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BAND SPECKLED THE.
Fantastic the even and, unusual the towards tend not did which
investigation any with himself associate to refused he, wealth of
acquirement the for than art his of love the for rather did he as
working, for; commonplace none but, strange merely number large a, comic
some, tragic many find I, Holmes Sherlock friend my of methods the
studied years eight last the during have I which in cases odd seventy
the of notes my over glancing on.
Moran Stoke of Roylotts the of family Surrey well-known the with
associated was which that than features singular more presented which
any recall cannot I, however, cases varied these all of.
Street Baker in bachelors as rooms sharing were we when, Holmes with
association my of days early the in occurred question in events the.
Given was pledge the whom to lady the of death untimely the by month
last the during freed been only have I which from, time the at made was
secrecy of promise a but, before record upon them placed have might I
that possible is it. Dr of death the to as rumours widespread are there
that know to reasons have I for, light to come now should facts the that
well as perhaps is it. Truth the than terrible more even matter the make
to tend which Roylott grimesby.
Bed my of side the by, dressed fully, standing Holmes Sherlock find to
morning one woke I that '83 year the in April in early was it. Habits my
in regular myself was I for, resentment little a just perhaps and,
surprise some in him at up blinked I, seven quarter-past a only was it
that me showed mantelpiece the on clock the as and, rule a as, riser
late a was he.
"Morning this lot common the it's but", he said", Watson, up you knock
to sorry very. Mrs. You on I and, me upon retorted she, up knocked been
has hudson."
"Fire then--a, it is what?"
"Client a; no. Me seeing upon insists who, excitement of state
considerable a in arrived has lady young a that seems it. Sitting-room
the in now waiting is she. Communicate to have they which pressing very
something is it that presume I, beds their of out up people sleepy knock
and, morning the of hour this at metropolis the about wander ladies
young when, now. Outset the from it follow to wish, sure am I, would
you, case interesting an be to prove it should. Chance the you give and
you call should I that, rate any at, thought I."
"Anything for it miss not would I, fellow dear my."
Him to submitted were which problems the unravelled he which with basis
logical a on founded always yet and, intuitions as swift as, deductions
rapid the admiring in and, investigations professional his in Holmes
following in than pleasure keener no had I. Sitting-room the to down
friend my accompany to minutes few a in ready was and clothes my on
threw rapidly I. Entered we as rose, window the in sitting been had who,
veiled heavily and black in dressed lady a.
"Cheerily Holmes said", madam, good-morning. "Holmes Sherlock is name
my. Dr, associate and friend intimate my is this. Myself before as
freely as speak can you whom before, watson. Ha! Mrs that see to glad am
I. Fire the light to sense good the had has hudson. Shivering are you
that observe I for, coffee hot of cup a you order shall I and, it to up
draw pray."
"Requested as seat her changing, voice low a in woman the said", shiver
me makes which cold not is it.
"Then, what?"
"Mr, fear is it. Holmes. Terror is it." Animal hunted some of those
like, eyes frightened restless with, grey and drawn all face her,
agitation of state pitiable a in indeed was she that see could we and,
spoke she as veil her raised she. Haggard and weary was expression her
and, grey premature with shot was hair her but, thirty of woman a of
those were figure and features her.
Glances all-comprehensive, quick his of one with over her ran Holmes
sherlock.
"Forearm her patting and forward bending, soothingly he said", fear not
must you. "Doubt no have I, right matters set soon shall we. See I,
morning this train by in come have you."
"Then, me know you?"
"Glove left your of palm the in ticket return a of half second the
observe I but, no. Station the reached you before, roads heavy along,
dog-cart a in drive good a had you yet and, early started have must
you."
Companion my at bewilderment in stared and start violent a gave lady
the.
"Smiling, he said", madam dear my, mystery no is there. "Places seven
than less no in mud with spattered is jacket your of arm left the. Fresh
perfectly are marks the. Driver the of side left-hand the on sit you
when only then and, way that in mud up throws which dog-cart a save
vehicle no is there."
"She said", correct perfectly are you, be may reasons your whatever.
"Waterloo to train first the by in came and, past twenty at Leatherhead
reached, six before home from started I. Continues it if mad go shall I;
longer no strain this stand can I, sir.
Aid little of be can, fellow poor, he and, me for cares who, one only
save, to--none turn to one no have I. Mr, you of heard have I. Mrs from
you of heard have I; holmes. Need sore her of hour the in helped you
whom, farintosh. Address your had I that her from was it. Me surrounds
which darkness dense the through light little a throw least at and, too,
me help could you that think not you do, sir, oh? Ungrateful me find not
shall you least at then and, income own my of control the with, married
be shall I weeks six or month a in but, services your for you reward to
power my of out is it present at."
Consulted he which, case-book small a out drew, it unlocking, and desk
his to turned holmes.
"He said", farintosh. "Tiara opal an with concerned was it; case the
recall I, yes ah. Watson, time your before was it think I. Friend your
of that to did I as case your to care same the devote to happy be shall
I that, madam, say only can I. Best you suits which time the at, to put
be may I expenses whatever defray to liberty at are you but; reward own
its is profession my, reward to as. Matter the upon opinion an forming
in us help may that everything us before lay will you that beg I now
and."
"Alas!" Woman nervous a of fancies the as it about him tell I that all
upon looks advice and help for look to right a have I others all of whom
to he even that, another to trivial seem might which, points small upon
entirely so depend suspicions my and, vague so are fears my that fact
the in lies situation my of horror very the", visitor our replied. Eyes
averted and answers soothing his from it read can I but, so say not does
he. Mr, heard have I but. Heart human the of wickedness manifold the
into deeply see can you that, holmes. Me encompass which dangers the
amid walk to how me advise may you."
