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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8 from_the Adventures Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle

glancing over notes of_the seventy odd cases in_which I_have during_the_last eight years studied the methods of_my friend Sherlock Holmes, I_find many tragic , some comic , large number merely strange , but none commonplace ; for , working he_did rather for_the love of_his art than for_the acquirement wealth , refused associate himself with any investigation which did_not tend towards the unusual , and even the fantastic all these varied cases, however , I_cannot recall any which presented more singular features than that which_was associated with_the well - known surrey family of_the Roylotts stoke Moran the events in_question occurred in_the early days of_my association with Holmes, when were sharing rooms bache- lors baker street it_is possible that I_might_have placed them upon record before , but promise secrecy was_made at_the_time , from_which I_have only been freed during_the_last month by_the untimely death of_the lady to_whom the pledge was given it_is perhaps as_well that_the facts should now come light , for I_have reasons to_know that_there_are widespread rumours as_to_the death Dr Grimesby Roylott which tend make_the matter even more terrible than_the truth

it_was early April in_the year '83 that I woke one morning to_find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed , by_the side of_my bed he_was late riser , rule , and as_the clock on_the mantelpiece showed that_it_was only quarter - past seven, I blinked him some surprise , and perhaps just little resentment , for i_was myself regular habits

" very sorry knock you , Watson," said , " but 's the common lot this_morning Mrs Hudson has_been knocked , she retorted upon , and I you "

" what_is , then -- fire ? "

" ; client seems that young lady has arrived considerable state excitement , who insists upon seeing she_is waiting now in_the sitting- room now , when young ladies wander about_the metropolis at_this hour of_the morning , and knock sleepy people out of_their beds, I presume that_it_is something very pressing which_they_have communicate should prove to_be interesting case , you_would , I_am_sure , wish to_follow from_the outset i_thought , any rate , that i_should call you and give_you the chance "

" dear fellow , i_would_not miss for anything "

I had keener pleasure than following Holmes in_his plofessional investigations, and admiring the rapid deductions, swift intuitions, and yet always founded logical basis wlth which unravelled the problems which were submitted him I rapidly threw clothes and was ready in_a_few_minutes accompany friend down to_the sitting- room lady dressed black and heavily veiled , who had_been sitting in_the window , rose as_we entered

" good - morning , madam ," said Holmes cheerily " name Sherlock Holmes this_is intimate friend and associate , Dr Watson, before whom you_can speak freely before myself Ha ! I_am glad_to_see that Mrs Hudson has had the good sense light the fire pray draw to_it , and I_shall order you cup hot coffee , for I observe that you_are shivering "

"lt is_not cold which makes shiver ," said the woman low voice , changing her seat requested

" what , then ? "

" it_is fear , Mr Holmes it_is terror " she raised her veil she spoke , and could_see that she was indeed pitiable state agitation , her face all drawn and gray , with restless frightened eyes , like those some hunted animal her features and were those woman thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray , and her expression was weary and haggard Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of_his quick , all - comprehensive glances

" you_must not fear ," said soothingly , bending forward and patting her forearm " we_shall soon set matters right , I_have no_doubt you_have come train this_morning , I_see "

" you_know , then ? "

" , but I observe the second half return ticket in_the palm your left glove you_must_have started early , and yet you had good drive dog - cart , along heavy roads, before_you reached the station "

the lady gave violent start and stared bewilderment companion

" there_is mystery , dear madam ," said , smiling " the left arm your jacket spattered with mud less_than seven places the marks are perfectly fresh vehicle save dog - cart which throws mud in_that way , and then only when_you sit on_the left - hand side of_the driver "

" whatever your reasons may_be , you_are perfectly correct ," said she "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead twenty past , and came by_the first train Waterloo sir , I_can stand this strain longer ; I_shall mad if_it continues I_have one to_turn -- none , save only_one , who cares for_me , and , poor fellow , can_be little aid I_have heard you , Mr Holmes; I_have heard you from Mrs Farintosh, whom you helped in_the hour her sore need it_was from her that I had your address Oh, sir , do_you not think that you_could help , too , and at_least throw little light through_the dense darkness which surrounds ? present it_is out of_my power reward you for your services, but month six weeks I_shall_be married , with_the control of_my own income , and then you shall_not find ungrateful "

Holmes turned to_his desk and , unlocking , drew out small case - book , which consulted

"Farintosh," said "Ah yes , I recall the case ; it_was concerned with opal tiara i_think it_was before_your time , Watson I_can only say , madam , that I_shall_be happy devote the same care your case I_did to_that your friend as_to reward , profession its own reward ; but you_are liberty defray whatever expenses I_may_be put , at_the_time which suits you best and now I beg that you_will lay before_us everything that_may help_us forming opinion upon_the matter "

" alas ! " replied our visitor , " the very horror of_my situation lies in_the fact that fears are vague , and suspicions depend entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial another , that even to_whom all others I_have right look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about_it as_the fancies nervous woman he_does_not say , but I_can read from_his soothing answers and averted eyes but I_have heard , Mr Holmes, that you_can see deeply into_the manifold wickedness of_the human heart you_may advise how walk amid the dangers which encompass "

" I_am all attention , madam "

