In the story, Dr. Watson becomes convinced that his friend, the brilliant consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, is dying from a highly contagious disease that is usually found only in Asia. Holmes refuses to allow Watson to examine him. Instead, Holmes tells Watson to bring a man called Culverton Smith to see him. Culverton Smith has no professional medical training but he knows more about the disease which Holmes claims to be suffering from than anyone else in the world. Holmes admits that he and Culverton Smith are not on friendly terms because Holmes suspected that the man had some part in the death of his nephew.
1. The Adventure of the Dying Detective Arthur Conan Doyle
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3. M rs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was a long-suffering woman. Not only was her first-floor flat invaded at all hours by throngs of singular and often undesirable characters but her remarkable lodger showed an eccentricity and irregularity in his life which must have sorely tried her patience. was a gloomy spot, but it was that gaunt, wasted face staring at me from the bed which sent a chill to my heart. His eyes had the brightness of fever, there was a hectic flush upon either cheek, and dark crusts clung to his lips; the thin hands upon the coverlet twitched incessantly, his voice was croak- ing and spasmodic. He lay listlessly as I entered His incredible untidiness, his addiction to music the room, but the sight of me brought a gleam of at strange hours, his occasional revolver practice recognition to his eyes. within doors, his weird and often malodorous sci- “Well, Watson, we seem to have fallen upon evil entific experiments, and the atmosphere of violence days,” said he in a feeble voice, but with something and danger which hung around him made him the of his old carelessness of manner. very worst tenant in London. On the other hand, “My dear fellow!” I cried, approaching him. his payments were princely. I have no doubt that the house might have been purchased at the price “Stand back! Stand right back!” said he with which Holmes paid for his rooms during the years the sharp imperiousness which I had associated that I was with him. only with moments of crisis. “If you approach me, The landlady stood in the deepest awe of him Watson, I shall order you out of the house.” and never dared to interfere with him, however “But why?” outrageous his proceedings might seem. She was “Because it is my desire. Is that not enough?” fond of him, too, for he had a remarkable gentle- Yes, Mrs. Hudson was right. He was more mas- ness and courtesy in his dealings with women. He terful than ever. It was pitiful, however, to see his disliked and distrusted the sex, but he was always exhaustion. a chivalrous opponent. Knowing how genuine was her regard for him, I listened earnestly to her story “I only wished to help,” I explained. when she came to my rooms in the second year of “Exactly! You will help best by doing what you my married life and told me of the sad condition are told.” to which my poor friend was reduced. “Certainly, Holmes.” “He’s dying, Dr. Watson,” said she. “For three He relaxed the austerity of his manner. days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will last the day. He would not let me get a doctor. This “You are not angry?” he asked, gasping for morning when I saw his bones sticking out of his breath. face and his great bright eyes looking at me I could Poor devil, how could I be angry when I saw stand no more of it. ‘With your leave or without it, him lying in such a plight before me? Mr. Holmes, I am going for a doctor this very hour,’ “It’s for your own sake, Watson,” he croaked. said I. ‘Let it be Watson, then,’ said he. I wouldn’t waste an hour in coming to him, sir, or you may “For my sake?” not see him alive.” “I know what is the matter with me. It is a coolie I was horrified for I had heard nothing of his disease from Sumatra—a thing that the Dutch know illness. I need not say that I rushed for my coat and more about than we, though they have made little my hat. As we drove back I asked for the details. of it up to date. One thing only is certain. It is infallibly deadly, and it is horribly contagious.” “There is little I can tell you, sir. He has been working at a case down at Rotherhithe, in an alley He spoke now with a feverish energy, the long near the river, and he has brought this illness back hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me with him. He took to his bed on Wednesday after- away. noon and has never moved since. For these three “Contagious by touch, Watson—that’s it, by days neither food nor drink has passed his lips.” touch. Keep your distance and all is well.” “Good God! Why did you not call in a doctor?” “Good heavens, Holmes! Do you suppose that “He wouldn’t have it, sir. You know how mas- such a consideration weighs with me of an instant? terful he is. I didn’t dare to disobey him. But he’s It would not affect me in the case of a stranger. Do not long for this world, as you’ll see for yourself you imagine it would prevent me from doing my the moment that you set eyes on him.” duty to so old a friend?” He was indeed a deplorable spectacle. In the Again I advanced, but he repulsed me with a dim light of a foggy November day the sick room look of furious anger. 1
