“”Tellme，Helen”saidshe，”haveyoueverheardanyonewhistle
　　inthedeadofthenight？”
　　“”Never”saidI。
　　“”Isupposethatyoucouldnotpossiblywhistle，yourself，inyour
　　sleep？”
　　“”Certainlynot。Butwhy？”
　　“”BecauseduringthelastfewnightsIhavealways，aboutthreein
　　themorning，heardalow，clearwhistle。Iamalightsleeper，and
　　ithasawakenedme。Icannottellwhereitcamefrom-perhapsfrom
　　thenextroom，perhapsfromthelawn。IthoughtthatIwouldjust
　　askyouwhetheryouhadheardit。”
　　“”No，Ihavenot。Itmustbethosewretchedgypsiesinthe
　　plantation。”
　　“”Verylikely。Andyetifitwereonthelawn，Iwonderthatyoudid
　　nothearitalso。”
　　“”Ah，butIsleepmoreheavilythanyou。”
　　“”Well，itisofnogreatconsequence，atanyrate。”Shesmiledback
　　atme，closedmydoor，andafewmomentslaterIheardherkeyturnin
　　thelock。”
　　“Indeed，“saidHolmes。“Wasityourcustomalwaystolockyourselves
　　inatnight？“
　　“Always。”
　　“Andwhy？“
　　“IthinkthatImentionedtoyouthatthedoctorkeptacheetah
　　andababoon。Wehadnofeelingofsecurityunlessourdoorswere
　　locked。”
　　“Quiteso。Prayproceedwithyourstatement。”
　　“Icouldnotsleepthatnight。Avaguefeelingofimpending
　　misfortuneimpressedme。MysisterandI，youwillrecollect，were
　　twins，andyouknowhowsubtlearethelinkswhichbindtwosouls
　　whicharesocloselyallied。Itwasawildnight。Thewindwashowling
　　outside，andtherainwasbeatingandsplashingagainstthewindows。
　　Suddenly，amidallthehubbubofthegale，thereburstforththe
　　wildscreamofaterrifiedwoman。Iknewthatitwasmysister”s
　　voice。Isprangfrommybed，wrappedashawlroundme，andrushedinto
　　thecorridor。AsIopenedmydoorIseemedtohearalowwhistle，such
　　asmysisterdescribed，andafewmomentslateraclangingsound，as
　　ifamassofmetalhadfallen。AsIrandownthepassage，my
　　sister”sdoorwasunlocked，andrevolvedslowlyuponitshinges。I
　　staredatithorror-stricken，notknowingwhatwasabouttoissuefrom
　　it。Bythelightofthecorridor-lampIsawmysisterappearatthe
　　opening，herfaceblanchedwithterror，herhandsgropingforhelp，
　　herwholefigureswayingtoandfrolikethatofadrunkard。Iran
　　toherandthrewmyarmsroundher，butatthatmomentherknees
　　seemedtogivewayandshefelltotheground。Shewrithedasone
　　whoisinterriblepain，andherlimbsweredreadfullyconvulsed。At
　　firstIthoughtthatshehadnotrecognizedme，butasIbentoverher
　　shesuddenlyshriekedoutinavoicewhichIshallneverforget，”Oh，myGod！Helen！Itwastheband！Thespeckledband！”Therewas
　　somethingelsewhichshewouldfainhavesaid，andshestabbedwith
　　herfingerintotheairinthedirectionofthedoctorsroom，buta
　　freshconvulsionseizedherandchokedherwords。Irushedout，
　　callingloudlyformystepfather，andImethimhasteningfromhis
　　roominhisdressing-gown。Whenhereachedmysisterssideshewas
　　unconscious，andthoughhepouredbrandydownherthroatandsent
　　formedicalaidfromthevillage，alleffortswereinvain，forshe
　　slowlysankanddiedwithouthavingrecoveredherconsciousness。
　　Suchwasthedreadfulendofmybelovedsister。”
　　“Onemoment，“saidHolmes；“areyousureaboutthiswhistleand
　　metallicsound？Couldyousweartoit？“
　　“Thatwaswhatthecountycoroneraskedmeattheinquiry。Itis
　　mystrongimpressionthatIheardit，andyet，amongthecrashof
　　thegaleandthecreakingofanoldhouse，Imaypossiblyhavebeen
　　deceived。”
　　“Wasyoursisterdressed？“
　　“No，shewasinhernight-dress。Inherrighthandwasfoundthe
　　charredstumpofamatch，andinherleftamatch-box。”
　　“Showingthatshehadstruckalightandlookedaboutherwhenthe
　　alarmtookplace。Thatisimportant。Andwhatconclusionsdidthe
　　coronercometo？“
　　“Heinvestigatedthecasewithgreatcare，forDr。Roylott”sconduct
　　hadlongbeennotoriousinthecounty，buthewasunabletofindany
　　satisfactorycauseofdeath。Myevidenceshowedthatthedoorhadbeen
　　fastenedupontheinnerside，andthewindowswereblockedby
　　old-fashionedshutterswithbroadironbars，whichweresecured
　　everynight。Thewallswerecarefullysounded，andwereshowntobe
　　quitesolidallround，andtheflooringwasalsothoroughly
　　examined，withthesameresult。Thechimneyiswide，butisbarred
　　upbyfourlargestaples。Itiscertain，therefore，thatmysisterwas
　　quitealonewhenshemetherend。Besides，therewerenomarksof
　　anyviolenceuponher。”
　　“Howaboutpoison？“
　　“Thedoctorsexaminedherforit，butwithoutsuccess。”
　　“Whatdoyouthinkthatthisunfortunateladydiedof，then？“
　　“Itismybeliefthatshediedofpurefearandnervousshock，
　　thoughwhatitwasthatfrightenedherIcannotimagine。”
　　“Weretheregypsiesintheplantationatthetime？“
　　“Yes，therearenearlyalwayssomethere。”
　　“Ah，andwhatdidyougatherfromthisallusiontoaband-aspeckled
　　band？“
　　“SometimesIhavethoughtthatitwasmerelythewildtalkof
　　delirium，sometimesthatitmayhavereferredtosomebandof
　　people，perhapstotheseverygypsiesintheplantation。Idonotknow
　　whetherthespottedhandkerchiefswhichsomanyofthemwearover
　　theirheadsmighthavesuggestedthestrangeadjectivewhichshe
　　used。”
　　Holmesshookhisheadlikeamanwhoisfarfrombeingsatisfied。
　　“Theseareverydeepwaters，“saidhe；“praygoonwithyour
　　narrative。”
　　“Twoyearshavepassedsincethen，andmylifehasbeenuntillately
　　lonelierthanever。Amonthago，however，adearfriend，whomIhave
　　knownformanyyears，hasdonemethehonourtoaskmyhandin
　　marriage。HisnameisArmitage-PercyArmitage-thesecondsonofMr。
　　Armitage，ofCraneWater，nearReading。Mystepfatherhasofferedno
　　oppositiontothematch，andwearetobemarriedinthecourseofthe
　　spring。Twodaysagosomerepairswerestartedinthewestwingofthe
　　building，andmybedroomwallhasbeenpierced，sothatIhavehad
　　tomoveintothechamberinwhichmysisterdied，andtosleepin
　　theverybedinwhichsheslept。Imagine，then，mythrillofterror
　　whenlastnight，asIlayawake，thinkingoverherterriblefate，I
　　suddenlyheardinthesilenceofthenightthelowwhistlewhichhad
　　beentheheraldofherowndeath。Isprangupandlitthelamp，but
　　nothingwastobeseenintheroom。Iwastooshakentogotobed
　　again，however，soIdressed，andassoonasitwasdaylightIslipped
　　down，gotadog-cartattheCrownInn，whichisopposite，anddroveto
　　Leatherhead，fromwhenceIhavecomeonthismorningwiththeone
　　objectofseeingyouandaskingyouradvice。”
　　“Youhavedonewisely，“saidmyfriend。“Buthaveyoutoldmeall？“
　　“Yes，all。”
　　“MissRoylott，youhavenot。Youarescreeningyourstepfather。”
