WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.280 --> 00:00:08.880 The adventure of the dying detective Missus Hudson. The landlady 2 00:00:08.919 --> 00:00:13.439 of Sherlock Holmes was a long suffering woman. Not only 3 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:16.719 was her first floor flat invaded at all hours by 4 00:00:16.839 --> 00:00:21.920 throngs of singular and often undesirable characters, but her remarkable 5 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:26.600 lodger showed an eccentricity and irregularity in his life which 6 00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:31.879 must have sorely tried her patience. His incredible untidiness, his 7 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:36.719 addiction to music at strange hours, his occasional revolver practice 8 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:43.079 within doors, his weird and often malodorous scientific experiments, and 9 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:46.280 the atmosphere of violence and danger which hung around him 10 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:50.439 made him the very worst tenant in London. On the 11 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:54.280 other hand, his payments were princely. I have no doubt 12 00:00:54.320 --> 00:00:56.560 that the house might have been purchased at the price 13 00:00:56.600 --> 00:00:59.240 which Holmes paid for his rooms. During the years that 14 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:02.679 I was with him, the landlady stood in the deepest 15 00:01:02.679 --> 00:01:05.599 owe of him, and never dared to interfere with him, 16 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:09.879 however outrageous his proceedings might seem. She was fond of 17 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:13.799 him too, for he had a remarkable gentleness and courtesy 18 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:17.719 in his dealings with women he disliked and distrusted the sex, 19 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:22.359 but he was always a chivalrous opponent. Knowing how genuine 20 00:01:22.480 --> 00:01:25.840 was her regard for him, I listened earnestly to her 21 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:28.519 story when she came to my rooms in the second 22 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:31.439 year of my married life and told me of the 23 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:36.879 sad condition to which my poor friend was reduced. He's dying, doctor, Watson, 24 00:01:37.120 --> 00:01:40.319 said she. For three days he has been sinking, and 25 00:01:40.439 --> 00:01:43.200 I doubt if he will last the day. He would 26 00:01:43.239 --> 00:01:46.159 not let me get a doctor this morning, when I 27 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:48.359 saw his bones sticking out of his face and his 28 00:01:48.480 --> 00:01:51.079 great bright eyes looking at me, I could stand no 29 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.480 more of it. With your leave or without it, mister Holmes, 30 00:01:54.599 --> 00:01:57.200 I am going for a doctor this very hour, said 31 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:01.560 I let it be. Watson then said he I wouldn't 32 00:02:01.560 --> 00:02:03.840 waste an hour in coming to him, sir, or you 33 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:07.519 may not see him alive. I was horrified, for I 34 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:10.400 had heard nothing of his illness. I need not say 35 00:02:10.439 --> 00:02:13.800 that I rushed for my coat and my hat. As 36 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:17.240 we drove back. I asked for the details. There is 37 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:19.919 little I can tell you, sir. He's been working at 38 00:02:19.919 --> 00:02:23.080 a case down at Rotherhithe in an alley near the river, 39 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:26.319 and he has brought this illness back with him. He 40 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:28.800 took to his bed on Wednesday afternoon and has never 41 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:32.360 moved since. For these three days, neither food nor drink 42 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:35.240 has passed his lips. Good God, why did you not 43 00:02:35.400 --> 00:02:38.439 call in a doctor? He wouldn't have it, sir, You 44 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:42.439 know how masterful he is. I didn't dare to disobey him. 45 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:45.120 But he's not long for this world, as you'll see 46 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:47.759 for yourself the moment that you set eyes on him. 47 00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:52.199 He was indeed a deplorable spectacle in the dim light 48 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:55.280 of a foggy November day. The sick room was a 49 00:02:55.319 --> 00:02:59.919 gloomy spot, but it was that gaunt, wasted face stare 50 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:02.360 at me from the bed which sent a chill to 51 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:06.360 my heart. His eyes had the brightness of fever. There 52 00:03:06.400 --> 00:03:10.400 was a hectic flush upon either cheek, and dark crusts 53 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:14.479 clung to his lips. The thin hands upon the coverlet 54 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:20.560 twitched incessantly. His voice was croaking and spasmodic. He lay 55 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:23.719 listlessly as I entered the room, but the sight of 56 00:03:23.800 --> 00:03:27.919 me brought a gleam of recognition to his eyes. Well, Watson, 57 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:32.080 we seem to have fallen upon evil days, said he, 58 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:35.360 in a feeble voice, but with something of his old 59 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:39.439 carelessness of manner, My dear fellow, I cried, approaching him. 60 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:43.319 Stand back, stand right back, said he, with the sharp 61 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:47.360 imperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis. 62 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:50.560 If you approach me, Watson, I shall order you out 63 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:54.120 of the house. But why because it is my desire? 