ABC Mystery Time 56-05-01 Ep002 Sherlock Holmes-The Case Of The Speckled Band

Summary

Podcast Summary: ABC Mystery Time 56-05-01 Ep002 Sherlock Holmes – The Case Of The Speckled Band

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Don Dowd
Date: January 31, 2026
Starring: John Gielgud (Sherlock Holmes), Ralph Richardson (Dr. Watson)
Original Air Date: May 1, 1956

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Overview

This episode presents a gripping radio dramatization of one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes mysteries: "The Case of the Speckled Band." In this atmospheric tale, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are approached by a frightened young woman whose sister died under strange circumstances, uttering only the cryptic phrase "the speckled band" before her death. Holmes investigates a web of family secrets, a menacing stepfather, and a country manor filled with sinister details.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Helen Stoner’s Plight and Family History

• Helen Stoner approaches Holmes and Watson trembling with “fear, terror” ([01:30]).
• She lives with her wealthy but increasingly violent stepfather, Dr. Grimesby Roylott.
• Following the suspicious death of her twin sister Julia, Helen now fears for her own safety, especially after hearing the same mysterious whistles that preceded her sister’s death.

“It’s not the cold which makes me shiver, Mr. Holmes. It’s fear, terror. I’ve no one to turn to.”
— Helen Stoner ([01:30])

• The family fortune is tied up so that Helen and her sister only receive an inheritance if they marry, a detail that immediately heightens Holmes’s suspicions regarding Roylott's motives ([02:20]).

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2. Recounting Julia’s Death

• Helen details the night Julia died after hearing a mysterious whistle. Julia staggered from her room in terror, dying in Helen’s arms, whispering, “The band, the speckled band” ([06:00]).
• The manor house’s layout—especially the isolated bedrooms and the unexplainable repairs—become focal points of investigation.

“She only screamed the one thing before she died in my arms. It was the band, the speckled band.”
— Helen Stoner ([05:34])

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3. First Encounter with Dr. Roylott

• Roylott storms into Holmes’s rooms, threatening them and displaying his violent nature by bending a steel poker in rage ([08:02]).
• Holmes responds with calm wit by straightening the poker after Roylott leaves, setting a tone of measured resolve.

“An amiable person—bending our poker almost double. You observe I’m not quite so bulky. But if he remained, I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own.”
— Sherlock Holmes ([08:58])

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4. Investigation at Stoke Moran Manor

• Holmes and Watson examine the rooms, focusing on the suspicious bell pull and ventilator between Helen’s (formerly Julia’s) room and Roylott’s quarters ([10:47]–[12:25]).
• The bell rope is revealed to be a dummy, attached only to a hook above the ventilator, not to any bell ([11:43]).
• The bed is clamped to the floor, ensuring it cannot be moved from its position directly under the ventilator and bell pull.
• A saucer of milk (even though no cat is in the house) arouses further suspicion, as does a loop of whipcord in Roylott’s room ([12:59]).

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5. Holmes’s Plan and the Stakeout

• Holmes instructs Helen to signal them when Roylott retires for the night, after which she should lock herself in her old room ([13:55]).
• Holmes and Watson wait in the darkness, armed and tense, prepared for danger as they realize the setup is designed for a subtle and horrific crime ([15:13]–[16:05]).

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6. Confrontation and Climax

• During the stakeout, Holmes hears the telltale whistle and attacks the bell pull with his cane. A scream rings out from Roylott’s room ([18:45]).
• Rushing in, they find Dr. Roylott dead, a “peculiar yellow band with brownish speckles” wrapped around his brow—the titular “speckled band,” revealed to be a deadly Indian swamp adder ([19:27]).

“A band, Watson. The speckled band.”
— Sherlock Holmes ([19:20])

“Around the head of the dead man was a snake…the deadliest snake in India. An adder, a Swamp Adder.”
— Dr. Watson ([19:27])

• Holmes uses the dog whip to remove the snake, placing it back into Roylott’s safe.

