The detective Sherlock Holmes was seriously ill. He wanted to meet his assistant
Watson. He asked his landlady to get him. Watson was surprised to see the condition
of his master. Was Watson able to save his master? Read on to know more about the
underlying story behind Holmes’ sickness.
Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of
Sherlock Holmes, came to me and said,
“Mr. Holmes is dying, Mr. Watson. For
three days he has been sinking, and I doubt
if he will last another day. He would not
let me get a doctor. I told him I could not
stand it anymore and would get a doctor.”
He replied, “Let it be Watson then.”
I was horrified for I had not heard
about his illness before. I rushed for my
hat and coat. As we drove back, I asked
her about the details.
“There is little I can tell you, sir.
He has been working on a case down
at Rotherhithe, near the river, and has
brought this illness back with him. He
took to bed on Wednesday afternoon and
has never moved since. For three days
neither food nor drink has passed his lips.”
“Why did you not call a doctor?” I asked.
“He wouldn’t have it, sir. I didn’t dare
to disobey him.”
He was indeed a sad sight. In the
dim light of a foggy November day, the
sick-room was a gloomy spot, but it was
a. How did Watson feel when he heard of
Holme’s illness?
b. Why didn’t the landlady call the
doctor?
the gaunt face staring from the bed that
brought chill to my heart. His eyes had
the brightness of fever, his cheeks were
flushed, and his hand twitched all the
time. He lay listless.
“My dear fellow!” I cried approaching him.
“Stand back! Stand right back!” he cried.
“But why? I want to help you,” I said.
“Certainly, Watson, but it is for your own
sake.”
“For my sake?” I was surprised.
“I know what is the matter with me.
It is the disease from Sumatra. It is deadly
and contagious, Watson – that’s it, by
touch.”
“Good heavens, Holmes! Do you
think this can stop me?” I said advancing
towards him.
“If you will stand there, I will talk. If
you don’t you must leave the room,” said
my master.
I have always given in to Holmes’
wishes. But now my feelings as a doctor
were aroused. I was at least his master in
the sick-room.
“Holmes,” I said, “you are not yourself
whether you like it or not. I will examine
your symptoms and treat you.”
“If I am to have a doctor,” said he,
“let me at least have someone in whom I
have confidence.”
“Then you have none in me?”
“In your friendship, certainly. But
facts are facts, Watson. You are a general
practitioner, not a specialist of this
disease.”
“If so, let me bring Sir Japer Meek or
Penrose Fisher, or any other best man in
London.”
“How ignorant you are! Watson!” he
said with a groan.
“What do you know about Tarpaunli
fever or the black Formosa plague?”
“I have never heard of them,”
I admitted.
“There are many problems of the
disease in the East. I have learnt that much
during my recent researches. And during
this course I caught this illness,” he said.
“I will bring Dr. Ainstree then,”
I said going towards the door. Never have
I had such a shock when the dying man
bolted the door and locked it, shouted in
an uncontrolled way and in a moment he
was back in his bed.
“You won’t have the key by force
from me Watson. Be here till 6 o’clock. It
is four now”.
“This is madness, Holmes,” I said.
“Only two hours, Watson. Then you
can get a doctor of my choice. You can
read some books, over there. At six we will
talk again.”
Unable to settle down to reading, I
walked slowly round and round, looking
at the pictures. Finally I came to the
mantle piece, where among other things I
saw a small black and white ivory box with
sliding lid. As I held it in my hand to
examine it, I heard a dreadful cry. “Put it
down! Down at once, Watson,” he said,
gaunt (adj.) – lean, especially because of suffering, hunger or age.
twitched (v) – gave short, sudden jerking movements.
contagious (adj.) – spreading of a disease from one person to another by direct contact
groan (v) – a deep inarticulate sound conveying pain or despair.
plague (n) – a contagious bacterial disease characterized by fever .
bolted (v) – closed the door with a bar that slides into a socket.
mantle piece (n) – a structure of wood or marble above or around the fireplace.
half-crown (n) – a former British coin equal to two shillings and sixpence .
tongs (n) – a device used for picking up objects consisting of two long pieces free at one end and pressed together at the other end.
delirious (adj.) – disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness.
frail (adj.) – weak and delicate.
startled (v) – felt sudden shock or alarm.
scuffle (v) – a sudden short fight
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