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〃Then you have none in me？〃
〃In your friendship； certainly。 But facts are facts； Watson； and； after
all； you are only a general practitioner with very limited experience and
mediocre qualifications。 It is painful to have to say these things； but you
leave me no choice。〃
I was bitterly hurt。
〃Such a remark is unworthy of you； Holmes。 It shows me very
clearly the state of your own nerves。 But if you have no confidence in
me I would not intrude my services。 Let me bring Sir Jasper Meek or
Penrose Fisher； or any of the best men in London。 But someone you
MUST have； and that is final。 If you think that I am going to stand here
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and see you die without either helping you myself or bringing anyone else
to help you； then you have mistaken your man。〃
〃You mean well； Watson；〃 said the sick man with something between a
sob and a groan。 〃Shall I demonstrate your own ignorance？ What do you
know； pray； of Tapanuli fever？ What do you know of the black Formosa
corruption？〃
〃I have never heard of either。〃
〃There are many problems of disease； many strange pathological
possibilities； in the East； Watson。〃 He paused after each sentence to
collect his failing strength。 〃I have learned so much during some recent
researches which have a medico…criminal aspect。 It was in the course of
them that I contracted this plaint。 You can do nothing。〃
〃Possibly not。 But I happen to know that Dr。 Ainstree； the greatest
living authority upon tropical disease； is now in London。 All
remonstrance is useless； Holmes； I am going this instant to fetch him。〃 I
turned resolutely to the door。
Never have I had such a shock！ In an instant； with a tiger… spring； the
dying man had intercepted me。 I heard the sharp snap of a twisted key。
The next moment he had staggered back to his bed； exhausted and panting
after his one tremendous outflame of energy。
〃You won't take the key from be by force； Watson； I've got you； my
friend。 Here you are； and here you will stay until I will otherwise。 But
I'll humour you。〃 （All this in little gasps； with terrible struggles for
breath between。） 〃You've only my own good at heart。 Of course I
know that very well。 You shall have your way； but give me time to get
my strength。 Not now； Watson； not now。 It's four o'clock。 At six you
can go。〃
〃This is insanity； Holmes。〃
〃Only two hours； Watson。 I promise you will go at six。 Are you
content to wait？〃
〃I seem to have no choice。〃
〃None in the world； Watson。 Thank you； I need no help in arranging
the clothes。 You will please keep your distance。 Now； Watson； there is
one other condition that I would make。 You will seek help； not from the
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man you mention； but from the one that I choose。〃
〃By all means。〃
〃The first three sensible words that you have uttered since you entered
this room； Watson。 You will find some books over there。 I am somewhat
exhausted； I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a
non…conductor？ At six； Watson； we resume our conversation。〃
But it was destined to be resumed long before that hour； and in
circumstances which gave me a shock hardly second to that caused by his
spring to the door。 I had stood for some minutes looking at the silent
figure in the bed。 His face was almost covered by the clothes and he
appeared to be asleep。 Then； unable to settle down to reading； I walked
slowly round the room； examining the pictures of celebrated criminals
with which every wall was adorned。 Finally； in my aimless
perambulation； I came to the mantelpiece。 A litter of pipes； tobacco…
pouches； syringes； penknives； revolver…cartridges； and other debris was
scattered over it。 In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory
box with a sliding lid。 It was a neat little thing； and I had stretched out
my hand to examine it more closely when
It was a dreadful cry that he gavea yell which might have been heard
down the street。 My skin went cold and my hair bristled at that horrible
scream。 As I turned I caught a glimpse of a convulsed face and frantic
eyes。 I stood paralyzed； with the little box in my hand。
〃Put it down！ Down； this instant； Watsonthis instant； I say！〃 His
head sank back upon the pillow and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I
replaced the box upon the mantelpiece。 〃I hate to have my things
touched； Watson。 You know that I hate it。 You fidget me beyond
endurance。 You； a doctoryou are enough to drive a patient into an asylum。
Sit down； man； and let me have my rest！〃
The incident left a most unpleasant impression upon my mind。 The
violent and causeless excitement； followed by this brutality of speech； so
far removed from his usual suavity； showed me how deep was the
disorganization of his mind。 Of all ruins； that of a noble mind is the most
deplorable。 I sat in silent dejection until the stipulated time had passed。
He seemed to have been watching the clock as well as I； for it was hardly
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six before he began to talk with the same feverish animation as before。
〃Now； Watson；〃 said he。 〃Have you any change in your pocket？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃Any silver？〃
〃A good deal。〃
〃How many half…crowns？〃
〃I have five。〃
〃Ah； too few！ Too few！ How very unfortunate； Watson！ However；
such as they are you can put them in your watchpocket。 And all the rest
of your money in your left trouser pocket。 Thank you。 It will balance
you so much better like that。〃
This was raving insanity。 He shuddered； and again made a sound
between a cough