speckled band - production script.scw

The Speckled Band -- FINAL p. 1c. 2002 One Act Audio Theatre

THE SPECKLED BAND

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Adaptation by Glenn Carlson and Scot Crisp

for One Act Audio Theatre

1 1INT. NARRATION

SFX: MUSIC UP

WATSON: When reflecting upon the many casesin which I shared the confidence ofmy friend Sherlock Holmes, I canrecall none more disturbing than theone that began on an early Aprilmorning back in '83.

WATSON: Holmes was a late riser as a rule, soimagine my surprise when I awoke tofind him standing, fully dressed, atthe foot of my bed in the rooms weshared then on Baker Street, at onlya quarter past seven.

SFX: MUSIC OUT

2 2INT. WATSON'S BEDCHAMBER -- MORNING

HOLMES: Watson ... Watson!

WATSON: Holmes! What is it then? A fire?

HOLMES: No, a client. It seems that a younglady has arrived in a considerablestate of excitement insisting upon aconsultation. I presume you wish todress and follow this from theoutset?

WATSON: Most certainly.

BED CLOTHES TOSSED w/ SOUNDS OF DRESSING UNDER

WATSON: What do you know of this young lady?

HOLMES: Nothing particular as of this moment,but when young ladies wander aboutthe metropolis at this hour of themorning, and knock sleepy people upout of their beds, I gather somethingvery pressing is at hand.

(CONTINUED)


2 CONTINUED: 2

WATSON: Indeed.

HOLMES: Mrs. Hudson described her as a youngwoman, dressed in black, heavilyveiled, and at this moment waitingfor us in the sitting room. Ready?

WATSON: Yes, quite.

3 3INT. BAKER STREET SITTING ROOM -- MORNING

SFX: DOOR OPENS

HOLMES: Good morning, Madam, I am SherlockHolmes. This is my intimate friendand associate, Dr. Watson.

WATSON: Good morning.

HELEN: Good morning. My name is HelenStoner.

HOLMES: Please, sit down by the fire, MissStoner, for I observe that you areshivering.

HELEN: It is not cold which makes me shiver.

HOLMES: What then?

HELEN: It is fear, Mr. Holmes.

HOLMES: You must not fear. We shall soon setmatters right. You have come bytrain this morning, I see.

HELEN: You know me then?

HOLMES: No, but I observe the second half ofa return ticket in the palm of yourleft glove.

HELEN: Oh, yes. I started from home beforesix and came by first train fromLeatherhead to Waterloo. Oh, sir, Ican stand this strain no longer, Ishall go mad if it continues. Thehorror of my situation lies in thefact that my fears are so vague, andmy suspicions depend so entirely uponsmall points.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: 3

HELEN: And those I turn to merely sooth mewith calming words about myimagination ... I can tell theybelieve this all to be the fancies ofa nervous woman ... I ...

WATSON: Here, Miss Stoner, take some coffee.

SFX: CHINA CUP RATTLES

HELEN: Thank you. I come seeking youradvice Mr. Holmes, for I do not knowhow to proceed. My fiancee ispresently in Europe, and not a man ofmuch financial means, so I have nomoney to pay you now, but once Imarry, I will have an income and youshall then find me most grateful.

HOLMES: Please tell me your story, and leavenothing out, even if you think ittrivial.

HELEN: Thank you. Well, my sister Julia andI came to live in Surrey some yearsago with our stepfather, Dr. GrimesbyRoylott, who is the last survivor ofthe Roylotts of Stoke Moran.

HOLMES: The name is familiar to me.

HELEN: The family was once quite rich, butfour successive wasteful heirs leftnothing but a few acres of ground anda two-hundred year old house fallingto ruin. The last squire's only son,my stepfather, was determined toavoid the life of an aristocraticpauper. He obtained an advance froma relative, took a medical degree,and left for India where he had quitea successful practice.

HOLMES: And where he met your widowed mother?

