"But terrible change came over our stepfather Instead of making friends and exchanging visits neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed Roylott of Stoke Moran back old family seat, he shut himself up house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his path Violence of temper approaching to mania hereditary men family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been intensified by his long residence tropics series of disgraceful brawls took place, two ended police- court, until at last he became the terror village, folks would fly at his approach, for man of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable anger

"Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over parapet into stream, and only by paying over all the money which gather together that able to avert another public exposure He had no friends at all save the wandering gypsies, and give these vagabonds leave to encamp few acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, and would accept in return the hospitality tents, wandering away sometimes for weeks on end He has passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by correspondent, and he has moment cheetah and baboon, which wander freely over his grounds feared villagers almost as their master

" imagine from what that my poor sister Julia and I had no great pleasure lives No servant would stay , and all the work house She was but thirty of her death, and yet her hair had already begun to whiten, even as mine has "

"Your sister is dead, then ? "

"She died just two , and of her death that understand that, living the life which described, we were little likely anyone own age and position We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we were occasionally allowed short visits lady's house Julia went there at Christmas two , and met there half-pay major of marines, she became engaged My stepfather learned engagement when my sister returned and offered no objection marriage; but wlthin fortnight day which fixed wedding, the terrible event occurred deprived me only companion "

Sherlock Holmes leaning back chair eyes closed head sunk in cushion, but he half opened hls lids now and glanced across at his visitor

"Pray be precise details," said he

" easy so, for every event dreadful time is seared into my memory The manor-house is, as already said, very old, and wing is now inhabited The bedrooms wing are ground floor, the sitting-rooms being central block buildings bedrooms the first is Dr Roylott's, the second my sister's, third my own no communication , but they all open out same corridor Do I make myself plain ? "

"Perfectly so "

"The windows three rooms open out lawn That fatal night Dr Roylott had gone room early, though that he retired to rest, sister was troubled smell strong Indian cigars which his custom to smoke She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where she sat for , chatting about her approaching wedding At eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused door and looked back

" 'Tell me, Helen,' said she, ' ever heard anyone whistle dead night ? '

" 'Never,' said I

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

" 'Certainly not But why ? '

" 'Because few nights always, about three morning, heard low, clear whistle light sleeper, and it has awakened me tell where it came from perhaps next room, perhaps lawn that just whether you had heard it '

" 'No, It those wretched gypsies plantation '

" 'Very likely And yet were lawn, I wonder that hear it also '

" 'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you '

" 'Well, of no great consequence, at any rate ' She smiled back at me, closed my door, and later I heard her key turn lock "

"Indeed," said Holmes " your custom always to lock yourselves in at night ? "

"Always "

"And why ? "

" that I mentioned doctor kept cheetah and baboon We had no feeling of security unless our doors were locked "

"Quite so Pray proceed with your statement "

" sleep that night vague feeling of impending misfortune impressed me My sister and I, recollect, were twins, and how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied wild night The wind was howling outside, rain was beating and splash- ing against the windows Suddenly, amid all the hubbub gale, there burst forth the wild scream of terrified woman my sister's voice I sprang from my bed, wrapped shawl round me, and rushed corridor As I opened my door I seemed to hear low whistle, such as my sister described, and later clanging sound, mass of metal had fallen As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and revolved slowly upon its hinges I stared at it horror-stricken, not knowing about to issue light corridor-lamp my sister appear opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of drunkard I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but moment her knees seemed way and she fell ground She writhed as one in terrible pain, and her limbs were dreadfully convulsed At first that she recognized me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in voice which never forget, 'Oh, my God ! Helen ! It band ! The speckled band ! ' something else which fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger air direction doctor's room, but fresh convulsion seized her and choked her words I rushed out, calling loudly stepfather, and I met him hastening room dressing-gown When he reached my sister's side she was unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent for medical aid village, all efforts were in vain, for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her consciousness Such dreadful end beloved sister " Josef Friedrich, 1906

One moment," said Holmes, " sure whis- tle and metallic sound ? Could you swear ? "

"That was what the county coroner asked me inquiry my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, crash gale creaking of an old house, possibly deceived "

"Was your sister dressed ? "

"No, she was in her night-dress In her right hand was found the charred stump of match, and in her left match-box "

"Showing that she had struck light and looked about her alarm took place important And what conclu- sions did the coroner come to ? "

"He investigated the case with great care, for Dr Roylott's conduct had long been notorious county, but unable any satisfactory cause of death My evidence showed door fastened inner side, windows were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, which were secured every night The walls were carefully sounded, and were shown quite solid all round, flooring was also thoroughly examined, same result The chimney is wide, but is barred up by four large staples certain, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her "

"How about poison ? "

"The doctors examined her , but without success "

"What unfortunate lady died of, then ? "

" my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, though what it frightened her imagine "

"Were there gypsies plantation ? "

"Yes, nearly always some there "

"Ah, and what did you gather allusion to band -- speckled band ? "

"Sometimes thought merely the wild talk of delirium, sometimes referred to some band of people, perhaps very gypsies plantation know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which wear over their heads suggested the strange adjective which she used "

Holmes shook his head like man far from being satisfied

"These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your narrative "