Sherlock Holmes complete collection by sir arthur conan doyle

His Last Bow THE DYING DETECTIV

MRS. HUDSON, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was a long-sufferingwoman. Not only was her first-floor flat invaded at all hours by throngs ofsingular and often undesirable characters but her remarkable lodgershowed an eccentricity and irregularity in his life which must have sorelytried her patience. His incredible untidiness, his addiction to music atstrange hours, his occasional revolver practice within doors, his weird andoften malodorous scientific experiments, and the atmosphere of violenceand danger which hung around him made him the very worst tenant inLondon. On the other hand, his payments were princely. I have no doubtthat the house might have been purchased at the price which Holmes paidfor his rooms during the years that I was with him.The landlady stood in the deepest awe of him and never dared tointerfere with him, however outrageous his proceedings might seem. Shewas fond of him, too, for he had a remarkable gentleness and courtesy inhis dealings with women. He disliked and distrusted the sex, but he wasalways a chivalrous opponent. Knowing how genuine was her regard forhim, I listened earnestly to her story when she came to my rooms in thesecond year of my married life and told me of the sad condition to whichmy poor friend was reduced."He's dying, Dr. Watson," said she. "For three days he has beensinking, and I doubt if he will last the day. He would not let me get adoctor. This morning when I saw his bones sticking out of his face and hisgreat bright eyes looking at me I could stand no more of it. 'With yourleave or without it, Mr. Holmes, I am going for a doctor this very hour,'said I. 'Let it be Watson, then,' said he. I wouldn't waste an hour incoming to him, sir, or you may not see him alive."I was horrified for I had heard nothing of his illness. I need not say thatI rushed for my coat and my hat. As we drove back I asked for the details."There is little I can tell you, sir. He has been working at a case downat Rotherhithe, in an alley near the river, and he has brought this illnessback with him. He took to his bed on Wednesday afternoon and has nevermoved since. For these three days neither food nor drink has passed hislips.""Good God! Why did you not call in a doctor?""He wouldn't have it, sir. You know how masterful he is. I didn't dareto disobey him. But he's not long for this world, as you'll see for yourselfthe moment that you set eyes on him."He was indeed a deplorable spectacle. In the dim light of a foggyNovember day the sick room was a gloomy spot, but it was that gaunt,wasted face staring at me from the bed which sent a chill to my heart. Hiseyes 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 coverlettwitched incessantly, his voice was croaking and spasmodic. He laylistlessly as I entered the room, but the sight of me brought a gleam ofrecognition to his eyes."Well, Watson, we seem to have fallen upon evil days," said he in afeeble voice, but with something of his old carelessness of manner."My dear fellow!" I cried, approaching him.[933] "Stand back! Stand right back!" said he with the sharpimperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis. "Ifyou approach me, Watson, I shall order you out of the house.""But why?""Because it is my desire. Is that not enough?"Yes, Mrs. Hudson was right. He was more masterful than ever. It waspitiful, however, to see his exhaustion."I only wished to help," I explained."Exactly! You will help best by doing what you are told.""Certainly, Holmes."He relaxed the austerity of his manner."You are not angry?" he asked, gasping for breath.Poor devil, how could I be angry when I saw him lying in such a plightbefore me?"It's for your own sake, Watson," he croaked."For my sake?""I know what is the matter with me. It is a coolie disease fromSumatra- a thing that the Dutch know more about than we, though theyhave made little of it up to date. One thing only is certain. It is infalliblydeadly, and it is horribly contagious."He spoke now with a feverish energy, the long hands twitching andjerking as he motioned me away."Contagious by touch, Watson-that's it, by touch. Keep your distance and all is well.""Good heavens, Holmes! Do you suppose that such a considerationweighs with me for an instant? It would not affect me in the case of astranger. Do you imagine it would prevent me from doing my duty to soold a friend?"Again I advanced, but he repulsed me with a look of furious anger."If you will stand there I will talk. If you do not you must leave theroom."I have so deep a respect for the extraordinary qualities of Holmes that Ihave always deferred to his wishes, even when I least understood them.But now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let him be my masterelsewhere, I at least was his in a sick room."Holmes," said I, "you are not yourself. A sick man is but a child, andso I will treat you. Whether you like it or not, I will examine yoursymptoms and treat you for them."He looked at me with venomous eyes."If I am to have a doctor whether I will or not, let me at least havesomeone in whom I have confidence," said he."