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7. Holmes Explains the Case

• Back at Baker Street, Holmes recounts the logic of the case:
  • The inheritance was Roylott’s motive ([02:20]).
  • The bell rope and ventilator allowed him to send the trained snake into Julia’s room.
  • The whistle was used to recall the snake.
  • The metallic “clang” was the safe door being shut, not a window shutter ([21:42]).
• Holmes reflects on his initial misleading assumption regarding the gypsies but neatly ties together his deductions.

“The bell rope, the ventilator, and the clamped bed then gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me…”
— Sherlock Holmes ([20:25])

“Violence does in truth recoil upon the violent and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.”
— Sherlock Holmes ([19:43])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Helen’s Fear:
  “It’s not the cold which makes me shiver, Mr. Holmes. It’s fear, terror.” ([01:30])
• Roylott’s Threat:
  “I know Miss Stoner has been to see you, but don’t you dare meddle in my affairs. I’m a dangerous man to fall foul of…” ([08:36])
• Holmes’s Steely Calm:
  “Your conversation is most entertaining, but when you go out, close the door.” ([08:29])
• Holmes’s Reflection on Justice:
  “Violence does in truth recoil upon the violent…” ([19:43])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Helen Stoner recounts her family history: [01:30]–[06:18]
• Roylott’s first confrontation with Holmes: [08:02]–[09:18]
• Investigation of the Manor—and key clues: [10:47]–[13:53]
• Holmes’s plan and the vigil: [13:55]–[18:45]
• The dramatic reveal and Roylott’s fate: [18:45]–[20:09]
• Holmes explains the mystery: [20:25]–[21:47]

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Tone & Language

The episode is richly atmospheric, evoking the classic, suspenseful storytelling style of Golden Age radio. The language is formal, precise, and period-appropriate, balancing moments of high tension (Roylott's threats, the midnight vigil) with Holmes’s composed deductions and dry wit. The interplay between Holmes and Watson is steady and reassuring, serving as an anchor for the unfolding danger.

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Conclusion

This radio play of “The Case of the Speckled Band” stands out as a superb example of suspenseful old-time radio drama. With vivid performances and clever sound design, the episode brings Holmes’s deductive brilliance and the dark undercurrents of Victorian domestic life to life, culminating in poetic justice for the villain and another triumph for Holmes and Watson.

Listeners who enjoy classic mysteries, atmospheric audio drama, or the timeless partnership of Holmes and Watson will find this installment especially compelling and well-produced.

Transcript

[Don Dowd]

It's Mystery Time. Time now for the best in mystery tonight, Sherlock Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Let me tell you, my dear Watson, no man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study for the detection of crime that I have done.

[Don Dowd]

Good evening. This is Don Dowd, your host for Mystery Time. This week is the premiere of ABC Radio's new series of nighttime mystery programs produced by Clark Andrews. Mystery Time features a new and different story each night. Mondays, Mike Malloy. Tuesdays, Sherlock Holmes. Wednesdays, Masters of Mystery. Thursdays, Mystery Classics. Fridays, Police Blotter. Tonight being Tuesday, Mystery Time brings you the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Starring John Gielgud as Sherlock Holmes and Ralph Richardson as Dr. Watson. Tonight's transcribed story, the Case of the Speckled Band commences in the apartment shared by Holmes and Watson at 221B Baker Street Dr. Watson, who will narrate part of the story, has just admitted a very nervous young lady.

[Helen Stoner]

It's not the cold which makes me shiver, Mr. Holmes. It's fear, terror. I've no one to turn to. Even my fiance believes it's only my imagination.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You mustn't fear. We'll soon set matters to rightside, no doubt.

[Helen Stoner]

My name is Helen Stoner and I'm living with my stepfather who was the last survivor of one of the oldest families in England, the roil ups of Stoke Moran on the western border of Sallit.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The name is familiar to me, madam.

[Helen Stoner]

The family used to be very rich, but now there's nothing left save a few acres and an old house crushed under a heavy mortgage. My stepfather went out to practice in Calcutta. There he married my mother, the widow of an Indian army officer. My sister Julia and I were twins and only two years old at the time of this second marriage. Eight years ago we returned to England and shortly afterwards my mother died.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Was your mother a wealthy woman?

