled the local 

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blacksmith over a parapet into a
stream and it was only by paying

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over all the money which I could
gather together that I was able 

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to avert another public 
exposure. 

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He had no friends at all. 
Save the wandering gipsies and 

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he would give these vagabonds 
leave to encamp upon the few 

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Acres of Bramble covered land. 
Which represent the family 

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estate and would accept in 
return. 

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The hospitality of their tents 
wandering away with them. 

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Sometimes for weeks on end. 
He has a passion. 

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Also, for Indian animals, which 
are sent over to him by a 

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correspondent. 
And he has at this moment, a 

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cheetah and a baboon which 
wander freely over his grounds 

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and are feared by the villagers.
Almost as much as their master. 

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You can imagine from what I say 
that my poor sister Julia and I 

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had no great pleasure in our 
lives. 

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No servant would stay with us. 
And for a long time. 

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We did all the work of the 
house. 

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She was but 30 at the time of 
her death and yet her hair had 

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already begun to whiten. 
Even as mine has your sister is 

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dead. 
Then she died just two years ago

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and it is of her death, but I 
wish to speak to you. 

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You can understand that living 
the life, which I have 

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described. 
We were little likely to see any

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one of our own age and position.
We had however, an aunt, my 

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mother's maiden sister, Miss 
honoria West fail, who lives 

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near Harrow? 
And we were occasionally allowed

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to pay short visits at this 
lady's house. 

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Julia went there at Christmas 
two years ago and met there a 

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half-pay, major of Marines to 
whom she became engaged. 

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My stepfather learned of the 
engagement when my sister 

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returned and offered no 
objection to the marriage but 

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within a fortnight of the day, 
Have been fixed for the wedding.

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The terrible event occurred, 
which has deprived me of my only

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00:13:10,100 --> 00:13:14,100
companion. 
Sherlock Holmes had been leaning

229
00:13:14,100 --> 00:13:17,900
back in his chair with his eyes 
closed and his head sunk in a 

230
00:13:17,900 --> 00:13:22,300
cushion, but he half opened his 
Lids now and glanced across at 

231
00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:25,300
his visitor. 
Pray, be precise. 

232
00:13:25,300 --> 00:13:29,800
As to details said he it is easy
for me to be. 

233
00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:34,000
So for every event of that 
Dreadful time is seared into my 

234
00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,500
memory. 
The manor house is, as I have 

235
00:13:37,500 --> 00:13:41,900
already said very old and Only 
One Wing is now inhabited. 

236
00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:46,600
The bedrooms in this Wing are on
the ground floor, the 

237
00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:49,300
sitting-rooms being in the 
central block of the buildings 

238
00:13:50,300 --> 00:13:53,000
of these bedrooms. 
The first is dr. 

239
00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:56,300
Roylott's. 
The second, my sisters and the 

240
00:13:56,300 --> 00:13:59,300
third. 
My own there is no communication

241
00:13:59,300 --> 00:14:02,800
between them, but they all open 
out into the same Corridor. 

242
00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:06,300
Do I make myself plain 
perfectly. 

243
00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:11,100
So the windows of the three 
rooms open out upon the lawn. 

244
00:14:12,500 --> 00:14:15,800
That fatal night. 
Dr. Roylott had gone to his room

245
00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:18,500
early, though. 
We knew that he had not retired 

246
00:14:18,500 --> 00:14:22,100
to rest. 
For my sister was troubled by 

247
00:14:22,100 --> 00:14:25,700
the smell of the strong, Indian 
cigars, which it was his custom 

248
00:14:25,700 --> 00:14:28,600
to smoke. 
She left her room, therefore, 

249
00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:32,700
and came into mine where she 
sat, for some time chatting 

250
00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:38,400
about her approaching wedding at
11:00, she Rose to leave me, but

251
00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:40,800
she paused at the door and 
looked back. 

252
00:14:42,100 --> 00:14:46,500
Tell me, Helen said, she have 
you ever heard anyone whistle in

253
00:14:46,500 --> 00:14:51,900
the dead of the night? 
Never said, I I suppose that you

254
00:14:51,900 --> 00:14:54,900
could not possibly whistle 
yourself in your sleep, 

255
00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:57,400
certainly not. 
But why? 

256
00:14:58,300 --> 00:15:01,500
Because during the last few 
nights, I have always about 3:00

257
00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:04,200
in the morning, heard a low 
clear whistle. 

258
00:15:04,900 --> 00:15:07,400
I'm a light sleeper, and it has 
awakened me. 

259
00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,600
I cannot tell where it came 
from. 

260
00:15:10,100 --> 00:15:13,000
Perhaps from the Next Room, 
perhaps from the lon. 

261
00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:16,400
I thought that I would just ask 
you whether you had heard it. 

262
00:15:17,500 --> 00:15:20,200
No, I have not. 
It must be those wretched 

263
00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:23,400
gipsies in the plantation. 
Very likely. 

264
00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,400
And yet, if it were on the lawn,
I wonder that you did not hear. 

265
00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:31,200
It also are, but I sleep more 
heavily than you. 

266
00:15:32,300 --> 00:15:35,300
Well, it is of no great 
consequence at any rate. 

267
00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:40,300
She smiled back at me, closed my
door and a few moments later. 

268
00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:42,400
I heard her key turn in the 
lock. 

269
00:15:43,500 --> 00:15:48,200
Indeed said Holmes was it your 
custom always to lock yourselves

270
00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:54,000
in at night? 
Always and why I think that I 

271
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:57,400
mentioned to you that the doctor
kept a cheetah and a baboon. 

272
00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:01,500
We had no feeling of security 
unless our doors were locked. 

273
00:16:02,500 --> 00:16:05,600
Quite so pray proceed with your 
statement. 

274
00:16:06,700 --> 00:16:10,200
I could not sleep that night, a 
vague feeling of impending, 

275
00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:15,000
Misfortune impressed me my 
sister and I you will recollect 

276
00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,400
were Twins and you know how 
subtle other links which bind 

277
00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:22,800
Two Souls which are so closely 
Allied it was a wild night. 

278
00:16:23,300 --> 00:16:26,800
The wind was howling outside and
the rain was beating and 

279
00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:31,200
splashing against the windows 
suddenly amid, all the hubbub of

280
00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:34,800
the Gale there burst forth the 
wild scream of a terrified 

281
00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,400
woman. 
I knew that it was my sister's 

282
00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,700
voice. 
I sprang from my bed wrapped a 

283
00:16:40,700 --> 00:16:43,200
shawl around me and rushed into 
the corridor. 

284
00:16:44,500 --> 00:16:48,100
As I opened my door. 
I seemed to hear a low whistle 

285
00:16:48,500 --> 00:16:53,100
such as my sister described and 
a few moments later, a clanging 

286
00:16:53,100 --> 00:16:57,700
sound as if a mass of metal had 
fallen, as I ran down, the 

287
00:16:57,700 --> 00:17:01,300
passage, my sister's door was 
unlocked and revolved slowly 

288
00:17:01,300 --> 00:17:05,000
upon its hinges. 
I stared at it horror-stricken 

289
00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:07,700
not knowing what was about to 
issue from it. 

290
00:17:08,599 --> 00:17:10,400
By the Light of the corridor 
lamp. 

291
00:17:10,900 --> 00:17:13,000
I saw my sister appear at the 
opening. 

292
00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:18,400
Her face, blanched with Terror, 
her hands groping for help her 

293
00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:22,000
whole figure swaying to, and fro
like that of a drunkard. 

294
00:17:22,700 --> 00:17:25,300
I ran to her and threw my arms 
around her. 

295
00:17:26,099 --> 00:17:29,700
But at that moment, her knees 
seemed to give way, and she fell

296
00:17:29,700 --> 00:17:32,700
to the ground. 
She writhed as one who is in 

297
00:17:32,700 --> 00:17:36,400
terrible pain and her limbs were
dreadfully convulsed. 

298
00:17:37,500 --> 00:17:40,600
At first, I thought that she had
not recognize me. 

299
00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:45,000
But as I bent over her, she 
suddenly shrieked out in a voice

300
00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:48,100
which I shall never forget. 
Oh my God Helen. 

301
00:17:48,700 --> 00:17:51,300
It was the band. 
The Speckled Band. 

302
00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,600
That was something else which 
she would Fain have said, and 

303
00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,500
she stabbed with her finger into
the air, in the direction of the

304
00:17:58,500 --> 00:18:02,400
doctors room, but a fresh 
convulsion, seized her, and 

305
00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,000
choked her words. 
I rushed out, calling loudly for

306
00:18:06,008 --> 00:18:09,400
my stepfather and I met him 
hastening from his room in his 

307
00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:12,300
dressing-gown. 
When he reached my sister's 

308
00:18:12,300 --> 00:18:14,500
side. 
She was unconscious. 

309
00:18:15,100 --> 00:18:18,000
And though he poured, Brandy 
down, her throat and sent for 

310
00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,600
Medical Aid, from the village. 
All efforts were in vain. 

311
00:18:22,300 --> 00:18:26,100
For she slowly, sank and died 
without having recovered her 

312
00:18:26,100 --> 00:18:31,000
Consciousness, such was the 
Dreadful end of my beloved 

313
00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,800
sister. 
One moment said, Holmes. 

314
00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,200
Are you sure about this whistle 
in the metallic sound. 

315
00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:42,400
Could you swear to it? 
That was what the County coroner

316
00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:46,200
asked me at the inquiry. 
It is my strong impression that 

317
00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:50,500
I heard it and yet among the 
crash of the Gale and the 

318
00:18:50,500 --> 00:18:53,600
creaking of the old house. 
I may possibly have been 

319
00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,900
deceived. 
Was your sister dressed? 

