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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" I_saw nothing remarkable save the bell - rope , and what purpose that could answer I confess more than I_can imagine "

" you saw the ventilator , too ? "

" yes , but I_do_not_think that_it_is such very unusual thing to_have small opening between two rooms it_was small that rat could hardly pass through "

" I_knew that we_should find ventilator before ever came stoke Moran "

" dear Holmes ! "

"Oh, yes , I_did you remember her statement she said that her sister could smell Dr Roylott's cigar now , of_course that suggested once that there_must_be communication between_the two rooms could only small one , would_have_been remarked upon at_the coroner 's inquiry I deduced ventilator "

" but what harm can there in_that ? "

" well , there_is at_least curious coincidence dates ventilator made , cord hung, and lady who sleeps in_the bed dies does_not that strike you ? "

" I_cannot as_yet see any connection "

" did you observe anything very peculiar about_that bed ? "

" "

" it_was clamped to_the floor did you ever see bed fastened like that before ? "

"I cannot_say that I_have "

" the lady could_not move her bed must always in_the same relative position to_the ventilator and to_the rope -- we_may call , since it_was clearly never meant for bell - pull "

"Holmes," I cried , "I seem to_see dimly what you_are hinting we_are only just in_time to_prevent some subtle and horrible crime "

" subtle enough and horrible enough when doctor does wrong is_the first criminals has nerve and has knowledge palmer and Pritchard were among_the heads of_their profession this man strikes even deeper , but i_think , Watson, that we_shall_be_able strike deeper still but we_shall_have horrors enough before_the night over ; for goodness ' sake let_us_have quiet pipe and turn our minds for few hours some - thing more cheerful "

* * *

about nine o'clock the light among_the trees was extinguished , and all was dark in_the direction of_the manor house two hours passed slowly away , and then , suddenly , just at_the stroke eleven, single bright light shone out right front

" that_is our signal ," said Holmes, springing to_his feet ; " comes from_the middle window "

as_we passed out exchanged few words with_the land - lord , explaining that were going late visit acquaint - ance, and that_it_was possible that we_might spend the night there moment later were out on_the dark road , chill wind blowing in_our faces, and one yellow light twinkling front through_the gloom guide on_our sombre errand

there_was little difficulty entering the grounds, for unre- paired breaches gaped in_the old park wall Making our way among_the trees, reached the lawn , crossed , and were about enter through_the window when out from clump laurel bushes there darted what seemed to_be hideous and distorted child , who threw itself upon_the grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly across the lawn into_the darkness Josef Friedrich, 1906

" god ! " I whispered ; " did you_see ? "

Holmes was for_the moment startled I his hand closed like vise upon wrist in_his agitation then broke into low laugh and put his lips ear

" it_is nice household ," murmured " that_is_the baboon "

I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected there_was cheetah, too ; perhaps we_might find upon our shoulders any moment I confess that I_felt easier mind when , after following Holmes's example and slipping off shoes , I_found myself inside the bedroom companion noise - lessly closed the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table , and cast his eyes round the room all was as_we had seen in_the daytime then creeping to_me and making trumpet of_his hand , whispered into ear again gently that_it_was all that I_could distinguish the words:

" the least sound would_be fatal our plans "

I nodded show that I had heard

" we_must sit without light he_would see through_the ventilator "

I nodded again

" do_not asleep ; your very life may depend upon have your pistol ready in_case we_should need i_will sit on_the side of_the bed , and you in_that chair "

i_took out revolver and laid on_the corner of_the table

Holmes had brought long thin cane , and this placed upon_the bed beside him by_it laid the box matches and_the stump candle then turned down the lamp , and were left darkness

how shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil ? I_could_not hear sound , not even the drawing breath , and yet I_knew that companion sat open - eyed , within few feet , in_the same state nervous tension in_which i_was myself the shutters cut off the least ray light , and waited absolute darkness from outside came the occasional cry night - bird , and once our very window long drawn catlike whine , which told that_the cheetah was indeed liberty far away we_could hear the deep tones of_the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter hour how long they seemed , those quarters ! Twelve struck , and one and two and three , and still sat waiting silently for whatever might befall

suddenly there_was the momentary gleam light in_the direction of_the ventilator , which vanished immediately , but was succeeded strong smell burning oil and heated metal someone in_the next room had lit dark - lantern I heard gentle sound movement , and then all was silent once more , though the smell grew stronger for half hour I sat with straining ears then suddenly another sound became audible -- very gen- tle, soothing sound , like that small jet steam escaping continually from kettle the instant that heard , Holmes sprang from_the bed , struck match , and lashed furiously with_his cane at_the bell - pull