HELEN: Yes. Our father was Major GeneralStoner of the Bengal Artillery. Iwas only two years old when he died,and Julia but five.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: (2) 3

HELEN: Soon after her remarriage, my motherbegan speaking of a wish to leaveCalcutta, to return to England. Ithink she found India too full ofmemories of our father. When wereturned, however, Dr. Roylott foundit difficult to establish a medicalpractice in London. Still, my motherhad a good income left to her by ourfather, enough for all our wants, andthere seemed no obstacle to ourhappiness ... then ...

HOLMES: Go on.

HELEN: Then my mother died ... she waskilled six years ago in a railwayaccident. Dr. Roylett then abandonedattempts to establish himself inLondon and took us to live with himin the ancestral house at Stoke Moran... and after that such a sad changecame over him. He shut himself awayin the house and rarely ventured out. And when he did it only seemed toengage in ferocious quarrels withwhoever might cross his path.

: But the oddest thing was how he beganto disappear for weeks on end, goingoff to live with the bands ofwandering gypsies he allowed to stayon the estate.

HOLMES: Gypsies?

HELEN: Yes. I suppose you could say theyare my stepfather's only friends. Everyone gives Stoke Moran a wideberth these days, Mr. Holmes, beingnot only afraid of the doctor'stemper, but also of the exoticanimals from India that he allows tofreely roam the grounds. Baboons anda cheetah at present.

HOLMES: Interesting.

WATSON: Indeed.

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: (3) 3

HELEN: You can imagine from what I say thatmy poor sister Julia and I had nogreat pleasure in our lives. Noservant would stay with us, so we didall the work of the house. She wasnot yet twenty-five at the time ofher death, and yet her hair hadalready begun to whiten, even as minehas.

HOLMES: Your sister is dead then?

HELEN: Just two years ago. It was such atragedy. Even though we saw very fewpeople at Stoke Moran, Julia wasfortunate to meet and fall in lovewith a Major of the Marines. Theywere to be married. I was so happyfor her. It was a mere fortnightbefore the wedding that she died. And now looking back, those eventsfrighten me all the more.

HOLMES: Pray be precise as to the details.

HELEN: On the night of her ... that nightJulia was in my room, chatting aboutwedding plans. She rose to leave butpaused at the door and asked: "Helen,have you heard anyone whistle in thedead of night?"

HOLMES: Had you?

HELEN: Never, Mr. Holmes, as I told her. She then asked "Do you think itpossible you have whistled in yoursleep?" I told her no, I did notthink so. It was such an oddquestion that I asked her to explain.

HOLMES: And ..?

HELEN: She said that during the past nightsat three in the morning she had beenroused from sleep by a low, clearwhistle. I said it was likely comingfrom the gypsie camp, but she repliedthat if such were the case, then Iwould have heard it, too, as ourbedroom windows both face the samedirection across the lawn.

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: (4) 3

: She then said it was no matter ofgreat consequence, left my room, andin a few moments I heard her turn thekey in the lock of her door.

HOLMES: Indeed. Was it always your custom to lock yourselves in at night?

HELEN: Always.

HOLMES: And why?

HELEN: Well, there were the animals thedoctor kept, and with strangers oftencamping so near the house ... we hadno feeling of security unless ourdoors were locked.

HOLMES: Quite so. And the windows to yourbedrooms?

HELEN: We barred the shutters.

HOLMES: Yes, yes. Pray, proceed with yourstatement.

HELEN: Later that night the weather turnedwild with a howling wind, and I hadtrouble sleeping due to the noise.Suddenly, amidst the sounds of thegale outside, I heard the terrifiedscream of a woman. I knew it was mysister.

: I sprang from my bed and rushed outthe door. I hurried to her room, andjust then her door opened and swunginward. I stared horror-stricken,not knowing what was to issue forth. But by the light of the corridor lampI could see it was my sister, justinside the doorway, her face blanchedwith terror, her hands groping forhelp. I ran to her and threw my armsaround her, but at that moment herknees seemed to give way and she fellto the ground. She writhed as one interrible pain.