64 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:58.960 Is that not enough? Yes, missus Hudson was right. He 65 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:03.199 was more must fall than ever. It was pitiful, however, 66 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:06.639 to see his exhaustion. I only wish to help, I 67 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:10.599 explained exactly. You will help best by doing what you 68 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:16.240 are told. Certainly, Holmes, he relaxed, the austerity of his manner. 69 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:22.120 You are not angry, he asked, gasping for breath, poor devil. 70 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:24.600 How could I be angry when I saw him lying 71 00:04:24.680 --> 00:04:28.560 in such a plight before me. It's for your own sake, Watson, 72 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:32.360 he croaked, For my sake. I know what is the 73 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:36.120 matter with me. It is a coolly disease from Sumatra, 74 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:39.360 a thing that the Dutch know more about than we, 75 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:42.680 though they have made little of it up to date. 76 00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:48.000 One thing only is certain. It is infallibly deadly, and 77 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:52.680 it is horribly contagious. He spoke now with the feverish energy, 78 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:57.519 the long hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me away. Contagious. 79 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.480 By touch, Watson, that's it, by touch. Keep your distance, 80 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:04.439 and all is well. Good heavens, Holmes, do you suppose 81 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:07.079 that such a consideration weighs with me for an instant? 82 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:09.920 It would not affect me in the case of a stranger. 83 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:12.199 Do you imagine it would prevent me from doing my 84 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:16.600 duty to so old a friend? Again, I advanced, but 85 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:19.560 he repulsed me with a look of furious anger. If 86 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:22.920 you will stand there, I will talk. If you do not, 87 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:27.319 you must leave the room. I have so deep a 88 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:30.839 respect for the extraordinary qualities of homes that I have 89 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:34.759 always deferred to his wishes, even when I least understood them. 90 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:39.519 But now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let him 91 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:42.279 be my master elsewhere I at least was his. In 92 00:05:42.319 --> 00:05:45.240 a sick room, Holmes said, I, you are not yourself. 93 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:48.519 A sick man, is but a child, and so I 94 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:51.079 will treat you, whether you like it or not. I 95 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:54.560 will examine your symptoms and treat you for them. He 96 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:57.639 looked at me with venomous eyes. If I am to 97 00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:01.120 have a doctor, whether I will or not, let me 98 00:06:01.160 --> 00:06:04.240 at least have someone in whom I have confidence, said he. 99 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:08.839 Then you have none in me in your friendship, certainly. 100 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:12.800 But facts are facts, Watson, And after all you are 101 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:19.560 only a general practitioner with very limited experience and limited qualifications. 102 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:22.480 It is painful to have to say these things, but 103 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:28.360 you leave me no choice. I was bitterly hurt. Such 104 00:06:28.399 --> 00:06:32.040 a remark is unworthy of you, Holmes. It shows me 105 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:35.240 very clearly the state of your own nerves. But if 106 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:37.720 you have no confidence in me, I would not intrude 107 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:42.319 my services. Let me bring Sir Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher, 108 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:45.759 or any of the best men in London. But some 109 00:06:45.800 --> 00:06:49.040 one you must have, and that is final. If you 110 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:50.759 think that I Am going to stand here and see 111 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:54.040 you die without either helping you myself or bringing any 112 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:56.879 one else to help you, then you have mistaken your man. 113 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:01.160 You mean well, Watson, said the sick man, with something 114 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:04.319 between a sob and a groan. Shall I demonstrate your 115 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:08.480 own ignorance? What do you know, prey of taper newly Fever? 