"Madam, attention all am I."
"Surrey of border western the on, Moran Stoke of Roylotts the, England
in families Saxon oldest the of one of survivor last the is who,
stepfather my with living am I and, Stoner Helen is name my."
Head his nodded holmes. "He said", me to familiar is name the.
"West the in Hampshire and, north the in Berkshire into borders the over
extended estates the and, England in richest the among time one at was
family the. Regency the of days the in gambler a by completed eventually
was ruin family the and, disposition wasteful and dissolute a of were
heirs successive four, however, century last the in. Mortgage heavy a
under crushed itself is which, house two-hundred-year-old the and,
ground of acres few a save left was nothing. Practice large a
established he, character of force his and skill professional his by,
where, Calcutta to out went and degree medical a take to him enabled
which, relative a from advance an obtained, conditions new the to
himself adapt must he that seeing, stepfather my, son only his but;
pauper aristocratic an of life horrible the living, there existence his
out dragged squire last the. Sentence capital a escaped narrowly and
death to butler native his beat he, house the in perpetrated been had
which robberies some by caused, however, anger of fit a in. Man
disappointed and morose a England to returned afterwards and
imprisonment of term long a suffered he, was it as.
"Dr when. Mrs, mother my married he India in was roylott. Artillery
Bengal the of, Stoner Major-General of widow young the, stoner.
Re-marriage mother's my of time the at old years two only were we and,
twins were I and Julia sister my. Dr to bequeathed she this year--and a
pounds 1000 than less money--not of sum considerable a had she. Marriage
our of event the in us of each to allowed be should sum annual certain a
that provision a with, him with resided we while entirely roylott. Crewe
near accident railway a in ago years eight killed was died--she mother
my England to return our after shortly. Dr. Moran Stoke at house
ancestral old the in him with live to us took and London in practice in
himself establish to attempts his abandoned then roylott. Happiness our
to obstacle no be to seemed there and, wants our all for enough was left
had mother my which money the.
"Time this about stepfather our over came change terrible a but.
Path his cross might whoever with quarrels ferocious in indulge to save
out came seldom and house his in up himself shut he, seat family old the
in back Moran Stoke of Roylott a see to overjoyed been first at had who,
neighbours our with visits exchanging and friends making of instead.
Tropics the in residence long his by intensified been, believe I, had it
case stepfather's my in and, family the of men the in hereditary been
has mania to approaching temper of violence. Anger his in uncontrollable
absolutely and, strength immense of man a is he for, approach his at fly
would folks the and, village the of terror the became he last at until,
police-court the in ended which of two, place took brawls disgraceful of
series a.
"Exposure public another avert to able was I that together gather could
I which money the all over paying by only was it and, stream a into
parapet a over blacksmith local the hurled he week last. End on weeks
for sometimes them with away wandering, tents their of hospitality the
return in accept would and, estate family the represent which land
bramble-covered of acres few the upon encamp to leave vagabonds these
give would he and, gipsies wandering the save all at friends no had he.
Master their as much as almost villagers the by feared are and grounds
his over freely wander which, baboon a and cheetah a moment this at has
he and, correspondent a by him to over sent are which, animals Indian
for also passion a has he.
"Lives our in pleasure great no had I and Julia sister poor my that say
I what from imagine can you. House the of work the all did we time long
a for and, us with stay would servant no. Has mine as even, whiten to
begun already had hair her yet and, death her of time the at thirty but
was she."
"Then, dead is sister your?"
"You to speak to wish I that death her of is it and, ago years two just
died she. Position and age own our of anyone see to likely little were
we, described have I which life the living, that understand can you.
House lady's this at visits short pay to allowed occasionally were we
and, Harrow near lives who, Westphail Honoria Miss, sister maiden
mother's my, aunt an, however, had we. Engaged became she whom to,
marines of major half-pay a there met and, ago years two Christmas at
there went julia. Companion only my of me deprived has which occurred
event terrible the, wedding the for fixed been had which day the of
fortnight a within but; marriage the to objection no offered and
returned sister my when engagement the of learned stepfather my."
Visitor his at across glanced and now lids his opened half he but,
cushion a in sunk head his and closed eyes his with chair his in back
leaning been had Holmes sherlock.
"He said", details to as precise be pray.
"Memory my into seared is time dreadful that of event every for, so be
to me for easy is it. Inhabited now is wing one only and, old very, said
already have I as, is manor-house the. Buildings the of block central
the in being sitting-rooms the, floor ground the on are wing this in
bedrooms the. Dr is first the bedrooms these of. Own my third the and,
sister's my second the, roylott's. Corridor same the into out open all
they but, them between communication no is there. Plain myself make I
do?"
"So perfectly."
"Lawn the upon out open rooms three the of windows the. Dr night fatal
that. Smoke to custom his was it which cigars Indian strong the of smell
the by troubled was sister my for, rest to retired not had he that knew
we though, early room his to gone had roylott. Wedding approaching her
about chatting, time some for sat she where, mine into came and,
therefore, room her left she. Back looked and door the at paused she
but, me leave to rose she o'clock eleven at.
"Night the of dead the in whistle anyone heard ever you 'have, she said
', Helen, me 'Tell? '
"I said ', 'Never.
"Sleep your in, yourself, whistle possibly not could you that suppose
'I? '
"Not 'Certainly. Why but? '
"Whistle clear, low a heard, morning the in three about, always have I
nights few last the during 'Because. Me awakened has it and, sleeper
light a am I. Lawn the from perhaps, room next the from from--perhaps
came it where tell cannot I. It heard had you whether you ask just would
I that thought I. '
"Not have I, 'No. Plantation the in gipsies wretched those be must it. '
"Likely 'Very. Also it hear not did you that wonder I, lawn the on were
it if yet and. '
"You than heavily more sleep I but, 'Ah. '
"Rate any at, consequence great no of is it, 'Well. Lock the in turn key
her heard I later moments few a and, door my closed, me at back smiled
She '."
