Summer Reruns: The Adventure of the Speckled Band, Part 2

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[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for joining us this evening.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now it's time to relax.
[SPEAKER_00]: Let your body fall into a comfortable position in your bed and drift gently into a state of total relaxation with tonight's story.
[SPEAKER_00]: The adventure of the speckled band
[SPEAKER_00]: part two.
[SPEAKER_00]: And what do you think of it all Watson?
[SPEAKER_00]: Ask Sherlock Holmes leaning back in his chair.
[SPEAKER_00]: It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business.
[SPEAKER_00]: Dark enough and sinister enough.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impossible, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her mysterious end.
[SPEAKER_00]: What becomes then of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the very peculiar words of the dying woman?
[SPEAKER_00]: I cannot think.
[SPEAKER_00]: when you combine the ideas of whistles at night.
[SPEAKER_00]: The presence of a band of gypsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor.
[SPEAKER_00]: The fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage.
[SPEAKER_00]: The dying illusion to a band and finally the fact that Miss Helen Stona heard a metallic clang.
[SPEAKER_00]: which might have been caused by one of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its place.
[SPEAKER_00]: I think that there is good ground to think that the mystery may be cleared along those lines.
[SPEAKER_00]: But what then did the gypsies do?
[SPEAKER_00]: I cannot imagine.
[SPEAKER_00]: I see many objections to any such theory.
[SPEAKER_00]: and so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to stoke Moran this day.
[SPEAKER_00]: I want to see whether the objections are fatal, or if they may be explained away.
[SPEAKER_00]: But what in the name of the devil?
[SPEAKER_00]: The ejaculation 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: His costume was a peculiar mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a black top hat, a long frot coat and a pair of high gaiters, with a hunting crop swinging in his hand.
[SPEAKER_00]: So tall was he that his hat actually brushed the crossbar of the doorway, and his breadth seemed to span it across from side to side.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: Which of you is Holmes asked this apparition,
[SPEAKER_00]: My name's sir, but you have the advantage of me.
[SPEAKER_00]: Said my companion quietly.
[SPEAKER_00]: I am Dr. Grimesby Reuler, of Stoke Moran.
[SPEAKER_00]: Indeed, Dr. said Holmes, blindly.
[SPEAKER_00]: Pray, take a seat.
[SPEAKER_00]: I will do nothing of the kind.
[SPEAKER_00]: My stepdaughter has been here.
[SPEAKER_00]: I have traced her.
[SPEAKER_00]: What has she been saying to you?
[SPEAKER_00]: It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes.
[SPEAKER_00]: What has she been saying to you, screamed the old man furiously.
[SPEAKER_00]: But I have heard that the crocus is promised well, continued my companion imperturbably.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ha, you put me off, do you?"
[SPEAKER_00]: said our new visitor, taking a step forward and shaking his hunting crop.
[SPEAKER_00]: I know you, you scoundrel.
[SPEAKER_00]: I have heard of you before.
[SPEAKER_00]: You are Holmes the medler.
[SPEAKER_00]: My friend smiled.
[SPEAKER_00]: Holmes the busybody.
[SPEAKER_00]: His smile broadened.
[SPEAKER_00]: Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack in office.
[SPEAKER_00]: Holmes chuckled heartily.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your conversation is most entertaining, said he.
[SPEAKER_00]: When you go out close the door for there is a decided draft.
[SPEAKER_00]: I will go when I have had my say.
[SPEAKER_00]: Don't you dare to meddle with my affairs.
[SPEAKER_00]: I know that Miss Stoner has been here.
[SPEAKER_00]: I trace her.
[SPEAKER_00]: I am a dangerous man to fall foul of.
[SPEAKER_00]: See here.
[SPEAKER_00]: He stepped swiftly forward, sees the poker and bent it into a curve with his huge brown hands.
[SPEAKER_00]: See that you keep yourself out of my grip.
[SPEAKER_00]: He snored, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room.
[SPEAKER_00]: He seems a very amiable person, said Holmes laughing.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: as he spoke he picked up the steel poker and with a sudden effort straightened it out again.
[SPEAKER_00]: Fancy is having the insolence to confound me with the official detective force.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: And now what's and we shall order breakfast and afterwards I shall walk down to Dr.'s commons, where I hope to get some data which may help us in this matter.
[SPEAKER_00]: It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his excursion.
[SPEAKER_00]: He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrolled over with notes and figures.
[SPEAKER_00]: I have seen the will of the deceased wife, said he.
[SPEAKER_00]: To determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned.
[SPEAKER_00]: The total income
[SPEAKER_00]: which at the time of the wife's death was little short of one thousand one hundred pounds, is now through the fall in agricultural prices, not more than seven hundred and fifty pounds.
[SPEAKER_00]: Each daughter can claim an income of two hundred and fifty pounds in case of marriage.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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 sword.
[SPEAKER_00]: And now, Watson, this is too serious for doodling, especially as the old man is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs.
[SPEAKER_00]: So if you are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo.
[SPEAKER_00]: I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket.