320
00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:00,900
No, she was in her nightdress in
her right. 

321
00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:05,100
Hand was found the charred stump
of a match and in her left. 

322
00:19:05,100 --> 00:19:10,100
A matchbox showing that she had 
struck a light and looked about 

323
00:19:10,100 --> 00:19:12,900
her. 
When the alarm took place that 

324
00:19:12,900 --> 00:19:15,700
is important. 
And what conclusions did the 

325
00:19:15,700 --> 00:19:19,600
coroner come to? 
He investigated the case with 

326
00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:23,100
great care for dr. 
Roylott's conduct had long been 

327
00:19:23,100 --> 00:19:26,900
notorious in the county. 
But he was unable to find any 

328
00:19:26,900 --> 00:19:31,600
satisfactory cause of death. 
My evidence showed that the door

329
00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:34,900
had been fastened upon the inner
side and the windows were 

330
00:19:34,900 --> 00:19:38,700
blocked by old-fashioned 
shutters with broad iron bars, 

331
00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:43,200
which was secured every night. 
The walls were carefully sounded

332
00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:45,700
and was shown to be quite solid 
all round. 

333
00:19:46,300 --> 00:19:49,400
And the flooring was also 
thoroughly examined with the 

334
00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:53,000
same result. 
The chimney is wide but is 

335
00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:57,800
barred up by four large Staples.
It is certain therefore that my 

336
00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,200
sister was quite alone when she 
met her end. 

337
00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:04,300
Besides there were no marks of 
any violence upon her. 

338
00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:09,700
How about poison? 
The doctors examined her for it,

339
00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:14,000
but without success. 
What do you think that this 

340
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:19,300
unfortunate lady died of then? 
It is my belief that she died of

341
00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:21,900
pure fear and nervous shock 
though. 

342
00:20:21,900 --> 00:20:23,700
What? 
It was that frightened her, I 

343
00:20:23,700 --> 00:20:27,800
cannot imagine were there 
gipsies in the plantation at the

344
00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:31,200
time. 
Yes, there are nearly always 

345
00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:35,000
some there. 
Ah, and what did you gather from

346
00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:38,100
this allusion to a band? 
A Speckled Band? 

347
00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:42,600
Sometimes I have thought that it
was merely the Wild Talk of 

348
00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:44,800
delirium. 
Sometimes that it may have 

349
00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:48,900
referred to some band of people,
perhaps to these very gipsies in

350
00:20:48,900 --> 00:20:52,600
the plantation. 
I do not know whether the 

351
00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:54,800
spotted handkerchiefs which so 
many of them. 

352
00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,400
Wear over their heads might have
suggested the strange adjectives

353
00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:01,700
which she used. 
Holmes shook his head, like a 

354
00:21:01,708 --> 00:21:03,900
man who is far from being 
satisfied? 

355
00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:10,000
These are very deep Waters said 
he pray go on with your 

356
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:13,900
narrative. 
Two years have passed since then

357
00:21:14,500 --> 00:21:18,900
and my life has been until 
lately lonelier than ever a 

358
00:21:18,900 --> 00:21:22,000
month ago. 
However, a dear friend whom have

359
00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,100
known for many years has done 
me. 

360
00:21:24,100 --> 00:21:26,200
The honor to ask my hand in 
marriage. 

361
00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:30,100
His name is Armitage, Percy 
Armitage. 

362
00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:33,800
The Second Son of mr. 
Armitage of crane water near 

363
00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,700
Reading. 
My stepfather has offered no 

364
00:21:36,700 --> 00:21:39,600
opposition to the match. 
And we are to be married in the 

365
00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:44,000
course of the spring. 
Two days ago, some repairs were 

366
00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,200
started in the west wing of the 
building. 

367
00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:48,700
And my bedroom wall has been 
pierced. 

368
00:21:49,000 --> 00:21:51,700
So that I've had to move into 
the chamber, in, which my sister

369
00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:56,900
died, and to sleep in the very 
bed in which she slept imagine. 

370
00:21:56,900 --> 00:22:01,900
Then my thrill of Terror when 
last night as I lay awake 

371
00:22:01,900 --> 00:22:06,100
thinking over her terrible fate.
I suddenly heard in the Silence 

372
00:22:06,100 --> 00:22:09,300
of the night, the low whistle 
which had been the herald of her

373
00:22:09,300 --> 00:22:12,700
own death. 
I sprang up and lit the lamp, 

374
00:22:13,300 --> 00:22:15,200
but nothing was to be seen in 
the room. 

375
00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:18,600
I was too shaken to go to bed 
again. 

376
00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:22,700
However, So I dressed and as 
soon as it was Daylight, I 

377
00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:26,800
slipped down got a dog-cart at 
the Crown Inn, which is opposite

378
00:22:27,100 --> 00:22:29,600
and drove to Leatherhead from 
whence. 

379
00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:33,700
I have come on this morning with
the one object of seeing you and

380
00:22:33,700 --> 00:22:38,200
asking your advice. 
You have done wisely said my 

381
00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:40,800
friend, but have you told me 
all? 

382
00:22:41,900 --> 00:22:46,200
Yes, all Miss. 
Roy alert you have not. 

383
00:22:46,700 --> 00:22:48,600
You are screening your 
stepfather. 

384
00:22:49,700 --> 00:22:54,700
Why, what do you mean? 
For answer Holmes, pushed back 

385
00:22:54,700 --> 00:22:58,000
the frill of black lace, which 
fringed the hand that lay upon 

386
00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:01,700
our visitors knee, five little 
livid spots. 

387
00:23:02,100 --> 00:23:05,500
The marks of four fingers and a 
thumb were printed upon the 

388
00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:09,800
white wrist. 
You have been cruelly used said 

389
00:23:09,800 --> 00:23:13,800
Holmes the lady coloured deeply 
and covered over her injured 

390
00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,500
wrist. 
He is a hard man. 

391
00:23:16,700 --> 00:23:20,500
She said and perhaps he hardly 
knows his own strength. 

392
00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:25,000
There was a long silence during 
which Holmes leaned his chin 

393
00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:28,100
upon his hands and stared into 
the crackling fire. 

394
00:23:29,900 --> 00:23:33,900
This is a very deep business. 
He said at last, there are a 

395
00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:37,100
thousand details, which I should
desire to know before I decide 

396
00:23:37,100 --> 00:23:41,500
upon our course of action yet. 
We have not a moment to lose. 

397
00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:43,900
If we were to come to stoke 
Moran today. 

398
00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:47,100
Would it be possible for us to 
see over these rooms without the

399
00:23:47,100 --> 00:23:51,700
knowledge of your stepfather? 
As it happens, he spoke of 

400
00:23:51,700 --> 00:23:55,000
coming into town today upon some
most important business. 

401
00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:58,800
It is probable that he will be 
away all day and that they would

402
00:23:58,800 --> 00:24:02,900
be nothing to disturb you. 
We have a housekeeper now, but 

403
00:24:02,900 --> 00:24:06,400
she is old and foolish and I 
could easily get her out of the 

404
00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:08,900
way. 
Excellent. 

405
00:24:09,300 --> 00:24:14,200
You are not averse to this trip.
Watson by no means, then we 

406
00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,500
shall both come. 
What are you going to do 

407
00:24:16,500 --> 00:24:20,000
yourself? 
I have one or two things, which 

408
00:24:20,000 --> 00:24:23,400
I would wish to do now that I'm 
in town, but I shall return by 

409
00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:26,300
The Twelve O'clock train. 
So as to be there in time for 

410
00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:29,600
your coming. 
And you may expect us early in 

411
00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:32,500
the afternoon. 
I have myself some small 

412
00:24:32,500 --> 00:24:36,100
business matters to attend to 
will you not wait and breakfast?

413
00:24:36,900 --> 00:24:38,700
No. 
I must go. 

414
00:24:39,300 --> 00:24:42,700
My heart is lightened already. 
Since I have confided my trouble

415
00:24:42,700 --> 00:24:45,100
to you. 
I shall look forward to seeing 

416
00:24:45,100 --> 00:24:48,900
you again this afternoon. 
She dropped her thick, black 

417
00:24:48,900 --> 00:24:51,700
veil, over her face and glided 
from the room. 

418
00:24:53,100 --> 00:24:56,200
And what do you think of it? 
All Watson, asked, Sherlock, 

419
00:24:56,200 --> 00:24:57,700
Holmes leaning back in his 
chair? 

420
00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:03,300
It seems to me to be a most dark
and Sinister business, dark 

421
00:25:03,300 --> 00:25:07,300
enough and Sinister enough. 
It if the lady is correct in 

422
00:25:07,300 --> 00:25:10,400
saying that the flooring and 
walls are sound and that the 

423
00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:14,300
door window and chimney are 
impassable and a sister must 

424
00:25:14,300 --> 00:25:17,100
have been undoubtedly alone when
she met her mysterious end. 

425
00:25:18,100 --> 00:25:22,600
What becomes then of these 
nocturnal whistles and what of 

426
00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:25,000
the very peculiar words of the 
dying woman? 

427
00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:31,200
I cannot think when you combine 
the ideas of whistles at night, 

428
00:25:31,200 --> 00:25:34,600
the presence of a band of 
gypsies who are on intimate 

429
00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:39,100
terms with this old doctor, the 
fact that we have every reason 

430
00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:42,700
to believe that the doctor has 
an interest in preventing his 

431
00:25:42,700 --> 00:25:46,300
stepdaughters marriage, the 
dying allusion to a band. 