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: (5) 3

: I thought she did not recognize me,but she looked in my eyes with aterrible gaze and shrieked out in avoice which I shall never forget:"Oh, my God! Helen! It was theband! The speckled band."

: I rushed out, calling for mystepfather, whom I met hastening fromhis room in his dressing gown. Whenhe reached her she was unconscious. He placed her on the bed, but beforehe could even examine her, my sistersank away and ... died.

WATSON: I am very sorry.

HOLMES: One moment. Did you hear any noisescoming from your sister's room?

HELEN: No. But with the gale blowingoutside and the creakings of an oldhouse, it would have been difficultto hear such noises.

HOLMES: Was your sister dressed?

HELEN: No, she was in her nightdress.

HOLMES: Was her room dark when you entered?

HELEN: No, the lamp was burning. In herright hand was found a charred matchstump, too.

HOLMES: So she had struck a light to lookabout her when the alarm took place. That is important, Watson. And whatconclusions did the coroner come to?

HELEN: Oh. He investigated with great care.I had seen my sister open the door toher room, and I presume it was lockedbefore then. The windows wereshuttered and barred from the inside. The walls and flooring were examinedand found solid all around. Thechimney is wide but there are barsreinforcing it all the way up theflue. It was clear that my sisterwas alone when she met her end.

WATSON: What about poison?

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: (6) 3

HELEN: She was examined for it, but withoutsuccess. In the end, the coroneragreed with my stepfather that Juliahad perished from some fit of thenervous system that could not beanticipated or prevented.

HOLMES: But you doubt these conclusions.

HELEN: I ... I don't know ... she may havedied of nervous shock, but I don'tknow what could have frightened herso.

HOLMES: Ah, and what did you gather from thisallusion to a band, a speckled band?

HELEN: Sometimes I have thought it merelythe wild talk of delirium. Othertimes I think she might have referredto the band of gypsies, who oftenwear spotted handkerchiefs, but ...well ...

HOLMES: These are very deep waters. Now,Miss Stoner, you must tell me whathas frightened you to such an extentthat you now travel to London to seekmy advice?

HELEN: Just two days ago my stepfather begansome repairs, including the outerwall of my bedroom. This hasnecessitated moving into my sister'schamber, to sleep in her bed ...where she ... (quiet crying again)

WATSON: Miss Stoner?

HELEN: I am all right. (pause) Late lastnight, as I lie in bed, I heard inthe silence the low whistle which hadbeen the herald of my sister's death. I lit the lamp but there was nothingto be seen. I was too shaken to goto bed again, and so I dressed andmade my journey here.

HOLMES: You have done wisely. This is a verydark business.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


3 CONTINUED: (7) 3

HOLMES: There are many details I wish to knowbefore I decide on a course ofaction. Yet we have not a moment tolose. If we were to come to StokeMoran today would it be possible forus to arrive and meet you unseen byanyone on the estate?

HELEN: Well, yes ... I suppose. Mystepfather is to be away all day. But to be sure you are not seen bythe groundsmen or gypsies, I think itbest if you approach the back of thehouse via the footpath which beginsjust east of the village.

HOLMES: Excellent. You are not averse tothis trip, Watson?

WATSON: By no means.

HOLMES: Then we shall both come. You mayexpect us early in the afternoon. Watson, if you could show our guestout?

WATSON: Of course.

SFX: CHAIR SCRAPING AND FOOTSTEPS

HELEN: Thank you, gentlemen. My heart islightened.

SFX: DOOR OPENS

HELEN: I look forward to seeing you thisafternoon.

WATSON: Miss Stoner.

SFX: DOOR CLOSES

4 4INT. BAKER STREET SITTING ROOM -- CONTINUOUS

HOLMES: And what do you think of it all,Watson?

WATSON: It seems to me to be a most dark andsinister business.

HOLMES: Dark enough and sinister enough.(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


4 CONTINUED: 4

HOLMES: Now, let us have a little breakfast,and afterwards I shall walk down tothe Commons where I hope to get somedata which may help us in thismatter.

