About The Adventure of the Speckled Band

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson discuss a case at 221b Baker Street. This illustration by Sidney Paget originally appeared in The Strand Magazine where ‘The Speckled Band’ was first published.

The Adventure of the Speckled Band is among the most famous Sherlock Holmes short stories and was one of author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s personal favorites.

A terrified bride-to-be, Miss Helen Stoner, arrives trembling at 221b Baker Street and pleads with Sherlock Holmes to save her life. She senses she is about to suffer the same fate as her sister who died mysteriously in the same bed a few years earlier.

Holmes listens intently to her tale of Gypsies who have camped in the grounds of her country estate, of strange whistling sounds, wild African animals on the loose and a violent step-father.

With a revolver-wielding Dr Watson by his side, Holmes springs into action. But will the consulting detective be too late this time?

“It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror.” She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal.
– From The Adventure of the Speckled Band