Come here, lad.
What are you doing on my property?
I've come to claim back what's mine, sir.
That thieving young rascal made off with some horseshoes from my smithy.
Where is your proof?
The proof is I'll find them there.
I don't want to call the police...
These people are guests of mine,
but you are trespassing, Mr Thorne.
- I'm not frightened of you, Doctor. - Get off my land!
Please come back soon.
My dear, there is nothing whatever to worry about.
We shall be married in a few weeks.
- I'm on my way back to London. - Eh?
Goodbye, sir, and thank you for a most pleasant weekend.
I mean to improve my game of chess before my next visit.
Well, yes... I see.
- You weren't an unworthy opponent. - Thank you, sir.
I'm seeing Percy to the gates, Father.
Yes.
Drive on and wait for me by the gate.
Walk on.
The fellow was trespassing, he had a ducking and that is all.
I cannot believe Thorne would deliberately...
Damn it, woman!
Are you part of the conspiracy against me, too?
No, Father. I live here.
But not for much longer, eh?
Once you marry that fellow Armitage.
(Animal calls)
Yes? What is it?
Father, what has happened to my room?
The builders found a fault in the structure. Sleep in your sister's room.
Julia's room? I can't sleep in there.
- Why not, pray? - I can't.
Why? It's a perfectly good room.
I've instructed the housekeeper to prepare it for you. Now run along.
(Soft growling)
Hello there, young beauty.
Goodnight. Goodnight, my beauty.
(Soft whistle)
(Whistle)
(Bang)
I'm very sorry, Watson,
but it seems to be the common lot this morning.
- What? - Mrs Hudson has been roused.
She retorted on me and I on you.
But it's only a quarter past seven. What is it, a fire?
No, no. A client.
This will take a moment to draw, sir.
But only a moment. Mrs Hudson is a mistress of the art of fire lighting.
Ah. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr Watson,
before whom you may speak as freely as before myself.
- How do you do? - Mrs Hudson.
Could you bring this lady a hot cup of coffee?
For I observe you are shivering.
It is not cold which makes me shiver.
What then?
It is fear, Mr Holmes. It is terror.
You must not fear.
We shall set matters right, have no doubt.
You have come by train I see this morning.
You know me, then?
No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of your glove.
You started early, but you had a drive in a dog cart along heavy roads
before you reached the station.
There is no mystery.
The left arm of your jacket is spattered with mud.
The marks are fresh.
There is no vehicle save a dog cart which throws up mud in that way
and then only when you sit on the left-hand side of the driver.
You are perfectly correct.
Sir, I can stand the strain no longer. I shall go mad if it continues.
I heard of you from Mrs Farintosh, whom you helped in her sore need.
Farintosh.
"My dear Helen, it is difficult to advise you since you present so few facts,
"but I know you to be a sensible girl.
"As one of your dear mother's oldest friends,
"I can only suggest that if your fears persist,
"you should contact Mr Sherlock Holmes...
"221 b Baker Street."
Farintosh. I do remember the case.
It concerned an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Watson.
Thank you, Mrs Hudson.
Sir, do you think you could help me, too?
At present it is out of my power to reward you,
but soon I shall marry and control my income.
I shall devote the same care to your case as to that of your friend.
As for reward, my profession is its own reward.
But you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put to.
And now, I beg you...
lay everything before us which may help us form an opinion upon this matter.
My name is Helen Stoner. I live with my stepfather, Dr Grimesby Roylott,
the last survivor of one of the oldest families in England.
The Roylotts of Stoke Moran. The name is familiar to me.
He is a doctor by profession,
a skilled one.
For some years he had a practice in India, in Calcutta.
(Watson) Ah.
Dr Watson has also practised medicine in India.
Yes. Attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers.
Pray continue, Miss Stoner.
In Calcutta he married my mother.
She was the widow of Major General Stoner of the Bengal Artillery.