SFX: MUSIC BRIDGE

5 5INT. BAKER STREET SITTING ROOM -- LATER

SFX: DOOR OPENS

HOLMES: (off) Watson?!

WATSON: In here, Holmes.

SFX: DOOR CLOSES AND FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

WATSON: Just finishing my notes on ourmorning meeting. Any luck with you?

HOLMES: Ah, yes. There is much to tell, butit can wait. Gather your things andhail us a cab to Waterloo. And slipyour revolver into your jacketpocket, good man.

WATSON: You think it necessary?

HOLMES: That and a toothbrush are all I thinkwe shall need.

SFX: TRAIN WHISTLE AND TRAIN FADE TO

6 6EXT. OUTSIDE STOKE MORAN -- AFTERNOON

SFX: CLOPPING OF CARRIAGE TO STOP

HOLMES: Here driver. Is this the footpaththat leads past the Roylott estate?

DRIVER: 'Tis, sir. You can see the rooftopof Stoke Moran Manor through there.

HOLMES: Excellent. Stop the carriage! Paythe driver, will you Watson?

WATSON: (fade out) There you are, good man.

SFX: CARRIAGE STARTS AND FADES OUT

SFX: *MUSIC BRIDGE


7 7EXT. OUTSIDE STOKE MORAN -- MOMENTS LATER

HELEN: Mr. Holmes, I am so pleased to seeyou.

HOLMES: Good afternoon. You see we have beenas good as our word.

HELEN: Yes. Good day, Mr. Watson.

WATSON: Miss Stoner. Fine day, yes.

HOLMES: We must make the best use of ourtime, so if you will kindly show usthe rooms in question. I wouldexamine the outside first.

SFX: WALKING

HELEN: Of course. Just this way. Those arethe bedrooms, there.

HOLMES: The one on the left I take it is theroom in which you used to sleep?

HELEN: It is. The middle was my sister's,where I am sleeping now. The last,on the right, is my stepfather's.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS STOP

HOLMES: And on the other side of the rooms isthe corridor which runs between them?

HELEN: Yes.

HOLMES: There are windows in it, of course?

HELEN: Yes, but very small ones. Too narrowand high for anyone to pass through.

HOLMES: Ah. Now, would you kindly go intoyour present room and bar yourshutters.

HELEN: Certainly.

SFX: WALKING

8 8EXT. STOKE MORAN -- CONTINUOUS

HOLMES: Watson, do you notice anything oddabout the end wall there?

(CONTINUED)


8 CONTINUED: 8

WATSON: I see scaffolding erected ... hmmm... apart from an excess of lichenthe masonry looks sound, and the wallappears true and well seated on thefoundation.

HOLMES: Exactly. Do you not find it odd tofind repairs initiated on a perfectlysound wall?

WATSON: Indeed. Unless this young woman wasmeant to change rooms?

HOLMES: Ah! Now that is suggestive!

SFX: SQUEAKING METAL BAR SLIDES INTO PLACE

HOLMES: (loudly) Thank you, Miss Stoner. Hmmm ... no slit by which a knife canpass through to lift the bar. Thehinges are well seated, solid iron.(pushing heavily) Ummph. Ummph. (breath out) Hum! My theorycertainly presents some difficulties. No one could pass through theseshutters if they were bolted. Well,we shall see if the inside throws anylight upon the matter.

SFX: MUSIC BRIDGE

9 9INT. STOKE MORAN BEDROOM 1 -- MOMENTS LATER

SFX: FOOTSTEPS IN CORRIDOR

WATSON: (fade up) Shall we look into thefirst room, Holmes?

HOLMES: No, we shall discover nothing thereto assist in this matter. Let usfocus on the middle chamber (enters)... ah Miss Stoner, are thefurnishings here as they were whenyour sister occupied this room?

HELEN: Yes, I do believe so.

HOLMES: Very good.

