Notes for The Adventure of the Speckled Band
1. glancing over = taking a quick look at
2. seventy odd = approximately seventy
3. commonplace = ordinary / unremarkable
4. which did not tend towards the unusual (much more formal) = which are not particularly unusual
5. Surrey = a county in the south east of England
6. bachelors = unmarried men / single men
7. placed them upon record (much more formal) = recorded them / written about them
8. the pledge = the promise
9. It is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light (idiom) = It is probably a good idea that this story should become public
10. widespread rumours = gossip or stories (which are not necessarily true) that have been passed on to many people
11. He was a late riser, as a rule = He usually got up late
12. the mantelpiece = the fire surround (note: this is quite often made out of metal or wood, and is quite ornamental. People often place ornaments such as clocks on it.)
13. I blinked up at him = I looked up at him whilst quickly opening and closing my eyes
14. to knock you up (phrasal verb – old fashioned) = to tap or knock on your door in order to wake you up
15. it’s the common lot this morning (here Holmes is using a quite strange old fashioned expression) = it is happening to everyone this morning
16. she retorted upon me (very outdated English) = she did the same to me
17. the sitting-room = the living room (the room in a house where people spend their leisure time reading, watching TV etc.)
18. it is something very pressing = it is something very urgent and important
19. from the outset = from the beginning
20. at any rate = at least
21. I had no keener pleasure than (very outdated English) = There was nothing I enjoyed more than
22. swift = quick / rapid
23. intuitions = ability to understand something immediately without having to think about it
24. founded on = based on
25. he unravelled the problems = he solved the problems
26. veiled = covered with a veil
27. rose as we entered = stood up (phrasal verb) as we came in
28. cheerily = happily / pleasantly
29. Pray draw up to (phrasal verb) it = Please come close to it (note: using ‘pray’ instead of ‘please’ is very formal and old fashioned. We do not use this form now even in very formal English!)
30. shivering = trembling (usually due to the cold temperature)
31. in a pitiable state of agitation = obviously distressed and unhappy
32. her face all drawn = her face was tired looking due to the effects of stress, anxiety or illness
33. her hair was shot with premature gray = there were early signs of grey hair mixed in with her original colour (note: we spell ‘grey’ differently in modernBritish English – it is spelt with an e. But American English still uses the older ‘gray’ with an a.)
34. haggard = tired looking because of stress, anxiety, or illness
35. Sherlock Holmes ran her over (phrasal verb) with one of his quick, all comprehensive glances = Sherlock Holmes looked at her quickly from head to foot in way that he typically does when he is assessing a situation, a way that took in a great deal of information
36. said he soothingly = he said in a friendly and reassuring manner
37. We shall soon set matters right = We will soon find solutions to these problems
38. the palm = the flat inside part of the hand
39. a dog-cart = a light horse drawn vehicle (note: usually pulled by one horse, most people these days would call any horse drawn vehicle a horse and carriage or a horse and cart.)
40. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment = The lady suddenly moved (as a result of surprise) and then looked intently in one direction with a look of confusion on her face
41. is spattered with mud = is covered in small spots of mud (which have splashed onto the surface)
42. There is no vehicle save a dog-cart = There is no vehicle apart from a dog-cart
43. Waterloo = a large train station in central London
44. I can stand this strain no longer = I can’t tolerate this stress anymore
45. I have no one to turn to (phrasal verb) none, save only one, who cares for me, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid = I have nobody to ask for help from apart from one person who, though he cares for me, is not in a position to help me
46. in the hour of her sore need (idiom) = at the time when she badly needed help
47. throw a little light through the dense darkness which surrounds me = help me to understand what is happening in this terrible situation
48. it is out of my power to reward you for your services (formal and old fashioned) = I am not able to pay you for your help
49. drew out (phrasal verb) a small case-book = took out (phrasal verb) a small book which had his previous investigations recorded in it
50. an opal tiara = a female headdress (usually made from gold or silver) which contained opals, which are colourful precious stones
51. reward = payment
52. to defray (formal and old fashioned) = to undertake payment of (costs or expenses)
53. whatever expenses I may be put to (phrasal verb)= Whatever expenses I incur / All the costs of my investigation, apart from a professional fee
54. at the time which suits you best = at a time which is convenient for you
55. I beg that you will lay before us (formal and old fashioned) = I ask that you tell us
56. Alas = It is a sad or terrible thing, but… (note: the expression ‘Alas’ is an old fashioned exclamation used to express grief, pity, regret, sorrow or concern.)