　　“Why，whatdoyoumean？“
　　ForanswerHolmespushedbackthefrillofblacklacewhich
　　fringedthehandthatlayuponourvisitor”sknee。Fivelittlelivid
　　spots，themarksoffourfingersandathumb，wereprinteduponthe
　　whitewrist。
　　“Youhavebeencruellyused，“saidHolmes。
　　Theladycoloureddeeplyandcoveredoverherinjuredwrist。“He
　　isahardman，“shesaid，“andperhapshehardlyknowshisown
　　strength。”
　　Therewasalongsilence，duringwhichHolmesleanedhischinupon
　　hishandsandstaredintothecracklingfire。
　　“Thisisaverydeepbusiness，“hesaidatlast。“Therearea
　　thousanddetailswhichIshoulddesiretoknowbeforeIdecideupon
　　ourcourseofaction。Yetwehavenotamomenttolose。Ifwewere
　　tocometoStokeMoranto-day，woulditbepossibleforustoseeover
　　theseroomswithouttheknowledgeofyourstepfather？“
　　“Asithappens，hespokeofcomingintotownto-dayuponsomemost
　　importantbusiness。Itisprobablethathewillbeawayallday，and
　　thattherewouldbenothingtodisturbyou。Wehaveahousekeepernow，
　　butsheisoldandfoolish，andIcouldeasilygetheroutofthe
　　way。”
　　“Excellent。Youarenotaversetothistrip，Watson？“
　　“Bynomeans。”
　　“Thenweshallbothcome。Whatareyougoingtodoyourself？“
　　“IhaveoneortwothingswhichIwouldwishtodonowthatIam
　　intown。ButIshallreturnbythetwelveo”clocktrain，soastobe
　　thereintimeforyourcoming。”
　　“Andyoumayexpectusearlyintheafternoon。Ihavemyselfsome
　　smallbusinessmatterstoattendto。Willyounotwaitandbreakfast？“
　　“No，Imustgo。MyheartislightenedalreadysinceIhave
　　confidedmytroubletoyou。Ishalllookforwardtoseeingyouagain
　　thisafternoon。”Shedroppedherthickblackveiloverherfaceand
　　glidedfromtheroom。
　　“Andwhatdoyouthinkofitall，Watson？“askedSherlockHolmes，
　　leaningbackinhischair。
　　“Itseemstometobeamostdarkandsinisterbusiness。”
　　“Darkenoughandsinisterenough。”
　　“Yetiftheladyiscorrectinsayingthattheflooringandwalls
　　aresound，andthatthedoor，window，andchimneyareimpassable，then
　　hersistermusthavebeenundoubtedlyalonewhenshemether
　　mysteriousend。”
　　“Whatbecomes，then，ofthesenocturnalwhistles，andwhatofthe
　　verypeculiarwordsofthedyingwoman？“
　　“Icannotthink。”
　　“Whenyoucombinetheideasofwhistlesatnight，thepresenceof
　　abandofgypsieswhoareonintimatetermswiththisolddoctor，
　　thefactthatwehaveeveryreasontobelievethatthedoctorhasan
　　interestinpreventinghisstepdaughter”smarriage，thedyingallusion
　　toaband，and，finally，thefactthatMissHelenStonerhearda
　　metallicclang，whichmighthavebeencausedbyoneofthosemetal
　　barsthatsecuredtheshuttersfallingbackintoitsplace，Ithink
　　thatthereisgoodgroundtothinkthatthemysterymaybecleared
　　alongthoselines。”
　　“Butwhat，then，didthegypsiesdo？“
　　“Icannotimagine。”
　　“Iseemanyobjectionstoanysuchtheory。”
　　“AndsodoI。Itispreciselyforthatreasonthatwearegoingto
　　StokeMoranthisday。Iwanttoseewhethertheobjectionsare
　　fatal，oriftheymaybeexplainedaway。Butwhatinthenameofthe
　　devil！“
　　Theejaculationhadbeendrawnfrommycompanionbythefactthat
　　ourdoorhadbeensuddenlydashedopen，andthatahugemanhadframed
　　himselfintheaperture。Hiscostumewasapeculiarmixtureofthe
　　professionalandoftheagricultural，havingablacktop-hat，along
　　frock-coat，andapairofhighgaiters，withahunting-cropswinging
　　inhishand。Sotallwashethathishatactuallybrushedthecross
　　barofthedoorway，andhisbreadthseemedtospanitacrossfromside
　　toside。Alargeface，searedwithathousandwrinkles，burned
　　yellowwiththesun，andmarkedwitheveryevilpassion，wasturned
　　fromonetotheotherofus，whilehisdeep-set，bile-shoteyes，and
　　hishigh，thin，fleshlessnose，gavehimsomewhattheresemblancetoa
　　fierceoldbirdofprey。
　　“WhichofyouisHolmes？“askedthisapparition。
　　“Myname，sir；butyouhavetheadvantageofme，“saidmy
　　companionquietly。
　　“IamDr。GrimesbyRoylott，ofStokesMoran。”
　　“Indeed，Doctor，“saidHolmesblandly。“Praytakeaseat。”
　　“Iwilldonothingofthekind。Mystepdaughterhasbeenhere。I
　　havetracedher。Whathasshebeensayingtoyou？“
　　“Itisalittlecoldforthetimeoftheyear，“saidHolmes。
　　“Whathasshebeensayingtoyou？“screamedtheoldmanfuriously。
　　“ButIhaveheardthatthecrocusespromisewell，“continuedmy
　　companionimperturbably。
　　“Ha！Youputmeoff，doyou？“saidournewvisitor，takingastep
　　forwardandshakinghishunting-crop。“Iknowyou，youscoundrel！I
　　haveheardofyoubefore。YouareHolmes，themeddler。”
　　Myfriendsmiled。
　　“Holmes，thebusybody？“
　　Hissmilebroadened。
　　“Holmes，theScotlandYardJack-in-office！“
　　Holmeschuckledheartily。“Yourconversationismost
　　entertaining，“saidhe。“Whenyougooutclosethedoor，forthere
　　isadecideddraught。”
　　“IwillgowhenIhavesaidmysay。Don”tyoudaretomeddlewithmy
　　affairs。IknowthatMissStonerhasbeenhere。Itracedher！Iama
　　dangerousmantofallfouloffSeehere。”Hesteppedswiftly
　　forward，seizedthepoker，andbentitintoacurvewithhishuge
　　brownhands。
　　“Seethatyoukeepyourselfoutofmygrip，“hesnarled，andhurling
　　thetwistedpokerintothefireplacehestrodeoutoftheroom。
　　“Heseemsaveryamiableperson，“saidHolmes，laughing。“Iamnot
　　quitesobulky，butifhehadremainedImighthaveshownhimthat
　　mygripwasnotmuchmorefeeblethanhisown。”Ashespokehe
　　pickedupthesteelpokerand，withasuddeneffort，straightenedit
　　outagain。
　　“Fancyhishavingtheinsolencetoconfoundmewiththeofficial
　　detectiveforce！Thisincidentgiveszesttoourinvestigation，
　　however，andIonlytrustthatourlittlefriendwillnotsuffer
　　fromherimprudenceinallowingthisbrutetotraceher。Andnow，
　　Watson，weshallorderbreakfast，andafterwardsIshallwalkdown
　　toDoctors”Commons，whereIhopetogetsomedatawhichmayhelpus
　　inthismatter。”
　　Itwasnearlyoneo”clockwhenSherlockHolmesreturnedfromhis
　　excursion。Heheldinhishandasheetofbluepaper，scrawledover
　　withnotesandfigures。
　　“Ihaveseenthewillofthedeceasedwife，“saidhe。“To
　　determineitsexactmeaningIhavebeenobligedtoworkoutthe
　　presentpricesoftheinvestmentswithwhichitisconcerned。The
　　totalincome，whichatthetimeofthewife”sdeathwaslittleshort
　　ofL1000isnow，throughthefallinagriculturalprices，notmore
　　thanL750。EachdaughtercanclaimanincomeofL250，incaseof
　　marriage。Itisevident，therefore，thatifbothgirlshadmarried，
　　thisbeautywouldhavehadamerepittance，whileevenoneofthem
