Across his lap lay the short stick with the whip which we had seen during the day. His chin pointed upward and his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, unmoving stare at the corner of the ceiling. Round his head he had a peculiar yellow band, with brownish speckles, which seemed to be tied tightly. As we entered he did not move or speak.

"The band! The speckled band!" whispered Holmes.

I took a step forward. Suddenly the strange headgear began to move, and the squat diamond-shaped head and neck of a dangerous snake appeared in Dr Roylott's hair.

"It is a swamp adder!" said Holmes; "the deadliest snake in India. He died ten seconds after he was bitten. Violence really does punish the violent, and the the man who makes clever plans falls into the trap which he digs for someone else. Let's put this creature back into the safe. Then we can take Miss Stoner to some safe place and let the county police know what has happened."

As he spoke he quickly took the whip from the dead man's lap, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from its horrid perch. Carrying it at arm's length, Holmes threw the snake into the iron safe, which he closed tightly.