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 andmediocre qualifications. It is painful to have to say these things, but youleave me no choice."I was bitterly hurt."Such a remark is unworthy of you, Holmes. It shows me very clearlythe state of your own nerves. But if you have no confidence in me I wouldnot 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 isfinal. If you think that I am going to stand here and see you die withouteither helping you myself or bringing anyone else to help you, then youhave mistaken your man."[934] "You mean well, Watson," said the sick man with somethingbetween a sob and a groan. "Shall I demonstrate your own ignorance?What do you know, pray, of Tapanuli fever? What do you know of theblack Formosa corruption?""I have never heard of either.""There are many problems of disease, many strange pathologicalpossibilities, in the East, Watson." He paused after each sentence tocollect his failing strength. "I have learned so much during some recentresearches which have a medico-criminal aspect. It was in the course ofthem that I contracted this complaint. You can do nothing.""Possibly not. But I happen to know that Dr. Ainstree, the greatestliving authority upon tropical disease, is now in London. Allremonstrance is useless, Holmes, I am going this instant to fetch him." Iturned resolutely to the door.Never have I had such a shock! In an instant, with a tiger-spring, thedying 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 pantingafter his one tremendous outflame of energy."You won't take the key from me by force, Watson, I've got you, myfriend. Here you are, and here you will stay until I will otherwise. But I'llhumour you." (All this in little gasps, with terrible struggles for breathbetween.) "You've only my own good at heart. Of course I know thatvery 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 contentto wait?""I seem to have no choice.""None in the world, Watson. Thank you, I need no help in arrangingthe clothes. You will please keep your distance. Now, Watson, there isone other condition that I would make. You will seek help, not from theman you mention, but from the one that I choose.""By all means.""The first three sensible words that you have uttered since you enteredthis room, Watson. You will find some books over there. I am somewhatexhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into anon-conductor? At six, Watson, we resume our conversation."But it was destined to be resumed long before that hour, and incircumstances 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 silentfigure in the bed. His face was almost covered by the clothes and heappeared to be asleep. Then, unable to settle down to reading, I walkedslowly round the room, examining the pictures of celebrated criminalswith which every wall was adorned. Finally, in my aimlessperambulation, I came to the mantelpiece. A litter of pipes, tobaccopouches, syringes, penknives, revolver-cartridges, and other debris wasscattered over it. In the midst of these was a small black and white ivorybox with a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had stretched out myhand to examine it more closely when- -It was a dreadful cry that he gave-a yell which might have been hearddown the street. My skin went cold and my hair bristled at that horriblescream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a convulsed face and franticeyes. I stood paralyzed, with the little box in my hand.[935] "Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson-this instant, I say!" Hishead sank back upon the pillow and he gave a deep sigh of relief as Ireplaced 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 doctor-you 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. Theviolent and causeless excitement, followed by this brutality of speech, sofar removed from his usual suavity, showed me how deep was thedisorganization 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 hardlysix 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, suchas they are you can put them in your watchpocket. And all the rest of yourmoney in your left trouserpocket. Thank you. It will balance you so muchbetter like that."This was raving insanity. He shuddered, and again made a soundbetween a cough and a sob."You will now light the gas, Watson, but you will be very careful thatnot for one instant shall it be more than half on. I implore you to becareful, Watson. Thank you, that is excellent. No, you need not draw theblind. Now you will have the kindness to place some letters and papersupon this table within my