" you_see , Watson ? " yelled " you_see ? "

but I_saw nothing at_the moment when Holmes struck the light I heard low , clear whistle , but the sudden glare flashing into weary eyes made impossible for_me to_tell what it_was which friend lashed savagely I_could , however , see that his face was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing -

had ceased strike and was gazing at_the ventilator when suddenly there broke from_the silence of_the night the most horrible cry to_which I_have ever listened swelled louder and louder , hoarse yell pain and fear and anger all mingled in_the one dreadful shriek they say that away down in_the village , and even in_the distant parsonage , that cry raised the sleepers from their beds struck cold our hearts, and I stood gazing Holmes, and , until the last echoes had died away into_the silence from_which rose

" what can mean ? " I gasped

" means that_it_is all over ," Holmes answered " and per- haps, after all , it_is for_the best take your pistol , and we_will enter Dr Roylott's room "

with grave face lit the lamp and led the way down the corridor twice struck at_the chamber door without any reply from within then turned the handle and entered , I his heels, with_the cocked pistol hand

it_was singular sight which met our eyes on_the table stood dark - lantern with_the shutter half open , throwing brilliant beam light upon_the iron safe , the door which_was ajar beside this table , on_the wooden chair , sat Dr Grimesby Roylott clad long gray dressing- gown , his bare ankles protruding beneath , and_his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers across his lap lay the short stock with_the long lash which had noticed during the day his chin was cocked upward and_his eyes were fixed dreadful , rigid stare at_the corner of_the ceiling round his brow had peculiar yellow band , with brownish speckles, which seemed to_be bound tightly round his head as_we entered he_made neither sound nor motion

" the band ! the speckled band ! " whispered Holmes

i_took step forward instant his strange headgear began move , and there reared itself from among his hair the squat diamond - shaped head and puffed neck loathsome serpent

" it_is swamp adder ! " cried Holmes; " the deadliest snake India has died within ten seconds being bitten violence does, truth , recoil upon_the violent , and_the schemer falls into_the pit which digs for another let_us thrust this creature back into its den , and we_can then remove miss Stoner some place shelter and let the county police know what has happened " spoke drew the dog - whip swiftly from_the dead man 's lap , and throwing the noose round the reptile 's neck drew from its horrid perch and , carrying arm 's length , threw into_the iron safe , which closed upon such are the true facts of_the death Dr Grimesby Roylott, stoke Moran it_is_not necessary that i_should prolong narrative which_has already run too great length telling how broke the sad news to_the terrified girl , how con- veyed her by_the morning train to_the care her good aunt harrow , how the slow process official inquiry came to_the conclusion that_the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with dangerous pet the little which I had yet learn of_the case was told Sherlock Holmes as_we travelled back next_day

"I had ," said , " come entirely erroneous conclusion which shows, dear Watson, how dangerous always reason from insufficient data the presence of_the gypsies, and_the use of_the word ' band ,' which_was used by_the poor girl , no_doubt explain the appearance which she had caught hurried glimpse by_the light her match , were to_put upon entirely wrong scent I_can only claim the merit that I instantly reconsidered position when , however , became clear to_me that whatever danger threatened occupant of_the room could_not come either from_the window the door attention was speedily drawn , I_have already remarked to_you , to_this ventilator , and to_the bell - rope which hung down to_the bed the discovery that_this was dummy , and_that the bed was clamped to_the floor , instantly gave rise to_the suspicion that_the rope was there bridge for something passing through_the hole and coming to_the bed the idea snake occurred to_me , and when I coupled with knowledge doctor was furnished with supply creatures from India , I_felt that i_was probably on_the right track the idea using form poison which could_not possibly discovered any chemical test was just such one would occur clever and ruthless man who had had eastern training the rapidity with_which such poison would take effect would also , from_his point view , advantage would_be sharp - eyed coroner , indeed , who_could distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the poison fangs had done their work then i_thought of_the whistle of_course he_must recall the snake before_the morning light revealed to_the victim had trained , probably by_the use of_the milk which saw , return him when summoned he_would put through_this ventilator at_the hour that thought best , with_the certainty that_it would crawl down the rope and land on_the bed might might_not bite the occupant , perhaps she might escape every night for week , but sooner later she_must fall victim

"I had come to_these conclusions before ever I had entered his room inspection of_his chair showed that had_been in_the habit standing on_it , which of_course would_be necessary in_order_that he_should reach the ventilator the sight of_the safe , the saucer milk , and_the loop whipcord were enough finally dispel any doubts which_may have remained the metallic clang heard miss Stoner was obviously caused her stepfa- ther hastily closing the door of_his safe upon its terrible occu- pant Having once made mind , you_know the steps which i_took in_order to_put the matter to_the proof I heard the creature hiss I_have no_doubt that you_did also , and I instantly lit the light and attacked "

" with_the result driving through_the ventilator "

" and also with_the result causing to_turn upon its master at_the other side some_of_the blows of_my cane came home and roused its snakish temper , so_that flew upon_the first person saw in_this_way I_am no_doubt indirectly responsible for Dr Grimesby Roylott's death , and I cannot_say that_it_is likely weigh very heavily upon conscience "

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