your mother bequeath
her assets to?
She left everything to Roylott,
but there was one condition.
As soon as we got married,
each of us was to get
a third of the money as
dowry.
Of course, we wanted to get
married.
If at least to get away from
that horrible house.
But no one came to visit us. The
neighbors were afraid of Roylott
and he didn't need any
company.
At last my sister Julia met
a nice man,
not very young, but pleasant.
And he proposed to her.
I was so happy for her!
But 3 days before the wedding
Julia died.
Miss Stoner.
Starting from that moment...
could you please be very
accurate in your recollections.
When exactly did it happen?
2 years ago, but I remember it
clearly as if it were yesterday.
That night I couldn't sleep,
I lay with a book in my hand.
I've come to say goodnight.
Goodnight, Julia.
I envy you so much.
In 3 days you will start
a new lift.
And I am both happy and sad.
I hate to leave you here alone.
But don't worry, I'll
often come to visit.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Ellen, did you hear something
hissing at night?
- Hissing?
- Yes.
- Where? - I don't know.
Perhaps in the hallway,
or maybe outside, on the lawn.
A quiet subtle hiss.
I didn't hear anything, but you
know I sleep very soundly.
And I couldn't sleep all week.
I wake up - it's all dark and
quiet around.
And there's only that hissing
sound.
And knocking, you know,
very quiet and subtle,
like someone was asking to let
him in. Knock-knock-knock.
Oh, that's probably
nonsense.
Goodnight.
Miss Stoner, did you always
lock your door?
Yes, both Julia and me would
lock our doors every night.
Why?
Doctor Roylott brought a baboon
and a hyena from India.
A hyena and a baboon?
And he lets them out to walk
about the house at night.
(a woman's cry)
Julia. Julia, open the door.
Julia, open it!
Julia!
A motley...
Motley ribbon.
Oh, my god.
Forgive me for...
making you relive the painful
experience of that night.
What about your stepfather?
Awakened by the cry, he
rushed out of his bedroom,
listened to her heart, examined
her pupils. He's a doctor.
And said it was over.
How did he formulate the
cause of death?
Heart failure.
But I think she died of fear.
Someone scared her to death.
Remember, she whispered:
"The motley ribbon".
Where could she set a motley
ribbon?
I don't know. That could have
something to do with gypsies.
I didn't tell you, a gypsy camp
settled next to our mansion.
Interesting.
But I didn't tell you the most
important thing.
A month ago our neighbor
Mr. Harmitage proposed to me.
- Wt are to get married in
a week. - A week?
Yes, but 2 days ago they started
repairs at the mansion.
One wall in my room was
dismantled,
and for the time I had to move
into my sister's room.
At night I couldn't sleep. I
lay awake thinking about Julia.
Suddenly I heard a quiet
hissing sound.
And knocking. Knock-knock.
The next night that
happened again.
All night I sat up in bed with
with my bed lamp switched on.
And in the morning I took the
first train here, to set you.
Mr. Holmes, if you don't help me
something terrible will happen.
I'd very much like to comfort
you, Miss Stoner,
but I'm afraid you are faced
with a lethal threat.
I'd like to examine the house
and the room when Roylott's out.
- Can that be arranged?
- I think so.
Tomorrow he's visiting a notary.
He won't be in for 2 hours.
Too bad. It'd be better
not to delay until tomorrow.
But, well, tomorrow will do.
Don't go to sleep this night.
Look, listen and remember.
- What is the name of the
mansion? - Stock-Moron.
I shall be near by.
When Roylott leaves,
you'll give me a signal with
the candle. Like this.
- What do you say, Watson?
- You're the expert here.
But as a doctor
I would doubt the story of that
young lady.
She's clearly under tremendous
nervous pressure.
Is in visible agitation.
It could very well be her
fantasy.
The fruit of her sick
imagination.