"Holmes said", indeed. "Night at in yourselves lock to always custom
your it was?"
"Always."
"Why and?"
"Baboon a and cheetah a kept doctor the that you to mentioned I that
think I. Locked were doors our unless security of feeling no had we."
"So quite. Statement your with proceed pray."
"Night that sleep not could I. Me impressed misfortune impending of
feeling vague a. Allied closely so are which souls two bind which links
the are subtle how know you and, twins were, recollect will you, I and
sister my. Night wild a was it. Windows the against splashing and
beating was rain the and, outside howling was wind the. Woman terrified
a of scream wild the forth burst there, gale the of hubbub the all amid,
suddenly. Voice sister's my was it that knew I. Corridor the into rushed
and, me round shawl a wrapped, bed my from sprang I. Fallen had metal of
mass a if as, sound clanging a later moments few a and, described sister
my as such, whistle low a hear to seemed I door my opened I as. Hinges
its upon slowly revolved and, unlocked was door sister's my, passage the
down ran I as. It from issue to about was what knowing not,
horror-stricken it at stared I. Drunkard a of that like fro and to
swaying figure whole her, help for groping hands her, terror with
blanched face her, opening the at appear sister my saw I corridor-lamp
the of light the by. Ground the to fell she and way give to seemed knees
her moment that at but, her round arms my threw and her to ran I.
Convulsed dreadfully were limbs her and, pain terrible in is who one as
writhed she. God my, 'Oh, forget never shall I which voice a in out
shrieked suddenly she her over bent I as but, me recognised not had she
that thought I first at! Helen! Band the was it! Band speckled the!
Words her choked and her seized convulsion fresh a but, room doctor's
the of direction the in air the into finger her with stabbed she and,
said have fain would she which else something was There '. Dressing-gown
his in room his from hastening him met I and, stepfather my for loudly
calling, out rushed I. Consciousness her recovered having without died
and sank slowly she for, vain in were efforts all, village the from aid
medical for sent and throat her down brandy poured he though and,
unconscious was she side sister's my reached he when. Sister beloved my
of end dreadful the was such."
"Sound metallic and whistle this about sure you are", Holmes said",
moment one? It to swear you could?"
"Inquiry the at me asked coroner county the what was that. Deceived been
have possibly may I, house old an of creaking the and gale the of crash
the among, yet and, it heard I that impression strong my is it."
"Dressed sister your was?"
"Night-dress her in was she, no. Match-box a left her in and, match a of
stump charred the found was hand right her in."
"Place took alarm the when her about looked and light a struck had she
that showing. Important is that. To come coroner the did conclusions
what and?"
"Dr for, care great with case the investigated he. Death of cause
satisfactory any find to unable was he but, county the in notorious been
long had conduct roylott's. Night every secured were which, bars iron
broad with shutters old-fashioned by blocked were windows the and, side
inner the upon fastened been had door the that showed evidence my.
Result same the with, examined thoroughly also was flooring the and,
round all solid quite be to shown were and, sounded carefully were walls
the. Staples large four by up barred is but, wide is chimney the. End
her met she when alone quite was sister my that, therefore, certain is
it.
Her upon violence any of marks no were there, besides."
"Poison about how?"
"Success without but, it for her examined doctors the."
"Then, of died lady unfortunate this that think you do what?"
"Imagine cannot I her frightened that was it what though, shock nervous
and fear pure of died she that belief my is it."
"Time the at plantation the in gipsies there were?"
"There some always nearly are there, yes."
"Band speckled band--a a to allusion this from gather you did what and,
ah?"
"Plantation the in gipsies very these to perhaps, people of band some to
referred have may it that sometimes, delirium of talk wild the merely
was it that thought have I sometimes. Used she which adjective strange
the suggested have might heads their over wear them of many so which
handkerchiefs spotted the whether know not do I."
Satisfied being from far is who man a like head his shook holmes.
"Narrative your with on go pray"; he said", waters deep very are these."
"Ever than lonelier lately until been has life my and, then since passed
have years two. Marriage in hand my ask to honour the me done has, years
many for known have I whom, friend dear a, however, ago month a. Mr of
son second Armitage--the Armitage--Percy is name his. Reading near,
Water Crane of, armitage. Spring the of course the in married be to are
we and, match the to opposition no offered has stepfather my. Slept she
which in bed very the in sleep to and, died sister my which in chamber
the into move to had have I that so, pierced been has wall bedroom my
and, building the of wing west the in started were repairs some ago days
two. Death own her of herald the been had which whistle low the night
the of silence the in heard suddenly I, fate terrible her over thinking,
awake lay I as, night last when terror of thrill my, then, imagine. Room
the in seen be to was nothing but, lamp the lit and up sprang I. Advice
your asking and you seeing of object one the with morning this on come
have I whence from, Leatherhead to drove and, opposite is which, Inn
Crown the at dog-cart a got, down slipped I daylight was it as soon as
and, dressed I so, however, again bed to go to shaken too was I."
"Friend my said", wisely done have you. "All me told you have but?"
"All, yes."
"Not have you, Roylott miss. Stepfather your screening are you."
"Mean you do what, why?"
Knee visitor's our upon lay that hand the fringed which lace black of
frill the back pushed Holmes answer for. Wrist white the upon printed
were, thumb a and fingers four of marks the, spots livid little five.
"Holmes said", used cruelly been have you.
Wrist injured her over covered and deeply coloured lady the. "Strength
own his knows hardly he perhaps and", said she", man hard a is he."
