The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-19

tom always to lock yourselves In at nightF
Always
"And why?'
II think that mentioned to you that the
doctor kept cheetah and baboon. We had
no feeling of security unless our doors were
locked
quite SO. Pray proceed with your state
ment'
II could not sleep that night. A vague feel
ing of impending misfortune impressed me. Ny
sister and I, YOU will recollect, were twins,
and you know how subtle are the links which
bind two souls which so closely allied. 1t
was wild night. The wind was bowling out
side, and the rain was beating and splashing
against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the
hubbub Of the gale, there burst forth the wild
scream of terrified woman. I knew that It
was my sisters voice. sprang from my bed,
wrapped shawl around me- and rushed into
the corridor. AS 1 opened my door seemed
to hear low whistle, such my sister de-
scribed, and few moments later changing
sound, as If a mass of metal had fallen. AS
I ran down the passage, my sisters door was
unlocked, and revolved slowly upon its hinges
stared at 1t horror-stricken, not knowing what
was about to issue from it. By the light of
the corridor-lamp saw my sister appear at
the opening, her face blanched with terror, her
hands cropping for help her whole figure sway
ing to and fro like that of drunkard ran
to her and threw my arms round her, but at
that moment her knees seemed to give away,
and she fell to the ground. 9 She writhed as one
who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were
dreadfully convulsed. As first thought she had
not recognized me, but as I bent over her she
suddenly shrieked out in voice which shall
never forget, oh, my Godl Helen! 1t was the
band! The speckled band! There was some
thing else which she would fain have said. and
she stabbed with her finger into the air In the
direction of the Doctors room, but fresh con-
vulsion seized her and choked her words.
rushed out, calling loudly for my stepfather,
and I met him Fastening from his room in his
dressing gown. When he reached my sisters
side she was unconscious, and tho he poured
| brandy down her throat and sent for medical
aid from the village, all efforts were in vain,
for she slowly sank and died without having
! recovered her consciousness. Such was the
dreadful end of my beloved sister,"
lone moment" said Holmes; ''are you sure
about this whistle and metallic sound? Could
you swear to it?'
| "That was what the county coroner asked me
| at the inquiry. It is my strong impression that
heard it, and yet, among the crash OF the
| gale and the creaking of an old house, 1 may
possibly have been deceived"
| "Was your sister dressedT' -
mo, she was in her night-dress. In her
right hand was found the charred stump of a
match, and in her left matchbox"
| "Showing that she had struck a light and
| looked about her when the alarm took place.
That is important. And what conclusions. did
the coroner come to-? ...-.. g.
Gle investigated the case with great care,
for DR.. Roylott's conduct had long been no.
! torious in the county, but he was unable to
find any satisfactory cause of death. My EVIL
dence showed that the door had been fastened
upon the inner side, that the windows were
blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad
iron bars which were secured every night. The
walls were carefully sounded: and were shown
to be quite solid all round, and the flooring
was also thoroly examined, with the same re-
suit The chimney is wide, but is barred up
by four large staples: 1t is certain, therefore,
that my sister was quite alone when she met
her end. Besides, there We're no marks OF
violence upon her. " f..
chow about poison?''
1.-THE doctors examined her for 1t, but with.
out success, ....-s.> = $3.50.
.What do you think that this unfortunate
lady died of, then?''
ut is my belief that she died Of pure fear
and nervous shock, tho what it was that fright
ened her cannot imagine" ..
"Were there gypsies in the plantation at
the tme?' IT,. .....- .-r y
eyes, there are nearly always some there
"Ah and what did you gather from this al
fusion to banda speckled band?"
Sometimes have thought that it was mere
ly the wild talk of delirium, sometimes that il
may have referred to some band of people
perhaps to these very gypses in the planta
tion.. do not know whether the spotted hand
kerchiefs which so many of them wear oyel
their heads might have suggested the strangs
adjective which she used."
Holmes shook his head like a man who is fa
, from being satisfied. 49,
t"These are very deep waters" said he
, ''pray go On with your narrative"
''Two years have passed since then, and m:
!, life has been until lately lonelier than ever.
month ago, however, dear friend, whom
have known for many years, has done me th
uUllOI " dSh- Lily uduu III udll4dSe. I11S udHt
I is Armitage-Percy Armitage-the second Sol
, Of Mr.. Armitage of Crane Water, Read
ing. My stepfather has offered no opposition t
, the MATCH and we are to be married in til
course Of the spring. Two days ago some re
pairs were started in the west wing Of tn
! building and my bedroom wall has been pierce,
SO that I have had to move into the chambe
! in which my sister died, and to sleep in tn
a very bed in which she slept. Imagine. then
my thrill of terror when last night, as la.
awake thinking over her terrible fate, I SUD
+ denly heard in the silence of the night the Low
+ whistle which had been the herald of her owl
!, death. sprang up and lit the lamp, but moth
ing was to be seen in the room. I was to-
shaken to go to bed again, however so
DRESSED and as soon as 1t was daylight
, slipped down, got dogcart at the Crown Inn
, which is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead
from whence have this morning wit
: the one object of seeing you and asking you
advice"
: ''You have done wisely said my friend
!, ''But have you told me al1T'
: .Yes, all''
' ''Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screen
ing your stepfa ther.''
why, what do you mean 7''
I For answer Holmes pushed back the fri
i Of black lace which fringed the hand tina
!, lay upon our VISITORS knee. Five little liyi
e spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb
], were printed upon the white wrist
d ttYou have been cruelty used,'' said Holmes.
The lady colored deeply and covered over he
e injured wrist. "He is a hard man. she said
'.and perhaps he hardly knows his ow