I was only two at the time of Mother's remarriage.
My sister Julia was five years older.
Our mother had a considerable sum of money - a thousand a year -
which she bequeathed to Dr Roylott while we resided with him.
Forgive me. Your mother has passed on?
Shortly after our return to England, she was killed.
In a railway accident near Crewe.
My stepfather abandoned his attempts at a practice in London
and took us to live in his ancestral home.
The money your mother left you was enough.
It was no obstacle to your happiness.
A terrible change came over my stepfather.
Instead of exchanging visits with our neighbours,
who were overjoyed to see a Roylott back in the family seat,
he shut himself up and had ferocious quarrels.
'Lt's hard to keep him out of the police courts. He's the terror of the village.
(Holmes) Does he permit visitors? (Helen) None. Save my fiancé.
And some wandering gypsies.
Gypsies?
Vagabonds, whom he has given leave to encamp on his land.
Sometimes he goes away with them for days at a time.
You can imagine
that my poor sister Julia and I had no great pleasure in our lives.
No servant would stay long, so we did all the work of the house.
She was but 30 when I lost her...
but already her hair had begun to whiten, even as mine has.
Your sister's dead?
Just two years ago.
It is of that I wish to talk to you.
- Oh, yes, yes! - Oh, no.
'Living the life we did,
'we were little likely to see anyone of our own age and position.
'But we were allowed short visits.
'Two years ago, Julia met a half-pay major of marines
'to whom she became engaged.
(Holmes) 'Your stepfather approved of the match?
(Helen) 'He raised no objection at all.
But a fortnight before the wedding...
the event occurred which deprived me of my companion.
Pray... be precise as to details.
It is easy.
Every event of that night is seared into my memory.
It was late, about 11.
Julia had come into my room.
(Knocking)
He's smoking those awful cigars again.
Perhaps you should have this room until the wedding.
Oh, Helen.
Oh, I feel so happy.
And yet wretched that I'm leaving you here alone.
- My turn will come. - I shall miss you.
You won't. I'll come and stay.
Besides, your major has promised to find me a brother officer of equal rank
and infinitely better looking.
Darling, what is the matter?
Helen... have you ever heard anyone whistle in the dead of night?
I suppose you couldn't possibly whistle yourself in your sleep?
Certainly not. Why?
The last few nights, always about three in the morning,
I've been woken by a low, clear whistle.
I thought you might have heard it.
I sleep more heavily than you.
It was probably those wretched gypsies.
Well... never mind.
Oh, Helen.
(Holmes) Was it your custom always to lock yourself in at night?
Always.
My stepfather has a passion for Indian animals.
A leopard and a baboon wander freely over the grounds.
Julia and I had no feelings of security
unless our doors and windows were locked.
'I couldn't sleep.
'I had a vague feeling of misfortune.'
- (Screaming) - Julia!
Julia.
Julia, what is it?
Please help me!
My God.
Sshh.
It was the band.
Speckled band.
Sshh. I'll get Father.
No! No, Helen, please!
- I'll get him. - No! Helen.
Go back to your room, child. I'll deal with this.
I am sorry, gentlemen.
My sister and I were very close.
Yes, indeed.
What an awful experience.
You've no idea what might have caused?
This whistle and a metallic sound, you can swear to it?
It was my strong impression.
I may possibly have been deceived.
- Was your sister dressed? - No, she was in her nightdress.
On the floor there was a candle and a charred match.
Which means something must have woken her up
and she struck a light to see what the matter was.
What were the coroner's conclusions?
He investigated but was unable to find any satisfactory cause of death.
And your evidence was that the door was fastened on the inner side,
the windows blocked by shutters every night.
It is certain therefore that your sister was alone...
when she met her end.
Yes. Besides, there were no marks of violence upon her.
What about poison?
The doctors examined her for it without success.
What do you think this unfortunate lady died of then?
It's my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock.
Though what it was which frightened her I cannot imagine.