Holmes moves about the room examining different things,making misc. comments as he does so.

(CONTINUED)


9 CONTINUED: 9

HOLMES: Watson, what do you make of thatventilator high on the wall?

WATSON: It seems an ordinary ventilator.

HOLMES: Hmmm. (pause) This bell-pull, MissStoner, connects to the servant'sstation?

HELEN: I assume so, Mr. Holmes, but Iconfess, I have never used it.

HOLMES: I thought not, or you certainly wouldhave noticed. (pulls cord) It's adummy.

HELEN: Won't it ring?

HOLMES: No, it's not even attached to a wire. It is merely hooked to the wall therebeside the ventilator.

WATSON: How peculiar.

HOLMES: I should like to have a look at yourstepfather's room now.

HELEN: Of course.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS AND DOOR OPENS


WATSON: Quite spartan furnishings

HELEN: After my mother died, my stepfatherhad most of the furniture removed. He said he preferred simplesurroundings, in the manner of hisquarters in Calcutta. He kept onlythis high backed chair and thatbookcase.

WATSON: Complete with extensive articles ontropical diseases and treatments, Inote. Ah, there is an impressivecollection on animals of the Orientas well.

HOLMES: Hmmm? Not unexpected, though, givenhis years practicing in India ...Tell me, do you keep a dog?

(CONTINUED)


10 CONTINUED: 10

HELEN: No, Mr. Holmes.

HOLMES: Curious then this leash. Perhaps acat?

HELEN: No. Does one leash a cat?

HOLMES: Perhaps the cheetah that you sayprowls the estate ... but actually Iwas referring to this --

WATSON: A saucer of milk!

HELEN: Most curious.

HOLMES: A cheetah is just a big cat, and yeta saucer of milk does not go far insatisfying its wants, I daresay.

WATSON: Holmes, look here beside thebookcase. Another bell-pull. (pulls)This one does not seem to work,either. Curious.

HOLMES: But not surprising. One last thing,Miss Stoner. Do you know what is inhere?

HELEN: The safe? My stepfather's businesspapers.

HOLMES: You've seen inside, then?

HELEN: Yes ... I can't remember when ... itwas some time ago, but it was filledwith papers.

HOLMES: I think I have seen enough now. Letus return to the lawn.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS TO OUTSIDE

11 11EXT. STOKE MORAN -- AFTERNOON

HOLMES: It is very essential, Miss Stoner,that you should absolutely follow myadvice in every respect.

HELEN: I shall most certainly do so.

HOLMES: Good.(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


11 CONTINUED: 11

HOLMES: Tonight you must stay in your oldroom. Tell no one you are doing so. Take only what you will absolutelyneed from your present chamber thisafternoon. Dr. Watson and I will bestaying in your sister's roomtonight.

WATSON: Holmes?

SFX: FOOTSTEPS STOP.

HOLMES: Yes. I have left the window open sowe may gain entry to the room. Ibelieve I noted an inn across thefield there?

HELEN: Yes, that is the Crown Inn.

HOLMES: And your windows would be visiblefrom there at night?

HELEN: I am sure they would.

HOLMES: Then that is where Watson and I willbe for the remainder of the day andthis evening. I would also ask thatyou retire early, and burn no lightpast nine. Do you understand whatyou are to do, Miss Stoner?

HELEN: Yes.

HOLMES: Do everything I have asked withouthesitation for your life certainlydepends on compliance. Leave therest in our hands.

HELEN: Mr. Holmes ... am I ... have you ananswer for my sister's death?

HOLMES: I should prefer to have clearerproofs before I speak. Come, Watson,let us make way to the inn.

SFX: MUSIC BRIDGE

12 12INT. CROWN INN -- NIGHT

HOLMES: Watson ... wake up, Watson.

WATSON: (wakes with start) Huh!

(CONTINUED)


12 CONTINUED: 12

HOLMES: On your feet. It's past twelve, wemust be going.

WATSON: Right.

SFX: FOOTSTEPS THEN DOOR OPENS

HOLMES: And don't forget your pistol.