　　wouldcripplehimtoaveryseriousextent。Mymorning”sworkhas
　　notbeenwasted，sinceithasprovedthathehastheverystrongest
　　motivesforstandinginthewayofanythingofthesort。Andnow，
　　Watson，thisistooseriousfordawdling，especiallyastheoldmanis
　　awarethatweareinterestingourselvesinhisaffairs；soifyou
　　areready，weshallcallacabanddrivetoWaterloo。Ishouldbevery
　　muchobligedifyouwouldslipyourrevolverintoyourpocket。An
　　Eley”sNo。2isanexcellentargumentwithgentlemenwhocantwist
　　steelpokersintoknots。Thatandatooth-brushare，Ithink，allthat
　　weneed。”
　　AtWaterloowewerefortunateincatchingatrainforLeatherhead，
　　wherewehiredatrapatthestationinnanddroveforfourorfive
　　milesthroughthelovelySurreylanes。Itwasaperfectday，witha
　　brightsunandafewfleecycloudsintheheavens。Thetreesand
　　waysidehedgeswerejustthrowingouttheirfirstgreenshoots，and
　　theairwasfullofthepleasantsmellofthemoistearth。Tomeat
　　leasttherewasastrangecontrastbetweenthesweetpromiseofthe
　　springandthissinisterquestuponwhichwewereengaged。My
　　companionsatinthefrontofthetrap，hisarmsfolded，hishat
　　pulleddownoverhiseyes，andhischinsunkuponhisbreast，buried
　　inthedeepestthought。Suddenly，however，hestarted，tappedmeon
　　theshoulder，andpointedoverthemeadows。
　　“Lookthere！“saidhe。
　　Aheavilytimberedparkstretchedupinagentleslope，thickening
　　intoagroveatthehighestpoint。Fromamidthebranchestherejutted
　　outthegraygablesandhighroof-treeofaveryoldmansion。
　　“StokeMoran？“saidhe。
　　“Yes，sir，thatbethehouseofDr。GrimesbyRoylott，“remarked
　　thedriver。
　　“Thereissomebuildinggoingonthere，“saidHolmes，“thatiswhere
　　wearegoing。”
　　“There”sthevillage，“saidthedriver，pointingtoaclusterof
　　roofssomedistancetotheleft；“butifyouwanttogettothehouse，
　　you”llfinditshortertogetoverthisstile，andsobythefoot-path
　　overthefields。Thereitis，wheretheladyiswalking。”
　　“Andthelady，Ifancy，isMissStoner，“observedHolmes，shading
　　hiseyes。“Yes，Ithinkwehadbetterdoasyousuggest。”
　　Wegotoff，paidourfare，andthetraprattledbackonitswayto
　　Leatherhead。
　　“Ithoughtitaswell，“saidHolmesasweclimbedthestile，“that
　　thisfellowshouldthinkwehadcomehereasarchitects，oronsome
　　definitebusiness。Itmaystophisgossip。Good-afternoon，Miss
　　Stoner。Youseethatwehavebeenasgoodasourword。”
　　Ourclientofthemorninghadhurriedforwardtomeetuswithaface
　　whichspokeherjoy。“Ihavebeenwaitingsoeagerlyforyou，“she
　　cried，shakinghandswithuswarmly。“Allhasturnedoutsplendidly。
　　Dr。Roylotthasgonetotown，anditisunlikelythathewillbe
　　backbeforeevening。”
　　“Wehavehadthepleasureofmakingthedoctorsacquaintance，“
　　saidHolmes，andinafewwordshesketchedoutwhathadoccurred。
　　MissStonerturnedwhitetothelipsasshelistened。
　　“Goodheavens！“shecried，“hehasfollowedme，then。”
　　“Soitappears。”
　　“HeissocunningthatIneverknowwhenIamsafefromhim。What
　　willhesaywhenhereturns？“
　　“Hemustguardhimself，forhemayfindthatthereissomeonemore
　　cunningthanhimselfuponhistrack。Youmustlockyourselfupfrom
　　himto-night。Ifheisviolent，weshalltakeyouawaytoyour
　　aunt”satHarrow。Now，wemustmakethebestuseofourtime，so
　　kindlytakeusatoncetotheroomswhichwearetoexamine。”
　　Thebuildingwasofgray，lichen-blotchedstone，withahighcentral
　　portionandtwocurvingwings，liketheclawsofacrab，thrownouton
　　eachside。Inoneofthesewingsthewindowswerebrokenandblocked
　　withwoodenboards，whiletheroofwaspartlycavedin，apictureof
　　ruin。Thecentralportionwasinlittlebetterrepair，butthe
　　right-handblockwascomparativelymodern，andtheblindsinthe
　　windows，withthebluesmokecurlingupfromthechimneys，showedthat
　　thiswaswherethefamilyresided。Somescaffoldinghadbeenerected
　　againsttheendwall，andthestone-workhadbeenbrokeninto，but
　　therewerenosignsofanyworkmenatthemomentofourvisit。
　　Holmeswalkedslowlyupanddowntheill-trimmedlawnandexamined
　　withdeepattentiontheoutsidesofthewindows。
　　“This，Itakeit，belongstotheroominwhichyouusedtosleep，
　　thecentreonetoyoursister”s，andtheonenexttothemainbuilding
　　toDr。Roylott”schamber？“
　　“Exactlyso。ButIamnowsleepinginthemiddleone。”
　　“Pendingthealterations，asIunderstand。Bytheway，theredoes
　　notseemtobeanyverypressingneedforrepairsatthatendwall。”
　　“Therewerenone。Ibelievethatitwasanexcusetomovemefrommy
　　room。”
　　“Ah！thatissuggestive。Now，ontheothersideofthisnarrow
　　wingrunsthecorridorfromwhichthesethreeroomsopen。Thereare
　　windowsinit，ofcourse？“
　　“Yes，butverysmallones。Toonarrowforanyonetopassthrough。”
　　“Asyoubothlockedyourdoorsatnight，yourroomswere
　　unapproachablefromthatside。Now，wouldyouhavethekindnessto
　　gointoyourroomandbaryourshutters？“
　　MissStonerdidso，andHolmes，afteracarefulexamination
　　throughtheopenwindow，endeavouredineverywaytoforcetheshutter
　　open，butwithoutsuccess。Therewasnoslitthroughwhichaknife
　　couldbepassedtoraisethebar。Thenwithhislenshetestedthe
　　hinges，buttheywereofsolidiron，builtfirmlyintothemassive
　　masonry。“Hum！“saidhe，scratchinghischininsomeperplexity，“my
　　theorycertainlypresentssomedifficulties。Noonecouldpassthese
　　shuttersiftheywerebolted。Well，weshallseeiftheinside
　　throwsanylightuponthematter。”
　　Asmallsidedoorledintothewhitewashedcorridorfromwhichthe
　　threebedroomsopened。Holmesrefusedtoexaminethethirdchamber，so
　　wepassedatoncetothesecond，thatinwhichMissStonerwasnow
　　sleeping，andinwhichhersisterhadmetwithherfate。Itwasa
　　homelylittleroom，withalowceilingandagapingfireplace，after
　　thefashionofoldcountry-houses。Abrownchestofdrawersstoodin
　　onecorner，anarrowwhite-counterpanedbedinanother，anda
　　dressingtableontheleft-handsideofthewindow。Thesearticles，
　　withtwosmallwickerworkchairs，madeupallthefurnitureinthe
　　roomsaveforasquareofWiltoncarpetinthecentre。Theboards
　　roundandthepanellingofthewallswereofbrown，worm-eatenoak，so
　　oldanddiscolouredthatitmayhavedatedfromtheoriginal
　　buildingofthehouse。Holmesdrewoneofthechairsintoacornerand
　　satsilent，whilehiseyestravelledroundandroundandupand
　　down，takingineverydetailoftheapartment。
　　“Wheredoesthatbellcommunicatewith？“heaskedatlast，
　　pointingtoathickbell-ropewhichhungdownbesidethebed，the