Fire crackling the into stared and hands his upon chin his leaned Holmes
which during, silence long a was there.
"Last at said he", business deep very a is this. "Action of course our
upon decide I before know to desire should I which details thousand a
are there. Lose to moment a not have we yet. Stepfather your of
knowledge the without rooms these over see to us for possible be it
would, to-day Moran Stoke to come to were we if?"
"Business important most some upon to-day town into coming of spoke he,
happens it as. You disturb to nothing be would there that and, day all
away be will he that probable is it. Way the of out her get easily could
I and, foolish and old is she but, now housekeeper a have we."
"Excellent. Watson, trip this to averse not are you?"
"Means no by."
"Come both shall we then. Yourself do to going you are what?"
"Town in am I that now do to wish would I which things two or one have
I. Coming your for time in there be to as so, train o'clock twelve the
by return shall I but."
"Afternoon the in early us expect may you and. To attend to matters
business small some myself have I. Breakfast and wait not you will?"
"Go must I, no. You to trouble my confided have I since already
lightened is heart my. Afternoon this again you seeing to forward look
shall I." Room the from glided and face her over veil black thick her
dropped she.
"Watson, all it of think you do what and?" Chair his in back leaning,
Holmes Sherlock asked.
"Business sinister and dark most a be to me to seems it."
"Enough sinister and enough dark."
"End mysterious her met she when alone undoubtedly been have must sister
her then, impassable are chimney and, window, door the that and, sound
are walls and flooring the that saying in correct is lady the if yet."
"Woman dying the of words peculiar very the of what and, whistles
nocturnal these of, then, becomes what?"
"Think cannot I."
"Lines those along cleared be may mystery the that think to ground good
is there that think I, place its into back falling shutters the secured
that bars metal those of one by caused been have might which, clang
metallic a heard Stoner Helen Miss that fact the, finally, and, band a
to allusion dying the, marriage stepdaughter's his preventing in
interest an has doctor the that believe to reason every have we that
fact the, doctor old this with terms intimate on are who gipsies of band
a of presence the, night at whistles of ideas the combine you when."
"Do gipsies the did, then, what but?"
"Imagine cannot I."
"Theory such any to objections many see I."
"I do so and. Day this Moran Stoke to going are we that reason that for
precisely is it. Away explained be may they if or, fatal are objections
the whether see to want I. Devil the of name the in what but!"
Aperture the in himself framed had man huge a that and, open dashed
suddenly been had door our that fact the by companion my from drawn been
had ejaculation the. Hand his in swinging hunting-crop a with, gaiters
high of pair a and, frock-coat long a, top-hat black a having,
agricultural the of and professional the of mixture peculiar a was
costume his. Side to side from across it span to seemed breadth his and,
doorway the of bar cross the brushed actually hat his that he was tall
so. Prey of bird old fierce a to resemblance the somewhat him gave, nose
fleshless, thin, high his and, eyes bile-shot, deep-set his while, us of
other the to one from turned was, passion evil every with marked and,
sun the with yellow burned, wrinkles thousand a with seared, face large
a.
"Holmes is you of which?" apparition this asked.
"Quietly companion my said", me of advantage the have you but; sir, name
my.
"Dr am I. Moran Stoke of, Roylott grimesby."
"Blandly Holmes said", Doctor, indeed. "Seat a take pray."
"Kind the of nothing do will I. Here been has stepdaughter my. Her
traced have I. You to saying been she has what?"
"Holmes said", year the of time the for cold little a is it.
"You to saying been she has what?" furiously man old the screamed.
"Imperturbably companion my continued", well promise crocuses the that
heard have I but.
"Ha! You do, off me put you?" hunting-crop his shaking and forward step
a taking, visitor new our said. "Scoundrel you, you know I!
Before you of heard have I. Meddler the, Holmes are you."
Smiled friend my.
"Busybody the, holmes!"
Broadened smile his.
"Jack-in-office Yard Scotland the, holmes!"
Heartily chuckled holmes. "He said", entertaining most is conversation
your. "Draught decided a is there for, door the close out go you when."
"Say my said have I when go will I. Affairs my with meddle to dare you
don't. Here been has Stoner Miss that know I. Her traced I!
Of foul fall to man dangerous a am I! Here see." Hands brown huge his
with curve a into it bent and, poker the seized, forward swiftly stepped
he.
"Room the of out strode he fireplace the into poker twisted the hurling
and, snarled he", grip my of out yourself keep you that see.
"Laughing, Holmes said", person amiable very a seems he. "Own his than
feeble more much not was grip my that him shown have might I remained
had he if but, bulky so quite not am I." Again out it straightened,
effort sudden a with, and poker steel the up picked he spoke he as.
"Force detective official the with me confound to insolence the having
his fancy! Her trace to brute this allowing in imprudence her from
suffer not will friend little our that trust only I and, however,
investigation our to zest gives incident this. Matter this in us help
may which data some get to hope I where, Commons Doctors' to down walk
shall I afterwards and, breakfast order shall we, Watson, now and."
Excursion his from returned Holmes Sherlock when o'clock one nearly was
it. Figures and notes with over scrawled, paper blue of sheet a hand his
in held he.
"He said", wife deceased the of will the seen have I. "Concerned is it
which with investments the of prices present the out work to obliged
been have I meaning exact its determine to. Pounds 750 than more not,
prices agricultural in fall the through, now is, pounds 1100 of short
little was death wife's the of time the at which, income total the.
Marriage of case in, pounds 250 of income an claim can daughter each.
