The Adventure of the Dying Detective* by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Adventure of the Dying Detective* by Arthur Conan Doyle
Section [1 | 2]

Adventures

Sherlock Holmes the

dying

Conan

1913

Mrs Hudson , the landlady Sherlock Holmes, was long -suffering woman not_only was her first - floor flat invaded all hours throngs singular and often undesirable characters but her remarkable lodger showed eccentricity and irregularity in_his life which_must have sorely tried her patience his incredible untidiness, his addiction music strange hours, his occasional revolver practice within doors, his weird and often malodorous scientific experiments, and_the atmosphere violence and danger which hung around him made him the very worst tenant London on_the other hand , his payments were princely I_have no_doubt that_the house might_have_been purchased at_the price which Holmes paid for_his rooms during the years that i_was with_him

the landlady stood in_the deepest awe him and never dared interfere with_him , however outrageous his proceedings might seem she was fond him , too , for had remarkable gentleness and courtesy in_his dealings with women disliked and distrusted the sex, but he_was always chivalrous opponent Knowing how genuine was her regard for him , I listened earnestly her story when she came rooms in_the second year of_my married life and told of_the sad condition to_which poor friend was reduced

" 's dying, Dr Watson," said she " for three days has_been sinking, and I_doubt he_will last the day he_would_not let get doctor this_morning when I_saw his bones sticking out of_his face and_his great bright eyes looking I_could stand more ' with your leave without , Mr Holmes, I_am going for doctor this very hour ,' said I ' let Watson, then ,' said I wouldn't waste hour coming him , sir , you_may not see him alive "

i_was horrified for I had heard nothing of_his illness I_need not say that I rushed for_my coat and hat as_we drove back I asked for_the details

" there_is little I_can tell you , sir has_been working case down Rotherhithe, alley near the river , and has brought this illness back with_him he_took to_his bed Wednesday afternoon and has never moved since for_these three days neither food nor drink has passed his lips "

" good god ! why did you not call doctor ? "

" wouldn't have , sir you_know how masterful he_is I didn't dare disobey him but 's not long for_this world , as_you 'll see for_yourself the moment that you set eyes him "

he_was indeed deplorable spectacle in_the dim light foggy November day the sick room was gloomy spot , but was_that gaunt, wasted face staring from_the bed which sent chill heart his eyes had the brightness fever , there_was hectic flush upon either cheek, and dark crusts clung to_his lips; the thin hands upon_the coverlet twitched incessantly , his voice was croaking and spasmodic lay listlessly I entered the room , but the sight brought gleam recognition to_his eyes

" well , Watson, seem to_have fallen upon evil days," said feeble voice , but with something of_his old carelessness manner

" dear fellow ! " I cried , approaching him

" stand back ! stand right back ! " said with_the sharp imperiousness which I had associated only with moments crisis " if_you approach , Watson, I_shall order you out_of_the house "

" but why ? "

" because it_is desire is_that not enough ? "

yes , Mrs Hudson was right he_was more masterful than ever it_was pitiful , however , to_see his exhaustion

"I only wished help ," I explained

" exactly ! you_will help best doing what you_are told "

" certainly , Holmes "

relaxed the austerity of_his manner

" you_are_not angry ? " asked , gasping for breath

poor devil , how could I angry when I_saw him lying in_such plight before ?

" 's for your own sake , Watson," croaked

" for_my sake ? "

" I_know what_is the matter with it_is coolie disease from Sumatra- thing that_the Dutch know more about than , though they_have made little up_to_date one_thing only certain it_is infallibly deadly , and it_is horribly contagious "

spoke now with feverish energy, the long hands twitching and jerking motioned away

" contagious touch , Watson- that 's , touch keep your distance and all well "

" good heavens, Holmes ! do_you suppose that such consideration weighs with for instant ? would_not affect in_the case stranger do_you imagine would prevent from doing duty old friend ? "

again I advanced , but repulsed with look furious anger

" if_you_will stand there i_will talk if_you_do_not you_must leave the room "

I_have deep respect for_the extraordinary qualities Holmes that I_have always deferred to_his wishes, even when I least understood them but now all professional instincts were aroused let him master elsewhere , I at_least was his sick room