　　tasselactuallylyinguponthepillow。
　　“Itgoestothehousekeeper”sroom。”
　　“Itlooksnewerthantheotherthings？“
　　“Yes，itwasonlyputthereacoupleofyearsago。”
　　“YoursisteraskedforitIsuppose？“
　　“No，Ineverheardofherusingit。Weusedalwaystogetwhatwe
　　wantedforourselves。”
　　“Indeed，itseemedunnecessarytoputsoniceabell-pullthere。You
　　willexcusemeforafewminuteswhileIsatisymyselfastothis
　　floor。”Hethrewhimselfdownuponhisfacewithhislensinhis
　　handandcrawledswiftlybackwardandforward，examiningminutely
　　thecracksbetweentheboards。Thenhedidthesamewiththewood-work
　　withwhichthechamberwaspanelled。Finallyhewalkedovertothebed
　　andspentsometimeinstaringatitandinrunninghiseyeupand
　　downthewall。Finallyhetookthebell-ropeinhishandandgaveita
　　brisktug。
　　“Why，it”sadummy，“saidhe。
　　“Won”titring？“
　　“No，itisnotevenattachedtoawire。Thisisveryinteresting。
　　Youcanseenowthatitisfastenedtoahookjustabovewherethe
　　littleopeningfortheventilatoris。”
　　“Howveryabsurd！Inevernoticedthatbefore。”
　　“Verystrange！“mutteredHolmes，pullingattherope。“Thereareone
　　ortwoverysingularpointsaboutthisroom。Forexample，whata
　　foolabuildermustbetoopenaventilatorintoanotherroom，when，
　　withthesametrouble，hemighthavecommunicatedwiththeoutside
　　air！“
　　“Thatisalsoquitemodern，“saidthelady。
　　“Doneaboutthesametimeasthebell-rope？“remarkedHolmes。
　　“Yes，therewereseverallittlechangescarriedoutaboutthat
　　time。”
　　“Theyseemtohavebeenofamostinterestingcharacter-dummy
　　bell-ropes，andventilatorswhichdonotventilate。Withyour
　　permission，MissStoner，weshallnowcarryourresearchesintothe
　　innerapartment。”
　　Dr。GrimesbyRoylott”schamberwaslargerthanthatofhis
　　stepdaughter，butwasasplainlyfurnished。Acamp-bed，asmallwooden
　　shelffullofbooks，mostlyofatechnicalcharacter，anarmchair
　　besidethebed，aplainwoodenchairagainstthewall，around
　　table，andalargeironsafeweretheprincipalthingswhichmetthe
　　eye。Holmeswalkedslowlyroundandexaminedeachandallofthemwith
　　thekeenestinterest。
　　“What”sinhere？“heasked，tappingthesafe。
　　“Mystepfather”sbusinesspapers。”
　　“Oh！youhaveseeninside，then？“
　　“Onlyonce，someyearsago。Irememberthatitwasfullofpapers。”
　　“Thereisn”tacatinit，forexample？”
　　“No。Whatastrangeidea！“
　　“Well，lookatthis！“Hetookupasmallsaucerofmilkwhich
　　stoodonthetopofit。
　　“No；wedon”tkeepacat。Butthereisacheetahandababoon。”
　　“Ah，yes，ofcourse！Well，acheetahisjustabigcat，andyeta
　　saucerofmilkdoesnotgoveryfarinsatisfyingitswants，I
　　daresay。ThereisonepointwhichIshouldwishtodetermine。”He
　　squatteddowninfrontofthewoodenchairandexaminedtheseatofit
　　withthegreatestattention。
　　“Thankyou。Thatisquitesettled，“saidhe，risingandputting
　　hislensinhispocket。“Hello！Hereissomethinginteresting！“
　　Theobjectwhichhadcaughthiseyewasasmalldoglashhungonone
　　cornerofthebed。Thelash，however，wascurleduponitselfand
　　tiedsoastomakealoopofwhipcord。
　　“Whatdoyoumakeofthat，Watson？“
　　“It”sacommonenoughlash。ButIdon”tknowwhyitshouldbetied。”
　　“Thatisnotquitesocommon，isit？Ah，me！it”sawickedworld，
　　andwhenaclevermanturnshisbrainstocrimeitistheworstof
　　all。IthinkthatIhaveseenenoughnow，MissStoner，andwithyour
　　permissionweshallwalkoutuponthelawn。”
　　Ihadneverseenmyfriend”sfacesogrimorhisbrowsodarkas
　　itwaswhenweturnedfromthesceneofthisinvestigation。Wehad
　　walkedseveraltimesupanddownthelawn，neitherMissStonernor
　　myselflikingtobreakinuponhisthoughtsbeforeherousedhimself
　　fromhisreverie。
　　“Itisveryessential，MissStoner，“saidhe，“thatyoushould
　　absolutelyfollowmyadviceineveryrespect。”
　　“Ishallmostcertainlydoso。”
　　“Thematteristooseriousforanyhesitation。Yourlifemay
　　dependuponyourcompliance。”
　　“IassureyouthatIaminyourhands。”
　　“Inthefirstplace，bothmyfriendandImustspendthenightin
　　yourroom。”
　　BothMissStonerandIgazedathiminastonishment。
　　“Yes，itmustbeso。Letmeexplain。Ibelievethatthatisthe
　　villageinnoverthere？“
　　“Yes，thatistheCrown。”
　　“Verygood。Yourwindowswouldbevisiblefromthere？“
　　“Certainly。”
　　“Youmustconfineyourselftoyourroom，onpretenceofa
　　headache，whenyourstepfathercomesback。Thenwhenyouhearhim
　　retireforthenight，youmustopentheshuttersofyourwindow，
　　undothehasp，putyourlampthereasasignaltous，andthen
　　withdrawquietlywitheverythingwhichyouarelikelytowantintothe
　　roomwhichyouusedtooccupy。Ihavenodoubtthat，inspiteofthe
　　repairs，youcouldmanagethereforonenight。”
　　“Oh，yes，easily。”
　　“Therestyouwillleaveinourhands。”
　　“Butwhatwillyoudo？“
　　“Weshallspendthenightinyourroom，andweshallinvestigatethe
　　causeofthisnoisewhichhasdisturbedyou。”
　　“Ibelieve，Mr。Holmes，thatyouhavealreadymadeupyourmind，“
　　saidMissStoner，layingherhanduponmycompanion”ssleeve。
　　“PerhapsIhave。”
　　“Then，forpity”ssake，tellmewhatwasthecauseofmysister”s
　　death。”
　　“IshouldprefertohaveclearerproofsbeforeIspeak。”
　　“Youcanatleasttellmewhethermyownthoughtiscorrect，and
　　ifshediedfromsomesuddenfright。”
　　“No，Idonotthinkso。Ithinkthattherewasprobablysomemore
　　tangiblecause。Andnow，MissStoner，wemustleaveyou，forifDr。
　　Roylottreturnedandsawusourjourneywouldbeinvain。Good-bye，
　　andbebrave，forifyouwilldowhatIhavetoldyourestassured
　　thatweshallsoondriveawaythedangersthatthreatenyou。”
　　SherlockHolmesandIhadnodifficultyinengagingabedroomand
　　sitting-roomattheCrownInn。Theywereontheupperfloor，and
　　fromourwindowwecouldcommandaviewoftheavenuegate，andofthe
　　inhabitedwingofStokeMoranManorHouse。AtduskwesawDr。Grimesby
　　Roylottdrivepast，hishugeformloomingupbesidethelittle
　　figureoftheladwhodrovehim。Theboyhadsomeslightdifficultyin
　　undoingtheheavyirongates，andweheardthehoarseroarofthe
　　doctor”svoiceandsawthefurywithwhichheshookhisclinchedfists
　　athim。Thetrapdroveon，andafewminuteslaterwesawasudden
　　lightspringupamongthetreesasthelampwaslitinoneofthe
　　sitting-rooms。
　　“Doyouknow，Watson，“saidHolmesaswesattogetherinthe
　　gatheringdarkness，“Ihavereallysomescruplesastotakingyou
　　to-night。Thereisadistinctelementofdanger。”
　　“CanIbeofassistance？“
　　“Yourpresencemightbeinvaluable。”
　　“ThenIshallcertainlycome。”
　　“Itisverykindofyou。”
