 CHAPTER VII. OF THE ADVENTURES OF SHIRLOCK HOLMS by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, but the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gound, a pipe rack within his reach upon the right, in a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination. You are engaged, said I. Perhaps I interrupt you. Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one. He jerked his thumb in the direction of the old hat. But there are points in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and even of instruction. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands by his crackling fire for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows were thick with the ice crystals. I suppose, I remarked, that, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked onto it, that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of some mystery and the punishment of some crime. No, no, no crime, said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. Only one of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have four million human beings all jostling each other within the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be presented which may be striking and bizarre without being criminal. We have already had experience of such. So much so, I remarked, that of the last six cases which I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any legal crime. Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, into the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. You know, Peterson, the Commissionaire. Yes. It is to him that this trophy belongs. It is his hat. No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will look upon it not as a battered billy-cock, but as an intellectual problem, and first as to how it came here. It arrived upon Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's fire. The facts are these. About four o'clock on Christmas morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was returning from some small jollification, and was making his way homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw in the gas light a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the corner of Goode Street, a row broke out between this stranger and a little knot of ruffs. One of the latter knocked off the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself, and, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his assailants, but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dropped the goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Court Road. The ruffs had also flooded the appearance of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose, which surely he restored to their owner. My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that four Mrs. Henry Baker was printed upon a small card which was tied to the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials H.B. are legible upon the lining of this hat. But as there are some thousands of bakers and some hundreds of Henry bakers in the city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any one of them. What, then, did Peterson do? He brought around both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it off, therefore, to fulfill the ultimate destiny of a goose, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who lost his Christmas dinner. Did he not advertise? No. Then what clue could you have as to his identity? Only as much as we can deduce. From his hat. Precisely. But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered felt? Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this article? I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been a red silk, who was a good deal discolored. There was no maker's name, but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials H.B. were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hat secure, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the discolored patches by smearing them with ink. I can see nothing, said I, handing it back to my friend. On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in drawing your inferences. Then, pray, tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat. He picked it up and gazed at it, in the peculiar introspective fashion which was characteristic of him. It is perhaps less suggestive than it might have been, he remarked, and yet there are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that his wife has ceased to love him. My dear Holmes! He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect, he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is middle-aged, has grizzled hair, which he has had cut within the last few days, in which he anoints with lion cream. These are the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has had gas laid on in his house. You are certainly joking, Holmes. Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you these results, you are unable to see how they are attained? I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this man was intellectual? For answer, Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right over the forehead, and settled upon the bridge of his nose. It is a question of cubic capacity, said he. A man with so large a brain must have something in it. The decline of his fortunes, then? This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge came in, then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the band of ribbed silk, and the excellent lining. If this man could afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, it has had no hat since, and he has assuredly gone down in the world. Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the foresight and the moral retrogression? Schoach Holmes laughed. Here is the foresight, said he, putting his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat secure. They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his way to take his precaution against the wind. But since we see that he has broken the elastic and is not troubled to replace it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other hand, he has endeavored to conceal some of these stains upon the felt by dobbing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not entirely lost his self-respect. Here reasoning is certainly plausible. The further points that he is middle-aged, that his hair is grizzled, and that it has been recently cut, and that he uses lime cream, are also be gathered from a close examination of the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of hair ends, clean cut by the scissors of a barber. They all appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odor of lime cream. This dust you will observe is not the gritty gray dust of the street, but the fluffy brown dust of the house, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore hardly be in the best of training. But his wife, you said that she had ceased to love him. This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Watson, with a weak accumulation of dust upon your hat, and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's affection. But he might be a bachelor. Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace offering to his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg? You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that the gas is not laid on in his house? One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance. When I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with burning tallow. Walks upstairs at night, probably with his hat in one hand, and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never got tallow stains from a gas jet. Are you satisfied? Well, it is very ingenious, said I, laughing. But since, as you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm done, say the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a waste of energy. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply when the door flew open, and Peterson, the commissioner, rushed into the apartment with flushed cheeks, and the face of a man who is dazed with astonishment. The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir! he gasped. Hey, what of it, then? Has it returned to life, and flapped off through the kitchen window? Holmes twisted himself round upon the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop! He held out his hand, and displayed upon the center of the palm a brilliantly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric point in the dark hollow of his hand. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. Pitch-oved, Peterson! said he. This is treasure-trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have got. A diamond, sir! A precious stone! It cuts into glass as though it were putty. It's more than a precious stone. It is THE precious stone. Not the countess of more car's blue car-bunkle, I ejaculated. Precisely so. I have to know its size and shape, seeing that I have read the advertisement about it in the Times every day lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be conjectured, but the reward offered of one thousand pounds is certainly not within a twentieth part of the market price. A thousand pounds! Great Lord of Mercy! The commissionaire plumped down into a chair, and stared from one to the other of us. That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the countess to part with half her fortune if she could but recover the gem. It was lost, if I remember it right, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan, I remarked. Precisely so, on December 22, just five days ago. John Horner, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's jewel case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has been referred to the assizes. I have some account of the matter here, I believe. He rummaged amid his newspapers, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph. Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, twenty-six, plumber, was brought up upon the charge of having upon the twenty-second, inst, abstracted from the jewel case of the Countess of Morkar, the valuable gem known as the Blue Carbuncle. James Ryder, upper attendant at the Hotel, gave his evidence to the effect that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess of Morkar upon the day of the robbery, in order that he might solder the second bar of the Great, which was loose. He had remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, that the Bureau had been forced open, and that the small Morocco casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was arrested the same evening, but the stone could not be found either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack made to the Countess to pose to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room where she found matters as described by the last witness. Hunter Bradstreet, B. Division, gave evidence as to the arrest of Horner, who struggled frantically and protested his innocence in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate refused to deal summarily with the offense, but referred it to the assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion, and was carried out of court. Hmm, so much for the police court, said Holmes thoughtfully, tossing aside the paper. The question for us now to solve is the sequence of events leading from a rifled dual case at one end to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone. The stone came from the goose, and the goose from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat, and all the other characteristics with which I abhorred you. So now we must set ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman, and ascertaining what party is played in this little mystery. To do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods. What will you say? Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now then. Found at the corner of Goode Street, a goose and a black felt hat, Mr. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6.30 this evening at 221B Baker Street. That is clear and concise. Very, but will he see it? Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since to a poor man the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his mischance in breaking the window, and by the approach of Peterson, that he thought of nothing but flight. But since then he must have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bird. Then again the introduction of his name will cause him to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and have this put in the evening papers. In which, sir? Oh, in the Globe Star, Paul Mall, St. James' Evening News Standard Echo, and any others that occur to you. Very well, sir. And this stone? Yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And I say, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman, in place of the one which your family is now devouring. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and held it against the light. It's a bonny thing, said he. Just see how it glints and sparkles. Of course, it is a nucleus in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet baits. In the larger and older jewels, every facet may stand for a bloody deed. The stone is not yet 20 years old. It was found in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China, and is remarkable in having every characteristic of the carbuncle save that it is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a vitriol throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about for the sake of this 40-grain weight of crystallized charcoal. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the gallows in the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now, and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it. Do you think that this man-horner is innocent? I cannot tell. Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had anything to do with the matter? It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple test, if we have an answer to our advertisement. And you can do nothing until then. Nothing. In that case, I shall continue my professional round, but I shall come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business. Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There's a woodcock, I believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half past six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I approached the house, I saw a tall man in a scotch bonnet with a coat which was buttoned up to his chin, waiting outside in the bright semicircle, which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I arrived, the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Holmes's room. Mr. Henry Baker, I believe, said he, rising from his arm chair, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality, which he could so readily assume. Pray, take this chair by the fire, Mr. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you've just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker? Yes, sir. That is undoubtedly my hat. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes's surmise as to his habits. His rusty black frock coat was buttoned right up in front, with the collar turned up, and his length wrists protruded from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ill usage at the hands of fortune. We have retained these things for some days, said Holmes. Because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your address, I am at a loss to know why you did not advertise. Our visitor gave a rather shame-faced laugh. The shillings have not been so plentiful with me as they once were, he remarked. I had no doubt that the gang of ruffs who assaulted me had carried off both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a hopeless attempt at recovering them. Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eat it. To eat it? Our visitor half rose from his chair in his excitement. Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your purpose equally well. Oh, certainly, certainly, answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of relief. Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of your own bird, and so if you wish. The man burst into a hearty laugh. They might be useful to me as relics of my adventure, said he. But beyond that, I can hardly see what used the disjective member of my late acquaintance are going to be to me. No, sir, I think that with your permission I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive upon the sideboard. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug of his shoulders. There is your hat, then, and there your bird, said he. By the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one from? I am somewhat of a foul fancier, and I have seldom seen a better-grown goose. Certainly, sir, said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly-gained property under his arm. There are a few of us who frequent the Alpha Inn near the museum. We are to be found in the museum itself during the day, you understand. This year, our good host, Windegate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, on consideration of some few pence a week, we were each to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity. With a comical pomposity of manner, he bowed solemnly to both of us and strode off upon his way. So much for Mr. Henry Baker, said Holmes, when he had closed the door behind him. It is quite certain that he knows nothing whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson? Not particularly. Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow up this clue while it is still hot, by all means. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulcers and wrapped cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers by blew out into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctor's quarter, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street, into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the Alpha Inn, which is a small public house at the corner of one of the streets which runs down into Halber. Holmes pushed open the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced white-aprint landlord. Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese, said he. My geese! The man seemed surprised. Yes, I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, who was a member of your goose club. Ah, yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese. Indeed. Who's then? Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden. Indeed, I know some of them. Which was it? Breckenridge is his name. Ah, I don't know him. Well, here's your good health, landlord, and prosperity to your house. Good night. Now for Mr. Breckenridge, he continued, butting up his coat as we came out into the frosty air. Remember, Watson, that though we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt. But in any case, we have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police and which a singular chance is placed in our hands. Let us follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and quick march. We passed across Holburn, down Endle Street, and so through a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest stalls bore the name of Breckenridge upon it, and the proprietor, a horsey-looking man with a sharp face and trimmed side whiskers, was helping a boy to put up the shutters. Good evening! It's a cold night, said Holmes. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my companion. Sold out of geese, I see, continued Holmes, pointing at the bare slabs of marble. Let you have five hundred tomorrow morning. That's no good. Well, there are some on the stall with the gas flare. Ah, but I was recommended to you. Who buy? The landlord of the alpha. Oh, yes. I sent him a couple of dozen. Fine birds they were, too. Now, where did you get them from? To my surprise, the question provoked a burst of anger from the salesman. Now, then, Mr., said he, with his head cocked and his arms a kimbo. What are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now. It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the geese, which you supplied to the alpha. Well, then, I shan't tell you. So now. Oh, it is a matter of no importance. But I don't know why you should be so warm over such a trifle. Warm? You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. When I pay good money for a good article, there should be an end of the business. But it's where are the geese? And who did you sell the geese to? And what will you take for the geese? One would think they were the only geese in the world to hear the fuss that has made over them. Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been making inquiries, said Holmes carelessly. If you won't tell us, the bet is off, that is all. But I am always ready to back my opinion on a matter of fouls, and I have a fiver on it that the bird I ate is country bread. Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bread, snapped the salesman. It's nothing of the kind. I say it is. I don't believe it. Do you think you know more about fouls than I, who have handled them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that went to the alpha were town bread. You'll never persuade me to believe that. Will you bet, then? It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right, but I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be obstinate. The salesman chuckled grimly. Bring me the books, Bill, said he. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging lamp. Now, then, Mr. Cockshire, said the salesman. I thought that I was out of geese, but before I finish, you'll find that there is still one left in my shop. You see this little book? Well, that's the list of folk from whom I'd buy. Do you see? Well, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers, after their names, are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Now, then, you see this other page in red ink. Well, that is a list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just read it out to me. Mrs. Oakshot, 117, Brixton Road, 249, read Holmes. Quite so. Now, turn that up in the ledger. Holmes turned to the page indicated. Here you are. Mrs. Oakshot, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier. Now, then, what's the last entry? December 22, 24 geese at seven shilling six pence. Quite so. There you are. And underneath? Sold to Mr. Wendigate of the Alpha at 12 shillings. What have you to say now? Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the air of a man who's discussed is too deep for words. A few yards off, he stopped under a lamppost and laughed in the hearty, noiseless fashion, which was peculiar to him. When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the pinken protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet, said he. I daresay that if I had put one hundred pounds down in front of him, that man would not have given me such complete information, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a wager. Well, Watson, we are. I fancy nearing the end of our quest. And the only point which remains to be determined is whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshot tonight or whether we should reserve it for tomorrow. It is clear from what that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves who are anxious about the matter. And I should. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub, which broke out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round, we saw a little rat-faced fellow standing in the center of the circle of yellow light, which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Breckenridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I've had enough of you and your geese, he shouted. I wish you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your silly talk, I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Oakshot here, and I'll answer her. But what have you to do with it? Did I buy the geese off you? No, but one of them was mine, all the same. Wined a little man. Well, then, asked Mrs. Oakshot for it. She told me to ask you. Well, you can ask the king of Prusia for all I care. I've had enough of it. Get out of this. He rushed fiercely forward, and the inquirer fled it away into the darkness. Huh, this may save us a visit to Brixton Road, whispered Holmes. Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this fellow. Striding through the scattered knots of people who lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang round, and I could see in the gaslight that every vestige of colour had been driven from his face. Who are you, then? What do you want? He asked an equivering voice. You will excuse me, said Holmes blandly, but I could not help overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I think that I could be of assistance to you. You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter? My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other people don't know. But you can know nothing of this. Excuse me. I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to trace some geese, which were sold by Mrs. Oakshot of Brixton Road to a salesman named Breckenridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windegate of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member. Oh, sir! You are the very man who I have longed to meet! cried the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. In that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room, rather than in this wind-swept marketplace, said he. But pray tell me, before we go farther, who is it that I have the pleasure of assisting? The man hesitated for an instant. My name is John Robinson, he answered, with a side-long glance. No, no. The real name, said Holmes sweetly. It is always awkward doing business with an alias. A flush spring to the white cheeks of the stranger. Well, then, said he, my real name is James Ryder. Precisely so. Head attendant to the hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you everything which you would wish to know. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us, with half- frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands spoke of the nervous tension within him. Here we are, said Holmes cheerily, as we filed into the room. The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. Mr. Ryder, pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then, you want to know what became of those geese. Yes, sir. Or, rather, I fancy of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine, in which you were interested. White, with a black bar across the tail. Ryder quivered with emotion. Oh, sir, he cried. Can you tell me where it went to? Yes, and a most remarkable bird approved. I don't wonder that you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was dead, the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. I have it here at my museum. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strongbox and held up the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood up, or to disown it. The game's uprighter, said Holmes quietly. Hold up, man, or you'll be into the fire. Give him an arm back into his chair, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So, now he looks a little more human. What a shrimp it is to be sure. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, with frightened eyes at his accuser. I have almost every link in my hands and all the proofs which I could possibly need, so there is little which you need to tell me. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this bluestone of the Countess of Morkar's? It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it, said he in a crackling voice. I see that what you had acquired was too much for you, as it has been for better men before you, but you were not very scrupulous in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the making of a very petty villain in you. You knew that this man Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter before and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. What did you do then? When he had left you rifled the jewel-case, raised the alarm and had this unfortunate man arrested. You then? Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my companion's knees. For God's sake have mercy! he shrieked. Think of my father, of my mother. It would break their hearts. I never went wrong before. I never will again. I swear it. I'll swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't Christ's sake, don't! Get back into your chair, said Holmes sternly. It is very well to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing. I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the charge against him will break down. We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account tell us the truth for their lies are only hope of safety. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. I will tell you just as it happens, sir, said he. When Horner had been arrested it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the police might not take it into their heads to search me in my room. There was no place about it, and I made for my sister's house. She had married a man named Oakshot and lived in Brixton Road where she fattened fouls for the market. All the way there every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective. And for all that it was a cold night. The sweat was pouring down my face before I came to Brixton Road. My sister asked me what was my backyard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would be best to do. I had a friend once called Modsley who went to the bad and has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met me and fell into talk about the ways of thieves and how they could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to me for I could. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. But how to get to him in safety. I thought of the agonies I had gone through and coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be seized and searched and there would be the stone in my waistcoat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the geese which were waddling about around my feet and suddenly things before that I might have the pick of her geese for a Christmas present and I knew that she was always as good as a word. I would take my goose now and in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the yard and behind this I drove one of the birds a fine big one white with a barred tail I caught it and prying its bill open I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger could reach. I went into its crop but the creature flapped and struggled and out came my sister to know what was the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brook broke loose and flooded off among the others. Whatever were you doing with that bird Gem says she well said I you said you'd give me one for Christmas and I was feeling which was the fattest one over yonder there's 26 of them which makes one for you and one for us and two dozen for the market thank you Maggie says I but if it is all the same to you I'd rather have the one I was handling just now the other is a good three pound heavier said she and we fattened it expressly for you never mind I'll have the other which is it you want then that white one with the barred tail right in the middle of the flock oh very well kill it and take it with you well I did what she said Mr. Holmes and I carried the bird all the way to Kilburn I told my pal what I had done for he was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to he laughed until he choked and we got a knife and opened the goose my heart turned to water for there was no sign of the stone some terrible mistake had occurred I left the bird rushed back to my sisters and hurried into the backyard there was not a bird to be seen there where are they all Maggie I cried gone to the dealers Jim which dealers Breckenridge of Covent Garden but was there another with a barred tail I asked the same as the one I chose yes Jim there were two barred tailed ones and I could never well then of course I saw it all and I ran off as hard as my feet would carry me to this man Breckenridge but he had sold the lot at once and not one word would he tell me as to where they had gone you heard him yourselves tonight well he has always answered me like that my sister thinks that I am going mad sometimes I think that I am myself and now now I am myself a branded thief not ever having touched the wealth for which I sold my character God help me God help me he burst into convulsive sobbing with his face buried in his hands there was a long silence broken only by his heavy breathing and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' fingertips upon the edge of the table then my friend rose and threw open the door get out said he what sir oh heaven bless you no more words get out and no more words were needed there was a rush a clatter upon the stairs the bang of a door and the crisp rattle of running footfalls from the street after all Watson said Holmes reaching up his hand for his clay pipe I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies if Horner were in danger it would be another thing but this fellow will not appear against him and the case must collapse I suppose that I am commuting a felony but it is just possible that I am saving a soul this fellow will not go wrong again he is too terribly frightened send him to jail now and you make him a jailbird for life besides it is the season of forgiveness chance has put in our way a most singular and whimsical problem and its solution is its own reward if you will have the goodness to touch the bell doctor we will begin another investigation in which also a bird will be the chief feature End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle this LibriVox recording is in the public domain The Adventure of the Speckled Band on glancing over my notes of the 70 odd cases in which I have during the last 8 years studied the methods of my friend Sherlock Holmes I find many tragic some comic a large number merely strange but none commonplace for working as he did rather for the love of his art than for the requirement of wealth he refused to associate himself with any investigation which did not tend towards the unusual and even the fantastic of 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 Roylots of Stoke Moran the events in question occurred in the early days of my association with Holmes when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in Baker Street it is possible that I might have placed them upon record before but a promise of 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 fact should now come to light for I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumors as to the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even more terrible than the truth it was early in 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 a late riser as a rule and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter past seven I blinked up at him in some surprise and perhaps just a little resentment for I was myself regular in my habits very sorry to knock you up Watson said he but it's the common lot this morning Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up she retorted upon me and I on you what is it then a fire no a client it seems that a young lady has arrived in a considerable state of excitement who insists upon seeing me she's waiting now in the sitting room now when young ladies wander about the metropolis at this hour of the morning and knock sleepy people up out of their beds I presume that it is something very pressing which they have to communicate should have proved to be an interesting case you would I am sure wish to follow it from the outset I thought at any rate that I should call you and give you the chance my dear fellow I would not miss it for anything I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes and his professional investigations and in admiring the rapid deductions as swift as intuitions and yet always founded on a logical basis with which he unraveled the problems which were submitted to him I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting room a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled who had been sitting in the window rose as we entered good morning madam said Holmes cheerly my name is Sherlock Holmes this is my intimate friend and associate Dr. Watson truly is before myself ha I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire pray draw up to it and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee for I observe that you are shivering it is not cold which makes me shiver said the woman in a low voice changing her seat is requested what then it is fear Mr. Holmes it is terror she raised her veil as she spoke and we could see that she was indeed agitation her face all drawn in gray with restless frightened eyes like those of some hunted animal her features and figure were those of a woman of 30 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 he soothingly bending forward and patting her forearm we shall soon set matters right you have come in by train this morning I see you know me then no but I observed the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your left glove you must have started early and yet you had a good drive in a dog cart along heavy roads before you reached the station the lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my companion there is no mystery my dear madam said he smiling the left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in seven places the marks are perfectly fresh there is no vehicle save a dog cart which throws up 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 at twenty past and came in by the first train to Waterloo Sir I can stand this train no longer I shall go mad if it continues I have no one to turn to none save only one who cares for me and he poor fellow can be of little aid I have heard of you Mr. Holmes I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh whom you helped in the hour of her sore need it was from her that I had your address oh sir do you not think that you can help me too and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness which surrounds me at present it is out of my power to reward you for your services but in a month or six weeks I shall be married with the control of my own income and then at least you shall not find me ungrateful Holmes turned to his desk and unlocking it drew out a small case book which he consulted Farintosh said he ah yes I recall the case it was concerned with an opal tiara I think it was before your time Watson I can only say madam that I shall be happy to devote the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend as to reward my profession is its own reward but you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put to at the time which suits you best and now I beg that you will lay before us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the matter alas replied our visitor the very horror of my situation the fact that my fears are so vague and my suspicions depend so entirely upon small points which might seem trivial to another that even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman he does not say so but I can read it from his soothing answers in averted eyes but I have heard Mr. Holmes that you can see deeply into the manifold wickedness of the human heart amid the dangers which encompass me I am all attention, madam my name is Helen Stoner and I am living with my stepfather who is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in England the Roylots of Stoke Moran on the western border of Surrey Holmes nodded his head the name is familiar to me said he the family was at one time among the richest in England and the estates extended over the borders north and Hampshire in the west in the last century however four successive heirs were of a disillute and wasteful