1913

Mrs Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was long-suffering woman was her first-floor flat invaded at all hours by throngs of singular and often undesirable characters but her remarkable lodger showed an eccentricity and irregularity life have sorely tried her patience His incredible untidiness, his addiction to music at strange hours, his occasional revolver practice within doors, his weird and often malodorous scientific experiments, atmosphere of violence and danger which hung around him made him the very worst tenant in London other hand, his payments were princely house purchased price which Holmes paid rooms during the years that

The landlady stood deepest awe of him and never dared to interfere , however outrageous his proceedings might seem She was fond of him, too, for he had remarkable gentleness and courtesy dealings with women He disliked and distrusted the sex, but always chivalrous opponent Knowing how genuine was her regard for him, I listened earnestly to her story when she came to my rooms second year married life and told me sad condition my poor friend was reduced

"He's dying, Dr Watson," said she "For three days he sinking, and if last the day let me get doctor when his bones sticking out face great bright eyes looking at me stand no more of it 'With your leave or without it, Mr Holmes, going for doctor this very hour,' said I 'Let it be Watson, then,' said he I wouldn't waste an hour in coming to him, sir, or not see him alive "

horrified for I had heard nothing illness not say that I rushed coat and my hat drove back I asked details

" little tell you, sir He working at case down at Rotherhithe, in an alley near the river, and he has brought this illness back bed on Wednesday afternoon and has never moved since three days neither food nor drink has passed his lips "

"Good God ! Why did you not call in doctor ? "

"He wouldn't have it, sir how masterful I didn't dare to disobey him But he's not long world, 'll see the moment that you set eyes on him "

indeed deplorable spectacle dim light of foggy November day the sick room was gloomy spot, but it gaunt, wasted face staring at me bed which sent chill to my heart His eyes had the brightness of fever, hectic flush upon either cheek, and dark crusts clung lips; the thin hands coverlet twitched incessantly, his voice was croaking and spasmodic He lay listlessly as I entered the room, but the sight of me brought gleam of recognition eyes

"Well, Watson, we seem fallen upon evil days," said he in feeble voice, but with something old carelessness of manner

"My dear fellow ! " I cried, approaching him

"Stand back ! Stand right back ! " said he sharp imperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis " approach me, Watson, order you house "

"But why ? "

"Because my desire not enough ? "

Yes, Mrs Hudson was right more masterful than ever pitiful, however, his exhaustion

"I only wished to help," I explained

"Exactly ! help best by doing what told "

"Certainly, Holmes "

He relaxed the austerity manner

" angry ? " he asked, gasping for breath

Poor devil, how could I be angry when him lying plight before me ?

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

" sake ? "

" the matter with me coolie disease from Sumatra- thing Dutch know more about than we, though they little of it only is certain infallibly deadly, and horribly contagious "

He spoke now with feverish energy, the long hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me away

"Contagious by touch, Watson- that's it, by touch Keep your distance and all is well "

"Good heavens, Holmes ! suppose that such consideration weighs with me for an instant ? It affect me case of stranger imagine it would prevent me from doing my duty to so old friend ? "

Again I advanced, but he repulsed me with look of furious anger

" stand there talk leave the room "

so deep respect extraordinary qualities of Holmes that always deferred wishes, even when I least understood them But now all my professional instincts were aroused Let him be my master elsewhere, I was his in sick room

"Holmes," said I, " yourself sick man is but child, and so treat you Whether you like it or not, examine your symptoms and treat you "

He looked at me with venomous eyes

"If doctor whether or not, let me have someone in whom confidence," said he

"Then none in me ? "

"In your friendship, certainly But facts are facts, Watson, and, after all, only general practitioner with very limited experience and mediocre qualifications painful these things, but you leave me no choice "

bitterly hurt

"Such remark is unworthy of you, Holmes It shows me very clearly the state of your own nerves But no confidence in me intrude my services Let me bring Sir Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher, or any best men in London But someone , is final that going to stand here you die without either helping you myself or bringing anyone else to , then mistaken your man "

"You mean well, Watson," said the sick man with something between sob and groan "Shall I demonstrate your own ignorance ? What , pray, of Tapanuli fever ? What black Formosa corruption ? "

" never heard of either "

" many problems of disease, many strange pathological possibilities, East, Watson " He paused after each sentence to collect his failing strength " learned during some recent researches medico-criminal aspect course that I contracted this complaint do nothing "

"Possibly not But I happen that Dr Ainstree, the greatest living authority upon tropical disease, is now in London All remonstrance is useless, Holmes, going this instant to fetch him " I turned resolutely door

Never have I had such shock ! In an instant, with tiger-spring, the dying man had intercepted me I heard the sharp snap of twisted key The next moment he had staggered back bed, exhausted and panting after his one tremendous outflame of energy

"You won't key from me by force, Watson, I've got you, my friend Here , and here stay until otherwise But I'll humour you " (All this in little gasps, with terrible struggles for breath between) "You've only my own good at heart that your way, but time my strength Not now, Watson, not now It's four o'clock At six go "

" insanity, Holmes "

"Only two hours, Watson I promise go at six content to wait ? "

"I seem no choice "

"None , Watson , no help in arranging the clothes please keep your distance Now, Watson, one other condition that make seek help, not man you mention, but one that I choose "

"By all means "