Extent serious very a to him cripple would them of one even while,
pittance mere a had have would beauty this, married had girls both if
that, therefore, evident is it. Sort the of anything of way the in
standing for motives strongest very the has he that proved has it since,
wasted been not has work morning's my. Waterloo to drive and cab a call
shall we, ready are you if so; affairs his in ourselves interesting are
we that aware is man old the as especially, dawdling for serious too is
this, Watson, now and. Pocket your into revolver your slip would you if
obliged much very be should I. No Eley's an. knots into pokers steel
twist can who gentlemen with argument excellent an is 2. Need we that
all, think I, are tooth-brush a and that."
Lanes Surrey lovely the through miles five or four for drove and inn
station the at trap a hired we where, Leatherhead for train a catching
in fortunate were we Waterloo at. Heavens the in clouds fleecy few a and
sun bright a with, day perfect a was it. Earth moist the of smell
pleasant the of full was air the and, shoots green first their out
throwing just were hedges wayside and trees the. Engaged were we which
upon quest sinister this and spring the of promise sweet the between
contrast strange a was there least at me to. Thought deepest the in
buried, breast his upon sunk chin his and, eyes his over down pulled hat
his, folded arms his, trap the of front the in sat companion my. Meadows
the over pointed and, shoulder the on me tapped, started he, however,
suddenly.
"There look!" he said.
Point highest the at grove a into thickening, slope gentle a in up
stretched park timbered heavily a. Mansion old very a of roof-tree high
and gables grey the out jutted there branches the amid from.
"Moran stoke?" he said.
"Dr of house the be that, sir, yes. Driver the remarked", Roylott
grimesby.
"Going are we where is that"; Holmes said", there on going building some
is there."
"Fields the over foot-path the by so and, stile this over get to shorter
it find you'll, house the to get to want you if but"; left the to
distance some roofs of cluster a to pointing, driver the said", village
the there's. Walking is lady the where, is it there."
"Eyes his shading, Holmes observed", Stoner Miss is, fancy I, lady the
and. "Suggest you as do better had we think I, yes."
Leatherhead to way its on back rattled trap the and, fare our paid, off
got we.
"Business definite some on or, architects as here come had we think
should fellow this that", stile the climbed we as Holmes said", well as
it thought I. Gossip his stop may it.
Stoner Miss, good-afternoon. Word our as good as been have we that see
you."
Joy her spoke which face a with us meet to forward hurried had morning
the of client our. "Warmly us with hands shaking, cried she", you for
eagerly so waiting been have I. "Splendidly out turned has all. Dr.
Evening before back be will he that unlikely is it and, town to gone has
roylott."
"Occurred had what out sketched he words few a in and, Holmes said",
acquaintance doctor's the making of pleasure the had have we. Listened
she as lips the to white turned Stoner miss.
"Heavens good!" then, me followed has he", cried she."
"Appears it so."
"Him from safe am I when know never I that cunning so is he. Returns he
when say he will what?"
"Track his upon himself than cunning more someone is there that find may
he for, himself guard must he. To-night him from up yourself lock must
you. Harrow at aunt's your to away you take shall we, violent is he if.
Examine to are we which rooms the to once at us take kindly so, time our
of use best the make must we, now."
Side each on out thrown, crab a of claws the like, wings curving two and
portion central high a with, stone lichen-blotched, grey of was building
the. Ruin of picture a, in caved partly was roof the while, boards
wooden with blocked and broken were windows the wings these of one in.
Resided family the where was this that showed, chimneys the from up
curling smoke blue the with, windows the in blinds the and, modern
comparatively was block right-hand the but, repair better little in was
portion central the.
Visit our of moment the at workmen any of signs no were there but, into
broken been had stone-work the and, wall end the against erected been
had scaffolding some. Windows the of outsides the attention deep with
examined and lawn ill-trimmed the down and up slowly walked holmes.
"Dr to building main the to next one the and, sister's your to one
centre the, sleep to used you which in room the to belongs, it take I,
this. Chamber roylott's?"
"So exactly. One middle the in sleeping now am I but."
"Understand I as, alterations the pending. Wall end that at repairs for
need pressing very any be to seem not does there, way the by."
"None were there. Room my from me move to excuse an was it that believe
I."
"Ah! suggestive is that. Open rooms three these which from corridor the
runs wing narrow this of side other the on, now. Course of, it in
windows are there?"
"Ones small very but, yes. Through pass to anyone for narrow too."
"Side that from unapproachable were rooms your, night at doors your
locked both you as. Shutters your bar and room your into go to kindness
the have you would, now?"
Success without but, open shutter the force to way every in endeavoured,
window open the through examination careful a after, Holmes and, so did
Stoner miss. Bar the raise to passed be could knife a which through slit
no was there. Masonry massive the into firmly built, iron solid of were
they but, hinges the tested he lens his with then. "Hum!" difficulties
some presents certainly theory my", perplexity some in chin his
scratching, he said. Bolted were they if shutters these pass could one
no. Matter the upon light any throws inside the if see shall we, well."
Opened bedrooms three the which from corridor whitewashed the into led
door side small a. Fate her with met had sister her which in and,
sleeping now was Stoner Miss which in that, second the to once at passed
we so, chamber third the examine to refused holmes. Country-houses old
of fashion the after, fireplace gaping a and ceiling low a with, room
little homely a was it. Window the of side left-hand the on
dressing-table a and, another in bed white-counterpaned narrow a, corner
one in stood drawers of chest brown a. Centre the in carpet Wilton of
square a for save room the in furniture the all up made, chairs
wicker-work small two with, articles these. House the of building
original the from dated have may it that discoloured and old so, oak
worm-eaten, brown of were walls the of panelling the and round boards
the. Apartment the of detail every in taking, down and up and round and
round travelled eyes his while, silent sat and corner a into chairs the
of one drew holmes.
"With communicate bell that does where?" pillow the upon lying actually
tassel the, bed the beside down hung which bell-rope thick a to pointing
last at asked he.