What do you gather from the allusion to a speckled band?
Delirium.
Or...
some band of people.
The gypsies at the plantation?
The spotted handkerchiefs they wear round their necks?
These are very deep waters.
What happened after your sister's death?
My life was lonelier than ever.
Until a month ago, when a dear friend I've known for many years
did me the honour to ask for my hand in marriage.
His name is Mr Percy Armitage.
And you are to be married within a few weeks?
What prompted you to come here when your life seems set so fair?
Yesterday some repairs were started and my bedroom wall was pierced,
so I was forced to move into the room in which Julia died,
to sleep in the very bed in which she slept.
Imagine my terror when I heard the whistle
which had been the herald of her own death.
- You lit a lamp? - Yes, but nothing was to be seen.
I was too shaken to sleep. I dressed and slipped out.
I got a dog cart at the Crown Inn and came to London to ask your advice.
You did wisely.
- But have you told me all? - Yes.
You have not, Miss Stoner.
You are shielding your stepfather.
He is a hard man
but he is still the only father I have known.
I'd say it was time for breakfast.
There are details I desire to know before I decide on a course of action.
If we were to come to Stoke Moran today,
could we see these rooms without the knowledge of your stepfather?
He spoke of coming to town today.
- And the workmen? - I have seen none.
We have a woman who comes to clean but only in the morning.
- Watson, you're not averse to this? - By no means.
- We will be with you in the afternoon. - I shall be there for your arrival.
You'll stay for some breakfast?
Thank you, no.
My heart is lightened already.
(Knocking)
Ah, Mrs Hudson. Thank you.
When you combine the ideas of whistles at night,
a band of gypsies on intimate terms with the doctor,
the dying allusion to a speckled band -
well, there's good ground to believe
that the mystery may be cleared along those lines.
Which one of you is Holmes?
My name, sir.
But you have the advantage of me.
I am Dr Grimesby Roylott of Stoke Moran.
- Indeed, Doctor. Please take a seat. - I shall do nothing of the kind.
I know that my stepdaughter has been here. What has she been saying?
It is a little cold for the time of year.
What has she been saying to you?
But I hear the crops promise well.
Ah!
You put me off, do you? You scoundrel, sir.
I've heard of you before.
You're Holmes the meddler, Holmes the busybody,
Holmes the Scotland Yard jack-in-office.
Your conversation is entertaining.
If you would close the door on your way out?
As there is a decided draught.
I will go when I've had my say.
Don't you dare to interfere in my affairs!
I know that Miss Stoner has been here.
I am a dangerous man to fall foul of.
Thank you, Mrs Hudson. Just another client.
What a very amiable person. I may not be quite so bulky, but...
Fancy his insolence in confounding me with the official detective force.
Oh. This incident gives zest to our investigation.
I hope our friend won't suffer from allowing that brute to trace her here.
One thought keeps nagging at me - Roylott's life in India.
If it was so successful, why would he exchange it for aristocratic penury?
My friend Coombes would know.
Coombes was in Calcutta around that time.
Find your friend Coombes and see what you can get from him.
I shall walk down to Doctors Commons to get some data which may help us.
Let us meet again at one under the clock at Waterloo Station.
If you've finished your breakfast by then.
And your revolver. I would be obliged if you would slip it into your pocket.
It's an excellent argument
against gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots.
That and your toothbrush are, I think, all we need.
I've seen the will of the deceased wife.
Her annual income at the time of her death was a little short of £1,100,
but due to the fall in agricultural prices, it is now no more than £750.
Each girl on marriage could claim £250, so if both girls had married
our beauty Grimesby Roylott would have had a mere pittance.
And even one marriage would ruin him.
He had the strongest possible motive.
- Did you manage to find Coombes? - Yes, I did.
He proved rather hard to locate but I got him through Swanson at Barts.
He did know Roylott in Calcutta...
confirmed what the girl said and added one intriguing fact.