57. vague = ill-defined
58. even he to whom of all others I have a right to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it as the fancies of a nervous woman = Even the one person who should advise and help me tells me instead that I am just imagining things (note: here, she is referring to her fiancé.)
59. I can read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes = I can tell by the way he tries to reassure me whilst looking away from me
60. the manifold wickedness of the human heart (more dramatic) = the many evils which are part of human nature
61. stepfather = husband of a child’s mother who is not the natural father of that child
62. one of the oldest Saxon families in England = one of the oldest families in England of Saxon origin (note: the Saxons were one of the Germanic tribes that invaded Britain around 800 AD)
63. Holmes nodded his head = Holmes moved his head up and down signalling agreement
64. heirs = people who inherited (note: a legal document called ‘a will’ is used to state what a heir will inherit.)
65. of a dissolute and wasteful disposition (formal and old fashioned) = lacking in moral restraint and not very good with money
66. a gambler = a person who likes to gamble on horses, cards and other sports
67. the Regency = the period between 1811—when King George III could no longer rule because he was mad, and his son, the Prince of Wales, ruled as his proxy as Prince Regent—and 1820, when the Prince Regent became George IV on the death of his father.
68. a few acres of ground = a small piece of land (note: an acre is a unit of measurement used to measure land and is equal to about 4047 square metres. Ten acres are called one hectare.)
69. crushed under a heavy mortgage = subject to very large mortgage repayments (note: a mortgage is a loan from a bank secured against land or property.)
70. squire = man of high social standing who owns large areas of land in the countryside
71. pauper = a very poor person / a person who is eligible for charity because of poverty
72. an advance = a loan secured against future earnings
73. Calcutta = a large city in India
74. he established a large practice = he set up (phrasal verb) his own large Doctor’s business, where he could see and treat patients (note: we call these places ‘a doctor’s practice’ or a ‘dental practice’ if it is the business of a dentist. We also call them ‘a doctor’s surgery’ or ‘a dental surgery’.)
75. In a fit of anger (idiom) = In an uncontrolled explosion of anger
76. he beat his native butler to death = he physically attacked and killed his Indian butler by hitting him repeatedly (note: a butler is a kind of domestic servant or assistant)
77. a capital sentence = a death sentence as punishment for a crime
78. morose = gloomy, unpleasant
79. bequeathed = gave after her death / gave in her will
80. overjoyed = extremely happy
81. quarrels = arguments / fights
82. with whoever might cross his path (idiom) = with whichever person he bumped into (phrasal verb)
83. the tropics = the regions near the equator (the heat can have strange effects on people who are not accustomed to it)
84. brawls = fights
85. he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a stream = he threw the man in the village who makes things from iron (such as horseshoes) over a wall and into a small river
86. the wandering gypsies = the itinerant travellers who move from one town to another
87. he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few acres of bramble-covered land (formal and old fashioned) = he would allow these travellers stay on his uncultivated land (brambles are rough thorny bushes whose fruit is called a blackberry.)
88. a cheetah and a baboon = a type of large, wild cat and a type of large monkey
89. of our own age and position = of our own age and social position (note: class or social distinctions were extremely important in British society at this time.)
90. a half-pay major of marines = an solder in the Marine Corps who was receiving half a salary. This was probably because he was on standby for active duty, or retired due to injury
91. his lids = his eyelids
92. Pray be precise as to details (formal and old fashioned) = Please make sure the details are accurate
93. is seared into my memory (idiom) = is burned into my memory / is impossible to forget