　　“Youspeakofdanger。Youhaveevidentlyseenmoreintheserooms
　　thanwasvisibletome。”
　　“No，butIfancythatImayhavededucedalittlemore。Iimagine
　　thatyousawallthatIdid。”
　　“Isawnothingremarkablesavethebell-rope，andwhatpurpose
　　thatcouldanswerIconfessismorethanIcanimagine。”
　　“Yousawtheventilator，too？“
　　“Yes，butIdonotthinkthatitissuchaveryunusualthingto
　　haveasmallopeningbetweentworooms。Itwassosmallthatarat
　　couldhardlypassthrough。”
　　“Iknewthatweshouldfindaventilatorbeforeeverwecameto
　　StokeMoran。”
　　“MydearHolmes！“
　　“Oh，yes，Idid。Yourememberinherstatementshesaidthather
　　sistercouldsmellDr。Roylott”scigar。Now，ofcoursethat
　　suggestedatoncethattheremustbeacommunicationbetweenthetwo
　　rooms。Itcouldonlybeasmallone，orwouldhavebeenremarked
　　uponatthecoroner”sinquiry。Ideducedaventilator。”
　　“Butwhatharmcantherebeinthat？“
　　“Well，thereisatleastacuriouscoincidenceofdates。A
　　ventilatorismade，acordishung，andaladywhosleepsinthebed
　　dies。Doesnotthatstrikeyou？“
　　“Icannotasyetseeanyconnection。”
　　“Didyouobserveanythingverypeculiaraboutthatbed？“
　　“No。”
　　“Itwasclampedtothefloor。Didyoueverseeabedfastenedlike
　　thatbefore？“
　　“IcannotsaythatIhave。”
　　“Theladycouldnotmoveherbed。Itmustalwaysbeinthesame
　　relativepositiontotheventilatorandtotherope-orsowemay
　　callit，sinceitwasclearlynevermeantforabell-pull。”
　　“Holmes，“Icried，“Iseemtoseedimlywhatyouarehintingat。
　　Weareonlyjustintimetopreventsomesubtleandhorriblecrime。”
　　“Subtleenoughandhorribleenough。Whenadoctordoesgowronghe
　　isthefirstofcriminals。Hehasnerveandhehasknowledge。Palmer
　　andPritchardwereamongtheheadsoftheirprofession。Thisman
　　strikesevendeeper，butIthink，Watson，thatweshallbeableto
　　strikedeeperstill。Butweshallhavehorrorsenoughbeforethenight
　　isover；forgoodness”sakeletushaveaquietpipeandturnour
　　mindsforafewhourstosomethingmorecheerful。”
　　Aboutnineo”clockthelightamongthetreeswasextinguished，and
　　allwasdarkinthedirectionoftheManorHouse。Twohourspassed
　　slowlyaway，andthen，suddenly，justatthestrokeofeleven，a
　　singlebrightlightshoneoutrightinfrontofus。
　　“Thatisoursignal，“saidHolmes，springingtohisfeet；“it
　　comesfromthemiddlewindow。”
　　Aswepassedoutheexchangedafewwordswiththelandlord，
　　explainingthatweweregoingonalatevisittoanacquaintance，
　　andthatitwaspossiblethatwemightspendthenightthere。Amoment
　　laterwewereoutonthedarkroad，achillwindblowinginourfaces，
　　andoneyellowlighttwinklinginfrontofusthroughthegloomto
　　guideusonoursombreerrand。
　　Therewaslittledifficultyinenteringthegrounds，for
　　unrepairedbreachesgapedintheoldparkwall。Makingourwayamong
　　thetrees，wereachedthelawn，crossedit，andwereabouttoenter
　　throughthewindowwhenoutfromaclumpoflaurelbushestheredarted
　　whatseemedtobeahideousanddistortedchild，whothrewitselfupon
　　thegrasswithwrithinglimbsandthenranswiftlyacrossthelawn
　　intothedarkness。
　　“MyGod！“Iwhispered；“didyouseeit？“
　　HolmeswasforthemomentasstartledasI。Hishandclosedlikea
　　viseuponmywristinhisagitation。Thenhebrokeintoalowlaugh
　　andputhislipstomyear。
　　“Itisanicehousehold，“hemurmured。“Thatisthebaboon。”
　　Ihadforgottenthestrangepetswhichthedoctoraffected。There
　　wasacheetah，too；perhapswemightfindituponourshouldersatany
　　moment。IconfessthatIfelteasierinmymindwhen，after
　　followingHolmes”sexampleandslippingoffmyshoes，Ifoundmyself
　　insidethebedroom。Mycompanionnoiselesslyclosedtheshutters，
　　movedthelampontothetable，andcasthiseyesroundtheroom。All
　　wasaswehadseenitinthedaytime。Thencreepinguptomeand
　　makingatrumpetofhishand，hewhisperedintomyearagainsogently
　　thatitwasallthatIcoulddotodistinguishthewords：
　　“Theleastsoundwouldbefataltoourplans。”
　　InoddedtoshowthatIhadheard。
　　“Wemustsitwithoutlight。Hewouldseeitthroughtheventilator。”
　　Inoddedagain。
　　“Donotgoasleep，yourverylifemaydependuponit。Haveyour
　　pistolreadyincaseweshouldneedit。Iwillsitonthesideof
　　thebed，andyouinthatchair。”
　　Itookoutmyrevolverandlaiditonthecornerofthetable。
　　Holmeshadbroughtupalongthincane，andthisheplacedupon
　　thebedbesidehim。Byithelaidtheboxofmatchesandthestump
　　ofacandle。Thenheturneddownthelamp，andwewereleftin
　　darkness。
　　HowshallIeverforgetthatdreadfulvigil？Icouldnotheara
　　sound，noteventhedrawingofabreath，andyetIknewthatmy
　　companionsatopen-eyed，withinafewfeetofme，inthesamestateof
　　nervoustensioninwhichIwasmyself。Theshutterscutoffthe
　　leastrayoflightandwewaitedinabsolutedarkness。Fromoutside
　　cametheoccasionalcryofanight-bird，andonceatourverywindowa
　　longdrawncatlikewhine，whichtoldusthatthecheetahwasindeedat
　　liberty。Farawaywecouldhearthedeeptonesoftheparishclock，
　　whichboomedouteveryquarterofanhour。Howlongtheyseemed，those
　　quarters！Twelvestruck，andoneandtwoandthree，andstillwesat
　　waitingsilentlyforwhatevermightbefall。
　　Suddenlytherewasthemomentarygleamofalightupinthe
　　directionoftheventilator，whichvanishedimmediately，butwas
　　succeededbyastrongsmellofburningoilandheatedmetal。Someone
　　inthenextroomhadlitadark-lanten。Iheardagentlesoundof
　　movement，andthenallwassilentoncemore，thoughthesmellgrew
　　stronger。ForhalfanhourIsatwithstrainingears。Thensuddenly
　　anothersoundbecameaudible-averygentle，soothingsound，like
　　thatofasmalljetofsteamescapingcontinuallyfromakettle。The
　　instantthatweheardit，Holmessprangfromthebed，strucka
　　match，andlashedfuriouslywithhiscaneatthebell-pull。
　　“Youseeit，Watson？“heyelled。“Youseeit？“
　　ButIsawnothing。AtthemomentwhenHolmesstruckthelightI
　　heardalow，clearwhistle，butthesuddenglareflashingintomy
　　wearyeyesmadeitimpossibleformetotellwhatitwasatwhichmy
　　friendlashedsosavagely。Icould，however，seethathisfacewas
　　deadlypaleandfilledwithhorrorandloathing。
　　Hehadceasedtostrikeandwasgazingupattheventilatorwhen
　　suddenlytherebrokefromthesilenceofthenightthemosthorrible
　　crytowhichIhaveeverlistened。Itswelleduplouderandlouder，
　　ahoarseyellofpainandfearandangerallmingledintheone
　　dreadfulshriek。Theysaythatawaydowninthevillage，andevenin
　　thedistantparsonage，thatcryraisedthesleepersfromtheirbeds。