4. “If you will stand there I will talk. If you do not Never have I had such a shock! In an instant, you must leave the room.” with a tiger-spring, the dying man had intercepted I have so deep a respect for the extraordinary me. I heard the sharp snap of a twisted key. The qualities of Holmes that I have always deferred to next moment he had staggered back to his bed, his wishes, even when I least understood them. But exhausted and panting after his one tremendous now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let outflame of energy. him be my master elsewhere, I at least was his in a “You won’t take the key from be by force, Wat- sick room. son, I’ve got you, my friend. Here you are, and here “Holmes,” said I, “you are not yourself. A sick you will stay until I will otherwise. But I’ll humour man is but a child, and so I will treat you. Whether you.” (All this in little gasps, with terrible struggles you like it or not, I will examine your symptoms for breath between.) “You’ve only my own good at and treat you for them.” heart. Of course I know that very well. You shall have your way, but give me time to get my strength. He looked at me with venomous eyes. Not now, Watson, not now. It’s four o’clock. At six “If I am to have a doctor whether I will or not, you can go.” let me at least have someone in whom I have confi- “This is insanity, Holmes.” dence,” said he. “Only two hours, Watson. I promise you will “Then you have none in me?” go at six. Are you content to wait?” “In your friendship, certainly. But facts are facts, “I seem to have no choice.” Watson, and, after all, you are only a general prac- titioner with very limited experience and mediocre “None in the world, Watson. Thank you, I need qualifications. It is painful to have to say these no help in arranging the clothes. You will please things, but you leave me no choice.” keep your distance. Now, Watson, there is one other condition that I would make. You will seek I was bitterly hurt. help, not from the man you mention, but from the “Such a remark is unworthy of you, Holmes. It one that I choose.” shows me very clearly the state of your own nerves. “By all means.” But if you have no confidence in me I would not intrude my services. Let me bring Sir Jasper Meek “The first three sensible words that you have or Penrose Fisher, or any of the best men in London. uttered since you entered this room, Watson. You But someone you must have, and that is final. If will find some books over there. I am somewhat you think that I am going to stand here and see you exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it die without either helping you myself or bringing pours electricity into a non-conductor? At six, Wat- anyone else to help you, then you have mistaken son, we resume our conversation.” your man.” But it was destined to be resumed long before “You mean well, Watson,” said the sick man that hour, and in circumstances which gave me a with something between a sob and a groan. “Shall shock hardly second to that caused by his spring I demonstrate your own ignorance? What do you to the door. I had stood for some minutes looking know, pray, of Tapanuli fever? What do you know at the silent figure in the bed. His face was almost of the black Formosa corruption?” covered by the clothes and he appeared to be asleep. Then, unable to settle down to reading, I walked “I have never heard of either.” slowly round the room, examining the pictures of “There are many problems of disease, many celebrated criminals with which every wall was strange pathological possibilities, in the East, Wat- adorned. Finally, in my aimless perambulation, I son.” He paused after each sentence to collect his came to the mantelpiece. A litter of pipes, tobacco- failing strength. “I have learned so much dur- pouches, syringes, penknives, revolver-cartridges, ing some recent researches which have a medico- and other debris was scattered over it. In the midst criminal aspect. It was in the course of them that I of these was a small black and white ivory box with contracted this complaint. You can do nothing.” a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had “Possibly not. But I happen to know that Dr. stretched out my hand to examine it more closely Ainstree, the greatest living authority upon tropical when— disease, is now in London. All remonstrance is It was a dreadful cry that he gave—a yell which useless, Holmes, I am going this instant to fetch might have been heard down the street. My skin him.” I turned resolutely to the door. went cold and my hair bristled at that horrible 2