94. wing = section of a building
95. There is no communication between them = there is no door or connection between them
96. Do I make myself plain? (more emphatic) = Do you understand me?
97. the lawn = the area of grass (at the front or back of a house)
98. whistle = musical note sound created by the movement of air forced through the mouth, or through a small instrument which is also called ‘a whistle’
99. in the dead of the night (idiom – more dramatic) = in the middle of the night / in the darkest hours of the night
100. wretched = pitiful / pathetic (in a bad state)
101. it is of no great consequence (formal and old fashioned) = it is not important
102. A vague feeling of impending misfortune impressed me (more dramatic) = I felt that something bad was about to happen
103. bind = connect
104. the hubbub of the gale = the noise of the storm
105. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman (more dramatic) = suddenly there was the terrible scream of a frightened woman
106. I sprang from my bed (more dramatic) = I moved very quickly and suddenly from my bed
107. a shawl = a square of material or cloth that covers head and shoulders (usually worn by a woman)
108. hinges = metal fixings which connect a door to the door frame and allow the door to open and close
109. to issue from it (formal and old fashioned) = to come from it
110. blanched = whitened / extremely pale
111. groping = feeling and touching with one’s hands, without being able to see with the eyes
112. her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a drunkard (formal and old fashioned) = her whole body moving from side to side as if she were drunk
113. to give way (phrasal verb) = to collapse / to buckle
114. She writhed =She moved in a twisted and contorted motion (often as a response to pain)
115. The speckled band (note: at this point in the story, we are not sure what Helen is talking about but something that is speckled has coloured spots or marks on its surface and a band is usually a circular piece of material or cloth that fits on the head, wrists or ankles)
116. There was something else which she would fain have said (very old fashioned, now obsolete) = There was something else that she wanted to say
117. all efforts were in vain = all attempts were unsuccessful
118. Could you swear to it? = Are you absolutely certain?
119. the coroner = the official who carries out medical investigations into violent or suspicious deaths
120. the inquiry = the inquest into the cause and circumstances of her death
121. creaking = squeaking sound (of wood or others such materials expanding, contracting and reacting to the environment)
122. the charred stump of a match = the remains of a burnt match
123. notorious = well-known for bad reasons / infamous
124. shutters = closable wooden ‘doors’ which cover a window
125. The walls were carefully sounded = The walls were carefully tested
126. is barred up (phrasal verb) by four large staples = is blocked by four large pieces of metal
127. what did you gather from this allusion to a band…? = what do you think she meant when she spoke about a band…?
128. the wild talk of delirium = the strange things that a person says when suffering temporary mental confusion, often as a result of extreme illness or after the effects of strong drugs
129. to ask my hand in marriage (more formal and old fashioned) = to ask to marry me
130. my bedroom wall has been pierced = a hole has been made in my bedroom wall
131. the herald of her own death = the sign / the harbinger of her own death / the thing that came before her own death
132. as it was daylight I slipped down (phrasal verb) = as it was dawn I quietly went down (phrasal verb)
133. a dog-cart = a light horse drawn vehicle usually pulled by one horse – it was not pulled by a dog. (note: most people these days would call any horse drawn vehicle a ‘horse and carriage’ or a ‘horse and cart’, but in the days when they were the most common form of transport, they had many more words for different kinds of carriage.)
134. You are screening your stepfather = You are protecting your stepfather
135. Five little livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed upon the white wrist = The red marks left by the tight grip of someone’s hand could be seen on her wrist
136. The lady coloured deeply = The lady blushed / The lady went red with embarrassment or shame
137. As it happens = By coincidence / By chance
138. My heart is lightened already (quite old fashioned) = I already feel better
139. glided from the room = walked gracefully from the room, with a smooth, even pace
140. leaning back (phrasal verb) = reclining
141. clang = banging sound (of metal against metal)
142. But what in the name of the devil! (note: here, Holmes is expressing surprise and shock) = What the hell is going on? (much more direct and modern)
143. framed himself in the aperture = stood in the door opening / stood in the doorway
144. top-hat = large tall brimmed black hat (note: top hats were often worn at the time by affluent males and has become associated with the powerful rich men of the time. Top hats are sometimes still worn today at weddings and funerals.)
145. gaiters = garments of the period that were worn over shoes and lower leg
146. a hunting-crop = a horse whip (horse riders use these whips or crops to hit the horse in order to make it go faster)
147. wrinkles = lines in the skin caused by the effects of age or exposure to sun
148. deep-set, bile-shot eyes = sunken angry looking eyes
149. bird of prey = a carnivorous bird, such as a eagle, that swoops down to catch its prey
150. “My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me,” said my companion quietly = (formal and old fashioned) = You know my name, but I do not know yours. (note: here, Holmes is sarcastically saying that the man has not introduced himself.)
