The Adventure of the Dying Detective | Page 5

them that I contracted this complaint. You can do nothing."
"Possibly not. But I happen to know that Dr. Ainstree, the greatest living authority upon
tropical disease, is now in London. All remonstrance is useless, Holmes, I am going this
instant to fetch 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 a twisted 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 be by force, Watson, I've got you, my friend. Here you are,
and here you will stay until I will 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. 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 you content to wait?"
"I seem to have no choice."
"None in the world, Watson. Thank you, I need no help in arranging the clothes. You will
please keep your distance. Now, Watson, there is one other condition that I would make.
You will seek help, not from the man you mention, but from the one that I choose."
"By 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 a battery
feels when it pours electricity into a non-conductor? At six, Watson, we resume our
conversation."
But it was destined to be resumed long before that hour, and in circumstances which gave
me a shock hardly second to that caused by his spring to the door. I had stood for some
minutes looking at the silent figure in the bed. His face was almost covered 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 every wall
was adorned. Finally, in my aimless perambulation, I came to the mantelpiece. A litter of
pipes, tobacco-pouches, syringes, penknives, revolver-cartridges, and other debris was
scattered over it. In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory box with a
sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had stretched out my hand to examine it more
closely when
It was a dreadful cry that he gave--a yell which might have been heard down the street.
My skin went cold and my hair bristled at that horrible scream. As I turned I caught a

glimpse of a convulsed face and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed, with the little box in my
hand.
"Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson--this instant, I say!" His head sank back upon
the pillow and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I replaced the box upon the mantelpiece. "I
hate to have my things touched, Watson. You know that I hate it. You fidget me beyond
endurance. You, a doctor--you are enough to drive a patient 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 brutality of speech, so far removed from his usual suavity,
showed me how deep was the disorganization of his mind. Of all ruins, that of a noble
mind is the most deplorable. I sat in silent dejection until the stipulated time had passed.
He seemed to have been watching the clock as well as I, for it was hardly six before he
began to talk with 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 all the rest of your money in your left trouser
pocket. Thank you. It will balance you so much better like that."
This was raving insanity. He shuddered, and again made a sound between a cough and a
sob.
"You will now light the gas, Watson, but you will be very careful that not for one instant
shall it be more than half on. I implore you to be careful, Watson. Thank you, that is
excellent. No, you need not draw the blind. Now you will have the kindness to place