SFX: MUSIC BRIDGE

13 13EXT. STOKE MORAN -- NIGHT

SFX: NIGHT SOUNDS & WALKING

HOLMES: Do you know, Watson, I had somemisgivings about asking you to cometonight. There is a distinct elementof danger.

WATSON: When you speak of danger, I can onlysurmise that you saw more in thoserooms than was visible to me.

HOLMES: No, I imagine you saw all that I did,but I fancy that I may have deduced alittle more.

WATSON: Apart from the bell-pull I ---

SFX: SUDDEN CRASH OF FOLIAGE & SCREETCH

WATSON: My God, Holmes! Did you see that?

HOLMES: That was the baboon.

WATSON: Good heavens, I had forgotten. Idare not think of the cheetah. Doyou think --

HOLMES: We must be silent now. The leastsound would be fatal to our plans.

14 14P.O.V. STOKE MORAN -- CONTINUOUS

There is the slight sound of Holmes and Watson moving a fewmore feet towards the house.

HOLMES: Ah, good ... the window is stillunlocked

Quiet sound of the window and shutters being opened.

(CONTINUED)


14 CONTINUED: 14

HOLMES: Give a leg up, Watson. One, two,three ...

Holmes and Watson climb through window and inside bedroom.


HOLMES: (whisper) We must sit without alight. Do not go to sleep, Watson,your very life may depend on it. Have your pistol at the ready in caseit is needed. I will sit on the sideof the bed and you in that chair.

16 16INT. STOKE MORAN BEDROOM 1 -- CONTINUOUS

There is a quiet suggestion of a chair sliding with someonetaking a seat.

Time passes. Some aural representation of 60-90 minutespassing. Then:

17 17INT. STOKE MORAN BEDROOM 1 -- CONTINUOUS

SFX: LOW WHISTLE

WATSON: (whisper) Holmes?

HOLMES: Ssshhh.

WATSON: I believe --

HOLMES: Be still.

SFX: LOW HISSING

A quiet stiffening of bedsheets then a match strike followedby a sudden cacophony of noise and movement as Holmes beatsabout the bed with a cane.

WATSON: Ahhh! Holmes!

HOLMES: You see it, Watson! There!

WATSON: What is going on?

HOLMES: You see it! You SEE IT!

SFX: LOUD WHISTLE REPEATED THREE TIMESQUICKLY

WATSON: Holmes!

Sudden SCREAM (off) tails to quiet.

(CONTINUED)


17 CONTINUED: 17

WATSON: What on earth!?

HOLMES: Watson! Your pistol! Follow me.

SFX: RUNNING SCRAMBLE. DOOR OPENS. *

18 18*INT. STOKE MORAN BEDROOM 2 -- MOMENTS LATER

SFX: RUNNING FOOTSTEPS. DOOR BURSTS OPEN. *

WATSON: Dr. Roylott!

HOLMES: No! Watson do not move. Roylott isbeyond your help. Look! There!

SFX: LOW HISSING

WATSON: A snake!

HOLMES: The speckled band.

WATSON: A snake?

HOLMES: Yes. It is a swamp adder, thedeadliest snake in India. He diedwithin ten seconds of being bitten.

WATSON: The doctor!?

HOLMES: Roylott was responsible for JuliaStoner's death and had we notinterceded, was set to perpetrate asecond heinous act of murder.

WATSON: My word!

HOLMES: Please, if you could step aside ...slowly ... good ... Now, with duecare I can slide the loop of thisleash over it's head and ... there! Now, back to your den with you.

SFX: LOW THUD THEN CLANK AND SLAM OF IRONSAFE DOOR.

WATSON: Splendid work, Holmes!

HOLMES: Come, Watson, let us find Miss Stonersome other place of shelter for thenight and then inform the countypolice of what has transpired.

SFX: MUSIC BRIDGE AND FADE UP TRAIN


19 19INT. TRAIN CABIN -- DAY

HOLMES: Have you about finished your notes,Watson?