[Helen Stoner]

She had a fortune of some thousand pounds a year, which she bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely, so long as we resided with him, with the provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to both Julia and myself if either of us should marry.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Tell me, did Dr. Roylott continue to practice after your return to England?

[Helen Stoner]

No. He took my sister and me to live with him at Stoke Moran, and for a time we were quite happy together. But a terrible change began to come over our stepfather. He shut himself up and only came out to indulge in violent quarrels with his neighbors. He has no friends at all but the wandering bands of gypsies that he allows to camp in his grounds. He's A collector of strange animals. He has an Indian cheetah and a baboon which wander freely over the estate. No servant would favour this. We had to do all the work of the house. You could imagine what it was like for my sister and me. And when she died, though she was only 30, Julia's hair had begun to turn white.

[Dr. Watson]

Your sister died?

[Helen Stoner]

Just two years ago, soon after she'd become engaged to be married. Only a fortnight before the wedding, she died in terrible circumstances.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Did your stepfather offer any objection to her marriage?

[Helen Stoner]

No, he didn't appear to.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The circumstances of your sister's death, please be precise at the details.

[Helen Stoner]

As I said, the manor house is very old and only one wing is now loose. The bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor. First my stepfather's, then my sister's and then mine. There's no communication between them, but they open onto the same corridor and look out onto the same lawn. Do I make myself plain?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Perfectly so. Please Continue.

[Helen Stoner]

That night, Dr. Roylott, my stepfather, had gone to his room early but was not yet asleep, for my sister was troubled by the strong smell of his Indian cigar. She left her room and came into mine, where she sat chatting about her coming wedding. Well, Helen, I'll be getting back to bed. He must be asleep by now. By the way, have you ever heard a strange whistle in the dead of night? Whistle? No. Why? Well, the last few nights, about three in the morning, I've been wakened by a low, clear whistle. I don't know whether it came from the next room or from the lawn outside. It must be those gypsies in the plantation. I haven't heard it, but then I speak more heavily than you do. Well, it's of no consequence. Good night. I remember it was a wild night. The wind was howling outside and the rain was beating against the window. I had a terrible premonition of evil. And suddenly, through the storm, I knew it for my sister who screamed. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a shawl around me and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door, I heard a distant whistle. A whistle and a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had fallen somewhere. As I ran towards it, my sister's door was unlocked and slowly swung open the light of the lamp. I saw her standing there, her face flounced with terror, her hands groping for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro. Her knees gave way and she fell to the ground. She only screamed the one thing before she died in my arms. It was the band, the speckled band? My belief that she died of sheer terror and nervous shock.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And what did you gather from her allusion to the speckled band?

[Helen Stoner]

Sometimes I've thought it was merely delirium. Sometimes I've wondered if it might have referred to some band of people. Perhaps those very gypsies in the plantation with their spotted handkerchiefs on their heads.

[Sherlock Holmes]

These are very deep waters, Ms. Stoner. Please go on.

[Helen Stoner]

Two years have passed since then and until lately my life has been lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, I became engaged to be married to a Mr. Armitage. I feared my stepfather might offer objections, but he's made no difficulties. And we are to be married later this spring? Yes, two days ago. Some repairs were started in the west wing so that I've had to move out of my own room into the room next door, the room in which my sister died. Last night I lay awake thinking of her terrible fate. I suddenly heard in the silence of the night that same low whistle.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Are you sure you told me everything?

[Helen Stoner]

Yes, everything.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I think you are still shielding your stepfather, Ms. Stoner. Isn't that the mark of his grip there on your wrist?

[Helen Stoner]

He's a hard man. Perhaps he hardly knows his own strength.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well, this is a very deep business and from what you tell me, there may not be a moment to lose. If we were to come down to Stoke Moorham today, would it be possible to see over the bedrooms without the knowledge of your stepfather?

[Helen Stoner]

I think so. He told me last night he was coming to London for the day. There should be no one to disturb you.

[Sherlock Holmes]

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

[Helen Stoner]

I have one or two things to attend to in town, but I shall be home shortly afternoon.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Then you may expect us early this afternoon, Ms. Stoner. Goodbye for the present.