432
00:25:46,300 --> 00:25:50,000
And finally, the fact that That 
miss Helen Stoner heard a 

433
00:25:50,008 --> 00:25:54,300
metallic clang, which might have
been caused by one of those 

434
00:25:54,300 --> 00:25:57,700
metal bars that secured the 
shutters falling back into its 

435
00:25:57,700 --> 00:25:59,800
place. 
I think that there is good 

436
00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:03,400
ground to think that the mystery
may be cleared along those 

437
00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:06,500
lines. 
But what then did the gipsies 

438
00:26:06,500 --> 00:26:10,500
do? 
I cannot imagine I see many 

439
00:26:10,500 --> 00:26:16,000
objections to any such Theory 
and so do I it is precisely for 

440
00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:18,000
that reason that we are going to
start. 

441
00:26:18,100 --> 00:26:21,200
Talk more on this day. 
I want to see whether the 

442
00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,600
objections are fatal or if they 
may be explained away. 

443
00:26:25,500 --> 00:26:26,900
But what in the name of the 
devil? 

444
00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:31,200
Did Jackie Elation have been 
drawn from my companion by the 

445
00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:34,500
fact that our door had been 
suddenly dashed open and that a 

446
00:26:34,500 --> 00:26:36,900
huge man had framed himself in 
the aperture. 

447
00:26:37,800 --> 00:26:41,000
His costume was a peculiar 
mixture of the professional and 

448
00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:44,500
of the Agricultural. 
Having a black top-hat, a long 

449
00:26:44,500 --> 00:26:48,500
frock-coat and a pair of high 
gaiters with a hunting-crop 

450
00:26:48,500 --> 00:26:51,600
swinging in his hand. 
So tall was he? 

451
00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:55,500
But his hat actually brushed the
cross bar of the doorway and his

452
00:26:55,500 --> 00:26:57,800
breadth seemed to span it across
from side to side. 

453
00:26:57,900 --> 00:27:02,900
Made a large face seared with a 
thousand wrinkles burned yellow 

454
00:27:02,900 --> 00:27:05,400
with the sun. 
And marked with every evil 

455
00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:09,400
passion was turned from one to 
the other of us while his 

456
00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,800
deep-set. 
Bile shot eyes and his high thin

457
00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:15,000
fleshless nose, gave him 
somewhat. 

458
00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:19,700
The resemblance to a fierce old 
bird of prey which of you is 

459
00:27:19,700 --> 00:27:24,800
Holmes asked this Apparition my 
name sir, but you have the 

460
00:27:24,808 --> 00:27:27,600
advantage of me said my 
companion quietly. 

461
00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:29,600
I am dr. 
Grimesby. 

462
00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:31,500
Roylott of stoke. 
Moran. 

463
00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:34,900
Indeed. 
Doctor said Holmes, blandly. 

464
00:27:35,500 --> 00:27:36,500
Pray. 
Take a seat. 

465
00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,900
I will do nothing of the kind. 
My stepdaughter has been here. 

466
00:27:41,300 --> 00:27:44,200
I have traced her. 
What has she been saying to you?

467
00:27:45,300 --> 00:27:48,300
It is a little cold for the time
of year said Holmes. 

468
00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:52,300
What has she been saying to you?
Screamed the old man furiously, 

469
00:27:53,000 --> 00:27:55,200
but I have heard that the 
crocuses promise. 

470
00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,800
Well continued my companion 
imperturbably. 

471
00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,700
You put me off to you, sit down.
You visitor taking a step 

472
00:28:02,700 --> 00:28:04,900
forward and shaking his 
hunting-crop. 

473
00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:09,900
I know you you scoundrel. 
I've heard of you before, you 

474
00:28:09,900 --> 00:28:11,400
are Holmes. 
The meddler. 

475
00:28:12,500 --> 00:28:17,200
My friend smiled Holmes the 
busybody his smile broadened 

476
00:28:17,700 --> 00:28:21,700
Holmes the Scotland Yard 
jack-in-office Holmes. 

477
00:28:21,700 --> 00:28:25,100
Chuckled heartily. 
Your conversation is most 

478
00:28:25,100 --> 00:28:29,600
entertaining said he when you go
out close the door for there is 

479
00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:33,600
a decided draft. 
I will go when I've said my say,

480
00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:36,200
don't you dare to meddle with my
Affairs? 

481
00:28:36,500 --> 00:28:38,400
I know that Miss Stoner has been
here. 

482
00:28:38,700 --> 00:28:41,800
I traced her. 
I am a dangerous man to fall 

483
00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:43,200
foul. 
See here. 

484
00:28:44,000 --> 00:28:46,100
He stepped. 
Swiftly, forward seized the 

485
00:28:46,100 --> 00:28:49,700
poker, and bent it into a curve,
with his huge brown hands. 

486
00:28:51,100 --> 00:28:53,300
See that you keep yourself out 
of my grip. 

487
00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:56,300
He snarled and hurling the 
Twisted, poker into the 

488
00:28:56,308 --> 00:28:58,700
fireplace. 
He Strode out of the room. 

489
00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:03,200
He seems a very amiable person, 
said Holmes laughing. 

490
00:29:03,300 --> 00:29:06,800
I'm not quite so bulky. 
But if he had remained, my might

491
00:29:06,800 --> 00:29:09,700
have shown him that my grip was 
not much more feeble than his 

492
00:29:09,700 --> 00:29:14,300
own, as he spoke. 
He picked up the steel poker and

493
00:29:14,300 --> 00:29:18,500
with a sudden effort 
straightened it out again fancy 

494
00:29:18,500 --> 00:29:21,300
his, having the insolence to 
confound me with the official 

495
00:29:21,300 --> 00:29:24,800
detective Force. 
This incident gives zest to our 

496
00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:27,700
investigation. 
However, and I only trust that 

497
00:29:27,700 --> 00:29:31,000
our little friend will not 
suffer from Her imprudence in 

498
00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:32,700
allowing this brute to trace 
her. 

499
00:29:33,500 --> 00:29:36,300
And now, Watson, we shall order 
breakfast. 

500
00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:40,400
And afterwards, I shall walk 
down to doctors Commons where I 

501
00:29:40,408 --> 00:29:43,200
hope to get some data, which may
help us in this matter. 

502
00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,100
It was nearly one o'clock when 
Sherlock, Holmes returned from 

503
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:52,600
his Excursion. 
He held in his hand, a sheet of 

504
00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:55,700
blue paper scrawled over with 
notes and figures. 

505
00:29:56,900 --> 00:30:00,500
I have seen the will of the 
deceased wife said, he to 

506
00:30:00,500 --> 00:30:03,800
determine its exact meaning. 
I have been obliged to work out 

507
00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:06,300
the present prices of the 
Investments with which it is 

508
00:30:06,300 --> 00:30:09,400
concerned. 
The total income, which at the 

509
00:30:09,400 --> 00:30:13,600
time of the wife's death was 
little short of 1,100 pounds. 

510
00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:17,900
His now, through the fall. 
Of agricultural prices, not more

511
00:30:17,900 --> 00:30:21,700
than 750 pounds. 
Each daughter can claim an 

512
00:30:21,700 --> 00:30:25,000
income of 250 pounds in case of 
marriage. 

513
00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:28,800
It is evident. 
Therefore that if both girls 

514
00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:32,800
have married, this beauty would 
have had a mere pittance while 

515
00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:34,400
even. 
One of them would cripple him to

516
00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:38,300
a very serious extent. 
My mornings work has not been 

517
00:30:38,300 --> 00:30:41,200
wasted. 
Since it has proved that, he has

518
00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:44,300
the very strongest motives for 
standing in the way of anything 

519
00:30:44,300 --> 00:30:48,100
of the sort. 
And now Watson, this is too 

520
00:30:48,100 --> 00:30:51,700
serious for dawdling, especially
as the old man is aware that we 

521
00:30:51,700 --> 00:30:53,800
are interesting ourselves in his
Affairs. 

522
00:30:54,600 --> 00:30:57,500
So if you are ready, we shall 
call a cab and drive to 

523
00:30:57,500 --> 00:31:00,600
Waterloo. 
I should be very much obliged. 

524
00:31:00,600 --> 00:31:04,300
If you would slip your revolver 
into your pocket and ely's 

525
00:31:04,300 --> 00:31:07,600
number 2 is an excellent 
argument with gentlemen, who can

526
00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:12,100
twist steel pokers into knots 
that and a toothbrush are? 

527
00:31:12,100 --> 00:31:15,500
I think all that we need At 
Waterloo. 

528
00:31:15,500 --> 00:31:18,600
We were fortunate in catching a 
train for Leatherhead where we 

529
00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:22,000
hide a trap at the station in 
and drove for four or five miles

530
00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:26,300
through the lovely Surrey Lanes.
It was a perfect day with a 

531
00:31:26,300 --> 00:31:29,200
bright sun and a few fleecy 
clouds in the heavens. 

532
00:31:30,000 --> 00:31:32,700
The trees and Wayside Hedges 
were just throwing out their 

533
00:31:32,700 --> 00:31:35,700
first green shoots. 
And the air was full of a 

534
00:31:35,708 --> 00:31:37,500
pleasant smell of the moist 
Earth. 

535
00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:41,300
To me at least there was a 
strange contrast between the 

536
00:31:41,308 --> 00:31:44,900
sweet promise of the spring. 
And this Sinister Quest upon 

537
00:31:44,900 --> 00:31:48,300
which we were engaged. 
My companion, sat in the front 

538
00:31:48,300 --> 00:31:51,800
of the Trap, his arms folded, 
his hat pulled down over his 

539
00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:56,300
eyes, and his chin sunk upon his
breast buried in the deepest 

540
00:31:56,300 --> 00:32:00,300
thought. 
Suddenly, however, he started 

541
00:32:00,600 --> 00:32:03,500
tapped me on the shoulder and 
pointed Over The Meadows. 

