Reading Help The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Ch.V-VIII
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` 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 confess that I felt easier in my mind when, `
` after following Holmes' 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 the 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 `
` companion 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, and once at `
` our very window a long drawn catlike whine, 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 up 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 lit 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-pull. `
` `
` "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 filled with horror 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 hoarse 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 at 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 ajar. `
` Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott `
` clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding `
` beneath, and his feet 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 adder!" 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 which he digs 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 man's lap, `
` and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from `
` its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into `
` the iron safe, which he closed upon it. `
` `
` Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of `
` Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a `
` narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling `
` how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we 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 travelled 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 gipsies, and the use of `
` the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to `
` explain the appearance which she 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 `
` that whatever 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, `
` and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was `
` furnished with a 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 coroner, indeed, who could `
` distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where `
` the poison fangs had done their work. 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 `
` the 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 before ever 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 the loop of whipcord 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 in `
` order to put the matter to the proof. 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 `
` roused its snakish 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." `
`
` 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 confess that I felt easier in my mind when, `
` after following Holmes' 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 the 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 `
` companion 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, and once at `
` our very window a long drawn catlike whine, 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 up 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 lit 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-pull. `
` `
` "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 filled with horror 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 hoarse 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 at 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 ajar. `
` Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott `
` clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding `
` beneath, and his feet 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 adder!" 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 which he digs 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 man's lap, `
` and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from `
` its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into `
` the iron safe, which he closed upon it. `
` `
` Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of `
` Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a `
` narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling `
` how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we 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 travelled 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 gipsies, and the use of `
` the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to `
` explain the appearance which she 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 `
` that whatever 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, `
` and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was `
` furnished with a 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 coroner, indeed, who could `
` distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where `
` the poison fangs had done their work. 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 `
` the 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 before ever 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 the loop of whipcord 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 in `
` order to put the matter to the proof. 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 `
` roused its snakish 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." `
`