"Room housekeeper's the to goes it."
"Things other the than newer looks it?"
"Ago years of couple a there put only was it, yes."
"Suppose I, it for asked sister your?"
"It using her of heard never I, no. Ourselves for wanted we what get to
always used we."
"There bell-pull a nice so put to unnecessary seemed it, indeed.
Floor this to as myself satisfy I while minutes few a for me excuse will
you." Boards the between cracks the minutely examining, forward and
backward swiftly crawled and hand his in lens his with face his upon
down himself threw he. Panelled was chamber the which with wood-work the
with same the did he then. Wall the down and up eye his running in and
it at staring in time some spent and bed the to over walked he finally.
Tug brisk a it gave and hand his in bell-rope the took he finally.
"He said", dummy a it's, why.
"Ring it won't?"
"Wire a to attached even not is it, no. Interesting very is this.
Is ventilator the for opening little the where above just hook a to
fastened is it that now see can you."
"Absurd very how! Before that noticed never I."
"Strange very!" Rope the at pulling, Holmes muttered. "Room this about
points singular very two or one are there. Air outside the with
communicated have might he, trouble same the with, when, room another
into ventilator a open to be must builder a fool a what, example for!"
"Lady the said", modern quite also is that.
"Bell-rope the as time same the about done?" Holmes remarked.
"Time that about out carried changes little several were there, yes."
"Ventilate not do which ventilators and, bell-ropes character--dummy
interesting most a of been have to seem they. Apartment inner the into
researches our carry now shall we, Stoner Miss, permission your with."
Dr. Furnished plainly as was but, step-daughter his of that than larger
was chamber Roylott's grimesby. Eye the met which things principal the
were safe iron large a and, table round a, wall the against chair wooden
plain a, bed the beside armchair an, character technical a of mostly,
books of full shelf wooden small a, camp-bed a. Interest keenest the
with them of all and each examined and round slowly walked holmes.
"Here in what's?" safe the tapping, asked he.
"Papers business stepfather's my."
"Oh! then, inside seen have you?"
"Ago years some, once only. Papers of full was it that remember I."
"Example for, it in cat a isn't there?"
"No. Idea strange a what!"
"This at look, well!" It of top the on stood which milk of saucer small
a up took he.
"Cat a keep don't we; no. Baboon a and cheetah a is there but."
"Course of, yes, ah! Daresay I, wants its satisfying in far very go not
does milk of saucer a yet and, cat big a just is cheetah a, well.
Determine to wish should I which point one is there." Attention greatest
the with it of seat the examined and chair wooden the of front in down
squatted he.
"You thank. Pocket his in lens his putting and rising, he said", settled
quite is that. "Hullo! Interesting something is here!"
Bed the of corner one on hung lash dog small a was eye his caught had
which object the. Whipcord of loop a make to as so tied and itself upon
curled was, however, lash the.
"Watson, that of make you do what?"
"Lash enough common a it's. Tied be should it why know don't I but."
"It is, common so quite not is that? Me, ah! all of worst the is it
crime to brains his turns man clever a when and, world wicked a it's.
Lawn the upon out walk shall we permission your with and, Stoner Miss,
now enough seen have I that think I."
Investigation this of scene the from turned we when was it as dark so
brow his or grim so face friend's my seen never had I. Reverie his from
himself roused he before thoughts his upon in break to liking myself nor
Stoner Miss neither, lawn the down and up times several walked had we.
"Respect every in advice my follow absolutely should you that", he
said", Stoner Miss, essential very is it."
"So do certainly most shall I."
"Hesitation any for serious too is matter the. Compliance your upon
depend may life your."
"Hands your in am I that you assure I."
"Room your in night the spend must I and friend my both, place first the
in."
Astonishment in him at gazed I and Stoner Miss both.
"So be must it, yes. Explain me let. There over inn village the is that
that believe I?"
"Crown the is that, yes."
"Good very. There from visible be would windows your?"
"Certainly."
"Back comes stepfather your when, headache a of pretence on, room your
to yourself confine must you. Occupy to used you which room the into
want to likely are you which everything with quietly withdraw then and,
us to signal a as there lamp your put, hasp the undo, window your of
shutters the open must you, night the for retire him hear you when then.
Night one for there manage could you, repairs the of spite in, that
doubt no have I."
"Easily, yes, oh."
"Hands our in leave will you rest the."
"Do you will what but?"
"You disturbed has which noise this of cause the investigate shall we
and, room your in night the spend shall we."
"Mr, believe I. Sleeve companion's my upon hand her laying, Stoner Miss
said", mind your up made already have you that, holmes.
"Have I perhaps."
"Death sister's my of cause the was what me tell, sake pity's for,
then."
"Speak I before proofs clearer have to prefer should I."
"Fright sudden some from died she if and, correct is thought own my
whether me tell least at can you."
"So think not do I, no. Cause tangible more some probably was there that
think I. Dr if for you leave must we, Stoner Miss, now and. Vain in be
would journey our us saw and returned roylott.
You threaten that dangers the away drive soon shall we that assured rest
may you, you told have I what do will you if for, brave be and,
good-bye."
Inn Crown the at sitting-room and bedroom a engaging in difficulty no
had I and Holmes sherlock. House Manor Moran Stoke of wing inhabited the
of and, gate avenue the of view a command could we window our from and,
floor upper the on were they. Dr saw we dusk at. Him drove who lad the
of figure little the beside up looming form huge his, past drive Roylott
grimesby. Him at fists clinched his shook he which with fury the saw and
voice doctor's the of roar hoarse the heard we and, gates iron heavy the
undoing in difficulty slight some had boy the. Sitting-rooms the of one
in lit was lamp the as trees the among up spring light sudden a saw we
later minutes few a and, on drove trap the.