disposition and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the days of the Regency nothing was left save a few acres of ground and the 200 year old house which is itself crushed under a heavy mortgage the last squire dragged out his existence there living the horrible life of an aristocratic popper but his only son my stepfather seeing that he must adapt himself to the new conditions obtained in advance from a relative which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta where by his professional skill and his force of character he established a large practice in a fit of anger however caused by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital sentence as it was and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man when Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother Mrs. Stoner the young widow of Major General Stoner of the Bengal Artillery my sister Julie and I were twins and we were only two years old at the time of my mother's remarriage she had a considerable sum of money not less than 1000 pounds a year and this she bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to each of us in the event of our marriage shortly after our return to England my mother died she was killed eight years ago in a railway accident near Crue Dr. Roylott then abandoned his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants but a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our neighbors who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat he shut himself up in his house and seldom came out saved to indulge in ferocious quarrels with whoever might cross his path violence of temper approaching dominia has been hereditary in the men of the family and in my stepfather's case it had believed been intensified by his long residence in the tropics a series of disgraceful brawls took place two of which ended in the police court until at last he became the terror of the village and the folks would fly at his approach for he is a man of immense strength and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger last week he hurled a local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream and it was only by paying over all the money which I could gather together that I was able to avert another public exposure he had no friends at all saved the wandering gypsies and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few acres of bramble covered land which represent the family estate and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end he has a passion also for Indian animals which are sent over to him by a correspondent and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon who wander freely over the grounds and are feared by the villagers almost as much as their master you can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I had no great pleasure in our lives no servant would stay with us and for a long time we did all the work of the house she was but 30 at the time 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 years ago and yet it is of her death that I wish to speak to you you can understand that living the life which I have described we were little likely to see anyone of our own age and position we had however an aunt my mother's maiden sister miss Honoria Westphale who lives near Harrow and we were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's house Julia went there at Christmas two years ago and met there a half pay major engaged my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and offered no objection to the marriage but within a fortnight of the day which had been fixed for the wedding the terrible event occurred which has deprived me of my only companion Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed and his head sunk in a cushion but he half opened his lids now and glanced across at his visitor pray be precise as to the details it is easy for me to be so for every event of that dreadful time is seared into my memory the manor house is as I have already said very old and only one wing is 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 is Dr. Roylotz the second my sisters and the third my own there is no communication between them but they all open out into the same corridor do I make myself plain perfectly so the windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn that fatal night Dr. Roylotz had gone to his room early though we knew that he had not retired to rest for my sister was troubled by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to smoke she left her room therefore and came into mind where she sat for some time chatting about her approaching wedding at eleven o'clock she rose to leave me but she paused at the door and looked back tell me 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 in your sleep certainly not but why because during the last few nights I have always about three in the morning heard a low clear whistle I am a light sleeper and it has awakened me I cannot tell where it came from perhaps from the next room perhaps from the lawn I thought that I would just ask you whether you had heard it no I have not it 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 it also but I sleep more heavily than you well it is of no great consequence at any rate she smiled back at me closed my door and a few moments later I heard her key turn in the lock indeed said Holmes was it your custom always to lock yourselves in at night always and why I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and a baboon we had no feeling of security unless our doors were locked quite so pray proceed with your statement I could not sleep that night a vague feeling of impending misfortune impressed me my sister and I you will recollect were twins and you know how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied it was a wild night the wind was howling outside and the rain was beating and splashing against the windows suddenly amid all the hub above the gale there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman I knew that it was my sister's voice I sprang from my bed wrapped a shawl around me and rushed into the corridor as I opened my door I seemed to hear a low whistle such as my sister described and a few moments later a clanging sound as if a massive 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 knowing what was about to issue from it by the light of the corridor lamp I saw my sister appear at the opening her face blanched with terror her hands groping for help her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a drunkard I ran to her and threw my arms round her but at that moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground she writhed as one who was in terrible pain and her limbs were dreadfully convulsed at first I thought that she had not recognized me but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out in a voice that I shall never forget oh my god Helen it was the band, the speckled band there was something else which she would faint have said and she stabbed with her finger into the air in the direction of the doctor's room but a fresh convulsion seized her and choked her words I rushed out calling loudly for my stepfather and I met him hastening from his room in his 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 from the village all efforts were in vain for she slowly sank and died without having recovered her consciousness such was the dreadful end to my beloved sister one moment said Holmes are you sure about this whistle and metallic sound and could you swear to it that was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry it is my strong impression that I heard it and yet among the crash of the gale and the creaking of an old house I may possibly have been deceived was your sister dressed no, she was in her nightdress in her right hand was found the charred stump of a match and in her left a matchbox showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the alarm took place that is important and what conclusions did the coroner come to he investigated the case with great care for Dr. Roylott's conduct had long been notorious in the county but he was unable to find any satisfactory cause of death my evidence showed that the door had been passed upon the inner side and the windows were blocked by old fashioned shutters with broad iron bars which were secured every night the walls were carefully sounded and were shown to be quite solid all round and the flooring was also thoroughly examined with the same result the chimney is wide but is barred up by four large staples it is written 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 for it but without success what do you think that this unfortunate lady died of then it is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine were the gypsies in the plantation at the time yes, there are nearly always some there and what did you gather from this illusion to a band a speckled band sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk delirium sometimes that it may have referred to some band of people perhaps to these very gypsies in the plantation I do not know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which she used Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied these are very deep waters said he pray go on with your narrative two years have passed since then and my life has been until lately lonelier than ever a month ago, however, a dear friend whom I have known for many years has done me the honor to ask my hand in marriage his name is Armitage Percy Armitage the second son of Mr. Armitage of Cranewater, near reading my stepfather has offered no opposition to the match and we are to be married in the course of the spring two days ago some repairs were started in the west wing of the building and my bedroom wall has been pierced so that I have had to move into the chamber in which my sister died and to sleep in the very bed in which she slept imagine then my thrill of terror when last night as I lay awake thinking over