The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-20
Part Three

To tell the truth, my desire to fetch
doctor had somewhat weakened, for
poor Holmes was so obviously delir-
1ous that it seemed dangerous to
leave him. However. he was as eager
now to consult the person named as
/, he had been obstinate in refusing
i never heard the NAME" said /.
POSSIBLY not, my good Watson. 1t
may surprise you to know that the
man upon earth who is best versed in
This disease is not a medical man but a
planter. Mr. Culverton Smith is
wen-known resident OF Sumatra, now
visiting London. An out break of the
disease upon his plantation, which was
far distant from medical aid, caused
him to study it himself with some
rather farreaching consequences. He
is a very methodical person and did
not desire you to start before six be-
cause was we'll aware that you would
not find him in his study. If you could
persuade him to come here and give us
the benefit Of his unique experience of
3 this disease. the Investigation of which
has been his dearest hobby, I cannot
doubt that he could help me-
~ give Holiness remarks as a con-
secutive whole, and will not attempt
to indicate how they were interrupted
by gaspings for breath and those
c}utchings of his hands which indi-
Gated the pain from which he was
suffering
His appearance had changed for the
worse during the few hours. that had
been with him. Those hectic spots
were more pronounced, the eyes shone
more brightly out OF darker nollows,
and. a cold sweat glimmered upon his
brow. lie still retained, however, the
iaunty ,gzllantry of his speech. To the
last gasp he would always be the
!, !. you will tell him exactly how you
, lave left me-" said he. "You will con-
yey the very Impression which is in
your own mind; dying mana dying
and delirious man. Indeed, l cannot
S1hink why the whole bed Of the ocean
is not one solod mass of oysters, so
prolific The creatures seem. All, am
wandering! What was I saying, Wat
son. -. ...-..r ..
"My directions for Mr.. Culverton
Smith
"Ah, yes. remember. My life de-
Lends upon it Plead with him, Wat
son. There is no good feeling between
us. His nephew, Watson-I had sus-
picions of foul play and allow ed him
to see it The boy died horribly. He
has a drudge against me. You viii
soften him, Watson. Beg him. pray
him, get him here by any means. He
can save me-only he
Il will bring him in a cab. if I have
10 carry him down to it
You will do nothing Of the sort.
You will persuade him to come. And
IN, Nf h
Make any excuse so as not to come
with him Don't forget, Watson. You
won't fail me- You never did fail me.
No doubt there are natural enemies
which limit the increase of the crea-
lures You and I, Watson. we have
done our part. Shall the world then
he overrun by oysters? No, no, horri-
BILE. You'll convey all that is in your
mind" -...
left him full Of the image of this
magnificent intellect, babbling like a
foolish child. He had handed ME the
key. and with a happy thought I took
it with me lest he should lock himself
in. Mrs. Hudson was waiting, trem-
bling and weeping in the passage. Be
hind me. as passed from the fat, I
heard Holmes s high. thin voice in
some delirious chant. Below, as I
stood whistling for cab, man came
on me through the fog.
How is Mr. Holmes. sir?" he asked.
1t was an old acquaintance, Inspector
Morton of Scotland Yard, dressed in
unofficial tweeds.
He is very ILL., I answered.
He looked at me in a most singular
fashion. Had it not been so fiendish.
could have imagined that the CLEAN of
The fanlight showed cXultation in his
4. face -.
Il heard some rumor of it," said he