It seems that a series of robberies had been perpetrated in his house
and suspicion fell on his native butler.
Roylott promptly seized the man
and, in a fit of anger, beat the poor fellow to death.
Narrowly escaped a capital sentence
but suffered a long term of imprisonment
and returned to this country a morose and disappointed man.
Ah, Watson.
It's a wicked world.
And when a clever man turns his brain to crime...
it's the worst of all.
(Train whistle)
On holiday, are you, gentlemen?
No. We're architects. Taking a look at some of the local houses.
That's why you wanted Stoke Moran. I didn't think it was for social reasons.
You'll be doing business with Dr Roylott then?
Yes. I believe that was the name.
If you don't mind a word of warning, take care with him, sir.
Some round these parts say he's not right in the head.
Really?
Only yesterday, Mr Thorne the blacksmith
had a nasty experience with the Doctor,
because of those thieving gypsies camped in the grounds.
We've heard about the gypsies and the leopard.
The story goes the Doctor threw Mr Thorne in the stream
in a fit of temper
and old Thorne's not a small man.
Good Lord. Is he bringing a charge of assault?
He were going to but Miss Stoner, the Doctor's stepdaughter,
paid him some of her own money to keep it quiet.
- That's what I heard. - Well, I never.
Did you hear that?
The more I hear of that young lady, the more my admiration increases.
A young woman of commendable spirit.
You can pull up here, driver.
- Who do you mean, dear fellow? - Miss Stoner, of course.
Most admirable.
Ah, Miss Stoner.
All has turned out splendidly. Dr Roylott won't be back till evening.
We have had the pleasure of Dr Roylott's acquaintance.
- He followed me? - Yes.
He turned up just after you left but Holmes sent him off with a flea in his ear.
He is so cunning. I never know when I am safe.
Then he must guard himself
or he may find someone more cunning than himself upon his track.
Holmes? Don't you think we ought to get Miss Stoner away?
- And arouse suspicion? - If he's violent...
We shall be here.
So this is Dr Roylott's room,
this formerly your sister's and this your room?
- Yes, but I'm now sleeping in this one. - Pending the alterations.
Miss Stoner, may I ask something?
That's unusual, isn't it? Bedrooms on the ground floor?
Because so much of the house fell into decay.
Oh, yes, of course. How sad.
There seems little need for repairs to this end of the house.
I believe it was an excuse to move me from my room.
Ah. That is suggestive.
Miss Stoner, would you go into the room in which you are now sleeping
and bolt the shutters.
What?
What are you doing, Watson?
I'm using your methods, Holmes. Seeing whether the ground has been disturbed.
And what have you come up with?
Your footprints, I believe,
and mine and Miss Stoner's. And this.
No one could pass these if they were bolted.
Let's see if the inside throws any light on the matter.
Where does that bell communicate with?
- It goes to the housekeeper's room. - It looks new.
- It was put there two years ago. - Your sister asked for it.
I never heard of her using it. We used to get what we wanted for ourselves.
Indeed. You will excuse me while I satisfy myself as to this floor.
It doesn't ring.
It's very strange.
A ventilator into another room.
You mean, when it might have communicated with the outside air?
- That is also quite modern. - Indeed.
Miss Stoner, we will now carry our research to Dr Roylott's chamber.
(Soft metallic clang)
- What's in here? - My stepfather's papers.
- You've seen inside it then? - Only once. It was full of papers.
- Is there a cat in there? - No. What a strange idea.
Well, look at this.
We don't keep a cat.
Ah, well. A leopard is a large cat after all.
Yes, but a saucer of milk wouldn't satisfy a leopard.
The leopard is kept on a leash, is it?
This sort of leash, Watson?
What do you make of it?
Well, it's a common enough dog leash but I don't know why it should be tied.
We have no dog.
Thank you, Miss Stoner. I have seen enough.
I was going to ask if he'd like some tea.