reach. Thank you. Now some of that litter fromthe mantelpiece. Excellent, Watson! There is a sugar-tongs there. Kindlyraise that small ivory box with its assistance. Place it here among thepapers. Good! You can now go and fetch Mr. Culverton Smith, of 13Lower Burke Street."To tell the truth, my desire to fetch a doctor had somewhat weakened,for poor Holmes was so obviously delirious that it seemed dangerous toleave him. However, he was as eager now to consult the person named ashe had been obstinate in refusing."I never heard the name," said I."Possibly not, my good Watson. It may surprise you to know that theman upon earth who is best versed in this disease is not a medical man,but a planter. Mr. Culverton Smith is a well-known resident of Sumatra,now visiting London. An outbreak of the disease upon his plantation,which was distant from medical aid, caused him to study it himself, withsome rather far-reaching consequences. He is a very methodical person,and I did not desire you to start before six, because I was well aware thatyou would not find him in his study. If you could persuade him to comehere and give us the benefit of his unique experience of this disease, theinvestigation of which has been his dearest hobby, I cannot doubt that hecould help me."I give Holmes's remarks as a consecutive whole and will not attempt toindicate how they were interrupted by gaspings for breath and thoseclutchings of his hands which indicated the pain from which he wassuffering. His appearance had changed [936] for the worse during the fewhours that I had been with him. Those hectic spots were morepronounced, the eyes shone more brightly out of darker hollows, and acold sweat glimmered upon his brow. He still retained, however, thejaunty gallantry of his speech. To the last gasp he would always be themaster. "You will tell him exactly how you have left me," said he. "You willconvey the very impression which is in your own mind-a dying man-adying and delirious man. Indeed, I cannot think why the whole bed of theocean is not one solid mass of oysters, so prolific the creatures seem. Ah,I am wandering! Strange how the brain controls the brain! What was Isaying, Watson?""My directions for Mr. Culverton Smith.""Ah, yes, I remember. My life depends upon it. Plead with him,Watson. There is no good feeling between us. His nephew, Watson-I hadsuspicions of foul play and I allowed him to see it. The boy died horribly.He has a grudge against me. You will soften him, Watson. Beg him, prayhim, get him here by any means. He can save me-only he!""I will bring him in a cab, if I have to carry him down to it.""You will do nothing of the sort. You will persuade him to come. Andthen you will return in front of him. Make any excuse so as not to comewith him. Don't forget, Watson. You won't fail me. You never did failme. No doubt there are natural enemies which limit the increase of thecreatures. You and I, Watson, we have done our part. Shall the world,then, be overrun by oysters? No, no; horrible! You'll convey all that is inyour mind."I left him full of the image of this magnificent intellect babbling like afoolish child. He had handed me the key, and with a happy thought I tookit with me lest he should lock himself in. Mrs. Hudson was waiting,trembling and weeping, in the passage. Behind me as I passed from theflat I heard Holmes's high, thin voice in some delirious chant. Below, as Istood whistling for a cab, a man came on me through the fog."How is Mr. Holmes, sir?" he asked.It was an old acquaintance, Inspector Morton, of Scotland Yard,dressed in unofficial tweeds."He is very ill," I answered.He looked at me in a most singular fashion. Had it not been toofiendish, I could have imagined that the gleam of the fanlight showedexultation in his face."I heard some rumour of it," said he.The cab had driven up, and I left him.Lower Burke Street proved to be a line of fine houses lying in thevague borderland between Notting Hill and Kensington. The particularone at which my cabman pulled up had an air of smug and demurerespectability in its old-fashioned iron railings, its massive folding-door,and its shining brasswork. All was in keeping with a solemn butler whoappeared framed in the pink radiance of a tinted electric light behind him."Yes, Mr. Culverton Smith is in. Dr. Watson! Very good, sir, I will takeup your card."My humble name and title did not appear to impress Mr. CulvertonSmith. Through the half-open door I heard a high, petulant, penetratingvoice."Who is this person? What does he want? Dear me, Staples, how oftenhave I said that I am not to be disturbed in my hours of study?"There came a gentle flow of soothing explanation from the butler. [937] "Well, I won't see him, Staples. I can't have my work interruptedlike this. I am not at home. Say so. Tell him to come in the morning if hereally must see me."Again the gentle murmur."Well, well, give