New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-03
THE SPECKLED BAND.
Ely 4. CONAN DOYLE.

studied the methods Of my friend Sherlock Holmes
l find many tragic, some comic, a large hunocr
merely strange, but none commonplace lof "olN-
ing as he did rather for the love OF ms ART 'lah
the requirement of wealth. he refused to ASSOCIATE
himself with any investigation which did not tend
toward the unusual, and even the fantastic
OF all these varied cases, however cannot recall
any which presented more singular features than
That which was associated with the weli-knoWh
Surrey family of the RoylottS OF Stoke Moran
The events in question occurred III the early days
of my association with Holmes, when we were
sharing rooms as bachelors i'll Baker-st. 1t is
possible that l might have placed them upon
record before. but a promise of secrecy was made
at the time. from which nave only been freed
during the last month by the untimely death of
the lady TO whom the pledge was given. 1t Is
perhaps as well that the facts should now come
TO light. for l have reasons TO know that thee
are widespread rumors to the death OF Dr
Grimesby Royott which tend TO make tie matte:
even more terrible than the truth
1t was early in April in the year 'S3 that
woke one morning to find Sherlock Holmes stand
ing, fully dressed, by the SIDE OF my bed lie
was late riser as q rule, and, as the clock on
the mantelpiece showed me that it was only
quarter past seven, blinked up at him in some
surprise and perhaps just little resentment, Tor
i was myself regular in my habits
Very sorry 10 knock you up, Watson said
lie, "but it's the common lot this morning. Mrs.
Hudson has been knocked up, she Ietortei upon
lie. and l on YOU
What is j, then? fire?
40. client. 1t seems that q young lady
has arrived in q considerable state of excitement,
who insists upon seeing She Is waiting now
in the sittng-room. Now. when young ladies
lie nc hntIT
morning, aud knock sleepy people up out of their
beds presume that it is something ve'y pressing
which they have TO communicate. Should 1t prove
to lie an interesting casc, you would, | am sure,
wish to follow it from the outset. | thought at
any rate that should call you, and give you
the chance"
My dear fellow, / would not miss it for any
thing"
| had no keener pleasure than in following
Holmes in Lis professional Investigations, and IN
admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as in
buttons, and yet always founded logical
basis, with which he unravellcd tie problems
which are submitted to him. ! rapidly threw on
NY clothes, and was ready in few MINUTES TO
accompany my friend down to the stting-roou
lady dressed in black and heavily yelled who
had been sitting in the window rose a. We
entered.
My name is Sherlock Holmes This is my
intimate friend and associate, DR. Watson, before
whom you can speak freely as before myself
IIa | am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had
the good sense 10 light the fire. Pray draw up
to it, and shall order You cup Of hot coffee for
/ observe that you are shiyering."
:" II is not cold which makes me shiver," sail
the woman in low voice, changing her seat as
requested
What then ,"
1T is fear, MIR. Holmes 1t is terror she
raised her veil as Size spoke and we could see
that she was indeed in pitiable state Of agia-
tion, her face all drawn and gray, with
restless, frightened eyes. like those of some
hunted animal. Her features and figure
were those of woman of thirty
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 gances
You must not fear, said he, soothngly, bend
ing forward and patting her forearm. We shall
soon set matters right | have no doubt. You
have come in by train this morning, l see"
You know me, them?
mo, but / observe the second half of a return
ticket in the palm Of your left glove. You must
have started early, and yet you had good drive
in a dogcart, along heavy roads, before you
reached the station"
The lady gave violent start, and stared in
bewilderment at my companion
There is mystery, my dear madam" said he,
smiling. The left arm of your jacket is spattered
with mud III less than seven places The
marks are perfectly fresh. There is vehicle
save dogcart 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 per-
fectly correct" said she. Il started from home
before six, reached Leatherhead at twenty past,
and came in By the first train TO Waite rloo. Sir,
| can stand this strain no longer, shall 80 mad
If it continues / have one 10 turn to-nOnc
save only one who cares for me, and he, poor
fellow, can be Of little aid / have heard Of you,
Mr.. Holmes | have heard OF you from Mrs.
Farintosh, whom you helped in the hour of her
sore need. 1t was from her that i had your
address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could
help me too, and at least throw little light
through the dense darkness which surrounds Inc !?
At present it is out OF my power to reward you
for your services, but in a month or six weeks !
income, and then at least you shall not find me
ungrateful.'
drew out small case book, which he consulted.
"Farintosh- said he. All, yes, ! recall the
case it was concerned with an opal tiara.
think it was before your time, Watson. | can
only say, madam. that shall be happy TO devote
Che same care 10 your case as | did to that of
your friend. As 10 reward my profession Is its
own reward but you at liberty TO defray
whatever expenses l may be put TO, at the time
which suits you best. And now | beg that you
win lay before everything that may help us
in forming AN opinion upon the matter
"Alas!" replied our visitor. The very horror
of my situation lies in the fact that my fears are
so vague, and my suspicious depend so entirely
upon small points which might seem trivial TO
another. that even he to whom Of all others /
have Q right to look for help and advice looks
upon all that tell him about it as the fancles
Of a nervous woman. lie does not say 50, but
oan read it from his soothing answers and avertcd
eyes. But have heard Mr.. Holmes, that you
can see deeply into the manifold wckcdncss OF
The human heart. You may advise me how TO
walk amid the dangers which encompass me.
Il am all attention, madam.
NJ maine is Helen StOner, and ! am living
with my stepfather who is the last survivor OF
ono of the oldest Saxon families in England the