Sherlock Holmes Speckled Band-1-9
Sherlock Holmes Speckled Band-1-9
SHERLOCK HOLMES
SHORT STORIES
Sherlock Holmes is the greatest
detective of them all. He sits in his
room, and smokes his pipe. He
listens, and watches, and thinks. He
listens to the steps coming up his
stairs; he watches the door opening
— and he knows what question the
stranger will ask.
In these three of his best stories,
Holmes has three visitors to the
famous flat in Baker Street — visitors
who bring their troubles to the only
man in the world who can help them.
retold by
Clare West
1
Helen's Story
'Just sit down and tell us your story,' said Holmes run freely around the garden. A friend sends them to
kindly. him from India. And the animals are not the only wild
'My name is Helen Stoner,' she began, 'and I live things in the garden; there are also gipsies. My
with my stepfather, Dr Grimesby Roylott, near a stepfather likes these wild people, and they can come
village in the country. His family was once very rich, and go where they like. Poor Julia and I had very
but they had no money when my stepfather was born. unhappy lives. We had no servants. They always left
So he studied to be a doctor, and went out to India. He because they were afraid of my stepfather, and we had
met and married my mother there, when my sister Julia to do all the work in the house. Julia was only thirty
and I were very young. Our father was dead, you see.' when she died, and her hair was already grey, like my
'Your mother had some money, perhaps?' asked hair now.'
Sherlock Holmes. 'When did she die?' asked Sherlock Holmes.
'Oh yes, mother had a lot of money, so my 'She died two years ago, and that's why I'm here. We
stepfather wasn't poor any more.' never met anybody in the country, but sometimes we
'Tell me more about him, Miss Stoner,' said Holmes. visited some of my family who live near London. There
'Well, he's a violent man. In India he once got Julia met a young man who asked to marry her. My
angry with his Indian servant and killed him! He had stepfather agreed, but soon after this she died.' Miss
to go to prison because of that, and then we all came Stoner put her hand over her eyes and cried for a
back to England. Mother died in an accident eight minute.
years ago. So my stepfather got all her money, but if Sherlock Holmes was listening with his eyes closed,
Julia or I marry, he must pay us £250 every year.' but now he opened them and looked at Helen Stoner.
'And now you live with him in the country,' said 'Tell me everything about her death,' he said.
Holmes. 'I can remember it all very well. It was a terrible
'Yes, but he stays at home and never sees anybody, time!' she answered. 'Our three bedrooms are all
Mr Holmes!' answered Helen Stoner. 'He's more and downstairs. First there is my stepfather's room. Julia's
more violent now, and sometimes has fights with the room is next to his, and my room is next to Julia's. The
people from the village. Everybody's afraid of him rooms all have windows on the garden side of the
now, and they run away when they see him. And house, and doors which open into the corridor. One
they're also afraid of his Indian wild animals which evening our stepfather was smoking his strong Indian
4 Sherlock Holmes Short Stories The Speckled Band 5
we didn't have any servants. He also put in that air- box. 'Now, Miss Stoner,' he said, 'I think your life is in
vent on the wall between his room and this one.' danger. Tonight my friend Watson and I must spend
Holmes pulled the rope. 'But it doesn't work,' he the night in your sister's room, where you are sleeping
said. 'How strange! And it's just over the air-vent. at the moment.'
That also is interesting. Why have an air-vent on an Helen Stoner and I looked at him in surprise.
inside wall? Air-vents are usually on outside walls.' 'Yes, we must,' he went on. 'We'll take a room in a
Then we went into Dr Roylott's room. Holmes saw hotel in the village. When your stepfather goes to bed,
a large metal box near the wall. put a light in your sister's bedroom window and leave
'My stepfather keeps business papers in there,' said it open. Then go into your old room and we'll get into
Helen. your sister's room through the window. We'll wait for
'Does he keep a cat in there too?' asked Holmes. the sound of the whistle and the falling metal.'
'Look!' There was some milk on a plate on top of the 'How did my sister die, Mr Holmes? Do you know?
'Does your stepfather keep a cat in there too?' asked Holmes. 'Now goodbye, Miss Stoner, and don't be afraid,' said Holmes.
10 Sherlock Holmes Short Stories