Sherlock Holmes Investigates

 

"What do think that this unfortunate lady died of then?"

"It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine."

"Were any gypsies in the woods at that time?"

"Yes, they are nearly always some there."

"And what did you gather from this reference to a band - a speckled band? "

"Sometimes I have thought it was merely the words of delerium, sometimes that it may have referred to a band of people, Perhaps to those same gypsies in the woods. I do not know if the spotted handkerchiefs which many of them wear on their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which she used."

Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied.

"These are very deep waters" said he "pray go on with your narrative."

Vocabulary:

Nervous: Here this means to do with the nervous system.
Shock: A sudden impact.
Gypsies: A tribe of people who move from place to place without permanent homes.
Gather: Here this means understand
Delerium: When your mind is affected by fever or drugs and you talk or dream nonsense.
Hardkerchief: A piece of cloth usually carried in the pocket. Sometimes for blowing the nose with.
Deep waters: Something more complicated than it seems.
Pray: Please (not much used these days).