him that message. He can come in the morning, or hecan stay away. My work must not be hindered."I thought of Holmes tossing upon his bed of sickness and counting theminutes, perhaps, until I could bring help to him. It was not a time tostand upon ceremony. His life depended upon my promptness. Before theapologetic butler had delivered his message I had pushed past him andwas in the room.With a shrill cry of anger a man rose from a reclining chair beside thefire. I saw a great yellow face, coarse-grained and greasy, with heavy,double-chin, and two sullen, menacing gray eyes which glared at me fromunder tufted and sandy brows. A high bald head had a small velvetsmoking-cap poised coquettishly upon one side of its pink curve. Theskull was of enormous capacity, and yet as I looked down I saw to myamazement that the figure of the man was small and frail, twisted in theshoulders and back like one who has suffered from rickets in hischildhood."What's this?" he cried in a high, screaming voice. "What is themeaning of this intrusion? Didn't I send you word that I would see you tomorrow morning?""I am sorry," said I, "but the matter cannot be delayed. Mr. Sherlock Holmes- -"The mention of my friend's name had an extraordinary effect upon thelittle man. The look of anger passed in an instant from his face. Hisfeatures became tense and alert."Have you come from Holmes?" he asked."I have just left him.""What about Holmes? How is he?""He is desperately ill. That is why I have come."The man motioned me to a chair, and turned to resume his own. As hedid so I caught a glimpse of his face in the mirror over the mantelpiece. Icould have sworn that it was set in a malicious and abominable smile. YetI persuaded myself that it must have been some nervous contractionwhich I had surprised, for he turned to me an instant later with genuineconcern upon his features."I am sorry to hear this," said he. "I only know Mr. Holmes throughsome business dealings which we have had, but I have every respect forhis talents and his character. He is an amateur of crime, as I am ofdisease. For him the villain, for me the microbe. There are my prisons,"he continued, pointing to a row of bottles and jars which stood upon aside table. "Among those gelatine cultivations some of the very worstoffenders in the world are now doing time.""It was on account of your special knowledge that Mr. Holmes desiredto see you. He has a high opinion of you and thought that you were theone 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 I could help himin his trouble?""Because of your knowledge of Eastern diseases.""But why should he think that this disease which he has contracted isEastern?""Because, in some professional inquiry, he has been working amongChinese sailors down in the docks."Mr. Culverton Smith smiled pleasantly and picked up his smoking-cap.[938] "Oh, that's it-is it?" said he. "I trust the matter is not so grave asyou suppose. How long has he been ill?""About three days.""Is he delirious?""Occasionally.""Tut, tut! This sounds serious. It would be inhuman not to answer hiscall. I very much resent any interruption to my work, Dr. Watson, but thiscase is certainly exceptional. I will come with you at once."I remembered Holmes's injunction."I have another appointment," said I."Very good. I will go alone. I have a note of Mr. Holmes's address.You can rely upon my being there within half an hour at most."It was with a sinking heart that I reentered Holmes's bedroom. For allthat I knew the worst might have happened in my absence. To myenormous relief, he had improved greatly in the interval. His appearancewas as ghastly as ever, but all trace of delirium had left him and he spoke in a feeble voice, it is true, but with even more than his usual crispnessand lucidity."Well, did you see him, Watson?""Yes; 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 ailed me?""I told him about the Chinese in the East End.""Exactly! Well, Watson, you have done all that a good friend could.You can now disappear from the scene.""I must wait and hear his opinion, Holmes.""Of course you must. But I have reasons to suppose that this opinionwould be very much more frank and valuable if he imagines that we arealone. There is just room behind the head of my bed, Watson.""My dear Holmes!""I fear there is no alternative, Watson. The room does not lend itself toconcealment, which is as well, as it is the less likely to arouse suspicion.But just there, Watson, I fancy that it could be done." Suddenly he sat upwith a rigid intentness upon his haggard face. "There are the wheels,Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don't budge, whateverhappens-whatever happens, do you hear? Don't speak! Don't move! Justlisten with all your ears." Then in an instant his sudden access of strengthdeparted, and his masterful, purposeful talk droned away into the low,vague murmurings of a semi-delirious man.From the hiding-place into which I had been so swiftly hustled I heardthe footfalls upon the stair, with the opening and the closing of thebedroom door. Then, to my surprise, there came a long silence, brokenonly by the heavy breathings and gaspings of the sick man. I couldimagine that our visitor was standing by the bedside and looking down atthe sufferer. At last that strange hush was broken."Holmes!" he cried. "Holmes!" in the insistent tone of one whoawakens a sleeper. "Can't you hear me, Holmes?" There was a rustling,as if he had shaken the sick man roughly by the shoulder."Is that you, Mr. Smith?" Holmes whispered. "I hardly dared hope thatyou would come."