her terrible fate I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had been the herald of her own death I sprang up and lit the lamp but nothing was to be seen in the room I was too shaken to go to bed again, however so I dressed and as soon as it was daylight I slipped down got a dog cart at the crown inn which is opposite and drove to Leatherhead from whence I have come on this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your advice you have done wisely said my friend but have you told me all yes, all Miss Roylott, you have not you are screening your stepfather why, what do you mean? for answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which fringed the hand that lay upon her visitor's knee five little livid spots the marks of four fingers and a thumb were printed upon the white wrist you have been cruelly used said Holmes the lady colored deeply and covered over her injured wrist he is a hard man she said and perhaps he hardly knows his own strength there was a long silence during which Holmes leaned his chin upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire this is a very deep business he said at last there are a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide upon our course of action yet we have not a moment to lose if we were to come to Stoke Morant today it is possible for us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather as it happens he spoke of coming into town today upon some most important business it is probable that he will be away all day and that there would be nothing to disturb you we have a housekeeper now but she is old and foolish and I could easily get her out of the way excellent you are not averse to this trip Watson by no means then we shall both come to you yourself I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am in town but I shall return by the twelve o'clock train so as to be there in time for your coming and you may expect us early in the afternoon I have myself some small business matters to attend to will you not wait and breakfast no I must go my heart is lightened already since I have confided my trouble to you I shall look forward to seeing you again this afternoon she dropped her thick black veil over her face and glided from the room and what do you think of it all Watson, as Sherlock Holmes leaning back in his chair it seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business dark enough and sinister enough yet, if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls are sound and that the door, window and chimney are impassable then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her mysterious end what becomes then of these nocturnal whistles and what of the very peculiar words of the dying woman I cannot think when you combine the ideas of whistles at night the presence of a band of gypsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has an interest in preventing his step-daughter's marriage the dying allusion to a band and finally the fact that Miss Helen Stoner heard a metallic clang which might have been caused by one of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its place I think that there is good ground to think that the mystery may be cleared along those lines but what then did the gypsies do I cannot imagine I see many objections to any such theory and so do I it is precisely for that reason that we are going to Stoke Moran this day I want to see whether the objections are fatal or if they may be explained away but what in the name of the devil the ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the gypsies of the dying woman had been drawn from my companion by the fact that our door had been suddenly dashed open and that a huge man had framed himself in the aperture his costume was a peculiar mixture of the professional and of the agricultural having a black top hat a long frock coat and a pair of high gators with a hunting crop swinging in his hand so tall was he that his hat actually brushed the crossbar of the doorway and his breath seemed to span it from side to side a large face seared with a thousand wrinkles burned yellow with the sun and marked with every evil passion was turned from one to the other of us while his deep set bile-shot eyes and his high thin fleshless nose gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old bird of prey which of you is Holmes asked the separation my name sir but you have the advantage of me said my companion quietly I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott of Stoke Moran indeed doctor said Holmes blandly pray take a seat I will do nothing of the kind my stepdaughter has been here I have traced her what has she been saying to you it is a little cold for the time of the year said Holmes what has she been saying to you screamed the old man furiously but I have heard that the crocus promised well continued my companion imperturbably ha you put me off do you said our new visitor taking a step forward and shaking his hunting crop I know you you scoundrel I have heard of you before you are Holmes the meddler my friend smiled Holmes the busy body his smile broadened Holmes the Scotland yard jacket office Holmes chuckled hardly your conversation is most entertaining said he when you go out close the door for there is a decided draft I will go when I have said my say don't you dare to meddle with my affairs I know that Miss Stoner has been here I traced her I am a dangerous man to fall foul of see here he stepped swiftly forward sees the poker and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands see that you keep yourself out of my grip he snarled and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room he seems a very amiable person said Holmes laughing I am not quite so bulky but if he had remained I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own as he spoke he picked up the steel poker and with a sudden effort straightened it out again fancy his having the insolence he found me with the official detective force this incident gives zest to our investigation however and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her and now Watson we shall order breakfast and afterwards I shall walk down to Doctor's Commons but I hope to get some data which may help us in this matter it was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his excursion he held in his hand a sheet of blue paper with notes and figures I have seen the will of the deceased wife said he to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned the total income which at the time of the wife's death was little short of 1100 pounds is now through the fall in agricultural prices not more than 750 pounds each daughter can claim an income of 250 pounds in case of marriage it is evident therefore that if both girls had married this beauty would have had a mere pittance while even one of them would cripple him to a very serious extent my morning's work has not been wasted since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for standing in the way of anything of the sort and now Watson this is too serious for dawdling especially as the old man is aware that we are interesting ourselves and his affairs so if you are ready we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket Waterloo is an excellent argument with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots that and a toothbrush are, I think, all that we need at Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Leatherhead where we hired a trap at the station in and drove for four or five miles through the lovely, sturdy lanes it was a perfect day with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens the trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots and the air was full of the pleasant smell of the moist earth to me at least there was a strange contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this sinister quest upon which we were engaged my companion sat in the front of the trap his arms folded his hat pulled down over his eyes and his chin sunk upon his breast buried in the deepest thought suddenly however he started tapped me on the shoulder and pointed over the meadows look there said he a heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope thickening into a grove at the highest point from amid the branches there jetted out the gray gables and high roof tree of a very old mansion Stoke Moran said he yes sir that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott remarked the driver there is some building going on there said Holmes that is where we are going there's the village said the driver pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left but if you want to get to the house you'll find it shorter to get over this style and so by the footpath over the fields there it is where the lady is walking and the lady I fancy is Miss Stoner observed Holmes shading his eyes yes I think we had better do as you suggest we got off, paid our fare and the trap rattled back on its way to Leatherhead I thought it as well said Holmes as we climbed the style that this fellow should think we had come here as architects or on some definite business it may stop his gossip good afternoon Miss Stoner you see that we have been as good as our word our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a face which spoke her joy I have been waiting so eagerly for you she cried shaking hands with us warmly all has turned out splendidly Dr. Roylott has gone to town and it is unlikely that he will be back before evening we have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance to Holmes and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened good heavens she cried he has followed me then so it appears he is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him what will he say when he returns he must guard himself for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track you must lock yourself up from him tonight if he is violent we shall take you away to your aunts at Harrow now we must make the