The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Published in (collection, year): The Strand Magazine February 1892
Time frame of story (known/surmised): Early April 1883 given
Opening scene : At 221B. Watson awakened early by SH. Client has come early, no appointment.
Client: Helen Stoner, stepdaughter of Dr. Grimsby Roylott
Crime, suspicion, concern: Stepfather acting strangely, client feels concerned for her safety. Julia her twin sister died mysteriously 2 yrs previously. Fear of murder. Determined later that Julia was murdered by snake (speckled band) bite, Helen murder attempted but does not succeed.
Villain/crime: Stepfather, Dr. Grimsby Roylott of Stoke Moran. Murder, attempted murder.
Motive: Money. Roylott needs to prevent step-daughter’s marriage to maintain control of wife’s capitol.
Logic/clues used to solve: Cigar smoke was smelled by victim through ventilator, fake bell-pull, bed fastened to floor. Fake building repairs force Helen to move into Julia’s old room. Saucer of milk on safe, looped whipcord. Financial arrangements (see motive above).
Policemen: None
Holmes’ fees: Client states “in a month or six weeks I shall be married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shall not find me ungrateful”. Holmes replies “I shall be happy to devote the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which suits you best”.
Transport: Client took dog-cart from home, first train from Leatherhead to Waterloo (station). H&W then took a cab to Waterloo, the train to Leatherhead, and a trap back 4 or 5 miles through the Surrey lanes to Stoke Moran.
Food: Holmes ordered a cup of hot coffee for Ms. Stoner on the cold morning. Mrs. Hudson had lit the fire.
Drink: / Vices: none
H&W living arrangements: H&W sharing Baker St. quarters
Other cases mentioned: The case of Mrs. Fairintosh, involving her sore need related to an opal tiara.
Notable Quotables: SH: “Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up.” SH: “I cannot think.” JW: “I cannot imagine.”
Roylott: “You are Holmes the meddler. You are Holmes the busybody! You are Holmes the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!”
SH: “An Eley’s No. 2 is an excellent argument.”
Other Interestings: “Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the bed dies. Does not that strike you?”
SH addresses client (incorrectly) as Miss Roylott while at Baker St., then later at Stoke Moran calls her Miss Stoner.