[939] The other laughed."I should imagine not," he said. "And yet, you see, I am here. Coals offire, Holmes-coals of fire!""It is very good of you-very noble of you. I appreciate your specialknowledge."Our visitor sniggered."You do. You are, fortunately, the only man in London who does. Doyou know what is the matter with you?""The same," said Holmes."Ah! You recognize the symptoms?""Only too well.""Well, I shouldn't be surprised, Holmes. I shouldn't be surprised if itwere the same. A bad lookout for you if it is. Poor Victor was a dead man on the fourth day-a strong, hearty young fellow. It was certainly, as yousaid, very surprising that he should have contracted an out-of-the-wayAsiatic disease in the heart of London-a disease, too, of which I had madesuch a very special study. Singular coincidence, Holmes. Very smart ofyou to notice it, but rather uncharitable to suggest that it was cause andeffect.""I knew that you did it.""Oh, you did, did you? Well, you couldn't prove it, anyhow. But whatdo you think of yourself spreading reports about me like that, and thencrawling to me for help the moment you are in trouble? What sort of agame is that-eh?"I heard the rasping, laboured breathing of the sick man. "Give me thewater!" he gasped."You're precious near your end, my friend, but I don't want you to gotill I have had a word with you. That's why I give you water. There, don'tslop it about! That's right. Can you understand what I say?"Holmes groaned."Do what you can for me. Let bygones be bygones," he whispered. "I'llput the words out of my head-I swear I will. Only cure me, and I'll forgetit.""Forget what?""Well, about Victor Savage's death. You as good as admitted just nowthat you had done it. I'll forget it.""You can forget it or remember it, just as you like. I don't see you inthe witness-box. Quite another shaped box, my good Holmes, I assureyou. It matters nothing to me that you should know how my nephew died.It's not him we are talking about. It's you.""Yes, yes.""The fellow who came for me-I've forgotten his name-said that youcontracted it down in the East End among the sailors.""I could only account for it so.""You are proud of your brains, Holmes, are you not? Think yourselfsmart, don't you? You came across someone who was smarter this time.Now cast your mind back, Holmes. Can you think of no other way youcould have got this thing?""I can't think. My mind is gone. For heaven's sake help me!""Yes, I will help you. I'll help you to understand just where you are andhow you got there. I'd like you to know before you die.""Give me something to ease my pain.""Painful, is it? Yes, the coolies used to do some squealing towards theend. Takes you as cramp, I fancy."[940] "Yes, yes; it is cramp.""Well, you can hear what I say, anyhow. Listen now! Can youremember any unusual incident in your life just about the time yoursymptoms began?""No, no; nothing.""Think again.""I'm too ill to think.""Well, then, I'll help you. Did anything come by post?" "By post?""A box by chance?""I'm fainting-I'm gone!""Listen, Holmes!" There was a sound as if he was shaking the dyingman, and it was all that I could do to hold myself quiet in my hidingplace. "You must hear me. You shall hear me. Do you remember abox-an ivory box? It came on Wednesday. You opened it-do youremember?""Yes, yes, I opened it. There was a sharp spring inside it. Some joke- -""It was no joke, as you will find to your cost. You fool, you would haveit and you have got it. Who asked you to cross my path? If you had leftme alone I would not have hurt you.""I remember," Holmes gasped. "The spring! It drew blood. This box-this on the table.""The very one, by George! And it may as well leave the room in mypocket. There goes your last shred of evidence. But you have the truthnow, Holmes, and you can die with the knowledge that I killed you. Youknew too much of the fate of Victor Savage, so I have sent you to share it.You are very near your end, Holmes. I will sit here and I will watch youdie."Holmes's voice had sunk to an almost inaudible whisper."What is that?" said Smith. "Turn up the gas? Ah, the shadows begin tofall, do they? Yes, I will turn it up, that I may see you the better." Hecrossed the room and