[SPEAKER_00]: An Ali's number two is an excellent argument with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots.
[SPEAKER_00]: That and a toothbrush are I think all that we need.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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 Surrey lanes.
[SPEAKER_00]: It was a perfect day with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens.
[SPEAKER_00]: The trees and wastide hedges were just throwing out their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant smell of the moist earth.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows.
[SPEAKER_00]: Look there, said he.
[SPEAKER_00]: A heavily timpered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thickening into a grove at the highest point.
[SPEAKER_00]: From amid the branches, they're jutted out the grey gables and a high roof tree of a very old mansion.
[SPEAKER_00]: Stoke Moran, said he.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, sir, that'd be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott.
[SPEAKER_00]: Remark the driver.
[SPEAKER_00]: There is some building going on there, said Holmes, that is where we are going.
[SPEAKER_00]: There's the village, said the driver pointing to a cluster of roofs some distance to the left.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: and the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner, observed Holmes shading his eyes.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, I think we'd better do as you suggest.
[SPEAKER_00]: We got off, paid our fair, and the trap rattled back on its way to leatherhead.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: It may stop his gossip.
[SPEAKER_00]: Good afternoon, Miss Stoner.
[SPEAKER_00]: You see that we have been as good as our word.
[SPEAKER_00]: Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a face which spoke her joy.
[SPEAKER_00]: I have been waiting so eagerly for you, she cried shaking hands with us warmly.
[SPEAKER_00]: All has turned out splendidly.
[SPEAKER_00]: Dr. Roy Lott has gone to town and it is unlikely that he will be back before evening.
[SPEAKER_00]: We have had the pleasure of making the doctors acquaintance," said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had occurred.
[SPEAKER_00]: Mistone had turned white to the lips as she listened.
[SPEAKER_00]: Good heavens, she cried.
[SPEAKER_00]: He has followed me then.
[SPEAKER_00]: So it appears.
[SPEAKER_00]: He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him.
[SPEAKER_00]: What will he say when he returns?
[SPEAKER_00]: He must guard himself for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track.
[SPEAKER_00]: You must lock yourself up from him tonight.
[SPEAKER_00]: If he is violent, we shall take you away to your aunts at Harrow.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now we must make the best use of our time so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to examine.
[SPEAKER_00]: The building was of gray, like in blocked stone, with a high central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab thrown out on each side.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: The central portion was in little better repair, but the right hand block was comparatively modern, and the blinds and the windows, with the blue smoke curling up from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided.
[SPEAKER_00]: Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the stone work had been broken into.
[SPEAKER_00]: But there were no signs of any workmen at the moment of our visit.
[SPEAKER_00]: Holmes walked slowly up and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the outside of the windows.
[SPEAKER_00]: This I take it belongs to the room in which you used to sleep.
[SPEAKER_00]: The centre won to your sisters and the one next to the main building to Dr. Roylott's chamber.
[SPEAKER_00]: Exactly so, but I am now sleeping in the middle one.
[SPEAKER_00]: Pending the alterations, as I understand,
[SPEAKER_00]: By the way, there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wall.
[SPEAKER_00]: There were none.
[SPEAKER_00]: I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my room.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ah.
[SPEAKER_00]: That is suggestive.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now, on the other side of this narrow wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open.
[SPEAKER_00]: There are windows in it, of course.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, but very small ones too narrow for anyone to pass through.
[SPEAKER_00]: As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were unapproachable from that side.
[SPEAKER_00]: Now, would you have the kindness to go into your room and buy your shutters?
[SPEAKER_00]: Mistoner did so, and homes after a careful examination through the open window, endeavored in every way to force the shutter open.
[SPEAKER_00]: But without success,
[SPEAKER_00]: There was no slit through which a knife could be passed to raise the bar.
[SPEAKER_00]: Then with his lens, he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built firmly into the massive masonry.
[SPEAKER_00]: "'Hum,' said he, scratching his chin in some peplexity.
[SPEAKER_00]: "'My theory certainly presents some difficulties.
[SPEAKER_00]: "'No one could pass these shutters if they were bolted well.
[SPEAKER_00]: "'We shall see if the inside throws any light upon the matter.
[SPEAKER_00]: A small side door led into the white-washed corridor from which the three bedrooms opened.
[SPEAKER_00]: Holmes refused to examine the third chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Stona was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fate.
[SPEAKER_00]: It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country houses,
[SPEAKER_00]: a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow white counter-pained bed in another and a dressing table on the left-hand side of the window.
[SPEAKER_00]: These articles with two small wicker work chairs made up all the furniture in the room safe for a square of Wilton carpet in the center.
[SPEAKER_00]: The boards round and the paneling of the walls were of brown were meet nook, so old and discolored that it may have dated from the original building of the house,
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: Where does that bell communicate with?
[SPEAKER_00]: He asked at last, pointing to a thick bell rope which hung down beside the bed, the tassel actually lying upon the pillow.
[SPEAKER_00]: It goes to the housekeeper's room,
[SPEAKER_00]: It looks newer than the other things?