WATSON: Yes, nearly. I am still unclear asto the gypsies.

HOLMES: I, too, allowed that erroneous bit ofinformation to confuse the issue. The presence of the gypsies, alongwith the poor girl's reference to aspeckled band, and her sister'sspecultation regarding a gypsiekerchief, put me upon an entirelywrong scent. Which shows, my dearWatson, how dangerous it is to reasonfrom insufficient data.

WATSON: Yes, of course.

HOLMES: Once it was clear to me how no dangercould threaten an occupant of thatroom from the window or the door, myattention was speedily drawn to theventilator and the bell-pull. Ifirst noted that the ventilator wasbetween two bedrooms, which was odd,as most are set to pass fresh airfrom the outside. And once it wasdiscovered that the bell-pull did notfunction as one would normallyexpect, I knew it had to serve someother purpose. But what? It wasthen the doctor's fondness forcreatures from India came to mind.

WATSON: The adder? But how did you --

HOLMES: The doctor's journals on exotics ofIndia, the milk, the leash, thesecond bell-pull, and you yourselfsuspected poison in the death ofJulia Stoner.

WATSON: Which was dismissed in the coroner'sinquiry.

HOLMES: As he could not see the facts asplainly as I.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


19 CONTINUED: 19

HOLMES: A chair was placed under theventilator in the doctor's room. Thecushion showed wear as if someone hadstood repeatedly upon it. Therefore,I surmised the doctor had stood uponthe chair and sent a deadly snakethrough the ventilator.

WATSON: Remarkable.

HOLMES: Elementary. But more interesting wasthe fact that while the doctor couldsurely place the serpent into theroom, it might or might not bite theoccupant of the bed. That made for arisk that the creature would berevealed in the morning light. Itwas for this reason the snake wastrained.

WATSON: Trained? Ah, the whistle!

HOLMES: Excellent, Watson! We heard thewhistle soft and low, which I suspectwas to compel the snake to crawl downthe bell pull. As morningapproached, I expect the whistlewould summon the snake up the ropeand back to the ventilator where itwould be rewarded with milk in asaucer.

WATSON: And during the day, Roylott kept thesnake hidden in his safe.

HOLMES: Yes. You see, the poor woman mightescape every night for a week,perhaps more, but sooner or later,the snake would claim its victim.

WATSON: Only the sharpest-eyed coroner couldlocate two small puncture marks wheresuch an exotic posion was introduced.

HOLMES: Precisely. With Miss Stoner claimingshe had heard the same whistle thatmarked the tragic death of hersister, I knew what to listen forlast night.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


19 CONTINUED: (2) 19

HOLMES: When I heard the whistle I came onguard, but I could see nothing, andwith such a deadly presence lurkingclose by I could not act hastily. When next I heard the snake hiss justabove my head, I struck the light andlashed out with my cane.

WATSON: And all the unexpected commotioncoming from the room caused thedoctor to whistle for the snake.

HOLMES: Perhaps the doctor was trying torecall the snake, that I do not know. But my attack roused the creature'stemper, and once back through theventilator, it flew upon the firstperson it saw.

WATSON: A terrible business. All for greed.

HOLMES: Indeed. Yesterday, when I reviewedthe will of Miss Stoner's motherfiled in London, her estate wasvalued at a goodly sum. The willalso stipulated that upon theirmarriage, each of her daughters wasto receive half the estate. Apparently Roylott was unwilling topart with the money. It has beenproven that the last of the StokeMoran heirs would rather kill hisstepdaughters than risk a furtherdecline in his living standard.

WATSON: A doctor? It's ... unimaginable.

HOLMES: When a doctor does go wrong he is thefirst of criminals. He has nerve andhe has knowledge. (pause) I am nodoubt indirectly responsible for Dr.Grimesby Roylott's death, Watson, butI cannot say that it will weigh veryheavily upon my conscience.

SFX: MUSIC UP

END

speckled band - production script.scw

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