Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           Theysaythatawaydowninthevillage,andeveninthedistantparsonage,thatcryraisedthesleepersfromtheirbeds. Itstruckcoldtoourhearts,andIstoodgazingatHolmes,andheatme,untilthelastechoesofithaddiedawayintothesilencefromwhichitrose. 

           "Whatcanitmean?"Igasped. 

           "Itmeansthatitisallover,"Holmesanswered. "Andperhaps,afterall,itisforthebest. Takeyourpistol,andwewillenterDr.Roylott’sroom." 

           Withagravefacehelitthelampandledthewaydownthecorridor. Twicehestruckatthechamberdoorwithoutanyreplyfromwithin. Thenheturnedthehandleandentered,Iathisheels,withthecockedpistolinmyhand. 

           Itwasasingularsightwhichmetoureyes. Onthetablestoodadark-lanternwiththeshutterhalfopen,throwingabrilliantbeamoflightupontheironsafe,thedoorofwhichwasajar. Besidethistable,onthewoodenchair,satDr.GrimesbyRoylottcladinalonggraydressing-gown,hisbareanklesprotrudingbeneath,andhisfeetthrustintoredheellessTurkishslippers. Acrosshislaplaytheshortstockwiththelonglashwhichwehadnoticedduringtheday. Hischinwascockedupwardandhiseyeswerefixedinadreadful,rigidstareatthecorneroftheceiling. Roundhisbrowhehadapeculiaryellowband,withbrownishspeckles,whichseemedtobeboundtightlyroundhishead. Asweenteredhemadeneithersoundnormotion. 

           "Theband!thespeckledband!"whisperedHolmes. 

           Itookastepforward. Inaninstanthisstrangeheadgearbegantomove,andtherereareditselffromamonghishairthesquatdiamond-shapedheadandpuffedneckofaloathsomeserpent.