The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-18
PART ONE.

Mrs. Hudson, the landlady OF Sher'
lock Holmes, was longsuffering WON
an. Not only was her first-foor fiat in
,vaded at all hours by throngs OF singu'
lar and often undesirable characters,
but her remarkable ledger showed an
eccentricity and irregularity in his
life which must have sorely tried her
patience. His incredible unudiness'
his addiction to music at, strange
hours. his occasional revolver practlce
within doors, his weird and OFTEN
malodorous scientific experiments, ana
the atmosphere of violence and dan
ger which hung around him made him
the very worst tenant in London. On
the other hand, his payments were
princely. have no doubt that the
house might have been purchased at
the price which Holmes paid for MS
rooms during the years that was
with him.
The landlady stood in the deepest
awe of him. and never dared TO inter
fere with him, however outrageous MS
proceedings might seem. She was
fond of him too, for he had remark
able gentleness and courtesy IN MS
dealings with women. He dlshKed
and distrusted the sex, but he was al
ways a chivalrous opponent hho"-
ing how genuine was her regard lof
him, listened earnestly to ner stoiy
when She came to my rooms IN inc
second year of my married lie ana
told me of the sad condition 10 WHICH
my poor friend was reduced.
Hes dying, DR.. Watson, SAID she.
"For three days he has been SINKING
and I doubt If he will last the DAY.
He would not let me get doctor. This
morning when l saw his bones stick
ing out of his face and his great bright
ewes looking at me. could not stand
no more of il. With your leave or
without it, Mr.. Holmes, l am going LOT
a doctor this very hour said l. Let
il be Watson, then said he.
wouldn't waste an hour in coming TO
him. sir. or you may not see MIN
alive"
was Mortified, for had heard noun
ing Of his illness. I need not say that
I rushed for my coat and my hat. AS
We drove back I asked for the details.
"There is little I can tell you. slf'
He has been working at case down
at Rotherhithe in an alley near the
river. and he has brought this illness
hack with him. He took to his bed on
Wednesday afternoon and has never
moved since. For these three DAYS
neither food nor drink has passed
his lips"
Good God! Why did you not cal!
in a DOCTOR"
He wouldn't have it, sir. You
know how masterful he is. l dldn
dare to disobey him. But he's not long
for this world, as you'll see for your
SELF ,he moment that you set eyes on
him."
He was indeed a deplorable specta
Gle. In the dim light OF a foggy NO
vernber day the sickroom was
gloomy spot, but it was that gaunt
wasted face staring at me from the
he'd which sent a chill to my heart
His ewes had the brightness of fever
there was a hectic flush upon either
cheek. and dark crusts chung 10 MS
!ips. the thin hands upon the cover
let twitched necessarily, his voice was
croaking and spasmodic. He lay list
lessly as | entered the room, but the
sight of me brought CLEAN OF recog
milton to his eyes.
We'll, Watson, we seem to have raj
len upon evil days." said he in
\ feeble voice. but with something o.
his old carelessness of manner
my dear fellow" l cried approach
ing him.
"Stand back! Stand right back!
said he with the sharp imperiousnesS
which | had associated only with mo
ments of crisis. IF you approach me