"To-night you taking to as scruples some really have I", darkness
gathering the in together sat we as Holmes said", Watson, know you do.
Danger of element distinct a is there."
"Assistance of be I can?"
"Invaluable be might presence your."
"Come certainly shall I then."
"You of kind very is it."
"Danger of speak you. Me to visible was than rooms these in more seen
evidently have you."
"More little a deduced have may I that fancy I but, no. Did I that all
saw you that imagine I."
"Imagine can I than more is confess I answer could that purpose what
and, bell-rope the save remarkable nothing saw I."
"Too, ventilator the saw you?"
"Rooms two between opening small a have to thing unusual very a such is
it that think not do I but, yes. Through pass hardly could rat a that
small so was it."
"Moran Stoke to came we ever before ventilator a find should we that
knew I."
"Holmes dear my!"
"Did I, yes, oh. Dr smell could sister her that said she statement her
in remember you. Cigar roylott's. Rooms two the between communication a
be must there that once at suggested that course of, now. Inquiry
coroner's the at upon remarked been have would it or, one small a be
only could it. Ventilator a deduced I."
"That in be there can harm what but?"
"Dates of coincidence curious a least at is there, well. Dies bed the in
sleeps who lady a and, hung is cord a, made is ventilator a. You strike
that not does?"
"Connection any see yet as cannot I."
"Bed that about peculiar very anything observe you did?"
"No."
"Floor the to clamped was it. Before that like fastened bed a see ever
you did?"
"Have I that say cannot I."
"Bed her move not could lady the. Bell-pull a for meant never clearly
was it since, it call may we so rope--or the to and ventilator the to
position relative same the in be always must it."
"At hinting are you what dimly see to seem I", cried I", holmes.
Crime horrible and subtle some prevent to time in just only are we."
"Enough horrible and enough subtle. Criminals of first the is he wrong
go does doctor a when. Knowledge has he and nerve has he.
Profession their of heads the among were Pritchard and palmer.
Still deeper strike to able be shall we that, Watson, think I but,
deeper even strikes man this. Cheerful more something to hours few a for
minds our turn and pipe quiet a have us let sake goodness' for; over is
night the before enough horrors have shall we but."
House Manor the of direction the in dark was all and, extinguished was
trees the among light the o'clock nine about. Us of front in right out
shone light bright single a, eleven of stroke the at just, suddenly,
then and, away slowly passed hours two.
"Window middle the from comes it"; feet his to springing, Holmes said",
signal our is that."
There night the spend might we that possible was it that and,
acquaintance an to visit late a on going were we that explaining,
landlord the with words few a exchanged he out passed we as. Errand
sombre our on us guide to gloom the through us of front in twinkling
light yellow one and, faces our in blowing wind chill a, road dark the
on out were we later moment a.
Wall park old the in gaped breaches unrepaired for, grounds the entering
in difficulty little was there. Darkness the into lawn the across
swiftly ran then and limbs writhing with grass the upon itself threw
who, child distorted and hideous a be to seemed what darted there bushes
laurel of clump a from out when window the through enter to about were
and, it crossed, lawn the reached we, trees the among way our making.
"God my!" It see you did"; whispered I?"
I as startled as moment the for was holmes. Agitation his in wrist my
upon vice a like closed hand his. Ear my to lips his put and laugh low a
into broke he then.
"Murmured he", household nice a is it. "Baboon the is that."
Affected doctor the which pets strange the forgotten had I. Moment any
at shoulders our upon it find might we perhaps; too, cheetah a was
there. Bedroom the inside myself found I, shoes my off slipping and
example Holmes' following after, when mind my in easier felt I that
confess I. Room the round eyes his cast and, table the onto lamp the
moved, shutters the closed noiselessly companion my. Daytime the in it
seen had we as was all. Words the distinguish to do could I that all was
it that gently so again ear my into whispered he, hand his of trumpet a
making and me to up creeping then:
"Plans our to fatal be would sound least the."
Heard had I that show to nodded I.
"Light without sit must we. Ventilator the through it see would he."
Again nodded I.
"It upon depend may life very your; asleep go not do. It need should we
case in ready pistol your have. Chair that in you and, bed the of side
the on sit will I."
Table the of corner the on it laid and revolver my out took I.
Him beside bed the upon placed he this and, cane thin long a up brought
had holmes. Candle a of stump the and matches of box the laid he it by.
Darkness in left were we and, lamp the down turned he then.
Vigil dreadful that forget ever I shall how? Myself was I which in
tension nervous of state same the in, me of feet few a within, open-eyed
sat companion my that knew I yet and, breath a of drawing the even not,
sound a hear not could I. Darkness absolute in waited we and, light of
ray least the off cut shutters the.
Liberty at indeed was cheetah the that us told which, whine catlike
drawn long a window very our at once and, night-bird a of cry occasional
the came outside from. Hour an of quarter every out boomed which, clock
parish the of tones deep the hear could we away far. Quarters those,
seemed they long how! Befall might whatever for silently waiting sat we
still and, three and two and one and, struck twelve.
Metal heated and oil burning of smell strong a by succeeded was but,
immediately vanished which, ventilator the of direction the in up light
a of gleam momentary the was there suddenly.
Dark-lantern a lit had room next the in someone. Stronger grew smell the
though, more once silent was all then and, movement of sound gentle a
heard I. Ears straining with sat I hour an half for.
Kettle a from continually escaping steam of jet small a of that like,
sound soothing, gentle very audible--a became sound another suddenly
then. Bell-pull the at cane his with furiously lashed and, match a
struck, bed the from sprang Holmes, it heard we that instant the.
"Watson, it see you?" yelled he. "It see you?"