best use of our time so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examine the building was a grey lichen block stone with a high central portion and two curving wings like the claws of a crab thrown out on each side in one of these wings the windows were broken and blocked with wooden boards while the roof was partly caved in a picture of ruin the central portion was in little better repair but the right hand block was comparatively modern and the blinds in the windows with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys showed that this was where the family resided some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall and the stonework had been broken into but there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the outsides of the windows this I take it belongs to the room in which you used to sleep your sisters and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roylott's chamber exactly so but I am now sleeping in the middle one pending the alterations as I understand by the way there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall there were none I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room ah that is suggestive now on the other side of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open there are windows in it of course yes but very small ones too narrow for anyone to pass through as you both locked your doors at night your rooms were unapproachable from that side now would you have the kindness to go into your room and bar your shutters Miss Stoner did so and Holmes after a careful examination through the open window endeavored in every way to force the shutter open but without success there was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the bar then with his lens he tested the hinges but they were of solid iron built firmly into the massive masonry hmm said he scratching his chin in some perplexity my theory certainly presents some difficulties no one could pass these shutters if they were bolted well we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter a small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the three bedrooms opened Holmes refused to examine the third chamber so he passed it once to the second that in which Miss Stoner was now sleeping and in which her sister had met with her fate it was a homely little room with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace after the fashion of old country houses a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner a narrow white counterpained bed in another and a dressing table on the left hand side of the window these articles with two small wicker work chairs made up all the furniture in the room save for a square of wilton carpet in the center the boards round and the paneling of the walls were of brown worm-eaten oak so old and discolored that it may have dated from the original building of the house Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat silent while his eyes traveled round and round and up and down taking in every detail of the apartment where does that bell communicate with he asked at last pointing to a thick bell rope which hung down beside the bed the tassel actually lying upon the pillow it goes to the housekeeper's room it looks newer than the other things yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago your sister asked for it I suppose no, I never heard of her using it we used always to get what we wanted for ourselves indeed, it seems unnecessary to put so nice a bell pull there you'll excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor he threw himself down upon his face with his lens in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward examining minutely the cracks between the boards then he did the same with the woodwork with which the chamber was paneled finally he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and in running his eye up and down the wall finally he took the bell rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug why, it's a dummy said he won't it bring? no, it is not even attached to a wire this is very interesting you can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little opening for the ventilator is how very absurd I never noticed that before very strange muttered Holmes pulling at the rope there are one or two very singular points about this room for example, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room when with the same trouble he might have communicated with the outside air that is also quite modern said the lady done about the same time as the bell rope remarked Holmes yes, there were several little changes carried out about that time they seem to have been of a most interesting character dummy bell ropes and ventilators which do not ventilate with your permission, Miss Stoner we shall now carry our research into the inner apartment Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stepdaughter but was as plainly furnished a camp bed a small wooden shelf full of books mostly of a technical character an armchair beside the bed a plain wooden chair against the wall a round table and a large iron safe were the principal things which met the eye Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all of them with the keenest interest here he asked, tapping the safe my stepfather's business papers oh, you have seen inside then only once some years ago I remember that it was full of papers there isn't a cat in it, for example no, what a strange idea well, look at this he took up a small saucer of milk which stood on the top of it no, we don't keep a cat but there is a cheetah and a baboon yes, of course well, a cheetah is just a big cat and yet a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I dare say there is one point which I should wish to determine he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of it with the greatest attention thank you that is quite settled, said he rising and putting his lens in his pocket hello, here is something interesting the object which had caught his eye was a small dog-lash hung on one corner of the bed the lash, however, was curled upon itself and tied so as to make a loop of whip-cord what do you make of that, Watson? it's a common enough lash but I don't know why it should be tied that is not quite so common, is it? ah, me it's a wicked world and when a clever man turns his brains to cry it is the worst of all I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brows so dark as it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation we had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Stoner nor myself, liking to break in upon his thoughts before he roused himself from his reverie it is very essential, Miss Stoner, said he that you should absolutely follow my advice in every respect I shall most certainly do so the matter is too serious for any hesitation your life may depend upon your compliance I assure you that I am in your hands in the first place both my friend and I must spend the night in your room both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment yes, it must be so let me explain I believe that that is the village in over there yes, that is the crown very good your windows would be visible from there certainly you must confine yourself to your room on pretense of a headache when your stepfather comes back then when you hear him retire for the night you must open the shutters of your window undo the hasp put your lamp there as a signal to us and then withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want into the room which you use to occupy I have no doubt that in spite of the repairs you could manage there for one night oh yes, easily the rest you will leave in our hands but what will you do we shall spend the night in your room and we shall investigate the cause of this noise which has disturbed you I believe, Mr. Holmes that you have already made up your mind said Miss Stoner laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve perhaps I have then for pity's sake tell me what was the cause of my sister's death I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak you can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct and if she died from some sudden fright no, I do not think so I think that there was probably some more tangible cause and now, Miss Stoner we must leave you for if Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain goodbye and be brave for if you will do what I have told you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that threaten you Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and sitting room at the crown inn they were on the upper floor and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House at dusk we saw Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past his huge form looming up beside the little figure of the lad who drove him the boy had some slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates and we heard the horse roar the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which he shook his clenched fists at him the trap drove on and a few minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting rooms do you know Watson said Holmes as we sat together in the gathering darkness I have really some scruples as to taking you tonight there's a distinct element of danger can I be of assistance your presence might be invaluable that I shall certainly come it is very kind of you you speak of danger you have evidently seen more in these rooms than was visible to me no, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more I imagine that you saw all that I did I saw nothing remarkable save the bell rope and what purpose that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine you saw the ventilator too yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to have a small opening between two rooms it was so small that a rat could hardly pass through I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Stoke Moran my dear Holmes oh yes, I did you remember