No. 8 The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle

No. 8 The Adventure of the Speckled Band by Arthur Conan Doyle
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pokers

knots

Waterloo were fortunate catching train for Leatherhead, where hired trap at_the station inn and drove for four five miles through_the lovely surrey laries it_was perfect day , with bright sun and few fleecy clouds in_the heavens the trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots, and_the air was full of_the pleasant smell of_the moist earth to_me at_least there_was strange contrast between_the sweet promise of_the spring and this sinister quest upon_which were engaged companion sat in_the front of_the trap , his arms folded , his hat pulled down over his eyes , and_his chin sunk upon his breast , buried in_the deepest thought suddenly , however , started , tapped on_the shoulder , and pointed over the meadows

" look there ! " said

heavily timbered park stretched gentle slope , thick - ening mto grove at_the highest point from amid the branches there jutted out the gray gables and high roof - tree very old mansion

" stoke Moran ? " said

" yes , sir , that the house Dr Grimesby Roylott," remarked the driver

" there_is some building going there ," said Holmes; " that_is where we_are going "

" there 's the village ," said the driver , pointing cluster roofs some distance to_the left ; " but if_you_want to_get to_the house , you 'll find shorter to_get over this stile , and by_the foot - path over the fields there it_is , where the lady walking "

" and_the lady , I fancy , miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his eyes " yes , i_think had better as_you suggest "

got off , paid our fare , and_the trap rattled back its way Leatherhead

" i_thought as_well ," said Holmes as_we climbed the stile , " that_this fellow should think had come here architects, some definite business may stop his gossip good - afternoon , miss Stoner you_see that we_have_been good our word "

our client of_the morning had hurried forward meet with face which spoke her joy " I_have_been waiting eagerly for_you ," she cried , shaking hands with_us warmly " all has turned out splendidly Dr Roylott has gone town , and it_is unlikely that he_will_be back before evening "

" we_have_had the pleasure making the doctor 's acquaint - ance," said Holmes, and few words sketched out what had occurred miss Stoner turned white to_the lips she listened

" good heavens ! " she cried , " has followed , then "

" appears "

" he_is cunning that I never know when I_am safe from_him what_will say when returns ? "

" he_must guard himself , for he_may find that_there_is some - one more cunning than himself upon his track you_must lock yourself from_him - night he_is violent , we_shall take you away your aunt 's harrow now , we_must make_the best use of_our time , kindly take once to_the rooms which_we_are examine " Josef Friedrich, 1906

the building was gray , lichen -blotched stone , with high central portion and two curving wings, like the claws crab , thrown out each side one_of_these wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly caved , ruin the central portion was little better repair , but the right - hand block was comparatively modern , and_the blinds in_the windows, with_the blue smoke curling from_the chimneys, showed that_this was where the family resided some scaffolding had_been erected against the end wall , and_the stone - work broken into , but there were signs any workmen at_the moment of_our visit Holmes walked slowly and down the ill - trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the outsides of_the windows

" this , I take , belongs to_the room in_which_you used sleep , the centre one your sister 's, and_the one next to_the main building Dr Roylott's chamber ? "

" exactly but I_am now sleeping in_the middle one "

" pending the alterations, I understand by_the_way , there does_not seem_to_be any very pressing need for repairs at_that end wall "

" there were none I believe that_it_was excuse move from room "

"Ah ! that_is suggestive now , on_the other side of_this narrow wing runs the corridor from_which these three rooms open there_are windows in_it , of_course ? " " yes , but very_small ones too narrow for anyone to_pass through "

" as_you both locked your doors night , your rooms were unapproachable from_that side now , would you_have the kind - ness to_go into your room and bar your shutters ? "

miss Stoner did , and Holmes, after careful examination through_the open window , endeavoured every way force the shutter open , but without success there_was slit through which knife could_be passed raise the bar then with_his lens tested the hinges, but they were solid iron , built firmly into_the massive masonry " hum ! " said , scratching his chin some perplexity , " theory certainly presents some difficulties one could pass these shutters if_they were bolted well , we_shall see if_the inside throws any light upon_the matter "

small slde door led into_the whitewashed corridor from_which the three bedrooms opened Holmes refused examine the third chamber , passed once to_the second , that in_which miss Stoner was now sleeping, and her sister had met with her fate it_was homely little room , with low ceiling and gaping fireplace , after_the fashion old country -houses brown chest drawers stood one corner , narrow white - counterpaned bed another , and dressing- table on_the left - hand side of_the window these articles, with two small wicker - work chairs, made all the furniture in_the room save for square Wilton carpet in_the centre the boards round and_the panelling of_the walls were brown , worm - eaten oak , old and discoloured that_it may_have dated from_the original building of_the house Holmes drew one_of_the chairs into corner and sat sllent, while his eyes travelled round and round and and down , taking every detail of_the apartment

" where does that bell communicate with ? " asked last pointing thick belt - rope which hung down beside the bed , the tassel actually lying upon_the pi] low

" goes to_the housekeeper 's room "

" looks newer than_the other things ? "

" yes , it_was only put there couple years_ago "

" your sister asked for_it , I suppose ? "

" , I never heard her using used always to_get what wanted for ourselves "

