Читать книгу Приключения Шерлока Холмса / The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (сборник) - Артур Конан Дойл - Страница 7

“I could not sleep that night. I had a vague feeling that something bad was coming. It was a wild night. The wind was very strong outside, and the rain was beating against the windows. Suddenly, there was a wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that it was my sister’s voice. I got out of my bed, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a few moments later a strange sound, as if metal had fallen. As I ran down the corridor, my sister’s door was unlocked, and opened slowly. By the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear in the doorway, her face pale with terror, she could hardly stand. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that moment she fell to the ground. She seemed to be in terrible pain. As I bent over her she suddenly cried out in a voice which I shall never forget, ‘Oh, my God! Helen! It was the band! The speckled band!’ There was something else which she wanted to say, and she pointed her finger at the door of the doctor’s room, but she could not speak. I called loudly for my stepfather, and I saw him running from his room. When he reached my sister’s side she was unconscious, and though he sent for a doctor from the village, she died without having recovered her consciousness[11].”

“One moment,” said Holmes, “are you sure about this whistle and metallic sound?”

“That was what the police asked me. I believe I heard it, but I may have made a mistake.[12]”

“Was your sister dressed?”

“No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand wе found a burnt match, and in her left a match-box.”

“It shows that she struck a light and looked about her when she heard a noise. That is important. And what conclusions did the police come to?”

“They investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott had a very bad reputation, but they were unable to find any satisfactory cause of death. The door was locked on the inside, and the windows were blocked. The walls and the floor were examined, with no result. It is clear, therefore, that my sister was alone when she met her end. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her.”

“How about poison?”

“The doctors examined her for it, but without any result.”

“What do you think your sister died of, then?”

“I believe she died of fear and nervous shock, though what frightened her I cannot imagine.”

“Were there gypsies in the park at the time?”

“Yes, there are nearly always some there.”

“Ah, and what did you think of her last words – a speckled band?”

“Sometimes I have thought that she spoke of some band of people, perhaps of the gypsies in the park. So many of them wear the speckled handkerchiefs over their heads.”

Holmes shook his head like a man who was not satisfied.

“Two years have passed since then, and my life has been lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, whom I have known for many years, asked my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage – Percy Armitage. My stepfather has nothing against the marriage, and we are to be married in spring. Two days ago some repairs were started in the house, and I had to move into the room in which my sister died, and to sleep in the bed in which she slept. Imagine, then, terror when last night I suddenly heard the low whistle which my sister had heard before her death. I got up and lit the lamp, but saw nothing unusual in the room. I was too frightened to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was daylight I left the house, got a dog-cart and drove to the station, from where I have come on this morning to see you and to ask your advice.”

“You have done well,” said my friend. “But have you told me all?”

“Yes, all.”

“Miss Roylott, you have not.”

“Why, what do you mean?”

For answer Holmes took her hand that lay upon our visitor’s knee. The marks of a very strong hand were printed on it.

“Your stepfather has been cruel to you,” said Holmes.

“He is a hard man,” she said, “and perhaps he hardly knows his own strength.”

There was a long silence, during which Holmes looked into the fire.

“This is a very deep business[13],” he said at last. “There are a thousand details which I should like to know before I decide what to do. We have not a moment to lose. If we come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for us to see these rooms without the knowledge[14] of your stepfather?”

“He spoke of going to town to-day upon some most important business. It is probable that he will be away all day. We have a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish.”

“Perfect. You are not against this trip, Watson?”

“No, I am not.”

“Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?”

“I have one or two things to do now in town. But I shall return by the twelve o’clock train, and I shall be there in time for your coming.”