the light suddenly brightened. "Is there any otherlittle service that I can do you, my friend?""A match and a cigarette."I nearly called out in my joy and my amazement. He was speaking inhis natural voice-a little weak, perhaps, but the very voice I knew. Therewas a long pause, and I felt that Culverton Smith was standing in silentamazement looking down at his companion."What's the meaning of this?" I heard him say at last in a dry, raspingtone."The best way of successfully acting a part is to be it," said Holmes. "Igive you my word that for three days I have tasted neither food nor drinkuntil you were good enough to pour me out that glass of water. But it isthe tobacco which I find most irksome. Ah, here are some cigarettes." Iheard the striking of a match. "That is very much better. Halloa! halloa!Do I hear the step of a friend?"There were footfalls outside, the door opened, and Inspector Mortonappeared."All is in order and this is your man," said Holmes.The officer gave the usual cautions."I arrest you on the charge of the murder of one Victor Savage," heconcluded."And you might add of the attempted murder of one Sherlock Holmes,"remarked my friend with a chuckle. "To save an invalid trouble,Inspector, Mr. Culverton Smith was good enough to give our signal byturning up the gas. By the way, the prisoner has a small box in the righthand pocket of his coat which it [941] would be as well to remove. Thank you. I would handle it gingerly if I were you. Put it down here. It mayplay its part in the trial."There was a sudden rush and a scuffle, followed by the clash of ironand a cry of pain."You'll only get yourself hurt," said the inspector. "Stand still, willyou?" There was the click of the closing handcuffs."A nice trap!" cried the high, snarling voice. "It will bring you into thedock, Holmes, not me. He asked me to come here to cure him. I was sorryfor him and I came. Now he will pretend, no doubt, that I have saidanything which he may invent which will corroborate his insanesuspicions. You can lie as you like, Holmes. My word is always as goodas yours.""Good heavens!" cried Holmes. "I had totally forgotten him. My dearWatson, I owe you a thousand apologies. To think that I should haveoverlooked you! I need not introduce you to Mr. Culverton Smith, since Iunderstand that you met somewhat earlier in the evening. Have you thecab below? I will follow you when I am dressed, for I may be of some useat the station."I never needed it more," said Holmes as he refreshed himself with aglass of claret and some biscuits in the intervals of his toilet. "However,as you know, my habits are irregular, and such a feat means less to methan to most men. It was very essential that I should impress Mrs. Hudsonwith the reality of my condition, since she was to convey it to you, andyou in turn to him. You won't be offended, Watson? You will realize that among your many talents dissimulation finds no place, and that if you hadshared my secret you would never have been able to impress Smith withthe urgent necessity of his presence, which was the vital point of thewhole scheme. Knowing his vindictive nature, I was perfectly certain thathe would come to look upon his handiwork.""But your appearance, Holmes-your ghastly face?""Three days of absolute fast does not improve one's beauty, Watson.For the rest, there is nothing which a sponge may not cure. With vaselineupon one's forehead, belladonna in one's eyes, rouge over the cheekbones, and crusts of beeswax round one's lips, a very satisfying effect canbe produced. Malingering is a subject upon which I have sometimesthought of writing a monograph. A little occasional talk about halfcrowns, oysters, or any other extraneous subject produces a pleasingeffect of delirium.""But why would you not let me near you, since there was in truth noinfection?""Can you ask, my dear Watson? Do you imagine that I have no respectfor your medical talents? Could I fancy that your astute judgment wouldpass a dying man who, however weak, had no rise of pulse ortemperature? At four yards, I could deceive you. If I failed to do so, whowould bring my Smith within my grasp? No, Watson, I would not touchthat box. You can just see if you look at it sideways where the sharpspring like a viper's tooth emerges as you open it. I dare say it was bysome such device that poor Savage, who stood between this monster anda reversion, was done to death. My correspondence, however, is, as youknow, a varied one, and I am somewhat upon my guard against anypackages which reach me. It was clear to me, however, that by pretendingthat he had really succeeded in his design I might surprise a confession.That pretence I have carried out with the thoroughness of the true artist.Thank you, Watson, you must help me on with my coat. When we havefinished at the police-station I think that something nutritious atSimpson's would not be out of place."