in her statement she said that her sister could smell Dr. Roy Lott's cigar now of course that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the two rooms it could only be a small one or it would have been remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry I deduced a ventilator what harm can there be in that well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates a ventilator is made a cord is hung and a lady who sleeps in the bed dies does that not strike you I cannot as yet see any connection did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed? no it was clamped to the floor did you ever see a bed fastened like that before? I cannot say that I have the lady could not move her bed it must always be in the same relative position to the ventilator and to the rope or so we may call it since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull Holmes, I cried I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at we are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime subtle enough and horrible enough when a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals he has nerve and he 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 to strike deeper still but we shall have horrors enough before the night is over for goodness sake let us have a quiet pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something 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 of eleven a single bright light shown out right in front of us that is our signal said Holmes, bringing to his feet it comes from the middle window as we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance and that it was possible that we might spend the night there a moment later we were out on the dark road a chill wind blowing in our faces and one yellow light twinkling in front of us through the gloom to guide us on our somber errand there was little difficulty in entering the grounds for unrepaired breeches gaped in the old park wall making our way among the trees we reached the lawn, crossed it and were about to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted child who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness my god I whispered did you see it he closed for the moment as startled as I his hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my ear it is a nice household, he murmured that is the baboon I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected there was a cheetah too perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at any moment I confessed that I felt easier in my mind when, after following Holmes's example and slipping off my shoes I found myself inside the bedroom my companion noiselessly closed the shutters moved the lamp onto the table and cast his eyes round the room all was as we had seen it in the daytime then creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand he whispered into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to distinguish the words the least sound would be fatal to our plans I nodded to show that I had heard we must sit without light he would see it through the ventilator I nodded again do not go asleep your very life may depend upon it have your pistol ready in case we should need it I will sit on the side of the bed and you in that chair I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table Holmes had brought up a long thin cane and this he placed upon the bed beside him by it he laid a box of matches and the stump of a candle then he turned down the lamp and we were left in darkness how shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil I could not hear a sound not even the drawing of a breath and yet I knew that my companions sat open-eyed within a few feet of me in the same state of nervous tension in which I was myself the shutters cut off the least ray of light and we waited in absolute darkness from outside came the occasional cry of a night bird once at our very window a long drawn cat-like wine which told us that the cheetah was indeed at liberty far away we could hear the deep tones of the 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 there was the momentary gleam of a light in the direction of the ventilator which vanished immediately but was succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal someone in the next room had led a dark lantern I heard a 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 a very gentle soothing sound like that of a small jet of steam escaping continually from a kettle the instant that we heard it Holmes sprang from the bed struck a match and lashed furiously with his cane at the bell-pole you see it Watson, he yelled you see it but I saw nothing at the moment when Holmes struck the light I heard a low clear whistle but the sudden glare flashing into my weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which my friend lashed so savagely I could however see that his face was deadly pale and loathing he had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most horrible cry to which I have ever listened it swelled up louder and louder a horse yell of 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 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 into the silence from which it rose what can it mean I gasped it means that it is all over Holmes answered and perhaps after all it is for the best take your pistol and we will enter Dr. Roylott's room with a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the corridor twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from within then he turned the handle and entered I had his heels with the cocked pistol in my hand it was a singular sight which met our eyes on the table stood a dark lantern with the shutter half open throwing a brilliant beam of light upon the iron safe the door of which was a jar beside this table on the wooden chair sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott clad in a long gray dressing gown his bare ankles protruding beneath thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we had noticed during the day his chin was cocked upward and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful rigid stare at the corner of the ceiling round his brow he had a 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 a 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 a loathsome serpent it is a swamp at her cried Holmes the deadliest snake in India he has died within ten seconds of being bitten violence does in truth recoil upon the violent and the schemer falls into the pit for another let us thrust this creature back into its den and we can 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 from the dead men's lap and throwing the news round the reptile's neck he drew it from its horrid perch and carrying it at arm's length threw it into the iron safe which he closed upon it such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylotte of Stoke Moran it is not necessary that I should prolong an narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling how he broke the sad news to the terrified girl how he conveyed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly playing with a dangerous pet the little which I had yet to learn of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we traveled back next day 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 of the gypsies and the use of the word band which was used by the poor girl no doubt to explain the appearance which he had caught a hurried glimpse of by the light of her match were sufficient to put me upon an entirely wrong scent I can only claim the merit that I instantly reconsidered my position when however it became clear to me the danger threatened an occupant of the room could not come either from the window or the door my attention was speedily drawn as 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 a dummy and that the bed was clamped to the floor instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and coming to the bed the idea of a snake instantly occurred to me when I coupled it with my knowledge of the supply of creatures from India I felt that I was probably on the right track the idea of using a form of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless man who had had an eastern training the rapidity with which such a poison would take effect would also from his point of view be an advantage it would be a sharp eyed corner indeed who could distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the poison fangs had done their work but then I thought of the whistle of course he must recall the snake before the morning light revealed it to the victim he had trained it probably by use of the milk which we saw to return to him when summoned he would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he thought best with the certainty that it would crawl down the rope and land on the bed it might or might not bite the occupant perhaps she might escape every night for a week but sooner or later she must fall a victim I had come to these conclusions after I had entered his room an inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the habit of standing on it which of course would be necessary in order that he should reach the ventilator the sight of the safe, the saucer of milk and a loop of whip cord were enough to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained the metallic clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant having once made up my mind you know the steps which I took I heard the creature hiss as I have no doubt that you did also and I instantly lit the light and attacked it with the result of driving it through the ventilator and also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at the other side some of the blows of my cane came home and browsed its snagish temper so that it flew upon the first person it saw in this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Grimesby Roylott's death and I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience End of Chapter 8