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your sister asked for it, I suppose?
[SPEAKER_00]: No, I never heard of her using it.
[SPEAKER_00]: We used always to get what we wanted for ourselves.
[SPEAKER_00]: Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell pull there.
[SPEAKER_00]: You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to this floor.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: Then he did the same with the woodwork with which the chamber was paneled.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: Finally, he took the bell rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug.
[SPEAKER_00]: Why it's a dummy, said he.
[SPEAKER_00]: Want it ring?
[SPEAKER_00]: No, it is not even attached to a wire.
[SPEAKER_00]: This is very interesting.
[SPEAKER_00]: You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little opening for the ventilator is.
[SPEAKER_00]: How very absurd I never noticed that before.
[SPEAKER_00]: Very strange, muttered homes pulling at the rope.
[SPEAKER_00]: There are one or two very singular points about this room.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: That is also quite modern, said the lady.
[SPEAKER_00]: Done about the same time as the bell rope, remarked homes.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that time.
[SPEAKER_00]: They seem to have been of a most interesting character.
[SPEAKER_00]: Dummy Bell ropes and ventilators which do not ventilate.
[SPEAKER_00]: With your permission, Ms.
[SPEAKER_00]: Stoner, we shall now carry our researchers into the inner apartment.
[SPEAKER_00]: Dr. Grimes B. Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his stepdaughter, but was as plainly furnished.
[SPEAKER_00]: A campbed, 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 with a principal things which met the eye.
[SPEAKER_00]: Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and all of them with the keenest interest.
[SPEAKER_00]: What's in here, he asked tapping the safe,
[SPEAKER_00]: My stepfather's business papers.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, you have seen inside then.
[SPEAKER_00]: Only once some years ago, I remember that it was full of papers.
[SPEAKER_00]: There isn't a cat in it, for example.
[SPEAKER_00]: No, what a strange idea.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, look at this.
[SPEAKER_00]: He took up a small saucer of milk which stood on the top of it.
[SPEAKER_00]: No, we don't keep a cat but there is a cheetah and a baboon.
[SPEAKER_00]: Ah yes, of course.
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, a cheetah is just a big cat.
[SPEAKER_00]: And yet a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its once, I dare say.
[SPEAKER_00]: There is one point which I should wish to determine.
[SPEAKER_00]: He squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat of it with the greatest attention.
[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you, that is quite settled, said he rising and putting his lens in his pocket.
[SPEAKER_00]: Hello, here is something interesting.
[SPEAKER_00]: The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on one corner of the bed.
[SPEAKER_00]: The lash, however, was curled upon itself and tied so as to make a loop of whip cord.
[SPEAKER_00]: What do you make of that Watson?
[SPEAKER_00]: It's a common enough lash, but I don't know why it should be tied.
[SPEAKER_00]: That is not quite so common, is it?
[SPEAKER_00]: Ah, me.
[SPEAKER_00]: It's a wicked world.
[SPEAKER_00]: And when a clever man turns his brains to crime, it is the worst of all.
[SPEAKER_00]: I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner.
[SPEAKER_00]: And with your permission, we shall walk out upon the Lord.
[SPEAKER_00]: I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[SPEAKER_00]: It is very essential, Miss Stoner, said he, that you should absolutely follow my advice in every respect.
[SPEAKER_00]: I shall most certainly do so.
[SPEAKER_00]: The matter is too serious for any hesitation.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your life may depend upon your compliance.
[SPEAKER_00]: I assure you that I am in your hands.
[SPEAKER_00]: In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in your room.
[SPEAKER_00]: Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, it must be so let me explain.
[SPEAKER_00]: I believe that that is the village in over there.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes, that is the crown.
[SPEAKER_00]: Very good.
[SPEAKER_00]: Your windows would be visible from there.
[SPEAKER_00]: Certainly.
[SPEAKER_00]: You must confine yourself to your room on pretense of a headache when your stepfather comes back.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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 used to occupy.
[SPEAKER_00]: I have no doubt that in spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night.
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh yes, easily.
[SPEAKER_00]: The rest you will leave in our hands,
[SPEAKER_00]: but what will you do?
[SPEAKER_00]: We shall spend the night in your room and we shall investigate the cause of this noise which has disturbed you.
[SPEAKER_00]: I believe Mr. Holmes that you have already made up your mind, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve.
[SPEAKER_00]: Perhaps I have.
[SPEAKER_00]: Then for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's death.
[SPEAKER_00]: I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak.
[SPEAKER_00]: You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct and if she died from some sudden fright.
[SPEAKER_00]: No, I do not think so.
[SPEAKER_00]: I think that there was probably some more tangible cause.
[SPEAKER_00]: And now, Ms.
[SPEAKER_00]: Stoner,
[SPEAKER_00]: We must leave you for if Dr. Roy Lot returned and saw us our journey would be in vain.
[SPEAKER_00]: Goodbye, and be brave.
[SPEAKER_00]: 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.
[UNKNOWN]: you.
[UNKNOWN]: you.
[UNKNOWN]: you