5. scream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a con- “I never heard the name,” said I. vulsed face and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed, “Possibly not, my good Watson. It may surprise with the little box in my hand. you to know that the man upon earth who is best “Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson—this versed in this disease is not a medical man, but instant, I say!” His head sank back upon the pil- a planter. Mr. Culverton Smith is a well-known low and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I replaced resident of Sumatra, now visiting London. An out- the box upon the mantelpiece. “I hate to have break of the disease upon his plantation, which my things touched, Watson. You know that I hate was distant from medical aid, caused him to study it. You fidget me beyond endurance. You, a doc- it himself, with some rather far-reaching conse- tor—you are enough to drive a patient into an asy- quences. He is a very methodical person, and I lum. Sit down, man, and let me have my rest!” did not desire you to start before six, because I The incident left a most unpleasant impression was well aware that you would not find him in his upon my mind. The violent and causeless excite- study. If you could persuade him to come here ment, followed by this brutality of speech, so far and give us the benefit of his unique experience of removed from his usual suavity, showed me how this disease, the investigation of which has been his deep was the disorganization of his mind. Of all dearest hobby, I cannot doubt that he could help ruins, that of a noble mind is the most deplorable. me.” I sat in silent dejection until the stipulated time had I gave Holmes’s remarks as a consecutive whole passed. He seemed to have been watching the clock and will not attempt to indicate how they were in- as well as I, for it was hardly six before he began to terrupted by gaspings for breath and those clutch- talk with the same feverish animation as before. ings of his hands which indicated the pain from which he was suffering. His appearance had “Now, Watson,” said he. “Have you any change changed for the worse during the few hours that I in your pocket?” had been with him. Those hectic spots were more “Yes.” pronounced, the eyes shone more brightly out of “Any silver?” darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered upon “A good deal.” his brow. He still retained, however, the jaunty gallantry of his speech. To the last gasp he would “How many half-crowns?” always be the master. “I have five.” “You will tell him exactly how you have left “Ah, too few! Too few! How very unfortunate, me,” said he. “You will convey the very impres- Watson! However, such as they are you can put sion which is in your own mind—a dying man—a them in your watchpocket. And all the rest of your dying and delirious man. Indeed, I cannot think money in your left trouser pocket. Thank you. It why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid will balance you so much better like that.” mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem. Ah, This was raving insanity. He shuddered, and I am wondering! Strange how the brain controls again made a sound between a cough and a sob. the brain! What was I saying, Watson?” “You will now light the gas, Watson, but you “My directions for Mr. Culverton Smith.” will be very careful that not for one instant shall “Ah, yes, I remember. My life depends upon it. it be more than half on. I implore you to be care- Plead with him, Watson. There is no good feeling ful, Watson. Thank you, that is excellent. No, you between us. His nephew, Watson—I had suspicions need not draw the blind. Now you will have the of foul play and I allowed him to see it. The boy kindness to place some letters and papers upon this died horribly. He has a grudge against me. You table within my reach. Thank you. Now some of will soften him, Watson. Beg him, pray him, get that litter from the mantelpiece. Excellent, Watson! him here by any means. He can save me—only he!” There is a sugar-tongs there. Kindly raise that small “I will bring him in a cab, if I have to carry him ivory box with its assistance. Place it here among down to it.” the papers. Good! You can now go and fetch Mr. “You will do nothing of the sort. You will per- Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower Burke Street.” suade him to come. And then you will return in To tell the truth, my desire to fetch a doctor had front of him. Make any excuse so as not to come somewhat weakened, for poor Holmes was so ob- with him. Don’t forget, Watson. You won’t fail me. viously delirious that it seemed dangerous to leave You never did fail me. No doubt there are natural him. However, he was as eager now to consult the enemies which limit the increase of the creatures. person named as he had been obstinate in refusing. You and I, Watson, we have done our part. Shall 3
6. the world, then, be overrun by oysters? No, no; stand upon ceremony. His life depended upon my horrible! You’ll convey all that is in your mind.” promptness. Before the apologetic butler had deliv- I left him full of the image of this magnificent in- ered his message I had pushed past him and was tellect babbling like a foolish child. He had handed in the room. me the key, and with a happy thought I took it with With a shrill cry of anger a man rose from a me lest he should lock himself in. Mrs. Hudson reclining chair beside the fire. I saw a great yellow was waiting, trembling and weeping, in the pas- face, coarse-grained and greasy, with heavy, double- sage. Behind me as I passed from the flat I heard chin, and two sullen, menacing gray eyes which Holmes’s high, thin voice in some delirious chant. glared at me from under tufted and sandy brows. Below, as I stood whistling for a cab, a man came A high bald head had a small velvet smoking-cap on me through the fog. poised coquettishly upon one side of its pink curve. The skull was of enormous capacity, and yet as I “How is Mr. Holmes, sir?” he asked. looked down I saw to my amazement that the fig- It was