"Holmes," said I, " you_are_not yourself sick man but child , and i_will treat you whether you like not , i_will examine your symptoms and treat you for_them "

looked with venomous eyes

" I_am to_have doctor whether i_will not , let at_least have someone whom I_have confidence ," said

" then you_have none ? "

" your friendship , certainly but facts are facts, Watson, and , after all , you_are only general_practitioner with very limited experience and mediocre qualifications it_is painful to_have to_say these things , but you leave choice "

i_was bitterly hurt

" such remark unworthy you , Holmes shows very clearly the state your own nerves but if_you_have confidence i_would_not intrude services let bring sir Jasper meek Penrose Fisher , any of_the best men London but someone you_must_have , and_that final if_you_think that I_am going stand here and_see you die without either helping you myself bringing anyone else help_you , then you_have mistaken your man "

" you mean well , Watson," said the sick man with something between sob and groan " shall I demonstrate your own ignorance ? what do_you_know , pray , Tapanuli fever ? what of_the black Formosa corruption ? "

" I_have never heard either "

" there_are many problems disease , many strange pathological possibilities, in_the east , Watson " paused after each sentence collect his failing strength " I_have learned so_much during some recent researches which_have medico- criminal aspect it_was in_the course of_them that I contracted this complaint you_can nothing "

" possibly not but I happen to_know that Dr Ainstree, the greatest living authority upon tropical disease , now London all remonstrance useless , Holmes, I_am going this instant fetch him " I turned resolutely to_the door

never have I had such shock ! instant , with tiger - spring , the dying man had intercepted I heard the sharp snap twisted key the next moment had staggered back to_his bed , exhausted and panting after his one tremendous outflame energy

" you won 't take_the key from force , Watson, I've got you , friend here you_are , and here you_will stay until i_will otherwise but I'll humour you " ( all this little gasps, with terrible struggles for breath between ) " you 've only own good heart of_course I_know that very_well you_shall_have your way , but give_me time to_get strength not now , Watson, not now 's four o'clock six you_can "

" this_is insanity , Holmes "

" only two hours, Watson I promise you_will six are_you content wait ? "

"I seem to_have choice "

" none in_the_world , Watson thank_you , I_need help arranging the clothes you_will please keep your distance now , Watson, there_is one other condition that i_would make seek help , not from_the man you mention , but one that I choose "

" all means "

" the first three sensible words that you_have uttered since you entered this room , Watson you_will_find some books over there I_am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how battery feels when pours electricity into non- conductor ? six, Watson, resume our conversation "

but it_was destined to_be resumed long before_that hour , and circumstances which gave_me shock hardly second to_that caused his springing to_the door I had stood for some minutes looking at_the silent in_the bed his face was almost covered by_the clothes and appeared to_be asleep then , unable settle down reading, I walked slowly round the room , examining the pictures celebrated criminals with_which every wall was adorned finally , aimless perambulation, I_came to_the mantelpiece litter pipes, tobacco -pouches, syringes, penknives, revolver -cartridges, and other debris was scattered over in_the midst of_these was small black and white ivory box with sliding lid it_was neat little thing , and I had stretched out hand examine more closely when -

it_was dreadful cry that he_gave - yell which might_have_been heard down the street skin went cold and hair bristled at_that horrible scream I turned I caught glimpse convulsed face and frantic eyes I stood paralyzed , with_the little box hand

" put down ! down , this instant , Watson- this instant , I_say ! " his head sank back upon_the pillow and he_gave deep sigh relief I replaced the box mantelpiece "I hate to_have things touched , Watson you_know that I hate you fidget beyond endurance you , doctor - you_are enough drive patient into asylum sit down , man , and let have rest ! "

the incident left most unpleasant impression upon mind the violent and causeless excitement , followed by_this brutality speech , so_far removed from_his usual suavity , showed how deep was_the disorganization of_his mind all ruins, that noble mind is_the most deplorable I sat silent dejection until the stipulated time had passed he_seemed to_have_been watching the clock as_well I, for it_was hardly six before began to_talk with_the same feverish animation before

