The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-17

awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from---perhaps from the next room. perhaps from the lawn. l thought that I would just ask you whether you had heard it.
 No, l have not. It must be those wretched gypsies in the pIantation.' Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you did not hear it also.
 "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.
 Well. it is of no great conse3 back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her key turn in the lock
 Indeed, said Holmes. ''Was it your custom always to lock yourselves in at night?"
 Always
 "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah and security unless our doors were lock- ed"
 Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement
 q could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending misfor I, you will r7ecolIect, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two souls which are so closely allied. It was wild night The W11u Was uO"unS OulSIuG, EtIlSl the rain was beating and splashInS against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, there burst forth the wild scream of Q ter rified woman. I knew that it was my sisters voice. l spranS from my bed. wrapped a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As open ed my door l seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a few moments later a changing a fallen. As I ran down the passage my sisters door was unlocked and re- volved slowly upon it's hinges l stared at it horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the light of the corri- dor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands grOping for help, her whole figure swayinS to and fro like that of a drunkaTd, I ran to her and threw my arms around her but at that moment her knees seem ed to give way and she fell to the ground She writhed as one who IS in terrible pain, and her linn bs were t1readfuIlv convuIsed. At first l thought that she had not recognized me. but as I bent over her she sud shall never forget. oh, my God Helen! It was the band, The speckled band""
 '@There was something else which she would fain have said. and she st bbed with her finger into the air in the direction of the doctors room. but a fresh convulsiOn seized her and CboLIed her words. I rushed out. calling loudly for my Steptather. ana I met him hasteni1E from his room i, his dressing--Own. When he reach ed my sisters side she was uncon scious. and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent for medlcal aid from the village. all efforts were I,.a C.16 n without having recoVered Ter c1n7 51.l7 end of my beloved sister
 ..One moment" said Holmes; "are YOU sure about this whistle and me taIHc sound? Could you swear to
 That was what the county coro- ner asked me at the inquiry. + is my strong impression that I heard it and yet, among the crash of the gale and the creaking of an old house. may possibly have been de-
 Was your sister dressed ?'
 ''No. she was in her ni-htdress. Tn her right hand was found the charred stump of match, and in her left q matchbox"
 showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the alarm took place. That is imporr- ant And what conclusions did the coroner come to-"
 'He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Rcylott's conduct had long been notorious in the courty. but ne was rInabls to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evi- dence showed that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windcws were blocked by old-fash- toned 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 thor oughly examined, w1-h the same re- suit The chimney is wide but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end l Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her"
 How abou. poison?''
 ''The doctors examined her for 1t, | zN-.s --Ssla<>z.a E.-.r<-1E-al~ l