" name Helen Stoner, and I_am living with stepfa- ther, who is_the last survivor one_of_the oldest Saxon families England , the Roylotts stoke Moran, on_the western border surrey "

Holmes nodded his head " the name familiar to_me ," said

" the family was one_time among_the richest England , and_the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in_the north , and Hampshire in_the west in_the last century , however , four successive heirs were dissolute and wasteful disposi- tion, and_the family ruin was eventually completed gambler in_the days of_the regency nothing was left save few acres ground , and_the two - hundred - year - old house , which_is itself crushed under heavy mortgage the last squire dragged out his exis- tence there , living the horrible life aristocratic pauper ; but his only son , stepfather, seeing that he_must adapt himself to_the new conditions, obtained advance from relative , which enabled him to_take medical degree and went out Calcutta , where , his professional skill and_his force character , established large practice fit anger , however , caused some robberies which had_been perpetrated in_the house , beat his native butler death and narrowly escaped capital sen- tence it_was , suffered long term imprisonment and afterwards returned England morose and disappointed man

" when Dr Roylott was India married mother , Mrs Stoner, the young widow major - general Stoner, of_the Bengal artillery sister Julia and I were twins, and were only two years old at_the_time of_my mother 's re- marriage she had considerable sum money -- not less_than lOOO pounds year -- and this she bequeathed Dr Roylott entirely while resided with_him , with provision that certain annual sum should_be allowed each in_the event of_our shortly after our return England mother died -- she was killed eight years_ago railway accident near Crewe Dr Roylott then abandoned his attempts establish himself practice London and took live with_him in_the old ancestral house stoke Moran the money which mother had left was enough for all our wants, and there seemed to_be obstacle our happiness

" but terrible change came over our stepfather about_this_time instead making friends and exchanging visits with_our neighbours, who had first been overjoyed to_see Roylott stoke Moran back in_the old family seat , shut himself in_his house and seldom came out save indulge ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his path violence temper approaching mania has_been hereditary in_the men of_the family , and stepfather's case had , I believe , been intensified his long residence in_the tropics series disgraceful brawls took place , two of_which ended in_the police - court , until last became the terror of_the village , and_the folks would fly his approach , for he_is man immense strength , and absolutely uncontrollable in_his anger

" last week hurled the local blacksmith over parapet into stream , and it_was only paying over all the money which I_could gather together that i_was able avert another public exposure had friends all save the wandering gypsies, and he_would give these vagabonds leave encamp upon_the few acres bramble - covered land which represent the family estate , and would accept return the hospitality of_their tents, wandering away with_them sometimes for weeks end has passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over him correspondent , and has at_this moment cheetah and baboon , which wander freely over his grounds and_are feared by_the villagers almost as_much their master

" you_can imagine from what I_say that poor sister Julia and I had great pleasure in_our lives servant would stay with_us , and for_a_long_time we_did all the work of_the house she was but thirty at_the_time her death , and yet her hair had already begun whiten , even mine has "

" your sister dead , then ? "

" she died just two years_ago , and it_is her death that i_wish to_speak to_you you_can understand that , living the life which I_have described , were little likely to_see anyone of_our own age and position had , however , aunt , mother 's maiden sister , miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near harrow , and were occasionally allowed to_pay short visits at_this lady 's house Julia went there Christmas two years_ago , and met there half - pay major marines, to_whom she became engaged stepfather learned of_the engagement when sister returned and offered objection to_the marriage ; but wlthin fortnight of_the day which had_been fixed for_the wedding, the terrible event occurred which_has deprived of_my only companion "

Sherlock Holmes had_been leaning back in_his chair with_his eyes closed and_his head sunk cushion , but half opened hls lids now and glanced across his visitor

" pray precise as_to details," said

" it_is easy for_me to_be , for every event of_that dreadful time seared into memory the manor - house , I_have already said , very old , and only_one wing now inhabited the bedrooms in_this wing are on_the ground floor , the sitting-rooms being in_the central block of_the buildings of_these bedrooms the first Dr Roylott's, the second sister 's, and_the third own there_is communication between_them , but they all open out into_the same corridor I make myself plain ? "

" perfectly "

" the windows of_the three rooms open out upon_the lawn that fatal night Dr Roylott had gone to_his room early , though we_knew that had_not retired rest , for_my sister was troubled by_the smell of_the strong Indian cigars which it_was his custom smoke she left her room , therefore , and came into mine , where she sat for some_time , chatting about her approaching wedding eleven o'clock she rose leave , but she paused at_the door and looked back

" ' tell , Helen,' said she , ' have_you ever heard anyone whistle in_the dead of_the night ? '

" ' never ,' said I

" 'I suppose that you_could_not possibly whistle , yourself , your sleep ? '

" ' certainly not but why ? '

" ' because during_the_last few nights I_have always , about three in_the morning , heard low , clear whistle I_am light sleeper , and has awakened I_cannot tell where came from perhaps from_the next room , perhaps lawn i_thought that i_would just ask_you whether you had heard '

" ' , I_have_not must_be those wretched gypsies in_the plantation '

" ' very likely and yet if_it were on_the lawn , I wonder that you_did_not hear also '

" 'Ah, but I sleep

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