“You mean well, Watson,” said the sick man with somethingbetween a sob and a groan. “Shall I demonstrate your ownignorance? What do you know, pray, of Tapanuli fever? What doyou know of the black Formosa corruption?”
“I have never heard of either.”
“There are many problems of disease, many strange pathologicalpossibilities, in the East, Watson.” He paused after each sentenceto collect his failing strength. “I have learned so much duringsome recent researches which have a medico-criminal aspect. Itwas in the course of them that I contracted this complaint. Youcan do nothing.”
“Possibly not. But I happen to know that Dr. Ainstree, thegreatest living authority upon tropical disease, is now in London.
All remonstrance is useless, Holmes, I am going this instant tofetch him.” I turned resolutely to the door.
Never have I had such a shock! In an instant, with a tiger-spring,the dying man had intercepted me. I heard the sharp snap of atwisted key. The next moment he had staggered back to his bed,exhausted and panting after his one tremendous outflame of energy.
“You won’t take the key from me by force, Watson, I’ve gotyou, my friend. Here you are, and here you will stay until I willotherwise. But I’ll humour you.” (All this in little gasps, withterrible struggles for breath between.) “You’ve only my own goodat heart. Of course I know that very well. You shall have your way,but give me time to get my strength. Not now, Watson, not now.
It’s four o’clock. At six you can go.”
“This is insanity, Holmes.”
“Only two hours, Watson. I promise you will go at six. Are youcontent to wait?”
“I seem to have no choice.”
“None in the world, Watson. Thank you, I need no help inarranging the clothes. You will please keep your distance. Now,Watson, there is one other condition that I would make. You willseek help, not from the man you mention, but from the one that Ichoose.”
“By all means.”
“The first three sensible words that you have uttered since youentered this room, Watson. You will find some books over there.
I am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when itpours electricity into a non-conductor? At six, Watson, we resumeour conversation.”
But it was destined to be resumed long before that hour, andin circumstances which gave me a shock hardly second to thatcaused by his spring to the door. I had stood for some minuteslooking at the silent figure in the bed. His face was almostcovered by the clothes and he appeared to be asleep. Then,unable to settle down to reading, I walked slowly round the room,examining the pictures of celebrated criminals with which everywall was adorned. Finally, in my aimless perambulation, I cameto the mantelpiece. A litter of pipes, tobacco-pouches, syringes,penknives, revolver-cartridges, and other debris was scattered overit. In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory boxwith a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had stretched outmy hand to examine it more closely, when——
It was a dreadful cry that he gave—a yell which might have beenheard down the street. My skin went cold and my hair bristled atthat horrible scream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a convulsedface and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed, with the little box in myhand.
“Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson—this instant, I say!”
His head sank back upon the pillow and he gave a deep sigh ofrelief as I replaced the box upon the mantelpiece. “I hate to havemy things touched, Watson. You know that I hate it. You fidgetme beyond endurance. You, a doctor—you are enough to drive apatient into an asylum. Sit down, man, and let me have my rest!”
The incident left a most unpleasant impression upon my mind.
The violent and causeless excitement, followed by this brutalityof speech, so far removed from his usual suavity, showed me howdeep was the disorganization of his mind. Of all ruins, that of anoble mind is the most deplorable. I sat in silent dejection untilthe stipulated time had passed. He seemed to have been watchingthe clock as well as I, for it was hardly six before he began to talkwith the same feverish animation as before.
“Now, Watson,” said he. “Have you any change in 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 in your watchpocket. And allthe rest of your money in your left trouser pocket. Thank you. Itwill balance you so much better like that.”
This was raving insanity. He shuddered, and again made a soundbetween a cough and a sob.
“You will now light the gas, Watson, but you will be very carefulthat not for one instant shall it be more than half on. I imploreyou to be careful, Watson. Thank you, that is excellent. No, youneed not draw the blind. Now you will have the kindness to placesome letters and papers upon this table within my reach. Thankyou. Now some of that litter from the mantelpiece. Excellent,Watson! There is a sugar-tongs there. Kindly raise that small ivorybox with its assistance. Place it here among the papers. Good! Youcan now go and fetch Mr. Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower BurkeStreet.”
To tell the truth, my desire to fetch a doctor had somewhatweakened, for poor Holmes was so obviously delirious that itseemed dangerous to leave him. However, he was as eager now toconsult the person named as he had been obstinate in refusing.
“I never heard the name,” said I.