542
00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:09,100
Look there said he a heavily 
timbered Park stretched up in a 

543
00:32:09,100 --> 00:32:13,800
gentle slope thickening into a 
Grove at the highest point from 

544
00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:16,800
amid the branches, there jutted 
out the grey Gables and high 

545
00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:22,100
roof-tree of a very old mansion.
Stoke Moran said he? 

546
00:32:22,900 --> 00:32:24,900
Yes sir. 
That be the house of dr. 

547
00:32:24,900 --> 00:32:27,300
Grimesby. 
Roylott remark the driver. 

548
00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:32,200
There is some building going on 
there said Holmes, that is where

549
00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:35,500
we are going. 
There's the village said, the 

550
00:32:35,500 --> 00:32:38,700
driver pointing to a cluster of 
roofs, some distance to the 

551
00:32:38,700 --> 00:32:41,100
left. 
But if you want to get to the 

552
00:32:41,100 --> 00:32:43,800
house, you'll find it shorter to
get over this style. 

553
00:32:44,300 --> 00:32:47,600
And so, by the footpath over the
fields, there it is where the 

554
00:32:47,600 --> 00:32:52,300
lady is, walking. 
And the lady I fancy is Miss 

555
00:32:52,300 --> 00:32:55,100
Stoner, observed Holmes shading 
his eyes. 

556
00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:58,900
Yes. 
I think we had better do as you 

557
00:32:58,900 --> 00:33:02,600
suggest. 
We got off paid our fare and the

558
00:33:02,608 --> 00:33:04,900
trap rattle back on its way to 
Leatherhead. 

559
00:33:06,100 --> 00:33:08,600
I thought it as well. 
Said, Holmes as we climbed the 

560
00:33:08,608 --> 00:33:11,900
style that this fellow should 
think we had come here as 

561
00:33:11,900 --> 00:33:14,600
Architects or on some definite 
business. 

562
00:33:15,300 --> 00:33:18,900
It may stop his gossip. 
Good afternoon, Miss Stoner. 

563
00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:21,500
You see that we had been as good
as our word. 

564
00:33:22,700 --> 00:33:25,500
I'll climb to the morning, had 
hurried forward to meet us with 

565
00:33:25,500 --> 00:33:28,900
a face which spoke her Joy. 
I have been waiting. 

566
00:33:28,900 --> 00:33:32,600
So eagerly for you. 
She cried shaking hands with us 

567
00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:35,800
warmly. 
All has turned out splendidly. 

568
00:33:36,500 --> 00:33:39,800
Dr. Roylott has gone to town and
it is unlikely that he will be 

569
00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:43,500
back before evening. 
We have had the pleasure of 

570
00:33:43,500 --> 00:33:46,100
making, the doctors acquaintance
said, Holmes. 

571
00:33:46,700 --> 00:33:48,800
And in a few words. 
He sketched out what had 

572
00:33:48,800 --> 00:33:52,100
occurred Miss Stoner, turned 
white to the lips. 

573
00:33:52,100 --> 00:33:55,700
As she listened, good Heavens. 
She cried. 

574
00:33:56,000 --> 00:34:00,300
He has followed me then, so it 
appears he is. 

575
00:34:00,300 --> 00:34:03,300
So cunning that I never know. 
When I am safe from him. 

576
00:34:03,900 --> 00:34:05,600
What will he say when he 
returns? 

577
00:34:06,600 --> 00:34:10,100
He must guard himself for he may
find that there is someone more 

578
00:34:10,100 --> 00:34:12,199
cunning than himself upon his 
track. 

579
00:34:13,100 --> 00:34:15,199
You must lock yourself up from 
him tonight. 

580
00:34:15,699 --> 00:34:18,600
If he is violent, we should take
you away to your aunt's at 

581
00:34:18,600 --> 00:34:22,000
Harrow. 
Now we must make the best use of

582
00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:25,600
our time. 
So kindly take us at once to the

583
00:34:25,600 --> 00:34:30,300
rooms, which we are to examine. 
The building was of Grey like 

584
00:34:30,300 --> 00:34:34,100
and blocked stone with a high 
central portion and two curving 

585
00:34:34,100 --> 00:34:39,300
wings, like the claws of a crab.
Thrown out on each side, in One 

586
00:34:39,300 --> 00:34:42,600
of These Wings, the windows were
broken and blocked with wooden 

587
00:34:42,600 --> 00:34:45,199
boards. 
While the roof was partly caved 

588
00:34:45,199 --> 00:34:49,300
in a picture of ruin. 
The central portion was in 

589
00:34:49,300 --> 00:34:51,900
little better repair, but the 
right-hand block was 

590
00:34:51,900 --> 00:34:55,199
comparatively modern and the 
blinds in the windows with the 

591
00:34:55,199 --> 00:34:58,700
blue smoke curling up from the 
chimneys showed that this was 

592
00:34:58,700 --> 00:35:01,800
where the family resided. 
Some scaffolding have been 

593
00:35:01,800 --> 00:35:05,200
erected against the end wall and
the stonework had been broken 

594
00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:08,600
into but Were no signs of any 
workmen at the moment of our 

595
00:35:08,600 --> 00:35:11,800
visit Holmes, walked slowly up 
and down the ill. 

596
00:35:11,800 --> 00:35:15,800
Trimmed lawn and examined with 
deep attention, the outsides of 

597
00:35:15,800 --> 00:35:20,600
the windows, this, I take it 
belongs to the room in which you

598
00:35:20,600 --> 00:35:25,500
used to sleep the center, one to
your sisters and the one next to

599
00:35:25,500 --> 00:35:27,900
the main building to dr. 
Roylott's chamber. 

600
00:35:29,100 --> 00:35:32,100
Exactly. 
So but I am now sleeping in the 

601
00:35:32,100 --> 00:35:35,100
middle one. 
Pending the alterations. 

602
00:35:35,100 --> 00:35:37,900
As I understand. 
By the way, there does not seem 

603
00:35:37,900 --> 00:35:39,800
to be any very pressing need for
repairs. 

604
00:35:39,800 --> 00:35:42,800
At that end wall. 
There were none. 

605
00:35:43,400 --> 00:35:46,300
I believe that it was an excuse 
to move me from my room. 

606
00:35:47,300 --> 00:35:51,400
Ah, that is suggestive. 
Now, on the other side of this 

607
00:35:51,400 --> 00:35:54,700
narrow Wing, runs the corridor 
from which these three rooms 

608
00:35:54,700 --> 00:35:57,100
open. 
There are windows in it. 

609
00:35:57,100 --> 00:36:02,200
Of course, yes, but very small 
ones too narrow for anyone to 

610
00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:05,700
pass through. 
As you both locked, your doors 

611
00:36:05,700 --> 00:36:09,100
at night, your rooms were 
unapproachable, from that side. 

612
00:36:09,800 --> 00:36:12,400
Now, would you have the kindness
to go into your room and bar 

613
00:36:12,400 --> 00:36:16,300
your shutters? 
Miss Stoner, did so and homes. 

614
00:36:16,300 --> 00:36:18,800
After a careful examination, 
through the open window 

615
00:36:19,300 --> 00:36:22,500
endeavoured in every way to 
force the shutter open, but 

616
00:36:22,500 --> 00:36:25,800
without success, there was no 
slit through, which a knife 

617
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:27,300
could be passed to raise the 
bar. 

618
00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:30,800
Then with his lens. 
He tested the hinges, but they 

619
00:36:30,800 --> 00:36:33,600
were a solid iron. 
Built firmly into the massive 

620
00:36:33,600 --> 00:36:38,100
Masonry. 
Hum said he scratching his chin 

621
00:36:38,100 --> 00:36:41,500
in some perplexity. 
My theory, certainly presents 

622
00:36:41,500 --> 00:36:44,400
some difficulties. 
No one could pass these 

623
00:36:44,400 --> 00:36:45,900
shutters. 
If they were bolted. 

624
00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:49,100
Well, we shall see if the inside
throws any light upon the 

625
00:36:49,107 --> 00:36:52,500
matter. 
A small side door, led into the 

626
00:36:52,500 --> 00:36:56,500
whitewashed corridor from which 
the three bedrooms opened homes 

627
00:36:56,500 --> 00:36:58,300
refused to examine the third 
chamber. 

628
00:36:58,700 --> 00:37:01,900
So we passed at once to the 
second that, in which Miss 

629
00:37:01,900 --> 00:37:05,400
Stoner was now sleeping and in, 
which her sister had With her 

630
00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:08,900
fate. 
It was a homely little room with

631
00:37:08,900 --> 00:37:11,100
a low ceiling and a gaping 
fireplace. 

632
00:37:11,500 --> 00:37:15,200
After the fashion of Old Country
House, has a brown chest of 

633
00:37:15,200 --> 00:37:19,200
drawers, stood in one corner and
narrow white, counterpane bed in

634
00:37:19,200 --> 00:37:21,800
another. 
And a dressing-table on the left

635
00:37:21,800 --> 00:37:25,900
hand side of the window, these 
articles with two, small 

636
00:37:25,900 --> 00:37:29,100
wickerwork chairs, made up all 
the furniture in the room. 

637
00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:32,100
Save for a square of Wilton 
Carpet in the center. 

638
00:37:33,300 --> 00:37:36,500
The board's round and the 
panelling of the walls were of 

639
00:37:36,500 --> 00:37:40,500
brown worm-eaten oak. 
So old and discoloured that it 

640
00:37:40,500 --> 00:37:44,400
may have dated from the original
building of the house Holmes, 

641
00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:47,500
Drew one of the chairs into a 
corner and sat silent. 