116 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:14.040 What do you know of the black Foremosa corruption? I 117 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.839 have never heard of either. There are many problems of disease, 118 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:23.399 many strange pathological possibilities in the east, Watson. He paused 119 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:27.120 after each sentence to collect his failing strength. I have 120 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:30.399 learned so much during some recent researches, which have a 121 00:07:30.439 --> 00:07:34.079 medico criminal aspect. It was in the course of them 122 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:39.720 that I contracted this complaint. You can do nothing, possibly not. 123 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:44.040 But I happen to know that doctor Ainstrie, the greatest 124 00:07:44.079 --> 00:07:48.000 living authority upon tropical disease, is now in London, all 125 00:07:48.040 --> 00:07:52.319 remonstrances useless homes. I'm going this instant to fetch him. 126 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:57.920 I turned resolutely to the door. Never have I had 127 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:01.879 such a shock in an an instant. With a tiger spring, 128 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:05.560 the dying man had intercepted me. I heard the sharp 129 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:09.040 snap of a twisted key. The next moment he had 130 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:12.759 staggered back to his bed, exhausted and panting after his 131 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:17.079 one tremendous outflame of energy. You won't take the key 132 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:20.120 from me by force, Watson. I've got you, my friend. 133 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:23.439 Here you are, and here you will stay until I 134 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:28.199 will otherwise. But I'll humor you all this in little gasps, 135 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:32.240 with terrible struggles for breath between. You've only my own 136 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:35.080 good at heart. Of course, I know that very well. 137 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:38.240 You shall have your way, but give me time to 138 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:43.679 get my strength. Not now, Watson, Not now. It's four o'clock. 139 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:48.039 At six, you can go. This is insanity, Holmes, only 140 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:51.000 two hours, Watson. I promise you will go at six. 141 00:08:51.720 --> 00:08:55.080 Are you content to wait? I seem to have no choice, 142 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:58.519 none in the world. Watson, Thank you. I need no 143 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:01.759 help in arranging the clothes. You will please keep your 144 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:04.679 distance now, Watson, there is one other condition that I 145 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:08.639 would make. You will seek help, not from the man 146 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:12.960 you mention, but from the one that I choose by 147 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:16.840 all means, the first three sensible words that you have 148 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:20.240 uttered since you entered this room. Watson. You will find 149 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:24.519 some books over there. I am somewhat exhausted. I wonder 150 00:09:24.519 --> 00:09:28.039 how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a 151 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:34.840 non conductor. At six, Watson, we resume our conversation. But 152 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:37.799 it was destined to be resumed long before that hour, 153 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:41.799 and in circumstances which gave me a shock hardly second 154 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:45.480 that caused by his spring to the door. I had 155 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:48.080 stood for some minutes looking at the silent figure in 156 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:52.080 the bed. His face was almost covered by the clothes, 157 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:56.399 and he appeared to be asleep. Then, unable to settle 158 00:09:56.440 --> 00:10:00.320 down to reading, I walked slowly round the room aammining 159 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:05.799 the pictures of celebrated criminals with which every wall was adorned. Finally, 160 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:10.799 in my aimless perambulation, I came to the mantelpiece. A 161 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:16.240 litter of pipes, tobacco pouches, syringes, pen knives, revolver cartridges, 162 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:20.240 and other debris was scattered over it. In the midst 163 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:23.039 of these was a small black and white ivory box 164 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:26.480 with a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, 165 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.600 and I had stretched out my hand to examine it 166 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:33.519 more closely when it was a dreadful cry that he gave, 167 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.960 a yell which might have been heard down the street. 168 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:40.799 My skin went cold and my hair bristled at that 169 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:43.960 horrible scream. As I turned, I caught a glimpse of 170 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.919 a convulsed face and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed with 171 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:51.080 the little box in my hand. Put it down. Watson, down, 172 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:55.759 this instant, Watson, this instant, I say. His head sank 173 00:10:55.840 --> 00:10:58.679 back upon the pillow, and he gave a deep sigh 174 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:01.559 of relief as I replaced the box upon the mantelpiece. 