151. said Holmes blandly = Holmes said with a lack of interest or intonation
152. I have traced her = I have found her by following her
153. But I have heard that the crocuses promise well = But I believe the crocuses will bloom well this spring (note: Here, Holmes is making it very clear that he will not discuss Helen Stoner at all, by talking about trivial maters such as flowers and the garden. Crocuses are a type of spring flower.)
154. Imperturbably = calmly as if nothing unusual were happening
155. You put me off, do you? (phrasal verb – old fashioned) = Are you trying to make me look like a fool? / Are you trying to change the subject?
156. Scoundrel = wicked or evil person
157. meddler = person who interferes in the business of others
158. busybody = person who concerns himself the business of others / nosey person
159. the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office = Scotland Yard is the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police and a Jack-in office is an old fashioned slang term for a pompous government official
160. Holmes chuckled heartily = Holmes laughed loudly and deeply
161. for there is a decided draught (formal and old fashioned) = there is a cold inflow of air (note: a draught is an unwelcome stream of cold air coming from a window or door into a room.)
162. to meddle with my affairs = to involve yourself in my business
163. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of (idiom) = I am a man who it would be dangerous to upset (here the man is issuing a threat)
164. seized = grabbed / suddenly took hold of
165. poker = long metal implement with a handle on it which used for moving or poking the coal or wood in a fire
166. bent it into a curve = twisted or distorted it into a curved shape
167. “See that you keep yourself out of my grip,” he snarled, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the room = “Make sure you keep away from me” he said in a fierce and threatening manner, and after throwing the bent poker into the fireplace he walked quickly and purposefully out of the room
168. a very amiable person = a very friendly, pleasant person (note: here Holmes is being sarcastic)
169. bulky = heavy / well built
170. straightened it out (phrasal verb) = took the curve or the twist out of it and restored it to its original form
171. Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official detective force (old-fashioned) = I can’t believe he dared to call me a policeman! (note: here Holmes is expressing his outrage that the doctor believes that he works for the police in Scotland Yard when Holmes actually works privately.)
172. This incident gives zest to our investigation = This occurrence makes us more determined to continue with our investigation
173. imprudence = lack of caution / lack of wisdom
174. brute = violent, aggressive and cruel person
175. scrawled over with notes and figures = covered in notes and figures that were written in a hasty and scruffy style
176. the will = the legal document, written by the deceased person, that states how an inheritance should be shared
177. to work out (phrasal verb) = to calculate
178. this beauty would have had a mere pittance = this awful man would have received very little money (note: here Holmes is sarcastically referring to the brutish doctor as a ‘beauty’.)
179. one of them would cripple him = one of them would seriously damage his financial position
180. standing in the way of (phrasal verb) = obstructing / blocking
181. dawdling = moving at a slow or hesitant pace
182. we hired a trap = we hired a two-wheeled horse drawn cart
183. a few fleecy clouds in the heavens (quite poetic) = a few clouds, with an appearance that was very similar to that of sheeps’ wool, appeared in the blue sky
184. hedges = bushes that grow around the edges of gardens or beside country roads to form a barrier
185. their first green shoots = the first signs of green leaves and plants (as winter changes into spring)
186. moist = wet / damp
187. quest = search / hunt
188. in the deepest thought (more dramatic) = thinking very deeply
189. the meadows = the grassland (either in its natural state, for the pasture of animals or for growing hay.)
190. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thickening into a grove at the highest point. = A park with a lot of trees in it, on a hill that was not very steep and on the top of which there was a group of trees close together
191. From amid the branches there jutted out (phrasal verb) the gray gables = Through the trees protruded the end walls of a building
192. mansion = very large, grand house
193. a cluster of = a group of (things in close proximity)
194. stile = wooden steps placed on a country path so that people can climb through a hedge or fence
195. I fancy = I imagine
196. the trap rattled back on its way to = the horse drawn carriage made lots of noise as it returned to
197. I thought it as well … that this fellow should think we had come here as architects = “I thought it would be a good thing… that this man should think that we were architects, here on business related to the building work.”