an old acquaintance, Inspector Morton, ure of the man was small and frail, twisted in the of Scotland Yard, dressed in unofficial tweeds. shoulders and back like one who has suffered from “He is very ill,” I answered. rickets in his childhood. He looked at me in a most singular fashion. “What’s this?” he cried in a high, screaming Had it not been too fiendish, I could have imagined voice. “What is the meaning of this intrusion? that the gleam of the fanlight showed exultation in Didn’t I send you word that I would see you to- his face. morrow morning?” “I heard some rumour of it,” said he. “I am sorry,” said I, “but the matter cannot be delayed. Mr. Sherlock Holmes—” The cab had driven up, and I left him. The mention of my friend’s name had an ex- Lower Burke Street proved to be a line of fine traordinary effect upon the little man. The look houses lying in the vague borderland between Not- of anger passed in an instant from his face. His ting Hill and Kensington. The particular one at features became tense and alert. which my cabman pulled up had an air of smug “Have you come from Holmes?” he asked. and demure respectability in its old-fashioned iron “I have just left him.” railings, its massive folding-door, and its shining brasswork. All was in keeping with a solemn but- “What about Holmes? How is he?” ler who appeared framed in the pink radiance of a “He is desperately ill. That is why I have come.” tinted electrical light behind him. The man motioned me to a chair, and turned to “Yes, Mr. Culverton Smith is in. Dr. Watson! resume his own. As he did so I caught a glimpse Very good, sir, I will take up your card.” of his face in the mirror over the mantelpiece. I could have sworn that it was set in a malicious and My humble name and title did not appear to im- abominable smile. Yet I persuaded myself that it press Mr. Culverton Smith. Through the half-open must have been some nervous contraction which I door I heard a high, petulant, penetrating voice. had surprised, for he turned to me an instant later “Who is this person? What does he want? Dear with genuine concern upon his features. me, Staples, how often have I said that I am not to “I am sorry to hear this,” said he. “I only know be disturbed in my hours of study?” Mr. Holmes through some business dealings which There came a gentle flow of soothing explana- we have had, but I have every respect for his tal- tion from the butler. ents and his character. He is an amateur of crime, “Well, I won’t see him, Staples. I can’t have my as I am of disease. For him the villain, for me work interrupted like this. I am not at home. Say the microbe. There are my prisons,” he continued, so. Tell him to come in the morning if he really pointing to a row of bottles and jars which stood must see me.” upon a side table. ”Among those gelatine cultiva- tions some of the very worst offenders in the world Again the gentle murmur. are now doing time.” “Well, well, give him that message. He can come “It was on account of your special knowledge in the morning, or he can stay away. My work must that Mr. Holmes desired to see you. He has a high not be hindered.” opinion of you and thought that you were the one I thought of Holmes tossing upon his bed of man in London who could help him.” sickness and counting the minutes, perhaps, until The little man started, and the jaunty smoking- I could bring help to him. It was not a time to cap slid to the floor. 4
7. “Why?” he asked. “Why should Mr. Homes There is just room behind the head of my bed, Wat- think that I could help him in his trouble?” son.” “Because of your knowledge of Eastern dis- “My dear Holmes!” eases.” “I fear there is no alternative, Watson. The “But why should he think that this disease room does not lend itself to concealment, which which he has contracted is Eastern?” is as well, as it is the less likely to arouse suspi- “Because, in some professional inquiry, he has cion. But just there, Watson, I fancy that it could been working among Chinese sailors down in the be done.” Suddenly he sat up with a rigid intent- docks.” ness upon his haggard face. “There are the wheels, Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don’t Mr. Culverton Smith smiled pleasantly and budge, whatever happens—whatever happens, do picked up his smoking-cap. you hear? Don’t speak! Don’t move! Just listen “Oh, that’s it—is it?” said he. “I trust the matter with all your ears.” Then in an instant his sud- is not so grave as you suppose. How long has he den access of strength departed, and his masterful, been ill?” purposeful talk droned away into the low, vague “About three days.” murmurings of a semi-delirious man. “Is he delirious?” From the hiding-place into which I had been “Occasionally.” so swiftly hustled I heard the footfalls upon the stair, with the opening and the closing of the bed- “Tut, tut! This sounds serious. It would be in- room door. Then, to my surprise, there came a long human not to answer his call. I very much resent silence, broken only by the heavy breathings and any interruption to my work, Dr. Watson, but this gaspings of the sick man. I could imagine that our case is certainly exceptional. I will come with you visitor was standing by the bedside and looking at once.” down at the sufferer. At last that strange hush was I remembered Holmes’s injunction. broken. “I have another