175 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.679 I hate to have my things touched. Watson, you know 176 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:09.440 that I hate it. You fidget me beyond endurance. You 177 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:13.039 a doctor, you are enough to drive a patient into 178 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:16.559 an asylum. Sit down, man, and let me have my rest. 179 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:21.039 The incident left a most unpleasant impression upon my mind. 180 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:26.399 The violent and causeless excitement followed by this brutality of speech, 181 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:31.000 so far removed from his usual suavity, showed me how 182 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:35.399 deep was the disorganization of his mind. Of all ruins, 183 00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:39.639 that of a noble mind is the most deplorable. I 184 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:44.159 sat in silent dejection until the stipulated time had passed. 185 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:47.639 He seemed to have been watching the clerk as well 186 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:51.240 as I, for it was hardly six before he began 187 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:55.360 to talk with the same feverish animation as before. Naw 188 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:59.320 Watson said he have you any change in your pocket? Yes? 189 00:12:00.039 --> 00:12:05.840 Any silver? A good deal? How many half crowns? I have? Five? Ah, 190 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:09.799 too few, too few, How very unfortunate, Watson. However, such 191 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:12.120 as they are, you can put them in your watch pocket, 192 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:14.440 and all the rest of your money in your left 193 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:17.759 trouser pocket. Thank you. It will balance you so much better. 194 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:23.639 Like that, this was raving insanity. He shuddered and again 195 00:12:23.720 --> 00:12:26.639 made a sound between a cough and a sob. You 196 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:29.759 will now light the gas, Watson, but you will be 197 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:32.600 very careful that not for one instant shall it be 198 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:35.720 more than half on. I implore you to be careful, Watson. 199 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:40.039 Thank you. That is excellent. No, you need not draw 200 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:43.240 the blind. Now you will have the kindness to place 201 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:46.440 some letters and papers upon this table within my reach. 202 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:52.120 Thank you. Now some of that litter from the mantelpiece. Excellent, Watson, 203 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:57.039 there is a sugar tongs there. Kindly raise that small 204 00:12:57.159 --> 00:13:01.799 ivory box with its assistance, place it here among the papers. Good. 205 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:05.960 You could now go and fetch mister Culvert and Smith 206 00:13:06.600 --> 00:13:11.360 of thirteen Lower Burke Street. To tell the truth, my 207 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:15.039 desire to fetch a doctor had somewhat weakened, for poor 208 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:18.440 Holmes were so obviously delirious that it seemed dangerous to 209 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:22.279 leave him. However, he was as eager now to consult 210 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:26.080 the person named as he had been obstinate in refusing. 211 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:29.960 I never heard the name, said I possibly not, my 212 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:33.240 good Watson. It may surprise you to know that the 213 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:36.720 man upon earth who is best versed in this disease 214 00:13:36.799 --> 00:13:39.639 is not a medical man, but a planter. Mister Culvert 215 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:43.279 and Smith is a well known resident of Sumatra, now 216 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:47.639 visiting London. An outbreak of the disease upon his plantation, 217 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:51.720 which was distant from medical aid, caused him to study 218 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:55.919 it himself, with some rather far reaching consequences. He is 219 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:59.120 a very methodical person, and I did not desire you 220 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:02.320 to start for six because I was well aware that 221 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:04.600 you would not find him in his study. If you 222 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:07.799 could persuade him to come here and give us the 223 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:12.480 benefit of his unique experience of this disease, the investigation 224 00:14:12.559 --> 00:14:16.159 of which has been his dearest hobby, I cannot doubt 225 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:20.120 that he could help me. I give Holmes's remarks as 226 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:23.440 a consecutive whole, and will not attempt to indicate how 227 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:27.519 they were interrupted by gaspings for breath and those clutchings 228 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:30.240 of his hands, which indicated the pain from which he 229 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:34.519 was suffering. His appearance had changed for the worse during 230 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:37.559 the few hours that I had been with him. Those 231 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:41.879 hectic spots were more pronounced, the eyes shone more brightly 232 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:45.519 out of darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered upon 233 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:50.039 his brow. He still retained, however, the jaunty gallantry of 234 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:53.799 his speech to the last gasp, he would always be 235 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:57.600 the master. You will tell him exactly how you have 236 00:14:57.720 --> 00:15:01.480 left me, said, he will they the very impression which 237 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:06.279 is on your own mind, A dying man, dying and 238 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:12.039 delirious man. Indeed, I cannot think why the whole bed 239 00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:15.360 of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters. 240 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:22.039 So prolific the creatures seem. Ah, I am wandering strange 241 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:25.440 how the brain controls the brain. What was I saying, Watson? 242 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:29.240 My directions for mister Culvert and Smith? Ay? Yes, I remember, 243 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:33.480 My life depends upon it. Plead with him, Watson. There 244 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:37.799 is no good feeling between us, his nephew, Watson. I 245 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:40.879 had suspicions of foul play, and I allowed him to 246 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:44.440 see it. The boy died horribly. He has a grudge 247 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:49.039 against me. You will soften him, Watson, Beg him, pray him, 248 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:53.159 get him here by any means. He can save me 249 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:56.799 only he. I will bring him in a cab. If 250 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:59.320 I have to carry him down to it. You will 251 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:02.759 do nothing of the sort. You will persuade him to come, 252 00:16:03.320 --> 00:16:06.720 and then you will return in front of him, make 253 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:09.200 any excuse so as not to come with him. Don't 254 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:13.600 forget Watson. You won't fail me. You never did fail me, 255 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:17.519 no doubt. There are natural enemies which limit the increase 256 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:21.600 of the creatures. You and I, Watson, we have done 257 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:28.399 our part. Shall the world then be overrun by oysters? No, no, horrible, 258 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:32.559 You'll convey all that is in your mind. I left 259 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:36.759 him full of the image of this magnificent intellect, babbling 260 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:40.159 like a foolish child. He had handed me the key, 261 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.879 and with a happy thought I took it with me, 262 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:47.279 lest he should lock himself in. Missus Hudson was waiting, 263 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:51.399 trembling and weeping in the passage behind me. As I 264 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:54.679 passed from the flat, I heard Holmes's high, thin voice 265 00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:58.759 in some delirious chant below. As I stood whistling for 266 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:01.600 a cab, a man came on me through the fog. 267 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:05.759 How is mister Holmes, sir? He asked. It was an 268 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:11.759 old acquaintance, Inspector Morton of Scotland Yard, dressed in unofficial tweeds. 269 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:15.559 He is very ill, I answered. He looked at me 270 00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:19.640 in a most singular fashion. Had it not been too fiendish, 271 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.359 I could have imagined that the gleam of the fan 272 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:26.720 light showed exultation in his face. I heard some rumor 273 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:29.799 of it, said he the cab had driven up and 274 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:33.480 I left him. Lower Burke Street proved to be a 275 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:37.160 line of fine houses lying in the vague borderland between 276 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:41.039 notting Hill and Kensington. The particular one at which my 277 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:43.960 cabin pulled up had an air of smug and demure 278 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:48.759 respectability in its old fashioned iron railings, its massive folding door, 279 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:52.519 and its shining brass work. All was in keeping with 280 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:55.799 a solemn butler who appeared framed in the pink radiance 281 00:17:55.839 --> 00:18:00.759 of a tinted electric light behind him. Yes, mister Calverton 282 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:04.359 Smith is in Dr Watson. Very good, sir, I will 283 00:18:04.359 --> 00:18:08.240 take up your card. My humble name and title did 284 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:11.640 not appear to impress mister Culvert and Smith. Through the 285 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:15.240 half open door, I heard a high, petulant, penetrating voice. 286 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:18.359 Who is this person? What does he want? Dear miss Staples? 