198. gossip = rumour, talk and supposition that may or may not be true
199. we have been as good as our word (idiom) = we have done exactly what we said we would do
200. We have had the pleasure of making the doctor’s acquaintance (Holmes is being sarcastic) = We have met the doctor and it wasn’t a pleasant experience
201. he sketched out (phrasal verb) what had occurred = he gave a brief account of what had happened
202. cunning = clever and devious (as cunning as a fox is a phrase often used in English)
203. He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone more cunning than himself upon his track = He needs to be careful because he might find that he has met someone who is more cunning than himself
204. lichen-blotched stone = stone that was partially covered in lichen (note: lichen is a slow growing plant which grows on rocks and stone)
205. the claws of a crab = the hands of a crab (note: we never actually say it like this!)
206. caved in (phrasal verb) = collapsed
207. the blue smoke curling up (phrasal verb) = the blue smoke moving upwards in a circular motion
208. scaffolding = walkways, usually made of a metal frame and wooden planks, which are erected so that builders can access high parts of a building, so that a building job can be carried out (phrasal verb)
209. the ill-trimmed lawn = the badly maintained grass area (at the front or back of a house)
210. I take it = I understand that / I assume
211. pending the alterations = Waiting for building work to be carried out (phrasal verb)
212. there does not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs = there does not seem to be any urgent reason for carrying out repairs
213. bar your shutters = close and lock your shutters
214. endeavoured in every way (more formal) = tried in every possible way
215. slit = small crack or long thin hole
216. lens = magnifying glass
217. the hinges = metal fixings which join a door to the door frame and allow it to open
218. masonry = brickwork / stonework
219. perplexity = bewilderment / confusion
220. bolted = locked with small metal bar which slides backwards and forward
221. we shall see if the inside throws any light upon (idiom) the matter = we will look inside to see if it gives us any answers or helps us to understand things better
222. whitewashed = painted white
223. her sister had met with her fate (more descriptive and dramatic) = the terrible thing happened to her sister
224. a gaping fireplace = a large, wide fireplace
225. a narrow white counterpaned bed = bed with a white bedspread
226. a dressing-table = a piece of bedroom furniture that has drawers and a mirror
227. wicker-work chairs = chairs made of thin pieces of woven cane
228. the panelling of the walls = the wooden wall coverings (typical wall covering of this period)
229. worm-eaten oak = oak wood that was full of holes caused by woodworm
230. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner = Holmes pulled one of the chairs into the corner
231. tassel = a group of short threads or ropes held together at one end, which is used as a hanging decoration on hats, curtains, furniture, etc.
232. a bell-pull = a rope that hangs down and is used to sound a bell
233. crawled swiftly backward and forward = moved along the floor on all fours in various directions
234. the wood-work = the wooden carpentry work (furniture, floorboards etc.)
235. staring at it = looking at it very intently
236. running his eye up and down the wall = looking at the wall very carefully and thoroughly
237. gave it a brisk tug = pulled it sharply
238. it’s a dummy = it is false / it does not work
239. Won’t it ring? = Will the bell not sound?
240. a wire = thin metal (like string)