appointment,” said I. “Holmes!” he cried. “Holmes!” in the insistent “Very good. I will go alone. I have a note of tone of one who awakens a sleeper. ”Can’t you Mr. Holmes’s address. You can rely upon my being hear me, Holmes?” There was a rustling, as if he there within half an hour at most.” had shaken the sick man roughly by the shoulder. It was with a sinking heart that I reentered “Is that you, Mr. Smith?” Holmes whispered. “I Holmes’s bedroom. For all that I knew the worst hardly dared hope that you would come.” might have happened in my absence. To my enor- The other laughed. mous relief, he had improved greatly in the interval. “I should imagine not,” he said. “And yet, you His appearance was as ghastly as ever, but all trace see, I am here. Coals of fire, Holmes—coals of fire!” of delirium had left him and he spoke in a feeble voice, it is true, but with even more than his usual “It is very good of you—very noble of you. I crispness and lucidity. appreciate your special knowledge.” “Well, did you see him, Watson?” Our visitor sniggered. “Yes; he is coming.” “You do. You are, fortunately, the only man in London who does. Do you know what is the matter “Admirable, Watson! Admirable! You are the with you?” best of messengers.” “The same,” said Holmes. “He wished to return with me.” “Ah! You recognize the symptoms?” “That would never do, Watson. That would be obviously impossible. Did he ask what ailed me?” “Only too well.” “I told him about the Chinese in the East End.” “Well, I shouldn’t be surprised, Holmes. I shouldn’t be surprised if it were the same. A bad “Exactly! Well, Watson, you have done all that lookout for you if it is. Poor Victor was a dead man a good friend could. You can now disappear from on the fourth day—a strong, hearty young fellow. the scene.” It was certainly, as you said, very surprising that he “I must wait and hear his opinion, Holmes.” should have contracted and out-of-the-way Asiatic “Of course you must. But I have reasons to sup- disease in the heart of London—a disease, too, of pose that this opinion would be very much more which I had made such a very special study. Sin- frank and valuable if he imagines that we are alone. gular coincidence, Holmes. Very smart of you to 5
8. notice it, but rather uncharitable to suggest that it “Well, you can hear what I say, anyhow. Lis- was cause and effect.” ten now! Can you remember any unusual incident “I knew that you did it.” in your life just about the time your symptoms began?” “Oh, you did, did you? Well, you couldn’t prove “No, no; nothing.” it, anyhow. But what do you think of yourself spreading reports about me like that, and then “Think again.” crawling to me for help the moment you are in “I’m too ill to think.” trouble? What sort of a game is that—eh?” “Well, then, I’ll help you. Did anything come I heard the rasping, laboured breathing of the by post?” sick man. “Give me the water!” he gasped. “By post?” “You’re precious near your end, my friend, but “A box by chance?” I don’t want you to go till I have had a word with “I’m fainting—I’m gone!” you. That’s why I give you water. There, don’t slop “Listen, Holmes!” There was a sound as if he it about! That’s right. Can you understand what I was shaking the dying man, and it was all that I say?” could do to hold myself quiet in my hiding-place. Holmes groaned. “You must hear me. You shall hear me. Do you re- member a box—an ivory box? It came on Wednes- “Do what you can for me. Let bygones be by- day. You opened it—do you remember?” gones,” he whispered. “I’ll put the words out of “Yes, yes, I opened it. There was a sharp spring my head—I swear I will. Only cure me, and I’ll inside it. Some joke—” forget it.” “It was no joke, as you will find to your cost. “Forget what?” You fool, you would have it and you have got it. “Well, about Victor Savage’s death. You as good Who asked you to cross my path? If you had left as admitted just now that you had done it. I’ll me alone I would not have hurt you.” forget it.” “I remember,” Holmes gasped. “The spring! It “You can forget it or remember it, just as you drew blood. This box—this on the table.” like. I don’t see you in the witnessbox. Quite an- “The very one, by George! And it may as well other shaped box, my good Holmes, I assure you. leave the room in my pocket. There goes your last It matters nothing to me that you should know how shred of evidence. But you have the truth now, my nephew died. It’s not him we are talking about. Holmes, and you can die with the knowledge that I It’s you.” killed you. You knew too much of the fate of Victor “Yes, yes.” Savage, so I have sent you to share it. You are very near your end, Holmes. I will sit here and I will “The fellow who came for me—I’ve forgotten watch you die.” his name—said that you contracted it down in the Holmes’s voice had sunk to an almost inaudible East End among the sailors.” whisper. “I could only account for it so.” “What is that?” said Smith. “Turn up the gas? “You are proud of your brains, Holmes, are you Ah, the shadows begin to fall, do they? Yes, I will not? Think yourself smart, don’t you? You came turn it up, that I may see you the better.” He crossed across someone who was smarter this time. Now the room and the light suddenly brightened. ”Is cast your mind back, Holmes. Can you think of no there any other little service that I can do