287 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.920 How often have I said that I am not to 288 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:23.160 be disturbed in my hours of study? There came a 289 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:26.960 gentle flow of soothing explanation from the butler. Well, I 290 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:29.839 won't see him, Staples. I can't have my work interrupted 291 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:32.599 like this. I am not at home. Say so, tell 292 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:34.720 him to come in the morning. If he really must 293 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:38.640 see me again. The gentle murmur, well, well, give in 294 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:41.039 that message. He can come in the morning, or he 295 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:45.319 can stay away. My work must not be hindered. I 296 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:48.160 thought of Holmes, tossing upon his bed of sickness and 297 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:51.799 counting the minutes, perhaps until I should bring help to him. 298 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:55.000 It was not a time to stand upon ceremony. His 299 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:59.680 life depended upon my promptness. Before the apologetic butler had 300 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:02.440 delivered at his message, I had pushed past him and 301 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:05.880 was in the room with a shrill cry of anger. 302 00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:08.880 A man rose from a reclining chair beside the fire. 303 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:12.880 I saw a great yellow face, coarse grained and greasy, 304 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:16.640 with heavy double chin, and two sullen menacing gray eyes 305 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:20.079 which glared at me from under tufted and sandy brows. 306 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:24.240 A high bald head had a small velvet smoking cap 307 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:28.680 poised coquettishly upon one side of its pink curve. The 308 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:32.640 skull was of enormous capacity, and yet as I looked down, 309 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.400 I saw, to my amazement that the figure of the 310 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:39.079 man was small and frail, twisted in the shoulders and back, 311 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:42.200 like one who has suffered from rickets in his childhood. 312 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:46.039 What's this? He cried? In a high screaming voice. What 313 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:48.799 is the meaning of this intrusion? Didn't I send you 314 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:52.319 word that I would see you tomorrow morning. I'm sorry, 315 00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:55.839 said I, but the matter cannot be delayed. Mister Sherlock Holmes. 316 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:59.160 The mention of my friend's name had an extraordinary effect 317 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:02.279 upon the little man. The look of anger passed in 318 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:05.960 an instant from his face. His features became tense and alert. 319 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:09.200 Have you come from Holmes? He asked, I have just 320 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:12.279 left him. What about Holmes? How is he? He is 321 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:16.359 desperately ill. That is why I have come. The man 322 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:19.279 motioned me to a chair and turned to resume his own. 323 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:22.519 As he did so, I caught a glimpse of his 324 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:26.200 face in the mirror over the mantelpiece. I could have 325 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:29.759 sworn that it was set in a malicious and abominable smile. 326 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:33.359 Yet I persuaded myself that it must have been some 327 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:36.880 nervous contraction which I had surprised for. He turned to 328 00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:40.359 me an instant later, with genuine concern upon his features. 329 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:44.640 I am sorry to hear this, said he. I only 330 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:47.480 know mister Holmes through some business dealings which we have 331 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:50.480 had that I have every respect for his talents. And 332 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:54.039 his character. He is an amateur of crime as I 333 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:58.799 am of disease. For him the villain, for me the microbe. 334 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:02.440 There are my prisoners, he continued, pointing to a row 335 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:05.279 of bottles and jars which stood upon a side table. 336 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:10.400 Among those gelatine cultivations, some of the very worst offenders 337 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:14.680 in the world are now doing time. It was on 338 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:17.559 account of your special knowledge that mister Holmes desired to 339 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:21.039 see you. He has a high opinion of him, and 340 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:23.720 thought that you were the one man in London who 341 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:27.400 could help him. The little man started, and the jaunt 342 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:31.319 smoking cap slid to the floor. Why, he asked, Why 343 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:33.880 should mister Holmes think that I could help him in 344 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:37.640 his trouble because of your knowledge of Eastern diseases? But 345 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:40.079 why should he think that this disease which he has 346 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:45.599 contracted is Eastern? Because in some professional inquiry he has 347 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:49.559 been working among Chinese sailors down in the docks. Mister 348 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:53.200 Culvert and Smith smiled pleasantly and picked up his smoking cap. 349 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:56.680 Oh that's it is, it, said he. I trust the 350 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:59.160 matter is not so grave as you suppose. How long 351 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:02.440 has he been ill? About three days? Is he delirious? 