[Dr. Watson]

Which of you is Holmes?

[Sherlock Holmes]

My name, sir, but you have the advantage of me.

[Dr. Watson]

I'm Dr. Grimesby Roylatt Stonemorren. My stepdaughter's been here. What has she been saying to you?

[Sherlock Holmes]

It is a little cold for the time of the year.

[Dr. Watson]

What has she been saying to you?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I've heard that the crocuses promise.

[Don Dowd]

Very well.

[Dr. Watson]

Ah, you'll put me off to you. I know you, you scoundrel. You're Holmes the meddler. Holmes, the Scotland Yard. Jack in office.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Your conversation is most entertaining, but when you go out, close the door. I'll go and I've had my say.

[Dr. Watson]

I know Ms. Stoner has been to see you, but don't you dare meddle in my affairs. I'm a dangerous man to fall foul of. See that you keep yourself out of my grip. Like this poker, I'll bend ya.

[Sherlock Holmes]

An amiable person bending our poker almost double. You observe I'm not quite so bulky. But if he remained I might have shown him that my grip was not much more feeble than his own. There, I think that's just about straight again.

[Dr. Watson]

I was amused. It is connecting you with Scotland Yard.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, the insolence. You know, my dear Watson, this little incident gives a new zest to our investigations. We shall certainly see what we can find at Stoke Moran this afternoon.

[Dr. Watson]

That afternoon we caught a train for Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove some four or five miles through the lovely southern lanes. At last we pulled up within sight of the rooftops of an old mansion. It was Stoke Morland and seeing Ms. Stoner walking within the grounds, Holmes paid off the driver and we hurried across to join her.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Good afternoon, Ms. Stoner. You see that we've been as good as our words?

[Helen Stoner]

I've been waiting so eagerly for you. All has turned out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town and it's unlikely he'll be back before evening.

[Sherlock Holmes]

We've had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance. He followed you to our rooms in Baker street this morning.

[Helen Stoner]

He called on you after I'd gone.

[Sherlock Holmes]

We had a very amusing little chat, but we formed no very good opinion of him and he advised us not to meddle in his affairs. You must lock yourself up from him tonight as soon as he returns. Now we must make the best use of our time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms we are to examine. This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep. The center one is your sister's room and the one next to the main building is Dr. Roylott's.

[Helen Stoner]

Yes, but I'm sleeping in the middle.

[Sherlock Holmes]

One of course, pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there doesn't seem to be any pressing need for repairs to that end wall.

[Helen Stoner]

There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from my own room into my sister's.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Ah, that is suggestive. Well, these windows and shutters are quite firm. No one could possibly get in this way if they were firmly bolted on the inside. We shall have to see if the rooms themselves throw any light on this matter.

[Dr. Watson]

A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes passed at once into the room in which Helen Stoner was now sleeping. The middle one of the three, the bedroom in which her sister had met her death. It was a homely little room, plainly furnished. Holmes eyes traveled round and round, up and down, taking in every detail.

[Sherlock Holmes]

What does that bell communicate with?

[Helen Stoner]

The housekeeper's room.

[Sherlock Holmes]

It looks newer than the other things.

[Helen Stoner]

Yes, it was put in a couple of years ago, just before my sister's death. I can't think why. She certainly never used it.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Indeed, with such a nice long bell pull. Very convenient. I should have thought. The tassel hangs down to the very pillow. Let me see. Why, it's a dummy.

[Helen Stoner]

Won't it ring?

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, it's not even attached to a wire. It's fastened to a hook up there, just above the little opening of the ventilator.

[Helen Stoner]

How very absurd. I never noticed it before.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Very strange. And what fool of a builder would open the ventilator into the next room when he might have made it through the outer wall into the fresh air?

[Helen Stoner]

That's also quite modern. It was done about the same time as the bell rope. There were several little changes carried out about that time.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Shortly before your sister's death?

[Helen Stoner]

Why, yes, we moved into the bedroom.

[Dr. Watson]

Next door, the room of Dr. Roybur. It was larger than his stepdaughter's, but just as plainly furnished. A camp bed, an armchair, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a round table and a large iron safe. Once again, Holmes examination examined them all with the keenest interest. In one corner of the bed he found a small dog latch, knotted so as to make a loop of the whipcord.

