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?”
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
“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.
“Possibly not, my good Watson. It may surprise you to knowthat the man upon earth who is best versed in this disease isnot a medical man, but a planter. Mr. Culverton Smith is a wellknownresident of Sumatra, now visiting London. An outbreak ofthe disease upon his plantation, which was distant from medicalaid, caused him to study it himself, with some rather far-reachingconsequences. He is a very methodical person, and I did not desireyou to start before six, because I was well aware that you wouldnot find him in his study. If you could persuade him to come hereand give us the benefit of his unique experience of this disease, theinvestigation of which has been his dearest hobby, I cannot doubtthat he could help me.”
I gave Holmes’s remarks as a consecutive whole and will notattempt to indicate how they were interrupted by gaspings forbreath and those clutchings of his hands which indicated the painfrom which he was suffering. His appearance had changed forthe worse during the few hours that I had been with him. Thosehectic spots were more pronounced, the eyes shone more brightlyout of darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered upon his brow.
He still retained, however, the jaunty gallantry of his speech. Tothe last gasp he would always be the master.
“You will tell him exactly how you have left me,” said he. “Youwill convey the very impression which is in your own mind—aThe Adventure of Wisteria Lodge 1175
dying man—a dying and delirious man. Indeed, I cannot thinkwhy the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters, soprolific the creatures seem. Ah, I am wondering! Strange how thebrain controls the brain! What was I saying, Watson?”
“My directions for Mr. Culverton Smith.”
“Ah, yes, I remember. My life depends upon it. Plead withhim, Watson. There is no good feeling between us. His nephew,Watson—I had suspicions of foul play and I allowed him to see it.
The boy died horribly. He has a grudge against me. You will softenhim, Watson. Beg him, pray him, get him here by any means. Hecan save me—only he!”
“I will bring him in a cab, if I have to carry him down to it.”
“You will do nothing of the sort. You will persuade him to come.
And then you will return in front of him. Make any excuse so asnot to come with him. Don’t forget, Watson. You won’t fail me.
You never did fail me. No doubt there are natural enemies whichlimit the increase of the creatures. You and I, Watson, we havedone our part. Shall the world, then, be overrun by oysters? No,no; horrible! You’ll convey all that is in your mind.”
I left him full of the image of this magnificent intellect babblinglike a foolish child. He had handed me the key, and with a happythought I took it with me lest he should lock himself in. Mrs.