642
00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:51,800
While his eyes travelled round 
and round and up and down taking

643
00:37:51,800 --> 00:37:53,900
in every detail of the 
apartment. 

644
00:37:55,500 --> 00:37:57,400
What does that Bell communicate 
with? 

645
00:37:57,800 --> 00:38:01,400
He asked at last pointing to a 
thick bell-rope, which hung down

646
00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:04,700
beside the bed. 
The tassel actually lying upon 

647
00:38:04,700 --> 00:38:07,700
the pillow. 
It goes to the housekeeper's 

648
00:38:07,700 --> 00:38:10,400
room. 
It looks newer than the other 

649
00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:12,100
things. 
Yes. 

650
00:38:12,100 --> 00:38:14,000
It was only put there a couple 
of years ago. 

651
00:38:15,200 --> 00:38:17,000
Your sister asked for it. 
I suppose. 

652
00:38:17,900 --> 00:38:20,100
No, I never heard of her using 
it. 

653
00:38:20,600 --> 00:38:23,100
We used always to get what we 
wanted for ourselves. 

654
00:38:24,300 --> 00:38:26,900
Indeed. 
It seemed unnecessary to put so 

655
00:38:26,900 --> 00:38:30,600
nice a bellpull there you, 
excuse me for a few minutes 

656
00:38:30,600 --> 00:38:33,000
while I satisfy myself. 
As to this floor. 

657
00:38:34,200 --> 00:38:37,300
He threw himself down upon his 
face with his lens in his hand 

658
00:38:37,700 --> 00:38:41,300
and crawled swiftly backward, 
and forward examining minutely. 

659
00:38:41,300 --> 00:38:44,200
The cracks between the boards. 
Then he did. 

660
00:38:44,200 --> 00:38:47,300
The same with the Work with 
which the chamber was panelled. 

661
00:38:48,300 --> 00:38:51,900
Finally, he walked over to the 
bed and spent some time in 

662
00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:55,300
staring at it and in running his
eye up and down the wall. 

663
00:38:56,300 --> 00:38:58,400
Finally. 
He took the bell-rope in his 

664
00:38:58,400 --> 00:39:04,000
hand and gave it a Brisk. 
Tug, why it's a dummy said he 

665
00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:08,300
won't it ring. 
No, it is not even attached to a

666
00:39:08,300 --> 00:39:11,300
wire. 
This is very interesting. 

667
00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:15,100
You can see now that it is 
fastened to a hook just above Of

668
00:39:15,100 --> 00:39:19,300
where the little opening for the
ventilator is how very absurd. 

669
00:39:19,700 --> 00:39:24,200
I never noticed that before very
strange, muttered Holmes. 

670
00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:27,100
Pulling at the Rope. 
There are one or two, very 

671
00:39:27,100 --> 00:39:31,600
singular points about this room.
For example, what a fool, a 

672
00:39:31,600 --> 00:39:34,600
builder must be to open a 
ventilator into another room. 

673
00:39:34,900 --> 00:39:37,800
When with the same trouble. 
He might have communicated with 

674
00:39:37,800 --> 00:39:42,200
the outside, sir. 
That is also quite modern said 

675
00:39:42,200 --> 00:39:46,500
the lady done about the same 
time as the bell-rope remarked 

676
00:39:46,500 --> 00:39:49,400
Holmes. 
Yes, there were several little 

677
00:39:49,400 --> 00:39:51,200
changes carried out about that 
time. 

678
00:39:52,300 --> 00:39:55,900
They seem to have been of a most
interesting character dummy 

679
00:39:55,900 --> 00:39:59,800
bell-ropes and ventilators, 
which do not ventilate with your

680
00:39:59,800 --> 00:40:02,400
permission Miss Stoner. 
We shall now carry our 

681
00:40:02,400 --> 00:40:04,500
researches into the inner 
apartment. 

682
00:40:05,800 --> 00:40:09,400
Dr. Grimesby roylott's, chamber 
was larger than that of his 

683
00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:14,700
stepdaughter, but was as plainly
furnished, a camp bed, a small 

684
00:40:14,700 --> 00:40:18,100
wooden Shelf full of books, 
mostly of a technical character,

685
00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:21,800
an armchair beside the bed, a 
plain wooden chair against the 

686
00:40:21,808 --> 00:40:24,600
wall around table and a large 
iron. 

687
00:40:24,600 --> 00:40:27,700
Safe were the principal things 
which met the eye. 

688
00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:32,500
Holmes walked, slowly round and 
examined each and all of them 

689
00:40:32,500 --> 00:40:36,300
with the keenest interest. 
What's in here? 

690
00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:40,300
He asked, tapping the safe. 
My stepfather's business papers.

691
00:40:41,100 --> 00:40:46,000
Oh you have been inside. 
Then only once some years ago. 

692
00:40:46,500 --> 00:40:48,300
I remember that it was full of 
papers. 

693
00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:53,600
There isn't a cat in it, for 
example, know what a strange 

694
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:56,200
idea. 
Well, look at this. 

695
00:40:57,000 --> 00:40:59,900
He took up a small saucer of 
milk, which stood on top of it. 

696
00:41:00,700 --> 00:41:04,900
No, we don't keep a cat but 
there is a cheetah and a baboon.

697
00:41:05,700 --> 00:41:09,600
Oh, yes, of course. 
Well a cheetah is just a big cat

698
00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:13,200
and yet a saucer of milk does 
not go very far in satisfying. 

699
00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:17,100
Its wants I dare say there is 
one point which I should wish to

700
00:41:17,100 --> 00:41:20,000
determine. 
He squatted down in front of the

701
00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:22,900
wooden chair and examined the 
seat of it with the greatest 

702
00:41:22,900 --> 00:41:25,300
attention. 
Thank you. 

703
00:41:25,900 --> 00:41:29,200
That is quite settled. 
Said he rising and putting his 

704
00:41:29,200 --> 00:41:31,800
lens in his pocket. 
Hello. 

705
00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:35,900
There is something interesting, 
the object which had caught. 

706
00:41:35,900 --> 00:41:39,600
His eye was a small dog lash 
hung on one corner of the bed. 

707
00:41:40,300 --> 00:41:43,500
The Lash however was curled upon
itself and tied. 

708
00:41:43,500 --> 00:41:46,800
So as to make a loop of 
whipcord, what do you make of 

709
00:41:46,800 --> 00:41:50,500
that Watson? 
It's a common enough flash, but 

710
00:41:50,500 --> 00:41:52,000
I don't know why it should be 
tied. 

711
00:41:53,100 --> 00:41:54,700
That is not quite so. 
Common. 

712
00:41:54,700 --> 00:41:58,200
Is it me? 
It's a wicked world. 

713
00:41:58,200 --> 00:42:00,800
And when a clever man turns his 
brains to Crime. 

714
00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:04,300
It is the worst of all. 
I think that I have seen enough 

715
00:42:04,300 --> 00:42:07,800
now miss Stoner and with your 
permission we shall walk out 

716
00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:11,200
upon the lawn. 
I had never seen my friends 

717
00:42:11,200 --> 00:42:13,200
face. 
So Grim or his brows. 

718
00:42:13,200 --> 00:42:16,200
So dark as it was when we turned
from the scene of this 

719
00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:19,800
investigation. 
We had walked several times up 

720
00:42:19,800 --> 00:42:22,700
and down the lawn. 
Neither Miss Stoner nor myself 

721
00:42:22,700 --> 00:42:25,200
liking to break in upon his 
thoughts before he roused 

722
00:42:25,200 --> 00:42:29,800
himself from his reverie. 
It is very essential Mist, owner

723
00:42:30,200 --> 00:42:33,800
said he, that you should 
absolutely follow my advice in 

724
00:42:33,800 --> 00:42:37,200
every respect. 
I shall most certainly do. 

725
00:42:37,200 --> 00:42:42,500
So the matter is too serious, 
for any hesitation, your life 

726
00:42:42,500 --> 00:42:47,200
may depend upon your compliance.
I assure you that I am in your 

727
00:42:47,200 --> 00:42:52,400
hands in the first place, both 
my friend, and I'm a, spend the 

728
00:42:52,400 --> 00:42:56,200
night in your room, both Miss 
Stoner, and I gazed at him in 

729
00:42:56,200 --> 00:42:58,900
astonishment. 
Yes, it must be. 

730
00:42:58,900 --> 00:43:03,100
So let me explain. 
I believe that this is the 

731
00:43:03,100 --> 00:43:05,900
village in over there. 
Yes. 

732
00:43:06,300 --> 00:43:09,000
That is the crown. 
Very good. 

733
00:43:09,400 --> 00:43:11,200
Your windows will be visible 
from there. 

734
00:43:12,100 --> 00:43:15,700
Certainly. 
You must confine yourself to 

735
00:43:15,700 --> 00:43:18,000
your room on pretence of a 
headache. 

736
00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:21,900
When your stepfather comes back,
then when you hear him retire 

737
00:43:21,900 --> 00:43:25,400
for the night, you must open the
shutters of your window. 

738
00:43:25,600 --> 00:43:29,700
Undo, the hasp put your lamp 
there as a signal to us and then

739
00:43:29,700 --> 00:43:33,000
withdraw quietly with everything
which you are likely to want 

740
00:43:33,200 --> 00:43:35,400
into the room, which you used to
occupy. 

741
00:43:36,300 --> 00:43:39,600
I have no doubt that in spite of
the repairs, you could manage 

742
00:43:39,600 --> 00:43:42,300
there for one night. 
Oh, yes. 

743
00:43:42,300 --> 00:43:46,000
Easley the rest. 
You will leave in our hands. 