　　Itstruckcoldtoourhearts，andIstoodgazingatHolmes，andhe
　　atme，untilthelastechoesofithaddiedawayintothesilencefrom
　　whichitrose。
　　“Whatcanitmean？“Igasped。
　　“Itmeansthatitisallover，“Holmesanswered。“Andperhaps，after
　　all，itisforthebest。Takeyourpistol，andwewillenterDr。
　　Roylott”sroom。”
　　Withagravefacehelitthelampandledthewaydownthecorridor。
　　Twicehestruckatthechamberdoorwithoutanyreplyfromwithin。
　　Thenheturnedthehandleandentered，Iathisheels，withthecocked
　　pistolinmyhand。
　　Itwasasingularsightwhichmetoureyes。Onthetablestooda
　　dark-lanternwiththeshutterhalfopen，throwingabrilliantbeam
　　oflightupontheironsafe，thedoorofwhichwasajar。Besidethis
　　table，onthewoodenchair，satDr。GrimesbyRoylott，cladinalong
　　graydressing-gown，hisbareanklesprotrudingbeneath，andhisfeet
　　thrustintoredheellessTurkishslippers。Acrosshislaplaythe
　　shortstockwiththelonglashwhichwehadnoticedduringtheday。
　　Hischinwascockedupwardandhiseyeswerefixedinadreadful，
　　rigidstareatthecorneroftheceiling。Roundhisbrowhehada
　　peculiaryellowband，withbrownishspeckles，whichseemedtobebound
　　tightlyroundhishead。Asweenteredhemadeneithersoundnor
　　motion。
　　“Theband！Thespeckledband！“whisperedHolmes。
　　Itookastepforward。Inaninstanthisstrangeheadgearbeganto
　　move，andtherereareditselffromamonghishairthesquat
　　diamond-shapedheadandpuffedneckofaloathsomeserpent。
　　“Itisaswampadder！“criedHolmes；“thedeadliestsnakein
　　India。Hehasdiedwithintensecondsofbeingbitten。Violence
　　does，intruth，recoilupontheviolentandtheschemerfallsintothe
　　pitwhichhedigsforanother。Letusthrustthiscreaturebackinto
　　itsden，andwecanthenremoveMissStonertosomeplaceofshelter
　　andletthecountypoliceknowwhathashappened。”
　　Ashespokehedrewthedog-whipswiftlyfromthedeadman”slap，
　　andthrowingthenooseroundthereptile”sneckhedrewitfromits
　　horridperchand，carryingitatarm”slength，threwitintothe
　　ironsafe，whichhecloseduponit。
　　SucharethetruefactsofthedeathofDr。GrimesbyRoylott，of
　　StokeMoran。ItisnotnecessarythatIshouldprolonganarrative
　　whichhasalreadyruntotoogreatalengthbytellinghowwebroke
　　thesadnewstotheterrifiedgirl，howweconveyedherbythemorning
　　traintothecareofhergoodauntatHarrow，ofhowtheslow
　　processofofficialinquirycametotheconclusionthatthedoctormet
　　hisfatewhileindiscreetlyplayingwithadangerouspet。Thelittle
　　whichIhadyettolearnofthecasewastoldmebySherlockHolmesas
　　wetravelledbacknextday。
　　“Ihad，“saidhe，“cometoanentirelyerroneousconclusionwhich
　　shows，mydearWatson，howdangerousitalwaysistoreasonfrom
　　insufficientdata。Thepresenceofthegypsies，andtheuseofthe
　　word”band”whichwasusedbythepoorgirl，nodoubttoexplain
　　theappearancewhichshehadcaughtahurriedglimpseofbythe
　　lightofhermatch，weresufficienttoputmeuponanentirelywrong
　　scent。IcanonlyclaimthemeritthatIinstantlyreconsideredmy
　　positionwhen，however，itbecamecleartomethatwhateverdanger
　　threatenedanoccupantoftheroomcouldnotcomeeitherfromthe
　　windoworthedoor。Myattentionwasspeedilydrawn，asIhavealready
　　remarkedtoyou，tothisventilator，andtothebell-ropewhichhung
　　downtothebed。Thediscoverythatthiswasadummy，andthatthebed
　　wasclampedtothefloor，instantlygaverisetothesuspicionthat
　　theropewasthereasabridgeforsomethingpassingthroughthe
　　holeandcomingtothebed。Theideaofasnakeinstantlyoccurred
　　tome，andwhenIcoupleditwithmyknowledgethatthedoctorwas
　　furnishedwithasupplyofcreaturesfromIndia，IfeltthatIwas
　　probablyontherighttrack。Theideaofusingaformofpoison
　　whichcouldnotpossiblybediscoveredbyanychemicaltestwasjust
　　suchaoneaswouldoccurtoacleverandruthlessmanwhohadhad
　　anEasterntraining。Therapiditywithwhichsuchapoisonwould
　　takeeffectwouldalso，fromhispointofview，beanadvantage。It
　　wouldbeasharp-eyedcoroner，indeed，whocoulddistinguishthetwo
　　littledarkpunctureswhichwouldshowwherethepoisonfangshaddone
　　theirwork。ThenIthoughtofthewhistle。Ofcoursehemustrecall
　　thesnakebeforethemorninglightrevealedittothevictim。Hehad
　　trainedit，probablybytheuseofthemilkwhichwesaw，toreturnto
　　himwhensummoned。Hewouldputitthroughthisventilatoratthehour
　　thathethoughtbest，withthecertaintythatitwouldcrawldown
　　theropeandlandonthebed。Itmightormightnotbitetheoccupant，
　　perhapsshemightescapeeverynightforaweek，butsoonerorlater
　　shemustfallavictim。
　　“IhadcometotheseconclusionsbeforeeverIhadenteredhisroom。
　　Aninspectionofhischairshowedmethathehadbeeninthehabit
　　ofstandingonit，whichofcoursewouldbenecessaryinorderthathe
　　shouldreachtheventilator。Thesightofthesafe，thesaucerof
　　milk，andtheloopofwhipcordwereenoughtofinallydispelany
　　doubtswhichmayhaveremained。ThemetallicclangheardbyMiss
　　Stonerwasobviouslycausedbyherstepfatherhastilyclosingthedoor
　　ofhissafeuponitsterribleoccupant。Havingoncemadeupmymind，
　　youknowthestepswhichItookinordertoputthemattertothe
　　proof。IheardthecreaturehissasIhavenodoubtthatyoudidalso，
　　andIinstantlylitthelightandattackedit。”
　　“Withtheresultofdrivingitthroughtheventilator。”
　　“Andalsowiththeresultofcausingittoturnuponitsmasterat
　　theotherside。Someoftheblowsofmycanecamehomeandroused
　　itssnakishtemper，sothatitflewuponthefirstpersonitsaw。In
　　thiswayIamnodoubtindirectlyresponsibleforDr。Grimesby
　　Roylott”sdeath，andIcannotsaythatitislikelytoweighvery
　　heavilyuponmyconscience。”-
　　THEEND。
　　1924
　　SHERLOCKHOLMES
　　THEADVENTUREOFTHESUSSEXVAMPIRE
　　bySirArthurConanDoyle
　　Holmeshadreadcarefullyanotewhichthelastposthadbrought
　　him。Then，withthedrychucklewhichwashisnearestapproachtoa
　　laugh，hetosseditovertome。
　　“Foramixtureofthemodernandthemediaeval，ifthepracticaland
　　ofthewildlyfanciful，Ithinkthisissurelythelimit，“saidhe。
　　“Whatdoyoumakeofit，Watson？“
　　Ireadasfollows：
　　46，OLDJEWRY，
　　Nov。19th。
　　ReVampires
　　SIR：
　　Ourclient，Mr。RobertFerguson，ofFergusonandMuirhead，tea
　　brokers，ofMincingLane，hasmadesomeinquiryfromusina
　　communicationofevendateconcerningvampires。Asourfirm
　　specializesentirelyupontheassessmentofmachinerythematter
　　hardlycomeswithinourpurview，andwehavethereforerecommendedMr。