Miss Stoner, it is very essential
that you follow my advice in every respect.
Your life may depend on it.
I am in your hands.
First, on the way here we passed a small cottage.
The Shell House.
Are the windows of your sister's room visible from there?
- Yes. - You are sure?
Yes.
Then we shall make it our base.
- Some refreshment? - We shall have dined, shan't we?
- Is there a village inn? - The Crown.
Oh, good. Thank you all the same.
Now... Miss Stoner.
When your stepfather returns,
confine yourself in your room on pretence of a headache.
When you hear your stepfather retire,
go to the windows, undo the hasp, open the shutters
and leave your lamp on the windowsill as a signal to us.
Then withdraw with anything you want for the night to your old room.
I've no doubt you could manage there for a night.
Yes, of course.
Now we must leave. If Dr Roylott should return and find us here,
our journey would be in vain.
I believe, Mr Holmes, that you've already made up your mind.
Tell me the cause of my sister's death.
Be brave.
If you do as I have said, we shall drive away the dangers that threaten you.
Yes. It is a clear view.
Are you expecting this to take all night, Holmes?
It's possible.
Anything's possible.
When a doctor goes wrong, he's the first of criminals.
He has nerve, he has knowledge.
Palmer and Pritchard were the heads of their profession.
This man strikes even deeper.
I really have some scruples taking you tonight.
There's a distinct element of danger.
If I can be of assistance...
It's very kind of you.
You evidently saw more in those rooms than was visible to me.
No.
But I probably deduced a little more.
Remember Miss Stoner saying her sister could smell Roylott's cigar?
- Well? - The ventilator.
A ventilator made, a cord hung
and a woman who lies in the bed dies.
I can't see any connection.
Did you notice anything peculiar about the bed?
No.
It was clamped to the floor.
Could not be moved.
Had to remain in the same relative position to the ventilator
and the rope.
For so we may call it,
since it was clearly never made for a bell pull.
I begin to see dimly what you're driving at.
We're only just in time to prevent some...
subtle...
and horrible crime.
(Faint hoofbeats)
Whoa there, boy! Whoa there!
Have a look at her.
Good night.
Did you have a good day?
Not without interest.
Where did you get to this morning?
I decided to go to town, too.
I had some shopping to do for the wedding.
You knew I was going up,
we might have travelled together.
- I left early. - Yes, I know you did.
So that I should be back by lunch time. I had some things to do here.
My trip was a whim.
You always were a good little liar.
Will you excuse me? I have a terrible headache.
Holmes the meddler.
Holmes the busybody.
Holmes the Scotland Yard jack-in-office.
(Low growling)
The signal.
Down!
My God, what's that?
It's the baboon. This is a nice household.
We must sit without light.
Do not fall asleep. Your very life may depend on it.
(Hissing)
Do you see it, Watson? Do you see it?
(Roylott screams)
What can it mean?
It means it is over,
and perhaps for the best.
Come, Watson, bring your pistol.
It's the band - the speckled band.
It is a swamp adder.
The deadliest snake in India.
He has died within seconds of being bitten.
Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent
and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.
The idea of a snake occurred to me
when I knew that the Doctor had a supply of creatures from India.
- A form of poison... - Rapid and lethal.
Which couldn't be discovered by any chemical test.
It might or might not bite the occupant of the bed.
She might escape for a week, but sooner or later she must fall a victim.
Oh, my poor Julia.
The doctor had trained the snake, probably with the milk,
to return at the sound of a whistle -
the whistle which you and your late sister heard.
My inspection of the chair in Dr Roylott's room
had shown that he had been standing upon it to reach the ventilator.
Last night when I attacked the snake and drove it back,
I roused its snakish temper causing it to turn upon the next person it saw.
Dr Grimesby Roylott.
So you, Holmes, were indirectly responsible for his death.
I cannot say it is likely to weigh very heavily on my conscience.
(Hissing)