352 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:07.359 Occasionally Tut tut. This sound serious. It would be inhuman 353 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:10.519 not to answer his call. I very much resent any 354 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:13.240 interruption to my work, doctor Watson, but this case is 355 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:17.440 certainly exceptional. I will come with you at once, I 356 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:22.279 remembered Holmes's injunction. I have another appointment, said I, very good, 357 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:24.799 I will go alone. I have a note of mister 358 00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:28.119 Holmes's address. You can rely upon my being there within 359 00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:31.319 half an hour at most. It was with a sinking 360 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:34.960 heart that I re entered Holmes's bedroom. For all that 361 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:37.720 I knew the worst might have happened in my absence. 362 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:41.400 To my enormous relief, he had improved greatly in the interval. 363 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:45.039 His appearance was as ghastly as ever, but all trace 364 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:47.880 of delirium had left him, and he spoke in a 365 00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:50.839 feeble voice. It is true, but with even more than 366 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:55.920 his usual crispness and lucidity. Well did you see him, Watson, Yes, 367 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:59.319 he is coming. Admirable Watson, admirable, you are the best 368 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:03.000 of messengers. He wished to return with me. That would 369 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:06.640 never do, Watson, That would be obviously impossible. Did he 370 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:09.920 ask what ailed me? I told him about the Chinese 371 00:23:09.920 --> 00:23:13.720 in the East End, exactly well, Watson, you have done 372 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:17.000 all that a good friend could. You can now disappear 373 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:20.279 from the scene. I must wait and hear his opinion. Homes, 374 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:23.680 of course you must. But I have reasons to suppose 375 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:26.799 that this opinion would be very much more frank and 376 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:31.240 valuable if he imagines that we are alone. There is 377 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:34.319 just room behind the head of my bed, Watson, my 378 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:38.440 dear Holmes, I fear there is no alternative, Watson. The 379 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:41.599 room does not lend itself to concealment, which is as 380 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:44.880 well as it is, the less likely to arouse suspicion. 381 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:48.759 But just there, Watson, I fancy that it could be done. 382 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:52.640 Suddenly he sat up, with a rigid intentness upon his 383 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:56.440 haggard face. There are the wheels, Watson, quick man, if 384 00:23:56.480 --> 00:24:01.000 you love me, and don't budge whatever happens, whatever happens 385 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:04.400 to you hear, don't speak, don't move, just listen with 386 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:08.920 all your ears. Then in an instant, his sudden access 387 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:13.079 of strength departed, and his masterful, purposeful talk droned away 388 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:16.680 into the low, vague murmurings of a semi delirious man. 389 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.519 From the hiding place into which I had been so 390 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:24.480 swiftly hustled, I heard the footfalls upon the stair, with 391 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:28.279 the opening and the closing of the bedroom door. Then, 392 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:33.039 to my surprise, there came a long silence, broken only 393 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:36.359 by the heavy breathings and gaspings of the sick man. 394 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:40.039 I could imagine that our visitor was standing by the 395 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:44.039 bedside and looking down at the sufferer. At last, that 396 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:49.480 strange hush was broken, Holmes, he cried Holmes, in the 397 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:52.880 insistent tone of one who awakens a sleeper. Can't you 398 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:56.039 hear me? Holmes? There was a rustling, as if he 399 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:59.359 had shaken the sick man roughly by the shoulder. Is 400 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:04.160 that you, mister Smith, Holmes, whispered I hardly dared hope 401 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:08.319