　　Fergusontocalluponyouandlaythematterbeforeyou。Wehavenot
　　forgottenyoursuccessfulactioninthecaseofMatildaBriggs。
　　Weare，sir，
　　Faithfullyyours，
　　MORRISON，MORRISON，ANDDODD。
　　perE。J。C。
　　“MatildaBriggswasnotthenameofayoungwoman，Watson，“said
　　Holmesinareminiscentvoice。“Itwasashipwhichisassociatedwith
　　thegiantratofSumatra，astoryforwhichtheworldisnotyet
　　prepared。Butwhatdoweknowaboutvampires？Doesitcomewithin
　　ourpurvieweither？Anythingisbetterthanstagnation，butreally
　　weseemtohavebeenswitchedontoaGrimms”fairytale。Makea
　　longarm，Watson，andseewhatVhastosay。”
　　Ileanedbackandtookdownthegreatindexvolumetowhichhe
　　referred。Holmesbalanceditonhisknee，andhiseyesmovedslowly
　　andlovinglyovertherecordofoldcases，mixedwiththe
　　accumulatedinformationofalifetime。
　　“VoyageoftheGloriaScott，“heread。“Thatwasabadbusiness。I
　　havesomerecollectionthatyoumadearecordofit，Watson，though
　　Iwasunabletocongratulateyouupontheresult。VictorLynch，the
　　forger。Venomouslizardorgila。Remarkablecase，that！Vittoria，
　　thecircusbelle。VanderbiltandtheYeggman。Vipers。Vigor，the
　　Hammersmithwonder。Hullo！Hullo！Goodoldindex。Youcan”tbeatit。
　　Listentothis，Watson。VampirisminHungary。Andagain，Vampiresin
　　Transylvania。”Heturnedoverthepageswitheagerness，butaftera
　　shortintentperusalhethrewdownthegreatbookwithasnarlof
　　disappointment。
　　“Rubbish，Watson，rubbish！Whathavewetodowithwalkingcorpses
　　whocanonlybeheldintheirgravebystakesdriventhroughtheir
　　hearts？It”spurelunacy。”
　　“Butsurely，“saidI，“thevampirewasnotnecessarilyadeadman？A
　　livingpersonmighthavethehabit。Ihaveread，forexample，ofthe
　　oldsuckingthebloodoftheyounginordertoretaintheiryouth。”
　　“Youareright，Watson。Itmentionsthelegendinoneofthese
　　references。Butarewetogiveseriousattentiontosuchthings？
　　Thisagencystandsflat-footedupontheground，andthereitmust
　　remain。Theworldisbigenoughforus。Noghostsneedapply。Ifear
　　thatwecannottakeMr。RobertFergusonveryseriously。Possibly
　　thisnotemaybefromhimandmaythrowsomelightuponwhatis
　　worryinghim。”
　　Hetookupasecondletterwhichhadlainunnoticeduponthetable
　　whilehehadbeenabsorbedwiththefirst。Thishebegantoread
　　withasmileofamusementuponhisfacewhichgraduallyfadedaway
　　intoanexpressionofintenseinterestandconcentration。Whenhe
　　hadfinishedhesatforsomelittletimelostinthoughtwiththe
　　letterdanglingfromhisfingers。Finally，withastart，hearoused
　　himselffromhisreverie。
　　“Cheeseman”s，Lamberley。WhereisLamberley，Watson？“
　　“ItisinSussex，southofHorsham。”
　　“Notveryfar，eh？AndCheeseman”s？“
　　“Iknowthatcountry，Holmes。Itisfullofoldhouseswhichare
　　namedafterthemenwhobuiltthemcenturiesago。YougetOdley”s
　　andHarvey”sandCarriton”s-thefolkareforgottenbuttheirnames
　　liveintheirhouses。
　　“Precisely，“saidHolmescoldly。Itwasoneofthepeculiarities
　　ofhisproud，self-containednaturethatthoughhedocketedany
　　freshinformationveryquietlyandaccuratelyinhisbrain，he
　　seldommadeanyacknowledgmenttothegiver。“Iratherfancywe
　　shallknowagooddealmoreaboutCheeseman”s，Lamberley，beforewe
　　arethrough。Theletteris，asIhadhoped，fromRobertFerguson。By
　　theway，heclaimsacquaintancewithyou。”
　　“Withme！“
　　“Youhadbetterreadit。”
　　Hehandedtheletteracross。Itwasheadedwiththeaddressquoted。
　　DEARMR。HOLMES[itsaid]：
　　Ihavebeenrecommendedtoyoubymylawyers，butindeedthe
　　matterissoextraordinarilydelicatethatitismostdifficultto
　　discuss。ItconcernsafriendforwhomIamacting。Thisgentleman
　　marriedsomefiveyearsagoaPeruvianlady，thedaughterofa
　　Peruvianmerchant，whomhehadmetinconnectionwiththe
　　importationofnitrates。Theladywasverybeautiful，butthefact
　　ofherforeignbirthandofheralienreligionalwayscauseda
　　separationofinterestsandoffeelingsbetweenhusbandandwife，so
　　thatafteratimehislovemayhavecooledtowardsherandhemayhave
　　cometoregardtheirunionasamistake。Hefeltthereweresidesof
　　hercharacterwhichhecouldneverexploreorunderstand。Thiswasthe
　　morepainfulasshewasaslovingawifeasamancouldhave-toall
　　appearanceabsolutelydevoted。
　　NowforthepointwhichIwillmakemoreplainwhenwemeet。Indeed，
　　thisnoteismerelytogiveyouageneralideaofthesituationandto
　　ascertainwhetheryouwouldcaretointerestyourselfinthematter。
　　Theladybegantoshowsomecurioustraitsquitealientoher
　　ordinarilysweetandgentledisposition。Thegentlemanhadbeen
　　marriedtwiceandhehadonesonbythefirstwife。Thisboywasnow
　　fifteen，averycharmingandaffectionateyouth，thoughunhappily
　　injuredthroughanaccidentinchildhood。Twicethewifewascaughtin
　　theactofassaultingthispoorladinthemostunprovokedway。Once
　　shestruckhimwithastickandleftagreatwealonhisarm。
　　Thiswasasmallmatter，however，comparedwithherconducttoher
　　ownchild，adearboyjustunderoneyearofage。Ononeoccasion
　　aboutamonthagothischildhadbeenleftbyitsnurseforafew
　　minutes。Aloudcryfromthebaby，asofpain，calledthenurse
　　back。Assheranintotheroomshesawheremployer，thelady，leaning
　　overthebabyandapparentlybitinghisneck。Therewasasmall
　　woundintheneckfromwhichastreamofbloodhadescaped。The
　　nursewassohorrifiedthatshewishedtocallthehusband，butthe
　　ladyimploredhernottodosoandactuallygaveherfivepoundsas
　　apriceforhersilence。Noexplanationwasevergiven，andforthe
　　momentthematterwaspassedover。
　　Itleft，however，aterribleimpressionuponthenurse”smind，and
　　fromthattimeshebegantowatchhermistresscloselyandtokeepa
　　closerguarduponthebaby，whomshetenderlyloved。Itseemedto
　　herthatevenasshewatchedthemother，sothemotherwatchedher，
　　andthateverytimeshewascompelledtoleavethebabyalonethe
　　motherwaswaitingtogetatit。Dayandnightthenursecoveredthe
　　child，anddayandnightthesilent，watchfulmotherseemedtobe
　　lyinginwaitasawolfwaitsforalamb。Itmustreadmostincredible
　　toyou，andyetIbegyoutotakeitseriously，forachild”slifeand
　　aman”ssanitymaydependuponit。
　　Atlasttherecameonedreadfuldaywhenthefactscouldnolonger
　　beconcealedfromthehusband。Thenurse”snervehadgivenway；she
　　couldstandthestrainnolonger，andshemadeacleanbreastofit
　　alltotheman。Tohimitseemedaswildataleasitmaynowseem