744
00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:50,500
But what will you do? 
We shall spend the night in your

745
00:43:50,500 --> 00:43:54,200
room and we shall investigate 
the cause of this noise, which 

746
00:43:54,200 --> 00:43:57,400
has Disturbed you, I believe, 
mr. 

747
00:43:57,400 --> 00:44:01,000
Holmes, that you've already made
up your mind, said, Miss Stoner,

748
00:44:01,200 --> 00:44:05,200
laying her hand upon my 
companion sleeve, perhaps I 

749
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:09,700
have, then for pity's sake, tell
me what was the cause of my 

750
00:44:09,700 --> 00:44:13,100
sister's death? 
I should prefer to have clearer 

751
00:44:13,100 --> 00:44:17,200
proofs before I speak. 
You can at least tell me whether

752
00:44:17,200 --> 00:44:20,800
my own soldiers, correct. 
And if she died from some sudden

753
00:44:20,800 --> 00:44:25,900
fright, no, I do not think so. 
I think that there was probably 

754
00:44:25,900 --> 00:44:31,400
some more tangible cause and now
miss Stoner we must leave you 

755
00:44:31,900 --> 00:44:34,200
for if dr. 
Roylott returned and saw us. 

756
00:44:34,200 --> 00:44:38,900
Our journey would be in vain. 
Goodbye and be brave for. 

757
00:44:38,900 --> 00:44:42,700
If you'll do what I have told 
you you may rest assured that we

758
00:44:42,700 --> 00:44:45,400
shall soon drive away the 
dangers that threaten you 

759
00:44:47,100 --> 00:44:49,300
Sherlock Holmes. 
And I had no difficulty in 

760
00:44:49,300 --> 00:44:52,100
engaging a bedroom and 
sitting-room had the crown in, 

761
00:44:52,800 --> 00:44:55,300
they were on the Upper Floor. 
And from our window. 

762
00:44:55,300 --> 00:44:58,900
We could command a view of the 
Avenue gate and of the inhabited

763
00:44:58,900 --> 00:45:02,600
wing of stoke. 
Moran, manor house at dusk. 

764
00:45:02,600 --> 00:45:05,900
We saw dr. 
Grimesby roylott drive past his 

765
00:45:05,900 --> 00:45:08,200
huge form. 
Looming up beside the little 

766
00:45:08,200 --> 00:45:12,000
figure of the lad who drove him.
The boy had some slight 

767
00:45:12,000 --> 00:45:14,300
difficulty in undoing the heavy 
iron gates. 

768
00:45:14,700 --> 00:45:17,400
And we heard the hoarse. 
Hoarse Roar of the doctors voice

769
00:45:17,700 --> 00:45:21,000
and saw the fury was, which he 
shook his clinched fists at him,

770
00:45:21,900 --> 00:45:24,600
the Trap drove on. 
And a few minutes later. 

771
00:45:24,900 --> 00:45:28,800
We saw a sudden light spring up 
among the trees as the lamp was 

772
00:45:28,800 --> 00:45:33,100
lit in one of the sitting-rooms.
Do you know what sun' said, 

773
00:45:33,100 --> 00:45:35,500
Holmes, as we sat together in 
the Gathering Darkness? 

774
00:45:36,200 --> 00:45:39,000
I have really some Scruples as 
to taking you tonight. 

775
00:45:39,800 --> 00:45:42,200
There is a distinct element of 
danger. 

776
00:45:43,500 --> 00:45:46,700
Can I be of assistance? 
Your presence might be 

777
00:45:46,700 --> 00:45:49,700
invaluable? 
Then I shall certainly come. 

778
00:45:50,500 --> 00:45:54,400
It is very kind of you. 
You speak of danger. 

779
00:45:54,900 --> 00:45:57,500
You've evidently seen more in 
these rooms and was visible to 

780
00:45:57,500 --> 00:46:00,800
me. 
No, but I fancy that. 

781
00:46:00,800 --> 00:46:02,400
I may have deduced a little 
more. 

782
00:46:03,200 --> 00:46:05,500
I imagine that. 
You saw all that I did. 

783
00:46:06,300 --> 00:46:09,300
I saw nothing remarkable. 
Save the bell rope and what 

784
00:46:09,300 --> 00:46:11,900
purpose that could answer. 
I confess is more than I 

785
00:46:11,900 --> 00:46:16,700
imagined. 
You sold a ventilator to yes, 

786
00:46:16,700 --> 00:46:19,600
but I don't think that it's such
a very unusual thing to have a 

787
00:46:19,600 --> 00:46:23,500
small opening between two rooms.
It was so small as a rat could 

788
00:46:23,500 --> 00:46:26,900
hardly pass through. 
I knew that we should find a 

789
00:46:26,900 --> 00:46:30,900
ventilator before ever. 
We came to stoke, Moran, idea, 

790
00:46:30,900 --> 00:46:33,100
homes. 
Oh, yes. 

791
00:46:33,100 --> 00:46:35,800
I did. 
You remember in her statement? 

792
00:46:35,800 --> 00:46:37,500
She said that her sister could 
smell. 

793
00:46:37,500 --> 00:46:41,400
Dr. Roylott's, cigar. 
Now, of course that suggested at

794
00:46:41,400 --> 00:46:43,900
once that there must be a 
communication between the two 

795
00:46:43,900 --> 00:46:46,800
rooms. 
It could only be a small one, or

796
00:46:46,800 --> 00:46:49,400
it would have been remarked upon
at the coroner's inquiry. 

797
00:46:50,200 --> 00:46:54,600
I deduced a ventilator. 
What harm can there be in that? 

798
00:46:55,700 --> 00:46:58,900
Well, there is at least a 
curious Coincidence of dates. 

799
00:46:59,600 --> 00:47:03,900
A ventilator is made a cord. 
Is hung, and a lady who sleeps 

800
00:47:03,900 --> 00:47:07,100
in the bed dies does not that 
strike you. 

801
00:47:08,200 --> 00:47:10,000
I can't as yet. 
See any connection. 

802
00:47:11,400 --> 00:47:14,700
Did You observe anything? 
Very peculiar about that bed. 

803
00:47:15,500 --> 00:47:21,100
No, it was clamped to the floor.
Did you ever see a bed fastened 

804
00:47:21,100 --> 00:47:24,400
like that before? 
I can't say that I have. 

805
00:47:25,400 --> 00:47:29,300
The lady could not move her bed.
They must always be in the same 

806
00:47:29,300 --> 00:47:33,300
relative position to the 
ventilator and to the Rope or 

807
00:47:33,300 --> 00:47:35,000
so. 
We may call it since it was 

808
00:47:35,000 --> 00:47:38,600
clearly never meant for a 
bellpull Holmes. 

809
00:47:38,800 --> 00:47:42,700
I cried I seem to see dimly what
you are hinting at. 

810
00:47:43,200 --> 00:47:46,300
We're only just in time to 
prevent some subtle and horrible

811
00:47:46,300 --> 00:47:49,900
crime. 
Subtle enough and horrible 

812
00:47:49,900 --> 00:47:53,700
enough. 
When a doctor does go wrong, he 

813
00:47:53,700 --> 00:47:57,100
is the first of criminals. 
He has nerve and he has 

814
00:47:57,100 --> 00:48:00,800
knowledge Palmer, and Pritchard 
were among the heads of their 

815
00:48:00,800 --> 00:48:04,200
profession. 
This man strikes even deeper, 

816
00:48:04,600 --> 00:48:08,400
but I think Watson that we shall
be able to strike deeper still, 

817
00:48:09,100 --> 00:48:12,700
but we shall have Horrors enough
before the night is over for 

818
00:48:12,700 --> 00:48:15,600
goodness sake. 
Let us have a quiet pipe and 

819
00:48:15,600 --> 00:48:18,700
turn our minds for a few hours 
to something more cheerful. 

820
00:48:21,500 --> 00:48:23,700
About nine. 
The light among the trees was 

821
00:48:23,700 --> 00:48:27,000
extinguished and always dark in 
the direction of the manor 

822
00:48:27,000 --> 00:48:33,000
house, two hours passed slowly 
away and then suddenly just at 

823
00:48:33,000 --> 00:48:37,100
the stroke of eleven a single 
bright light Shone out right in 

824
00:48:37,100 --> 00:48:40,500
front of us. 
That is our signal said Holmes 

825
00:48:40,500 --> 00:48:43,700
springing to his feet. 
It comes from the middle window,

826
00:48:45,000 --> 00:48:47,300
as we passed out. 
He exchanged a few words with 

827
00:48:47,300 --> 00:48:50,200
the landlord explaining that we 
were going on a late visit. 

828
00:48:50,300 --> 00:48:52,700
To an acquaintance. 
And that it was possible that we

829
00:48:52,707 --> 00:48:55,600
might spend the night there. 
A moment later. 

830
00:48:56,000 --> 00:48:58,700
We were out on the dark Road, a 
chill. 

831
00:48:58,700 --> 00:49:02,300
Wind blowing in our faces and 
one yellow light twinkling in 

832
00:49:02,300 --> 00:49:05,800
front of us through the Gloom to
guide us on our sombre errand. 

833
00:49:07,400 --> 00:49:10,200
There was little difficulty in 
entering the grounds, for 

834
00:49:10,200 --> 00:49:12,900
unrepaired breaches gaped in the
old park wall. 

835
00:49:13,400 --> 00:49:17,100
Making our way among the trees. 
We reached the lawn crossed it 

836
00:49:17,300 --> 00:49:20,200
and we're about to enter through
the window when out from a clump

837
00:49:20,200 --> 00:49:22,100
of Laurel bushes there. 
Darted. 

838
00:49:22,100 --> 00:49:26,000
What seemed to be a hideous and 
distorted child who threw itself

839
00:49:26,000 --> 00:49:29,100
upon the grass with writhing, 
Limbs, and then ran swiftly 

840
00:49:29,100 --> 00:49:30,700
across the lawn into the 
darkness. 

