Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-09-21


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 Chi
nese sailors down in tho docks"
MIR. Culverton Smith smiled pleas
antly and picked up his smoking cap.
"0h, that's it, is it?' said he. ~
trust the matter is not 30 grave rs you
suppose. How long has he been illG"
about three days"
as he delirious?"
Occasionally"
"Tut, tut! This sounds serious. II
would be inhuman not TO answer his
call. l very much resent any inter-
ruption TO my work, DR.. Watson, but
this case is certainly exceptional. / will
come with you ut once.
remembered Holmes injunction.
II have another appointment, said l.
Every good! | will go alone. l have
note Of Mr.. Holmes address You
can rely upon my being there within
half an hour at most"
1t was with sinking heart that |
reentered Holiness bedroom For oil
that knew, the worst might have hap
pened in my absence. To my enormous
relief he had improved greatly in the
interval. His appearance was as CHASTITY
as ever, but all trace of delirium had
left him, and he spoke in feeble voice,
it is true, but with even more than his
usual crispness and lucidity.
well, did you sec him, Watson2"
eyes, he is coming"
Admirable, Watson, Admirable! You
are the best of messengers"
"He wished to return with me-"
THAT would never do, Watson. That
would be obviously impossible. Did he
ask what allied me?"
81 told him about the Chinese in the
East End"
Exactly! Well, Watson, you have
done all that good friend could. You
can now disappear from the scene"
81 must wait and hear his opinion,
| Holmes"
"Of course, you must. But / have
reasons to suppose that this opinion
would be very much more frank and
valuable if he imagines that we are
alone. There is just room behind the
head Of my bed, Watson"
| "My dear Holmesp'
| 81 fear there is no alternative, Wat
son. The room does not lend itself to
concealment, which is as well, as it is
the less likely to arouse suspicion. But
just there, Watson, | fancy that it
could be done" Suddenly he sat up
with rigid intentness upon his hag-
gard face. There are the wheels
Watson. Quick, man, if you love me
And don't bulge whatever happens
whatever happens, do YOU hearP Don't
speak, Don't novel Just listen with
sudden access of strength departed anC
his masterful, purposeiul talk dronec
away into the low, vague murmuring'
of semidelirious man.
From the hiding place into which
had been 40 swiftly hustled heard thu
footballs upon the stair, with the open
ing and the closing OF the bedroom
door. Then, to my surprise, thegc cam
long silence, broken only by tn
J heavy breathing and gsspings of tn
, sick man. could imagine that on
visitor was standing by the bedside an
, looking down at the sufferer. At las
, that stran &c hush was broken.
! Holmes he cried. Holiness i
, the insistent tone of one who awaken
sleeper. Cant you hear me, Holmes?
: There was rustling as If he had shake
the sick man roughly by the shoulde
is that you, Mr.. SMITH Holme
D whispered. Il hardly dared hope tbs
i you would come"
n The other laughed.
Il should imagine not" he saic
Y "And yet, you see, l am here. Goals {
fire, Holmes-coals of fire.
n Tomorrow-The Adventures Of II
Dying Detective, continued.