Nothing saw I but. Savagely so lashed friend my which at was it what
tell to me for impossible it made eyes weary my into flashing glare
sudden the but, whistle clear, low a heard I light the struck Holmes
when moment the at. Loathing and horror with filled and pale deadly was
face his that see, however, could I. Listened ever have I which to cry
horrible most the night the of silence the from broke there suddenly
when ventilator the at up gazing was and strike to ceased had he. Shriek
dreadful one the in mingled all anger and fear and pain of yell hoarse
a, louder and louder up swelled it. Beds their from sleepers the raised
cry that, parsonage distant the in even and, village the in down away
that say they. Rose it which from silence the into away died had it of
echoes last the until, me at he and, Holmes at gazing stood I and,
hearts our to cold struck it.
"Mean it can what?" Gasped I.
"Answered Holmes", over all is it that means it. "Best the for is it,
all after, perhaps and. Dr enter will we and, pistol your take. Room
roylott's."
Corridor the down way the led and lamp the lit he face grave a with.
Within from reply any without door chamber the at struck he twice. Hand
my in pistol cocked the with, heels his at I, entered and handle the
turned he then.
Eyes our met which sight singular a was it. Ajar was which of door the,
safe iron the upon light of beam brilliant a throwing, open half shutter
the with dark-lantern a stood table the on.
Dr sat, chair wooden the on, table this beside. Slippers Turkish
heelless red into thrust feet his and, beneath protruding ankles bare
his, dressing-gown grey long a in clad Roylott grimesby.
Day the during noticed had we which lash long the with stock short the
lay lap his across. Ceiling the of corner the at stare rigid, dreadful a
in fixed were eyes his and upward cocked was chin his. Head his round
tightly bound be to seemed which, speckles brownish with, band yellow
peculiar a had he brow his round. Motion nor sound neither made he
entered we as.
"Band the! band speckled the!" Holmes whispered.
Forward step a took I. Serpent loathsome a of neck puffed and head
diamond-shaped squat the hair his among from itself reared there and,
move to began headgear strange his instant an in.
"Adder swamp a is it!" India in snake deadliest the"; Holmes cried.
Bitten being of seconds ten within died has he. Another for digs he
which pit the into falls schemer the and, violent the upon recoil, truth
in, does violence. Happened has what know police county the let and
shelter of place some to Stoner Miss remove then can we and, den its
into back creature this thrust us let."
It upon closed he which, safe iron the into it threw, length arm's at it
carrying, and perch horrid its from it drew he neck reptile's the round
noose the throwing and, lap man's dead the from swiftly dog-whip the
drew he spoke he as.
Dr of death the of facts true the are such. Moran Stoke of, Roylott
grimesby. Pet dangerous a with playing indiscreetly while fate his met
doctor the that conclusion the to came inquiry official of process slow
the how of, Harrow at aunt good her of care the to train morning the by
her conveyed we how, girl terrified the to news sad the broke we how
telling by length a great too to run already has which narrative a
prolong should I that necessary not is it. Day next back travelled we as
Holmes Sherlock by me told was case the of learn to yet had I which
little the.
"Data insufficient from reason to is always it dangerous how, Watson
dear my, shows which conclusion erroneous entirely an to come", he
said", had I. Scent wrong entirely an upon me put to sufficient were,
match her of light the by of glimpse hurried a caught had she which
appearance the explain to, doubt no, girl poor the by used was which ',
'band word the of use the and, gipsies the of presence the. Door the or
window the from either come not could room the of occupant an threatened
danger whatever that me to clear became it, however, when position my
reconsidered instantly I that merit the claim only can I. Bed the to
down hung which bell-rope the to and, ventilator this to, you to
remarked already have I as, drawn speedily was attention my. Bed the to
coming and hole the through passing something for bridge a as there was
rope the that suspicion the to rise gave instantly, floor the to clamped
was bed the that and, dummy a was this that discovery the. Track right
the on probably was I that felt I, India from creatures of supply a with
furnished was doctor the that knowledge my with it coupled I when and,
me to occurred instantly snake a of idea the. Training Eastern an had
had who man ruthless and clever a to occur would as one a such just was
test chemical any by discovered be possibly not could which poison of
form a using of idea the. Advantage an be, view of point his from, also
would effect take would poison a such which with rapidity the. Work
their done had fangs poison the where show would which punctures dark
little two the distinguish could who, indeed, coroner sharp-eyed a be
would it. Whistle the of thought I then. Victim the to it revealed light
morning the before snake the recall must he course of. Summoned when him
to return to, saw we which milk the of use the by probably, it trained
had he.
Bed the on land and rope the down crawl would it that certainty the
with, best thought he that hour the at ventilator this through it put
would he. Victim a fall must she later or sooner but, week a for night
every escape might she perhaps, occupant the bite not might or might it.
"Room his entered had I ever before conclusions these to come had I.
Ventilator the reach should he that order in necessary be would course
of which, it on standing of habit the in been had he that me showed
chair his of inspection an. Remained have may which doubts any dispel
finally to enough were whipcord of loop the and, milk of saucer the,
safe the of sight the. Occupant terrible its upon safe his of door the
closing hastily stepfather her by caused obviously was Stoner Miss by
heard clang metallic the.
Proof the to matter the put to order in took I which steps the know you,
mind my up made once having. It attacked and light the lit instantly I
and, also did you that doubt no have I as hiss creature the heard I."
"Ventilator the through it driving of result the with."
"Side other the at master its upon turn to it causing of result the with
also and. Saw it person first the upon flew it that so, temper snakish
its roused and home came cane my of blows the of some. Dr for
responsible indirectly doubt no am I way this in.
Conscience my upon heavily very weigh to likely is it that say cannot I
and, death Roylott's grimesby." |
