The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-04-21
PART ~.

~SNs
What's this?" he cried in a high,
screaming voice What is the mean
ing this this intrusion? Didn't send
you word that / would see you tomor-
row morning."
Il am sorry" said I, abut the matter
cannot be delayed. Mr.. Sherlock
Holmes"
The mention of my friends name
had an extraordinary effect upon the
little man. The look of anger passed
in an instant from his face. His fea-
lures became tense and alert.
Have you come from Holiness" he
asked
Il have just left him.
What about Holmes? How is he?"
He Is desperately i'll. That is why
have come"
The man motioned me to a chair
and turned to resume his own. AS he
did so caught glimpse of his face
in the mirror above the mantlepiece.
l could have sworn that it was set in
a malicious and abominable smile. Yet
I persuaded myself that it must have
been some nervous contraction which
1 had surprised, for he turned to me
| an later WITH genuine COHCSTu
upon his features.
Il am sorry to hear this" said he.
Il only know Mr.. Holmes through
some business dealings which we have
had. but l have every respect for his
talents and his character. He is an
amateur of crime, as l am of disease.
e., For him the villain, for me the mi
crobe. There are my prisons" he con
tinued, pointing to row of bottles
and jars which stood upon a side
table. Among those gelatin cultures
some of the very worst offenders in
the world are now doing time"
1T was on account of your special
knowledge that Mr.. Holmes desired to
see you. He has high opinion of you
and thought that you were the one
man in London who could help him
The little man : started, and the
jaunty smoking cap slid to the floor
WHY" he asked. 'Why should
Mr.. Holmes think that l could helI
him in his trouble?"
Because of your knowledge of East
ern diseases"
+ But why should he think that this
disease which he has contracted is
EASTERN"
Because. in some professional in
quiry, he has been working among
Chinese sailors down in the docks"
Mr.. Culverton Smith smiled pleas
antly and picked up his smoking-cap
''Oh, that's it, is it?" said he ."
trust the matter is not so grave a:
you suppose. How long has he beer
ill.,"
About three days"
''Is he delirious?"
occasionally
Tut, tut! This sounds serious
would be inhuman not to answer hi.
, call. I very much resent any inter
ruption to my work. DIR. Watson, bu
this case is certainly exceptional.
will come with you at once"
re-entered Holiness bedroom. For al
81 have another appointment"
said
VERY good! will go alone hav,
note Of Mr.. Holiness address. 70,
can rely upon my being there within
half and hour at most"
1t was with sinking heart that
re-entered Holiness bedroom. For al
that I knew, the worst might hav
, happened in my absence. To M
, enormous relief he had improve
greatly in the interval His appear
ance was as CHASTITY as ever, but al
trace of delerium had left him, an
he spoke in feeble voice, it is true
but with even more than his usua
, crispness and lucidity.
, well, did you see him, Watson
Yes, he is coming"
Admirable, Watson. Admira BILE
You are the best of messengers"
He wished to return with me-"
, THAT would never do, Watson. Tha