" indeed , seemed unnecessary to_put nice bell - pull there you_will excuse for_a_few_minutes while I satisfy myself as_to_this floor " threw himself down upon his face with_his lens in_his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward , examining minutely the cracks between_the boards then dld the same with_the wood - work with_which the chamber was panelled finally walked over to_the bed and spent some_time staring and running his eye and down the wall finally he_took the bell - rope in_his hand and gave brisk tug

" why , 's dummy ," said

" won 't ring ? "

" , it_is_not even attached wire this_is very interesting you_can see now that_it_is fastened hook just above where the little opening for_the ventilator "

" how very absurd ! I never noticed that before "

" very strange ! " muttered Holmes, pulling at_the rope " there_are one_or_two very singular points about_this room for exam- ple, what fool builder must_be open ventilator into another room , when , with_the same trouble , he_might_have communicated outside air ! "

" that_is also quite modern ," said the lady

" done about_the same time as_the bell - rope ? " remarked Holmes

" yes , there were severa} little changes carried out about_that_time "

" they seem to_have_been most interesting character -- dummy bell -ropes, and ventilators which do_not ventilate with your permission , miss Stoner, we_shall now carry our researches into_the inner apartment "

Dr Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of_his stepdaughter , but was plainly furnished camp - bed , small wooden shelf full books, mostly technical character armchair beside the bed , plain wooden chair against the wail , round table , and large iron safe were the principal things which met the eye Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all of_them with_the keenest interest

" what 's here ? " asked , tapping the safe

" stepfather's business papers "

"Oh ! you_have seen inside , then ? "

" only once , some_years_ago I remember that_it_was full papers "

" there isn't cat in_it , for example ? "

" what strange idea ! "

" well , look at_this ! " he_took small saucer milk which stood on_the top

" ; don't keep cat but there_is cheetah and baboon "

"Ah, yes , of_course ! well , cheetah just big cat, and yet saucer milk does_not very far satisfying its wants, I daresay there_is one point which i_should wish determine " squatted down front of_the wooden chair and examined the seat with_the greatest attention

" thank_you that_is quite settled ," said , rising and putting his lens in_his pocket "Hello ! here_is something interesting ! "

the object which had caught his eye was small dog lash hung one corner of_the bed the lash , however , was curled upon itself and tied to_make loop whipcord

" what do_you make of_that , Watson ? "

" 's common enough lash but I don't know why should_be tied "

" that_is_not quite common , is_it ? Ah, ! 's wicked world , and when clever man turns his brains crime it_is_the worst all i_think that I_have_seen enough now , miss Stoner, and with your permission we_shall walk out upon_the lawn "

I had never seen friend 's face grim his brow dark it_was when turned from_the scene of_this investigation had walked several_times and down the lawn , neither miss Stoner nor myself liking break upon his thoughts before roused himself from_his reverie

" it_is very essential , miss Stoner," said , " that you_should absolutely follow advice every respect "

" I_shall most certainly do_so "

" the matter too serious for any hesitation your life may depend upon your compliance "

"I assure you that I_am your hands "

" in_the first place , both friend and I_must spend the night your room "

both miss Stoner and I gazed him astonishment

" yes , must_be let explain I believe that that_is_the village inn over there ? "

" yes , that_is_the crown "

" very_good your windows would_be visible from there ? "

" certainly "

" you_must confine yourself your room , pretence headache , when your stepfather comes back then when_you hear him retire for_the night , open the shutters your window , undo the hasp , put your lamp there signal to_us , and then withdraw quietly with everything which you_are likely want into_the room which you used occupy I_have no_doubt that , in_spite of_the repairs, you_could manage there for_one night "

"Oh, yes , easily "

" the rest you_will leave in_our hands "

" but what_will you_do ? "

" we_shall spend the night your room , and investi- gate the cause of_this noise which_has disturbed you "

"I believe , Mr Holmes, that you_have already made your mind ," said miss Stoner, laying her hand upon companion 's sleeve

" perhaps I_have "

" then , for pity 's sake , tell what_was the cause of_my sister 's death "

" i_should prefer to_have clearer proofs before I speak "

" you_can at_least tell whether own thought correct , and she died from some sudden fright "

" , I_do_not_think i_think that there_was probably some more tangible cause and now , miss Stoner, we_must leave you for Dr Roylott returned and saw our journey would_be vain good -bye, and brave , for if_you_will what I_have told you you_may rest assured that we_shall soon drive away the dangers that threaten you "

Sherlock Holmes and I had difficulty engaging bed - room and sitting- room at_the crown inn they were on_the upper floor , and from_our window we_could command view of_the avenue gate , and of_the inhabited wing stoke Moran manor house dusk saw Dr Grimesby Roylott drive past , his huge form looming beside the little of_the lad who drove him the boy had some slight difficulty undoing the heavy iron gates, and heard the hoarse roar of_the doctor 's voice and saw the fury with_which shook his clinched fists him the trap drove , and few_minutes later saw sudden light spring among_the trees as_the lamp was lit one_of_the sitting-rooms

" do_you_know , Watson," said Holmes as_we sat together in_the gathering darkness , " I_have really some scruples as_to taking you - night there_is distinct element danger "