thoroughly examined, with the same result. 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. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon

her.”


“How about poison?”


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


“What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?”


“It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, though

what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine.”


“Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?”


“Yes, there are nearly always some there.”


“Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band—a

speckled band?”


“Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of delirium,

sometimes that it may have referred to some band of people, perhaps to these

very gipsies in the plantation. I do not know whether the spotted handkerchiefs

which so many of them wear over their heads might have suggested the strange

adjective which she used.”


Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied.


“These are very deep waters,” said he; “pray go on with your

narrative.”


“Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until lately

lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, whom I have known for

many years, has done me the honour to ask my hand in marriage. His name is

Armitage—Percy Armitage—the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane

Water, near Reading. My stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and

we are to be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs

were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom wall has been

pierced, so that I have had to move into the chamber in which my sister died,

and to sleep in the very bed in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of

terror when last night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I