841
00:49:31,600 --> 00:49:34,300
My God, I was but did you see 
it? 

842
00:49:35,500 --> 00:49:37,500
Holmes was for the moment as 
startled. 

843
00:49:37,500 --> 00:49:41,600
As I, his hand closed like a 
vice, upon my wrist in his 

844
00:49:41,600 --> 00:49:46,200
agitation, and he broke into a 
low laugh and put his lips to my

845
00:49:46,200 --> 00:49:49,800
ear. 
It is a nice household. 

846
00:49:50,100 --> 00:49:56,300
He murmured that is the bun. 
I'd forgotten the strange pets, 

847
00:49:56,300 --> 00:49:59,400
which the doctor affected. 
It was a cheetah, too. 

848
00:50:00,100 --> 00:50:03,000
Perhaps we might find it upon 
our shoulders at any moment. 

849
00:50:03,800 --> 00:50:07,200
I confess that, I felt easier in
my mind, when after following 

850
00:50:07,200 --> 00:50:09,700
homes is example, and slipping 
off my shoes. 

851
00:50:10,200 --> 00:50:12,200
I found myself inside the 
bedroom. 

852
00:50:13,500 --> 00:50:16,800
My companion, noiselessly 
closed, the shutters move the 

853
00:50:16,800 --> 00:50:19,600
lamp onto the table, and cast 
his eyes round. 

854
00:50:19,600 --> 00:50:22,600
The room. 
All was, as we have seen it in 

855
00:50:22,600 --> 00:50:26,700
the daytime, been creeping up to
me and making a trumpet of his 

856
00:50:26,700 --> 00:50:29,200
hand. 
He whispered into my ear again, 

857
00:50:29,200 --> 00:50:32,500
so gently, but it was all that I
could do to distinguish the 

858
00:50:32,500 --> 00:50:36,600
words. 
The least sound would be fatal 

859
00:50:36,600 --> 00:50:39,900
to our plans. 
I nodded to show that I had 

860
00:50:39,900 --> 00:50:43,000
heard, we must sit without 
light. 

861
00:50:43,900 --> 00:50:45,500
He would see it through the 
ventilator. 

862
00:50:46,400 --> 00:50:49,600
I nodded again. 
Do not go asleep. 

863
00:50:50,000 --> 00:50:51,900
Your very life, may depend upon 
it. 

864
00:50:52,400 --> 00:50:54,600
Have your pistol ready in case 
we should need it. 

865
00:50:55,200 --> 00:50:58,800
I will sit on the side of the 
bed and you in that chair. 

866
00:51:00,300 --> 00:51:02,600
I took out my revolver and 
ladies on the corner of the 

867
00:51:02,600 --> 00:51:07,400
table, Holmes had bought of a 
long thin cane and this he 

868
00:51:07,400 --> 00:51:10,400
placed upon the bed beside him 
by it. 

869
00:51:10,400 --> 00:51:14,400
He laid the box of matches and 
the stump of a candle then he 

870
00:51:14,400 --> 00:51:17,200
turned down the lamp and we were
left in darkness. 

871
00:51:18,600 --> 00:51:22,800
How shall I ever forget that? 
Dreadful vigil, I could not hear

872
00:51:22,800 --> 00:51:25,200
a sound. 
Not even the drawing of a breath

873
00:51:25,600 --> 00:51:29,200
and yet I knew that my 
companion, sat open died within 

874
00:51:29,200 --> 00:51:33,200
a few feet of me in the same 
state of nervous tension in 

875
00:51:33,200 --> 00:51:37,200
which I was myself. 
The shutters cut off the least 

876
00:51:37,200 --> 00:51:40,400
ray of light and we waited in 
absolute Darkness. 

877
00:51:41,700 --> 00:51:45,800
From outside came the occasional
Cry of a nightbird and once that

878
00:51:45,800 --> 00:51:50,500
are very window, a long drawn, 
cat-like, whine, which told us 

879
00:51:50,500 --> 00:51:54,100
that the Cheeto is indeed at 
Liberty far away. 

880
00:51:54,100 --> 00:51:57,400
We could hear the Deep tones of 
the parish clock which boomed 

881
00:51:57,400 --> 00:52:01,300
out every quarter of an hour, 
how long they seemed those 

882
00:52:01,300 --> 00:52:09,700
quarters. 12 struck, and one, 
and two, and three, and still, 

883
00:52:09,700 --> 00:52:14,900
we sat waiting silently, for 
whatever might befall suddenly, 

884
00:52:15,300 --> 00:52:18,100
there was the momentary gleam of
a light up in the direction of 

885
00:52:18,100 --> 00:52:20,600
the ventilator, which vanished 
immediately. 

886
00:52:21,100 --> 00:52:24,700
But was succeeded by a strong 
smell of burning oil and heated 

887
00:52:24,700 --> 00:52:28,000
metal. 
Someone in the Next Room, had 

888
00:52:28,000 --> 00:52:31,400
lit, a dark Lantern. 
I heard a gentle sound of 

889
00:52:31,400 --> 00:52:36,200
movement and then Silent once 
more oh the smell grew stronger 

890
00:52:37,500 --> 00:52:40,100
for half an hour. 
I sat with straining ears. 

891
00:52:40,800 --> 00:52:45,600
Then suddenly another sound 
became audible a very gentle 

892
00:52:45,600 --> 00:52:49,400
soothing sound like that of a 
small jet of steam escaping 

893
00:52:49,400 --> 00:52:53,200
continually from a kettle. 
The instant that we heard it 

894
00:52:53,500 --> 00:52:56,900
Holmes sprang from the bed, 
struck a match and lashed 

895
00:52:56,900 --> 00:52:59,100
furiously with his Cane at the 
bellpull. 

896
00:52:59,800 --> 00:53:00,700
You see it? 
Watson. 

897
00:53:01,100 --> 00:53:05,400
He yelled, you see it. 
But I saw nothing at the moment.

898
00:53:05,400 --> 00:53:09,300
When Holmes struck the light, I 
heard a low clear whistle, but 

899
00:53:09,300 --> 00:53:12,000
the sudden glare flashing into 
my weary eyes. 

900
00:53:12,000 --> 00:53:14,500
Made it impossible for me to 
tell what it was at, which my 

901
00:53:14,500 --> 00:53:19,100
friend lashed so savagely, I 
could however see that his face 

902
00:53:19,100 --> 00:53:22,200
was deadly pale and filled with 
horror and Loathing. 

903
00:53:22,800 --> 00:53:26,800
He had ceased to strike and was 
gazing up at the ventilator when

904
00:53:26,800 --> 00:53:30,100
suddenly there broke from The 
Silence of the night, the most 

905
00:53:30,100 --> 00:53:32,700
horrible cry to, which I have 
ever listened. 

906
00:53:33,400 --> 00:53:38,100
It swelled up louder and louder,
a hoarse yell of pain and fear 

907
00:53:38,100 --> 00:53:41,400
and anger all mingled in the one
Dreadful shriek. 

908
00:53:42,300 --> 00:53:45,600
They say that a way down in the 
village and even in the distant 

909
00:53:45,600 --> 00:53:49,500
parsonage, that cry raised a 
sleepers from their beds. 

910
00:53:50,200 --> 00:53:54,700
It's struck cold to our hearts. 
And I stood gazing at homes and 

911
00:53:54,700 --> 00:53:58,500
he at me until the last Echoes 
of it had died away into the 

912
00:53:58,500 --> 00:54:02,500
Silence from which it Rose. 
What can it mean? 

913
00:54:02,900 --> 00:54:06,300
I gasped. 
It means that it is all over, 

914
00:54:06,600 --> 00:54:10,100
Holmes, answered. 
And perhaps after all it is for 

915
00:54:10,100 --> 00:54:13,300
the best, take your pistol and 
we will enter dr. 

916
00:54:13,300 --> 00:54:17,400
Roylott's room. 
With a grave face, he lit the 

917
00:54:17,400 --> 00:54:20,600
lamp and led the way down the 
corridor twice. 

918
00:54:20,600 --> 00:54:23,500
He struck at the chamber door 
without any reply from within 

919
00:54:24,300 --> 00:54:28,100
and he turned the handle and 
entered I at his heels. 

920
00:54:28,100 --> 00:54:29,800
With the cocked pistol in my 
hand. 

921
00:54:30,900 --> 00:54:34,700
It was a singular sight, which 
met our eyes on the tables to 

922
00:54:34,700 --> 00:54:36,400
the dark lantern with the 
shutter. 

923
00:54:36,400 --> 00:54:39,700
Half open, throwing a brilliant 
beam of light, upon the iron 

924
00:54:39,700 --> 00:54:42,300
safe, the door of which was 
ajar. 

925
00:54:43,200 --> 00:54:46,700
Beside this table on the wooden 
chair, sat, dr. 

926
00:54:46,700 --> 00:54:51,200
Grimesby roylott clad in a long 
grey dressing-gown, his bare 

927
00:54:51,200 --> 00:54:53,800
ankles protruding beneath and 
his feet. 

928
00:54:53,800 --> 00:54:56,400
Thrust into red. 
Heelless, Turkish slippers 

929
00:54:57,400 --> 00:54:59,900
across his lap. 
Play the short stock with a long

930
00:54:59,900 --> 00:55:02,000
lash, which we had noticed. 
During the day. 