you, my other way you could have got this thing?” friend?” “I can’t think. My mind is gone. For heaven’s “A match and a cigarette.” sake help me!” I nearly called out in my joy and my amazement. “Yes, I will help you. I’ll help you to understand He was speaking in his natural voice—a little weak, just where you are and how you got there. I’d like perhaps, but the very voice I knew. There was a you to know before you die.” long pause, and I felt that Culverton Smith was standing in silent amazement looking down at his “Give me something to ease my pain.” companion. “Painful, is it? Yes, the coolies used to do some “What’s the meaning of this?” I heard him say squealing towards the end. Takes you as cramp, I at last in a dry, rasping tone. fancy.” “The best way of successfully acting a part is to “Yes, yes; it is cramp.” be it,” said Holmes. “I give you my word that for 6
9. three days I have tasted neither food nor drink until essential that I should impress Mrs. Hudson with you were good enough to pour me out that glass the reality of my condition, since she was to convey of water. But it is the tobacco which I find most it to you, and you in turn to him. You won’t be of- irksome. Ah, here are some cigarettes.” I heard fended, Watson? You will realize that among your the striking of a match. ”That is very much better. many talents dissimulation finds no place, and that Halloa! halloa! Do I hear the step of a friend?” if you had shared my secret you would never have There were footfalls outside, the door opened, been able to impress Smith with the urgent neces- and Inspector Morton appeared. sity of his presence, which was the vital point of the whole scheme. Knowing his vindictive nature, “All is in order and this is your man,” said I was perfectly certain that he would come to look upon his handiwork.” The officer gave the usual cautions. “But your appearance, Holmes—your ghastly “I arrest you on the charge of the murder of one face?” Victor Savage,” he concluded. “Three days of absolute fast does not improve “And you might add of the attempted murder one’s beauty, Watson. For the rest, there is nothing of one Sherlock Holmes,” remarked my friend with which a sponge may not cure. With vaseline upon a chuckle. “To save an invalid trouble, Inspector, one’s forehead, belladonna in one’s eyes, rouge Mr. Culverton Smith was good enough to give our over the cheek-bones, and crusts of beeswax round signal by turning up the gas. By the way, the pris- one’s lips, a very satisfying effect can be produced. oner has a small box in the right-hand pocket of his Malingering is a subject upon which I have some- coat which it would be as well to remove. Thank times thought of writing a monograph. A little you. I would handle it gingerly if I were you. Put occasional talk about half-crowns, oysters, or any it down here. It may play its part in the trial.” other extraneous subject produces a pleasing effect There was a sudden rush and a scuffle, followed of delirium.” by the clash of iron and a cry of pain. “But why would you not let me near you, since “You’ll only get yourself hurt,” said the inspec- there was in truth no infection?” tor. “Stand still, will you?” There was the click of the closing handcuffs. “Can you ask, my dear Watson? Do you imag- ine that I have no respect for your medical talents? “A nice trap!” cried the high, snarling voice. “It Could I fancy that your astute judgment would will bring you into the dock, Holmes, not me. He pass a dying man who, however weak, had no rise asked me to come here to cure him. I was sorry for of pulse or temperature? At four yards, I could him and I came. Now he will pretend, no doubt, deceive you. If I failed to do so, who would bring that I have said anything which he may invent my Smith within my grasp? No, Watson, I would which will corroborate his insane suspicions. You not touch that box. You can just see if you look at can lie as you like, Holmes. My word is always as it sideways where the sharp spring like a viper’s good as yours.” tooth emerges as you open it. I dare say it was “Good heavens!” cried Holmes. “I had totally by some such device that poor Savage, who stood forgotten him. My dear Watson, I owe you a thou- between this monster and a reversion, was done sand apologies. To think that I should have over- to death. My correspondence, however, is, as you looked you! I need not introduce you to Mr. Culver- know, a varied one, and I am somewhat upon my ton Smith, since I understand that you met some- guard against any packages which reach me. It what earlier in the evening. Have you the cab be- was clear to me, however, that by pretending that low? I will follow you when I am dressed, for I he had really succeeded in his design I might sur- may be of some use at the station. prise a confession. That pretence I have carried out “I never needed it more,” said Holmes as he with the thoroughness of the true artist. Thank you, refreshed himself with a glass of claret and some Watson, you must help me on with my coat. When biscuits in the intervals of his toilet. “However, as we have finished at the police-station I think that you know, my habits are irregular, and such a feat something nutritious at Simpson’s would not be means less to me than to most men. It was very out of place.” 7
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