241. it is fastened to a hook = it is connected to a hook
242. the ventilator = the air vent
243. How very absurd! (formal and old fashioned) = That is so strange because it is pointless or has no meaning!
244. “Very strange!” muttered Holmes = “Very strange!” said Holmes in a quiet and almost indistinguishable voice
245. There are one or two very singular points about this room (formal and old fashioned) = There are a few very unusual things about this room
246. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated with the outside air!” = It is very strange that the builder opened a vent between the rooms when it would have been much better, and just as much work, to open a vent to the outside of the building
247. A camp-bed = A portable, temporary bed
248. a plain wooden chair = an ordinary, simple wooden chair
249. a large iron safe = a large safety deposit box made from iron
250. were the principal things which met the eye = were the first things that I noticed
251. a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I daresay = I imagine that a saucer of milk would not be nearly enough for such a large animal
252. There is one point which I should wish to determine (formal and old fashioned) = There is one thing that I want to find out (phrasal verb)
253. He squatted down (phrasal verb) in front of the wooden chair = He bent his knees and lowered himself down in front of the wooden chair
254. That is quite settled = Oh yes, it is as I thought (after examining the chair Holmes has discovered something)
255. a small dog lash (old-fashioned) = a small dog lead / a small dog leash
256. The lash, however, was curled upon itself and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord = The dog lead was tied so it had a loop on the end
257. it’s a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst of all = there is a lot of evil in the world and an intelligent man can commit the worst of crimes
258. grim = depressing / unhappy
259. brow = forehead / part of the face above the eyes
260. neither Miss Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he roused himself from his reverie = we did not want to interrupt him while he was deep in concentration
261. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment = Both Miss Stoner and I looked at him with amazement
262. the village inn = the village pub and guest house
263. the Crown (note: this is a typical name of a British pub)
264. on pretence of a headache = pretending that you have a headache
265. undo the hasp = open the bar that locks the window
266. for pity’s sake = please, I beg you
267. clearer proofs (note: in modern English, ‘proof’ is an uncountable noun. Here, it is countable) = better evidence
268. tangible cause = definite, identifiable cause
269. our journey would be in vain = our journey would be a waste of time
270. you may rest assured that (more formal) = I promise you that / I assure you that
271. engaging a bedroom (formal and old fashioned) = renting a room in which to sleep
272. the avenue gate = the gate that gives access to the road
273. At dusk = When the sun sets / when it gets dark
274. looming up (phrasal verb) = appearing in a frightening or threatening way
275. the hoarse roar of the doctor’s voice = the broken, shouting voice of the doctor
276. clenched fists = hands closed tightly in fists (as if he were expecting a fight)
277. We saw a sudden light spring up (phrasal verb) = a light suddenly appeared
278. scruples = moral doubts which prevent a person from doing something that is wrong
279. I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope = There was nothing unusual apart from the bell rope (note: ‘save’ here means ‘except’, ‘except for’ or ‘apart from’.)
280. what purpose that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine (formal and old fashioned) = I have no idea what it could be for
281. at once = immediately
282. a curious coincidence of dates = it is strange that all this should happen at the same time
283. Does not that strike you? (formal and old fashioned) = Do you not think that strange?
284. It was clamped to the floor = It was fixed to the floor
285. fastened = connected / fixed
286. I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at = I’m beginning to understand what you are suggesting
287. When a doctor does go wrong he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge = When a doctor turns to crime, he is the cleverest of all criminals. He is brave, calm in difficult circumstanves and he has a broad range of knowledge
288. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession = Palmer and Pritchard were some of the most respected people in their profession (note: these were two real life 19th century doctors who poisoned family members and were hung for their crimes.)
289. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall be able to strike deeper still = this man is even more clever than they were, but I still think we can outwit him
290. for goodness’ sake let us have a quiet pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more cheerful = let’s smoke a pipe and relax for a few hours
291. the light among the trees was extinguished = the light in the trees was turned off (phrasal verb, for electric or gas light)
292. the landlord = the owner or manager (of the pub or guest house)
293. a chill wind = a cold wind
294. one yellow light twinkling = a yellow light that seemed to be shining brightly sometimes, and sometimes not so clearly, similar to the way that the light of a star appears
295. the gloom = the darkness
296. sombre errand = serious mission
297. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall = the holes in the wall that had not been fixed were wide open
298. a clump of laurel bushes = a closely packed group of laurel plants
299. darted = moved quickly
300. writhing limbs = rapidly moving legs and arms
301. whispered = spoke in a very quiet voice
302. startled = shocked
303. His hand closed like a vice upon my wrist in his agitation = He grabbed my wrist hard in his surprise and shock (note: ‘a vice’ is a tool which is connected to a work-desk in a workshop and is used to grip material such as metal or wood while it is being worked on.)
304. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected = I forgot about the strange animals that the doctor kept as pets
305. slipping off (phrasal verb) my shoes = removing my shoes without undoing the laces
306. cast his eyes round the room (idiom) = looked around the room
307. creeping up (phrasal verb) to me = furtively and quietly approached me
308. cane = stick (such as a walking stick)
309. the stump of a candle = the short remains of a used candle
310. that dreadful vigil = that horrible wait
311. The shutters cut off (phrasal verb) the least ray of light = the shutters did not allow any light to pass through (phrasal verb)
312. the parish clock = the clock in the church tower
313. a dark-lantern = a light with a sliding panel that can expose or hide the light
314. I sat with straining ears = I sat and listened intently
315. a small jet of steam escaping continually from a kettle = a quiet, hissing sound
316. Holmes sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with his cane at the bell-pull = Holmes jumped up from the bed, lit a match by striking it on a rough surface and beat repeatedly with his stick at the bell-pull
317. the sudden glare flashing = the sudden intermittent bright light
318. weary = tired
319. his face was deadly pale = his face was extremely white
320. loathing = strong hatred
321. gazing = looking
322. mingled in (with) = mixed with
323. shriek = high pitched shout
324. parsonage = house that was built for a parson (note: a parson is a Christian priest)
325. until the last echoes of it had died away (phrasal verb) = until the last sounds had disappeared
326. I gasped = I took a short intake of breath (note: a gasp is often inspired by fear or shock)
327. it is all over (phrasal verb) = it is all finished
328. a grave face (idiom) = a very serious face
329. the cocked pistol = the gun which was ready to be fired
330. It was a singular sight (old fashioned) = It was a strange and unusual sight
331. beam of light = shaft of light
332. the iron safe = the iron safety deposit box
333. the door … was ajar = the door was slightly open
334. clad in a long gray dressing-gown = wearing a long grey indoor coat, probably over his pyjamas
335. his bare ankles protruding beneath = his naked ankles could be seen sticking out (phrasal verb) from underneath
336. slippers = indoor shoes
337. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we had noticed during the day = He had the whip on his knee that we had seen earlier in the day
338. his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare = his eyes were wide open and not moving
339. a peculiar yellow band = a strange yellow belt-like article
340. speckles = coloured spots or blotches
341. headgear = clothing for the head (hats, scarves etc.)
342. reared itself from among his hair = stood up (phrasal verb) amongst his hair
343. puffed neck of a loathsome serpent = swollen neck of a horrible snake
344. a swamp adder = a very poisonous species of snake
345. Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent (quote from the bible) = people who behave violently often have violence inflicted upon them in return
346. the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another (quote from the bible) = it is very easy to fall into your own trap
347. den = home of certain type of wild animal
348. the noose = loop of rope or cord that goes around the neck (such as a hangman’s noose)
349. perch = high position on which to sit or rest (a bird in a cage usually sits on a perch)
350. we conveyed her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow = we sent her by train to Harrow so that her aunt could look after (phrasal verb) her
351. pet = domestic animal that is kept for pleasure or company (such as a cat or a dog)
352. an entirely erroneous conclusion = a completely wrong conclusion
353. she had caught a hurried glimpse of = she had seen for a brief moment
354. to put me upon an entirely wrong scent = to make me believe the wrong thing / to make me follow the wrong trail (note: even though ‘a scent’ is a smell, it can be used with the meaning ‘a trail’ or ‘a series of clues’. This usage comes from fox hunting – if the hounds are on the wrong scent, they are following something other animal instead of the fox.)
355. I can only claim the merit that = I can only take credit for the fact that
356. this was a dummy = this is false / this did not work
357. the bed was clamped to the floor = the bed was fixed to the floor
358. I coupled it with = joined to it
359. I felt that I was probably on the right track (idiom) = I felt I was close to solving the mystery
360. ruthless man = man who has no scruples and will do anything to get what he wants
361. who had had an Eastern training = who had studied in the East (he had been in India)
362. a sharp-eyed (idiom) coroner = a corner who is very observant and notices small details
363. punctures = holes
364. fangs = large pointed teeth
365. He had trained it = He taught the animal to do things
366. to return to him when summoned (more formal) = to come back to him when he called it
367. he had been in the habit of standing on it = he often stood on it
368. the loop of whipcord = the loop of string or cord
369. The metallic clang = The sound of metal hitting metal
370. Having once made up my mind = When I had decided / After I had decided
371. you know the steps which I took in order to put the matter to the proof (more formal and old fashioned) = you know exactly what I did in order to prove it
372. hiss = sound that a snake makes, like a ‘ssssssssss’ sound
373. to turn upon (phrasal verb) its master = to attack its master
374. Some of the blows of my cane = Some of the hits from my stick
375. roused its snakish temper = made the snake angry
376. I cannot say that it is likely to weigh very heavily upon my conscience (more formal) = I do not feel very guilty about it (note: here, Holmes actually means that he does not feel guilty at all.)