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〃Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed？〃
〃No。〃
〃It was clamped to the floor。 Did you ever see a bed fastened like
that before？〃
〃I cannot say that I have。〃
〃The lady could not move her bed。 It must always be in the same
relative position to the ventilator and to the rope…or so we may
call it； since it was clearly never meant for a bell…pull。〃
〃Holmes；〃 I cried； 〃I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at。
We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime。〃
〃Subtle enough and horrible enough。 When a doctor does go wrong he
is the first of criminals。 He has nerve and he has knowledge。 Palmer
and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession。 This man
strikes even deeper； but I think； Watson； that we shall be able to
strike deeper still。 But we shall have horrors enough before the night
is over； for goodness' sake let us have a quiet pipe and turn our
minds for a few hours to something more cheerful。〃
About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished； and
all was dark in the direction of the Manor House。 Two hours passed
slowly away； and then； suddenly； just at the stroke of eleven； a
single bright light shone out right in front of us。
〃That is our signal；〃 said Holmes； springing to his feet； 〃it
comes from the middle window。〃
As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord；
explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance；
and that it was possible that we might spend the night there。 A moment
later we were out on the dark road； a chill wind blowing in our faces；
and one yellow light twinkling in front of us through the gloom to
guide us on our sombre errand。
There was little difficulty in entering the grounds； for
unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall。 Making our way among
the trees； we reached the lawn； crossed it； and were about to enter
through the window when out from a clump of laurel bushes there darted
what seemed to be a hideous and distorted child； who threw itself upon
the grass with writhing limbs and then ran swiftly across the lawn
into the darkness。
〃My God！〃 I whispered； 〃did you see it？〃
Holmes was for the moment as startled as I。 His hand closed like a
vise upon my wrist in his agitation。 Then he broke into a low laugh
and put his lips to my ear。
〃It is a nice household；〃 he murmured。 〃That is the baboon。〃
I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected。 There
was a cheetah； too； perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at any
moment。 I confess that I felt easier in my mind when； after
following Holmes's example and slipping off my shoes； I found myself
inside the bedroom。 My companion noiselessly closed the shutters；
moved the lamp onto the table； and cast his eyes round the room。 All
was as we had seen it in the daytime。 Then creeping up to me and
making a trumpet of his hand； he whispered into my ear again so gently
that it was all that I could do to distinguish the words：
〃The least sound would be fatal to our plans。〃
I nodded to show that I had heard。
〃We must sit without light。 He would see it through the ventilator。〃
I nodded again。
〃Do not go asleep； your very life may depend upon it。 Have your
pistol ready in case we should need it。 I will sit on the side of
the bed； and you in that chair。〃
I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table。
Holmes had brought up a long thin cane； and this he placed upon
the bed beside him。 By it he laid the box of matches and the stump
of a candle。 Then he turned down the lamp； and we were left in
darkness。
How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil？ I could not hear a
sound； not even the drawing of a breath； and yet I knew that my
companion sat open…eyed； within a few feet of me； in the same state of
nervous tension in which I was myself。 The shutters cut off the
least ray of light and we waited in absolute darkness。 From outside
came the occasional cry of a night…bird； and once at our very window a
long drawn catlike whine； which told us that the cheetah was indeed at
liberty。 Far away we could hear the deep tones of the parish clock；
which boomed out every quarter of an hour。 How long they seemed； those
quarters！ Twelve struck； and one and two and three； and still we sat
waiting silently for whatever might befall。
Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the
direction of the ventilator； which vanished immediately； but was
succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal。 Someone
in the next room had lit a dark…lanten。 I heard a gentle sound of
movement； and then all was silent once more； though the smell grew
stronger。 For half an hour I sat with straining ears。 Then suddenly
another sound became audible…a very gentle； soothing sound； like
that of a small jet of steam escaping continually from a kettle。 The
instant that we heard it； Holmes sprang from the bed； struck a
match； and lashed furiously with his cane at the bell…pull。
〃You see it； Watson？〃 he yelled。 〃You see it？〃
But I saw nothing。 At the moment when Holmes struck the light I
heard a low； clear whistle； but the sudden glare flashing into my
weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which my
friend lashed so savagely。 I could； however； see that his face was
deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing。
He had ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when
suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most horrible
cry to which I have ever listened。 It swelled up louder and louder；
a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in the one
dreadful shriek。 They say that away down in the village； and even in
the distant parsonage； that cry raised the sleepers from their beds。
It struck cold to our hearts； and I stood gazing at Holmes； and he
at me； until the last echoes of it had died away into the silence from
which it rose。
〃What can it mean？〃 I gasped。
〃It means that it is all over；〃 Holmes answered。 〃And perhaps； after
all； it is for the best。 Take your pistol； and we will enter Dr。
Roylott's room。〃
With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the corridor。
Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply from within。
Then he turned the handle and entered； I at his heels； with the cocked
pistol in my hand。
It was a singular sight which met our eyes。 On the table stood a
dark…lantern with the shutter half open； throwing a brilliant beam
of light upon the iron safe； the door of which was ajar。 Beside this
table； on the wooden chair； sat Dr。 Grimesby Roylott； clad in a long
gray dressing…gown； his bare ankles protruding beneath； and his feet
thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers。 Across his lap lay the
short stock with the long lash which we had noticed during the day。
His chin was cocked upward and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful；
rigid stare at the corner of the ceiling。 Round his brow he had a
peculiar yellow band； with brownish speckles； which seemed to be bound
tightly round his head。 As we entered he made neith