"The least sound fatal to our plans "

I nodded to show that I had heard

" sit without light see it ventilator "

I nodded again

" go asleep; your very life may depend upon it Have your pistol ready need it sit side bed, and you chair "

out my revolver and laid it corner table

Holmes had brought up long thin cane, and this he placed bed beside him he laid the box of matches stump of candle Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left in darkness

How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil ? hear sound, not even the drawing of breath, and yet that my companion sat open-eyed, within few feet of me, same state of nervous tension myself The shutters cut off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness From outside came the occasional cry of night-bird, and once at our very window long drawn catlike whine, which told us cheetah was indeed at liberty Far away hear the deep tones parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of an hour How long they seemed, those quarters ! Twelve struck, and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for whatever might befall

Suddenly the momentary gleam of light up direction ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was succeeded by strong smell of burning oil and heated metal Someone next room had lit dark-lantern I heard gentle sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the smell grew stronger For half an hour I sat with straining ears Then suddenly another sound became audible -- very gen- tle, soothing sound, like that of small jet of steam escaping continually from kettle The instant that we heard it, Holmes sprang bed, struck match, and lashed furiously cane bell-pull

" it, Watson ? " he yelled " it ? "

But nothing moment when Holmes struck the light I heard low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my weary eyes made it impossible what at which my friend lashed so savagely , however, see that his face was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing -

He had ceased to strike and was gazing up ventilator when suddenly there broke silence night the most horrible cry ever listened It swelled up louder and louder, hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled one dreadful shriek They say that away down village, and even distant parsonage, that cry raised the sleepers from their beds It struck cold to our hearts, and I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it had died away silence it rose

"What can it mean ? " I gasped

"It means all over," Holmes answered "And per- haps, after all, best Take your pistol, and enter Dr Roylott's room "

With grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the corridor Twice he struck chamber door without any reply from within Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his heels, cocked pistol in my hand

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

"The band ! the speckled band ! " whispered Holmes

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

" swamp adder ! " cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in India He has died within ten seconds of being bitten Violence does, in truth, recoil violent, schemer falls pit which he digs for another thrust this creature back into its den, and then remove Miss Stoner to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has happened " As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly dead man's lap, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it iron safe, which he closed upon it Such are the true facts death of Dr Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran necessary that prolong narrative already run to too great length by telling how we broke the sad news terrified girl, how we con- veyed her morning train care of her good aunt at Harrow, of how the slow process of official inquiry came conclusion doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with dangerous pet The little which I had yet to learn case was told me by Sherlock Holmes travelled back

"I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from insufficient data The presence gypsies, use word 'band,' used poor girl, to explain the appearance which she had caught hurried glimpse of light of her match, were sufficient me upon an entirely wrong scent only claim the merit that I instantly reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear that whatever danger threatened an occupant room come either window or the door My attention was speedily drawn, as already remarked , ventilator, and bell-rope which hung down bed The discovery was dummy, and bed was clamped floor, instantly gave rise suspicion rope was there as bridge for something passing hole and coming bed The idea of snake instantly occurred , and when I coupled it with my knowledge doctor was furnished with supply of creatures from India, that probably right track The idea of using form of poison which possibly be discovered by any chemical test was just such one as would occur to clever and ruthless man who had had an Eastern training The rapidity such poison would take effect would also, point of view, be an advantage It sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the poison fangs had done their work Then whistle recall the snake morning light revealed it victim He had trained it, probably use milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned put it ventilator hour that he thought best, certainty would crawl down the rope and land bed It might or bite the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for week, but sooner or later fall victim

"I had come conclusions before ever I had entered his room An inspection chair showed me that he habit of standing , which necessary reach the ventilator The sight safe, the saucer of milk, loop of whipcord were enough to finally dispel any doubts have remained The metallic clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfa- ther hastily closing the door safe upon its terrible occu- pant Having once made up my mind, the steps which the matter proof I heard the creature hiss as that also, and I instantly lit the light and attacked it "

" result of driving it ventilator "

"And also result of causing it upon its master other side blows cane came home and roused its snakish temper, so flew first person it saw indirectly responsible for Dr Grimesby Roylott's death, and I likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience "