The Adventure of the Speckled Band Essay Example for Free

The Adventure of the Speckled Band Essay It is fear; it is terror that sent me to London today. I was so agitated my face is surely drawn and grey with restless, frightened eyes because I have been unable to sleep for many a week now. I explained my sickening worries to Mr Holmes. He seemed very kind, knowledgeable and understanding which comforted me immensely. As before I felt like a hunted animal without knowing my stalker.  I good few years ago a good a friend of mine Mrs Farintosh had Mr Holmes remedy a problem of hers. This is where I got the idea to go and find him in London. My stepfather, always a difficult man, has become increasingly erratic, making me nervous and on edge anyway. My concerns started two days ago when I had to sleep in my sisters room as repairs had started in mine. My darling sister died in this bed. How I could I be expected to feel. Shudders of racking fear coursed through my veins. Indeed I would rather sleep anywhere but here .Sleep was far away last night but my sluggish senses could not fail to hear a low whistle. I can be certain it must have been the same sound my bewildered sister heard the night she died. Instinctively I reached for my lamp but I swear to God there was nothing there. Sleep eluded me from then on but at first light I made my way to London, praying that Mr Holmes could help me. He made me tell my story as best I could. At first I found the telling easy as we talked of times long ago when Dr Roylett was married to my dear mother.  Discussing how he seemed to lose his mind after my mothers passing was not so easy, but the worst was putting in to words the last few hours of my sisters life. That night we girls sat talking in my room, mainly of her approaching wedding. As she turned to enter her room she asked me the strangest question Tell me Helen, have you ever heard someone whistling in the dead of night? We discussed this and I suggested that it must have been the gypsies in the plantation. As usual we locked ourselves into our bedrooms because of the nature of the Drs Pets. I will never, ever forget that night. I had a feeling of premonition; a vague feeling of impending misfortune which I can only presume was because my sister and I are twins, with such links that are well known. The wind was howling and splashing against the windows. Amid all the hubbub of the gale, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that it was my sisters voice. I ran to her room and caught her before she fell to the floor. She writhed as one in who is in terrible pain and her limbs were dreadfully convulsed. I shall forget her final words, It was the band! The speckled band! We tried to revive her with brandy, for my stepfather had now arrived but she slowly sank and died. There was nothing more to do.  I feel some relief from pressure now that I have shared this story with Mr Holmes. I pray that he will be able to solve the mystery of my darling sister death.