[Sherlock Holmes]

This is interesting. What do you make of that, Watson?

[Dr. Watson]

Common enough lash. I don't see why it should be tied into a loop.

[Sherlock Holmes]

That's not quite so common, is it? Ms. Stoner, what does your stepfather keep in the safe here?

[Helen Stoner]

His business papers.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Oh, you've seen inside it then?

[Helen Stoner]

Only once, some years ago. It was full of papers then.

[Sherlock Holmes]

There wasn't a cat in it by any chance?

[Helen Stoner]

No. What a strange idea.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Well then, why the saucer of milk standing on the top of it?

[Helen Stoner]

Don't know, we don't keep a cat. But as I told you, there's a cheetah and a baboon.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Ah, yes, of course. Well, a cheetah is just a big cat and yet a saucer of milk doesn't go very far to satisfy it, I dare say. Now just one more point. Let me examine this wooden chair. Mmm, very interesting. And now, Ms. Stoner, I want you to listen carefully and follow my advice in every respect.

[Helen Stoner]

I assure you that I'm in your hands, Mr. Holmes.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Your life may depend on it. The matter is too serious for any hesitation in the first place. Then Dr. Watson and I must spend the night here in your room. You, Ms. Stoner, must retire to your room on pretence of a headache. When your stepfather comes back. When you hear him retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us. We shall see it from over there in the village, then go back into your old room. Despite the repairs, it'll serve you perfectly well for one night.

[Helen Stoner]

Oh, yes, of course.

[Sherlock Holmes]

We shall spend the night in the middle room and then we shall be able to investigate the cause of this noise which has so disturbed you.

[Dr. Watson]

Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging rooms at the village inn from which we could command a view of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past the trap turned into the manor drive. In a few moments we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the lamp was lit in one of the sitting rooms.

[Sherlock Holmes]

You know, Watts Knight, some scruples about taking you tonight. There's a distinct element of danger.

[Dr. Watson]

Can I be of assistance?

[Sherlock Holmes]

Your presence might be invaluable.

[Dr. Watson]

Then I'll certainly come. But you speak of danger. You obviously seen more in these rooms than was visible to me.

[Sherlock Holmes]

No, but I fancy I may have.

[Dr. Watson]

Deduced a little more.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I imagine that you saw that. I did.

[Dr. Watson]

I saw nothing remarkable save the bell rope. But what purpose?

[Sherlock Holmes]

You saw the ventilator too?

[Dr. Watson]

Yes, there was nothing very unusual about that.

[Sherlock Holmes]

There was at least a curious coincidence in dates. A ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in.

[Dr. Watson]

The bed below dies.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Does that not strike you?

[Dr. Watson]

Can't as yet see any connection.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Did you observe anything very peculiar about the bed?

[Dr. Watson]

No, it was clamped to the floor.

[Sherlock Holmes]

So that it must always be in the same position relative to the ventilator and the bell rope.

[Dr. Watson]

Holmes, I seem to see dimly what you're driving at. We're only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, Watson, I think we shall have horrors enough before the night is over.

[Dr. Watson]

About 9 o' clock the light among the trees was extinguished and all was dark in the manor house. Two hours passed slowly away and then suddenly a single bright light shone out from the darkness of the west wing. That's our signal.

[Sherlock Holmes]

It comes from the middle window.

[Dr. Watson]

Come on. Little difficulty in entering the grounds through a hole in the park wall. He silently climbed inside, closing the shutters and moving the lamp onto the table. Holmes cast his eyes round the room. All was as we had seen it that afternoon. You must sit without a light. You can see it through the ventilator. Yes. Don't fall asleep. Your very life may depend upon it. Have your pistol ready in case we should need it. I took out my revolver and I laid it on the corner of the table. Holmes had bought a long thin cane with him which he laid on the bed beside him. Next to it he placed a box of matches and a can get. Then he turned out the lamp and we were left in utter darkness. How shall I ever forget that dreadful digital? From outside came the occasional cry of a bird of the night. And once, at our very window, a long drawn cat like whine which told us that the cheetah was indeed at liberty. 12 o' clock struck 1 o', clock, 2 o', clock, 3. And still we sat there waiting silently for whatever might befall. Suddenly there was a momentary gleam of light from the ventilator which vanished immediately. Then a smell of burning oil and heated metal. Someone in the next room lit a dark lantern. I heard a gentle sound of movement. Then for half an hour there was silence again. All at once I heard another sound. A very gentle, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping from a kettle. You see it, Watson? You see it striking a match. Holmes leapt from the bed and was lashing furiously with his cane at the bell pull. As the match flared, I heard a low, clear second whistle. But in the gloom I could still not see what Holmes was attacking so frantically. All I could see was the horror and the loathing on his pale, gaunt face. That scream. It was horrible. What can it mean?

[Sherlock Holmes]

It means, Watson, that it's all over. Take your pistol and come with me.

[Dr. Watson]

Into Dr. Roylott's room. In Dr. Roylott's room it was a strange and terrible sight that 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 a jar. Beside this table sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott, clad in a long dressing gown. His chin was cocked upwards and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful rigid stare. About his brow he had a peculiar yellow band with brownish speckles which seemed to be bound tightly around his head.

[Sherlock Holmes]

A band, Watson. The speckled band.

[Dr. Watson]

The speckled band. Around the head of the dead man was a snake, the deadliest snake in India. An adder, a Swamp Adder. And Dr. Grimesby Roylott had died 10 seconds after that snake had bitten him.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Yes, violence does in truth recoil upon the violent and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.

[Dr. Watson]

Let us thrust this creature back into its den. As he spoke, Holmes drew the dog whip swiftly from the dead man's lap and throwing the knotted loop round the reptile's neck, he drew it from its horrid perch and threw it into the iron safe.

[Sherlock Holmes]

From now, my dear fellow, we can remove Ms. Stoner to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has happened.

[Dr. Watson]

Back in our rooms at Baker street that evening, Holmes lit his pipe and filled in a few of the gaps.

[Sherlock Holmes]

I had come to an entirely erroneous conclusion. Which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason for insufficient data. The presence of the gypsies and the use of the word banned. That poor girl Julia obviously had glimpsed the snake as she struck a match. Well, they were sufficient to put me on an entirely wrong scent. I only corrected my mistake when I saw how impossible it was to enter the room either by the door or the window. The bell rope, the ventilator and the clamp bed then gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and coming down to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, for as we knew already, the doctor had his own supply of strangers.

[Dr. Watson]

And the whistle and the clang.

[Sherlock Holmes]

The whistle was the doctor's signal to recall the snake before the morning light could reveal it to the victim. After all, once it had come down the bell rope, it might or might not have bitten the victim, but sooner or later the doctor knew that it would. I had come to these conclusions before I entered his room.

[Dr. Watson]

You seem to deduce something from the wooden chair.

[Sherlock Holmes]

Of course, he had to stand on that to reach the ventilator. The saucer of milk, the loop of whipcord, the iron safe were enough to dispel any doubts that might have remained.

[Dr. Watson]

The metallic clang, I suppose, was the doctor shutting the snake in the safe again? Exactly.

[Sherlock Holmes]

And not the window shutter being replaced as at first I had supposed. The blows of my cane, of course, drove the brute back through the ventilator and roused its temper. It was ready to bite the first person it saw. So, in a way, I must be responsible for Dr. Roylott's death, but I cannot say that it's likely to weigh very heavily on my conscience.

[Don Dowd]

Time down again, your host, on mystery time. You have just heard the Case of the Speckled Band. Tonight's transcribed adventure of Sherlock Holmes on Mystery Time. It was produced in cooperation with Harry Allen Towers. Next Tuesday and every Tuesday night, you'll hear another of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Tomorrow night and every Wednesday night, Mystery Time will bring you Masters of Mystery. Tomorrow's Masters of Mystery features Edward Bloodworth's thrilling melodrama lady with a Key. See you tomorrow night. Mystery Time with Don Dowd comes to you every night at this time. This program came to you from New York. This is the ABC Radio Network.