931
00:55:02,800 --> 00:55:05,800
His chin was cocked upward and 
his eyes were fixed in a 

932
00:55:05,808 --> 00:55:08,000
dreadful. 
Rigid stare at the corner of the

933
00:55:08,008 --> 00:55:12,300
ceiling round his brow. 
He had a peculiar yellow band 

934
00:55:12,500 --> 00:55:14,900
with brownish. 
Speckles, which seemed to be 

935
00:55:14,900 --> 00:55:18,300
bound tightly around his head as
we entered. 

936
00:55:18,500 --> 00:55:22,500
He made neither sound nor motion
the band. 

937
00:55:22,600 --> 00:55:24,900
The Speckled Band whispered 
Holmes. 

938
00:55:25,700 --> 00:55:29,700
I took a step forward in an 
instant, his strange headgear 

939
00:55:29,700 --> 00:55:33,200
began to move and there reared 
itself from among his hair. 

940
00:55:33,500 --> 00:55:37,800
The squat diamond-shaped head, 
and puffed neck of a loathsome 

941
00:55:37,800 --> 00:55:41,100
servant. 
It is a swamp Adder, cried 

942
00:55:41,100 --> 00:55:43,300
Holmes, the deadliest snake in 
India. 

943
00:55:43,700 --> 00:55:47,600
He has died within 10 seconds of
being bitten violence. 

944
00:55:47,600 --> 00:55:52,000
Does in truth recoil upon the 
violent and the schemer falls 

945
00:55:52,000 --> 00:55:54,000
into the pit, which he digs for 
another. 

946
00:55:54,900 --> 00:55:58,300
Let us thrust this creature back
into its den and we can then 

947
00:55:58,300 --> 00:56:02,000
remove Miss Stoner to some place
of shelter and let the County 

948
00:56:02,000 --> 00:56:05,700
Police know what has happened. 
As he spoke. 

949
00:56:05,900 --> 00:56:08,600
He drew the dog-whip swiftly 
from the dead man's lap. 

950
00:56:09,200 --> 00:56:11,500
I'm throwing the Noose around 
the reptiles neck. 

951
00:56:11,700 --> 00:56:15,400
He drew it from its horrid perch
and carrying it at arm's length.

952
00:56:15,600 --> 00:56:18,900
Threw it into the iron safe, 
which he closed upon it. 

953
00:56:20,300 --> 00:56:22,600
Such are the true facts of the 
death of dr. 

954
00:56:22,600 --> 00:56:24,900
Grimesby. 
Roylott of stoke Moran. 

955
00:56:25,900 --> 00:56:28,500
It is not necessary that I 
should prolong a narrative, 

956
00:56:28,500 --> 00:56:31,300
which is already run to to 
Greater lengths by telling how 

957
00:56:31,300 --> 00:56:35,200
we broke the sad news to the 
terrified girl, how we conveyed 

958
00:56:35,200 --> 00:56:37,300
her by the morning? 
Train to the care of her good. 

959
00:56:37,300 --> 00:56:41,500
Aunt, at Harrow of how the slow 
process of official inquiry came

960
00:56:41,500 --> 00:56:44,500
to the conclusion that the 
doctor met his fate while 

961
00:56:44,500 --> 00:56:47,100
indiscreetly, playing with a 
dangerous pet. 

962
00:56:48,100 --> 00:56:49,900
But little, which I had yet to 
learn of the case. 

963
00:56:50,400 --> 00:56:54,100
Was told me by Sherlock Holmes 
as we travelled back next day. 

964
00:56:55,300 --> 00:57:00,500
I had said he come to an 
entirely erroneous conclusion, 

965
00:57:00,700 --> 00:57:03,800
which shows my dear Watson, how 
dangerous it is. 

966
00:57:03,800 --> 00:57:07,400
Always to reason from 
insufficient data, the presence 

967
00:57:07,400 --> 00:57:11,600
of the gipsies and the use of 
the word band, which was used by

968
00:57:11,600 --> 00:57:13,800
the poor girl. 
No doubt to explain the 

969
00:57:13,800 --> 00:57:16,600
appearance, which she had caught
A hurried glimpse of, by the 

970
00:57:16,600 --> 00:57:19,400
light of her match, were 
sufficient to put me upon an 

971
00:57:19,400 --> 00:57:21,000
entirely. 
Wrong scent. 

972
00:57:22,000 --> 00:57:25,300
I can only claim the Merit that 
I instantly reconsidered my 

973
00:57:25,300 --> 00:57:27,800
position. 
When, however, it became clear 

974
00:57:27,800 --> 00:57:30,700
to me that whatever danger 
threatened, an occupant of the 

975
00:57:30,700 --> 00:57:34,100
room could not come either from 
the window or the door. 

976
00:57:35,000 --> 00:57:38,100
My attention was speedily drawn 
as I have already remarked, to 

977
00:57:38,100 --> 00:57:42,200
you to this ventilator and to 
the bell-rope which hung down to

978
00:57:42,200 --> 00:57:46,600
the bed, the discovery that this
was a dummy and that the bed was

979
00:57:46,600 --> 00:57:50,000
clamped to the floor instantly 
gave rise to the suspicion. 

980
00:57:50,400 --> 00:57:53,300
That the Rope was there as a 
bridge for something passing 

981
00:57:53,300 --> 00:57:57,700
through the hole and coming to 
the bed, the idea of a snake 

982
00:57:57,700 --> 00:58:00,500
instantly occurred to me. 
And when I coupled it with my 

983
00:58:00,500 --> 00:58:03,600
knowledge that the doctor was 
furnished with a supply of 

984
00:58:03,600 --> 00:58:06,700
creatures from India. 
I felt that I was probably on 

985
00:58:06,700 --> 00:58:10,500
the right track the idea of 
using a form of poison, which 

986
00:58:10,500 --> 00:58:13,400
could not possibly be discovered
by any chemical test. 

987
00:58:13,600 --> 00:58:17,200
Was just such a one as would 
occur to a clever and ruthless 

988
00:58:17,200 --> 00:58:19,300
man who had had an Eastern 
training. 

989
00:58:20,100 --> 00:58:23,300
The rapidity with which such a 
poison would take effect would 

990
00:58:23,300 --> 00:58:25,500
also from his point of view, be 
an advantage. 

991
00:58:25,500 --> 00:58:29,800
It would be a sharp-eyed coroner
indeed, who could distinguish 

992
00:58:29,800 --> 00:58:32,700
the two little dark punctures, 
which would show where the 

993
00:58:32,700 --> 00:58:34,200
poison fangs had done their 
work. 

994
00:58:34,200 --> 00:58:39,600
Then I thought of the whistle, 
of course, he must recall the 

995
00:58:39,600 --> 00:58:42,200
snake before, the Morning, Light
revealed it to the victim. 

996
00:58:42,200 --> 00:58:45,700
He had trained it probably by 
the use of the milk, which we 

997
00:58:45,700 --> 00:58:49,500
saw to return to him when 
summoned, he would put it 

998
00:58:49,508 --> 00:58:51,700
through this ventilator. 
Ventilator at the hour that he 

999
00:58:51,700 --> 00:58:55,200
thought best with the certainty 
that it would crawl down the 

1000
00:58:55,200 --> 00:59:00,200
rope and land on the bed. 
It might or might not bite the 

1001
00:59:00,200 --> 00:59:03,500
occupant, perhaps she might 
Escape every night for a week, 

1002
00:59:04,000 --> 00:59:06,700
but sooner or later she must 
fall a victim. 

1003
00:59:07,700 --> 00:59:09,800
I had come to these conclusions 
before ever. 

1004
00:59:09,800 --> 00:59:13,300
I had entered his room 
inspection of his chair showed 

1005
00:59:13,300 --> 00:59:14,500
me that. 
He had been in the habit of 

1006
00:59:14,500 --> 00:59:18,000
standing on it, which of course 
would be necessary in order that

1007
00:59:18,000 --> 00:59:22,700
he should reach the ventilator. 
The site of the safe, the saucer

1008
00:59:22,700 --> 00:59:25,900
of milk and the loop of whipcord
were enough to finally dispel 

1009
00:59:25,900 --> 00:59:27,800
any doubts, which may have 
remained. 

1010
00:59:28,700 --> 00:59:32,600
The metallic clang heard by Miss
Stoner was obviously caused by 

1011
00:59:32,600 --> 00:59:34,700
her stepfather. 
Hastily closing. 

1012
00:59:34,700 --> 00:59:38,900
The door of his safe upon its 
terrible occupant having once 

1013
00:59:38,900 --> 00:59:42,500
made up my mind, you know, the 
steps which I took in order to 

1014
00:59:42,500 --> 00:59:46,700
put the matter to the proof. 
I heard the creature hiss as I 

1015
00:59:46,707 --> 00:59:49,200
have. 
No doubt that you did also and I

1016
00:59:49,200 --> 00:59:51,500
instantly lit the light and 
attacked it. 

1017
00:59:52,500 --> 00:59:54,500
With the result of driving 
through the ventilator. 

1018
00:59:55,700 --> 00:59:58,400
And also, with the result of 
causing it to turn upon its 

1019
00:59:58,400 --> 01:00:02,600
Master at the other side, some 
of the blows of my cane came 

1020
01:00:02,600 --> 01:00:04,500
home and roused, its snakish 
temper. 

1021
01:00:05,000 --> 01:00:06,900
So that it flew upon the first 
person. 

1022
01:00:06,900 --> 01:00:09,800
It's, or in this way. 
I am. 

1023
01:00:09,800 --> 01:00:12,100
No doubt. 
Indirectly responsible for dr. 

1024
01:00:12,100 --> 01:00:16,600
Grimesby roylott's, death. 
And I cannot say that it is 

1025
01:00:16,600 --> 01:00:21,500
likely to weigh very heavily 
upon my conscience end of the 

1026
01:00:21,500 --> 01:00:23,500
adventure of the Speckled Band.