　　toyou。Heknewhiswifetobealovingwife，and，saveforthe
　　assaultsuponherstepson，alovingmother。Why，then，shouldshe
　　woundherowndearlittlebaby？Hetoldthenursethatshewas
　　dreaming，thathersuspicionswerethoseofalunatic，andthatsuch
　　libelsuponhermistresswerenottobetolerated。Whiletheywere
　　talkingasuddencryofpainwasheard。Nurseandmasterrushed
　　togethertothenursery。Imaginehisfeelings，Mr。Holmes，ashesaw
　　hiswiferisefromakneelingpositionbesidethecotandsawblood
　　uponthechild”sexposedneckanduponthesheet。Withacryof
　　horror，heturnedhiswife”sfacetothelightandsawbloodallround
　　herlips。Itwasshe-shebeyondallquestion-whohaddrunkthe
　　poorbaby”sblood。
　　Sothematterstands。Sheisnowconfinedtoherroom。Therehas
　　beennoexplanation。Thehusbandishalfdemented。Heknows，andI
　　know，littleofvampirismbeyondthename。Wehadthoughtitwas
　　somewildtaleofforeignparts。Andyethereintheveryheartofthe
　　EnglishSussex-well，allthiscanbediscussedwithyouinthe
　　morning。Willyouseeme？Willyouuseyourgreatpowersinaidinga
　　distractedman？Ifso，kindlywiretoFerguson，Cheeseman”s，
　　Lamberley，andIwillbeatyourroomsbyteno”clock。
　　Yoursfaithfully，
　　ROBERTFERGUSON。
　　P。S。IbelieveyourfriendWatsonplayedRugbyforBlackheath
　　whenIwasthree-quarterforRichmond。Itistheonlypersonal
　　introductionwhichIcangive。
　　“OfcourseIrememberedhim，“saidIasIlaiddowntheletter。“Big
　　BobFerguson，thefinestthree-quarterRichmondeverhad。Hewas
　　alwaysagood-naturedchap。It”slikehimtobesoconcernedovera
　　friend”scase。”
　　Holmeslookedatmethoughtfullyandshookhishead。
　　“Inevergetyourlimits，Watson，“saidhe。“Thereareunexplored
　　possibilitiesaboutyou。Takeawiredown，likeagoodfellow。”Will
　　examineyourcasewithpleasure。”“
　　“Yourcase！“
　　“Wemustnotlethimthinkthatthisagencyisahomeforthe
　　weak-minded。Ofcourseitishiscase。Sendhimthatwireandlet
　　thematterresttillmorning。”
　　Promptlyatteno”clocknextmorningFergusonstrodeintoour
　　room。Ihadrememberedhimasalong，slab-sidedmanwithloose
　　limbsandafineturnofspeedwhichhadcarriedhimroundmanyan
　　opposingback。Thereissurelynothinginlifemorepainfulthanto
　　meetthewreckofafineathletewhomonehasknowninhisprime。This
　　greatframehadfallenin，hisflaxenhairwasscanty，andhis
　　shoulderswerebowed。IfearthatIrousedcorrespondingemotionsin
　　him。
　　“Hullo，Watson，“saidhe，andhisvoicewasstilldeepandhearty。
　　“Youdon”tlookquitethemanyoudidwhenIthrewyouoverthe
　　ropesintothecrowdattheOldDeerPark。IexpectIhavechangeda
　　bitalso。Butit”sthislastdayortwothathasagedme。Iseeby
　　yourtelegram，Mr。Holmes，thatitisnousemypretendingtobe
　　anyone”sdeputy。”
　　“Itissimplertodealdirect，“saidHolmes。
　　“Ofcourseitis。Butyoucanimaginehowdifficultitiswhenyou
　　arespeakingoftheonewomanwhomyouareboundtoprotectand
　　help。WhatcanIdo？HowamItogotothepolicewithsuchastory？
　　Andyetthekiddieshavegottobeprotected。Isitmadness，Mr。
　　Holmes？Isitsomethingintheblood？Haveyouanysimilarcasein
　　yourexperience？ForGod”ssake，givemesomeadvice，forIamatmy
　　wit”send。”
　　“Verynaturally，Mr。Ferguson。Nowsithereandpullyourself
　　togetherandgivemeafewclearanswers。IcanassureyouthatIam
　　veryfarfrombeingatmywit”sand，andthatIamconfidentwe
　　shallfindsomesolution。Firstofall，tellmewhatstepsyouhave
　　taken。Isyourwifestillnearthechildren？“
　　“Wehadadreadfulscene。Sheisamostlovingwoman，Mr。Holmes。If
　　everawomanlovedamanwithallherheartandsoul，shelovesme。
　　ShewascuttotheheartthatIshouldhavediscoveredthis
　　horrible，thisincredible，secret。Shewouldnotevenspeak。She
　　gavenoanswertomyreproaches，savetogazeatmewithasortof
　　wild，despairinglookinhereyes。Thensherushedtoherroomand
　　lockedherselfin。Sincethenshehasrefusedtoseeme。Shehasa
　　maidwhowaswithherbeforehermarriage，Doloresbyname-afriend
　　ratherthanaservant。Shetakesherfoodtoher。”
　　“Thenthechildisinnoimmediatedanger？“
　　“Mrs。Mason，thenurse，hasswornthatshewillnotleaveitnight
　　orday。Icanabsolutelytrusther。Iammoreuneasyaboutpoorlittle
　　Jack，for，asItoldyouinmynote，hehastwicebeenassaultedby
　　her。”
　　“Butneverwounded？“
　　“No，shestruckhimsavagely。Itisthemoreterribleasheisa
　　poorlittleinoffensivecripple。”Ferguson”sgauntfeaturessoftened
　　ashespokeofhisboy。“Youwouldthinkthatthedearlad”scondition
　　wouldsoftenanyone”sheart。Afallinchildhoodandatwisted
　　spine，Mr。Holmes。Butthedearest，mostlovingheartwithin。”
　　Holmeshadpickeduptheletterofyesterdayandwasreadingit
　　over。“Whatotherinmatesarethereinyourhouse，Mr。Ferguson？“
　　“Twoservantswhohavenotbeenlongwithus。Onestable-hand，
　　Michael，whosleepsinthehouse。Mywife，myself，myboyJack，
　　baby，Dolores，andMrs。Mason。Thatisall。”
　　“Igatherthatyoudidnotknowyourwifewellatthetimeofyour
　　marriage？“
　　“Ihadonlyknownherafewweeks。”
　　“HowlonghadthismaidDoloresbeenwithher？“
　　“Someyears。”
　　“Thenyourwife”scharacterwouldreallybebetterknownby
　　Doloresthanbyyou？“
　　“Yes，youmaysayso。”
　　Holmesmadeanote。
　　“Ifancy，“saidhe，“thatImaybeofmoreuseatLamberleythan
　　here。Itiseminentlyacaseforpersonalinvestigation。Ifthelady
　　remainsinherroom，ourpresencecouldnotannoyorinconvenience
　　her。Ofcourse，wewouldstayattheinn。”
　　Fergusongaveagestureofrelief。
　　“ItiswhatIhoped，Mr。Holmes。Thereisanexcellenttrainat
　　twofromVictoriaifyoucouldcome。”
　　“Ofcoursewecouldcome。Thereisalullatpresent。Icangiveyou
　　myundividedenergies。Watson，ofcourse，comeswithus。Butthereare
　　oneortwopointsuponwhichIwishtobeverysurebeforeIstart。
　　Thisunhappylady，asIunderstandit，hasappearedtoassaultboth
　　thechildren，herownbabyandyourlittleson？“
　　“Thatisso。”
　　“Buttheassaultstakedifferentforms，dotheynot？Shehas
　　beatenyourson。”
　　“Oncewithastickandonceverysavagelywithherhands。”
　　“Didshegivenoexplanationwhyshestruckhim？“
　　“Nonesavethatshehatedhim。Againandagainshesaidso。”
　　“Well，thatisnotunknownamongstepmothers。Aposthumousjealousy，
　　wewillsay。Istheladyjealousbynature？“
　　“Yes，sheisveryjealous-jealouswithallthestrengthofher
　　fierytropicallove。”
　　“Buttheboy-heisfifteen，Iunderstand，andprobablyvery
　　developedinmind，sincehisbodyhasbeencircumscribedinaction。
　　Didhegiveyounoexplanationoftheseassaults？“