" now , Watson," said " have_you any change your pocket ? "

" yes "

" any silver ? "

"A good_deal "

" how_many half -crowns ? "

" I_have five "

"Ah, too few ! too few ! how very unfortunate , Watson ! however , such as_they_are you_can put them your watchpocket and all the rest your money your left trouserpocket thank_you it_will balance you so_much better like that "

this_was raving insanity shuddered , and again made sound between cough and sob

" you_will now light the gas , Watson, but you_will_be very careful that not for_one instant shall more than half I implore you to_be careful , Watson thank_you , that_is excellent , you_need not draw the blind now you_will_have the kindness to_place some letters and papers upon_this table within reach , now some_of_that litter from_the mantelpiece , Watson ! there_is sugar - tongs there kindly raise that small ivory box with its assistance place here among_the papers good ! you_can now and fetch Mr Culverton smith , 13 lower Burke street "

to_tell the truth , desire fetch doctor had somewhat weakened , for poor Holmes was obviously delirious that_it seemed dangerous leave him however , he_was eager now consult the person named had_been obstinate refusing

"I never heard the name ," said I

" possibly not , good Watson may surprise you to_know that_the man upon earth who_is best versed in_this disease is_not medical man , but planter Mr Culverton smith well - known resident Sumatra, now visiting London outbreak of_the disease upon his plantation , which_was distant from medical aid , caused him study himself , with some rather far -reaching consequences he_is very methodical person , and I_did_not desire you start before six, because i_was well aware that you_would_not find him in_his study if_you_could persuade him to_come here and give_us the benefit of_his unique experience of_this disease , the investigation which_has been his dearest hobby , I_cannot doubt that he_could help "

I_give Holmes's remarks consecutive whole and will not attempt indicate how they were interrupted gaspings for breath and those clutchings of_his hands which indicated the pain from_which he_was suffering his appearance had changed for_the worse during the few hours that I had_been with_him those hectic spots were more pronounced , the eyes shone more brightly out darker hollows, and cold sweat glimmered upon his brow still retained , however , the jaunty gallantry of_his speech to_the last gasp he_would always the master

" you_will tell him exactly how you_have left ," said " convey the very impression which_is your own mind - dying man - dying and delirious man indeed , I_cannot think why the whole bed of_the ocean is_not one solid mass oysters, prolific the creatures seem Ah, I_am wandering ! strange how the brain controls the brain ! what_was I saying, Watson ? "

" directions for_Mr Culverton smith "

"Ah, yes , I remember life depends upon plead with_him , Watson there_is good feeling between_us his nephew , Watson- I had suspicions foul play and I allowed him to_see the boy died horribly has grudge against you_will soften him , Watson beg him , pray him , get him here any means he_can save - only ! "

" i_will bring him cab , I_have carry him down to_it "

" you_will nothing of_the sort persuade him to_come and then return front him make any excuse not to_come with_him Don't forget , Watson you won 't fail you never did fail no_doubt there_are natural enemies which limit the increase of_the creatures you and I, Watson, we_have_done our part shall the world , then , overrun oysters ? , ; horrible ! you 'll convey all that_is your mind "

I left him full of_the of_this magnificent intellect babbling like foolish child had handed the key , and with happy thought i_took with lest he_should lock himself Mrs Hudson was waiting, trembling and weeping, in_the passage behind I passed from_the flat I heard Holmes's high , thin voice some delirious chant below , I stood whistling for cab , man came through_the fog

" how Mr Holmes, sir ? " asked

it_was old acquaintance , inspector Morton, Scotland yard , dressed unofficial tweeds

" he_is very ill ," I answered

looked most singular fashion had not been too fiendish , I_could_have imagined that_the gleam of_the fanlight showed exultation in_his face

"I heard some rumour ," said

the cab had driven , and I left him

lower Burke street proved to_be line fine houses lying in_the vague borderland between Notting hill and Kensington the particular one which cabman pulled had air smug and demure respectability its old - fashioned iron railings , its massive folding- door , and its shining brasswork all was keeping with , solemn butler who appeared framed in_the pink radiance tinted electric light behind him