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sherlock60This week we are reading The Adventure of the Dying Detective. It carries the theme of caught in the act.
Our story opens with Watson listing the faults which Mrs. Hudson could find with Holmes as her lodger, but his on time high rent payments and his kindness to her keeps her welcoming and in fact, urges her to Dr. Watson for a frightful story: Holmes is dying.
On their way to Baker Street, Mrs. Hudson details what happened -- a disease picked up from one of walks through London's underbelly -- and that while he hadn't stirred in days nor eaten or drank anything (though to be quite honest, I'm not sure how this is alarming to either given what we know of Holmes' nature), he had implored Mrs. Hudson to not seek any help. Only today did he let her seek out dear Watson, though when Watson arrives, Holmes asks him to not approach. Watson entreaties him, but Holmes says that the disease is incurable and that he cannot be touched for then Watson will get it. Watson conceeds to Holmes' wish, but presses on because by profession and friendship, he can't let Holmes die.
But when Watson goes to fetch someone who might have experience in treating the disease, Holmes locks him in the room and asks for two hours. Watson lets it go; Holmes sleeps. Watson become restless and starts looking around Baker Street, likely as someone who moved and is now back and curious about the changes. But when he touches a particular box, Holmes urges him to not touch it. So Watson resumes a silent, still vigil, and when the two hours are up, Holmes gives Watson his orders: to arrange papers and a box on a table just so and to fetch a Mr Culverton Smith whom Holmes claims knows the most about the disease and could not be found in his study until 6.
So Watson goes -- passing a frightened Mrs. Hudson and a policeman who heard that Holmes was ill -- and finds Mr Smith in his study. At first, Smith won't see Watson, but Watson pushes past the butler to make his case to Smith who, upon hearing all, follows Watson back to Baker Street.
There, Holmes instructs Watson to hide behind the bed if he won't leave the room and soon Smith enters. As Holmes had said before, Smith's nephew had contracted the disease and Holmes knew that Smith had caused it. Holmes begs for a cure in exchange for stopping the slander against Smith, but Smith refuses and then admits that he sent Holmes a box which caused Holmes to contract the disease. He stays in the room to watch Holmes die for the slander against his name and turns up the lights at Holmes' request.
The next Holmes asks for tobacco -- in a strong, clear voice. Even as Smith realizes that something is amiss, the policeman from earlier came to arrest Smith who protests which is when Holmes reveals Watson hiding, to corroborate Smith's admittance to murder and near murder. Holmes also reveals that the entire plot to trap Smith hinged on convincing Hudson who in turn would convince Watson.
And to top it off, Holmes admits that he couldn't have decieved Watson with the disease hence asking for distance even after he asked Mrs. Hudson to fetch Watson for help.
A short case, if a bit quick. Thoughts?
Our story opens with Watson listing the faults which Mrs. Hudson could find with Holmes as her lodger, but his on time high rent payments and his kindness to her keeps her welcoming and in fact, urges her to Dr. Watson for a frightful story: Holmes is dying.
On their way to Baker Street, Mrs. Hudson details what happened -- a disease picked up from one of walks through London's underbelly -- and that while he hadn't stirred in days nor eaten or drank anything (though to be quite honest, I'm not sure how this is alarming to either given what we know of Holmes' nature), he had implored Mrs. Hudson to not seek any help. Only today did he let her seek out dear Watson, though when Watson arrives, Holmes asks him to not approach. Watson entreaties him, but Holmes says that the disease is incurable and that he cannot be touched for then Watson will get it. Watson conceeds to Holmes' wish, but presses on because by profession and friendship, he can't let Holmes die.
But when Watson goes to fetch someone who might have experience in treating the disease, Holmes locks him in the room and asks for two hours. Watson lets it go; Holmes sleeps. Watson become restless and starts looking around Baker Street, likely as someone who moved and is now back and curious about the changes. But when he touches a particular box, Holmes urges him to not touch it. So Watson resumes a silent, still vigil, and when the two hours are up, Holmes gives Watson his orders: to arrange papers and a box on a table just so and to fetch a Mr Culverton Smith whom Holmes claims knows the most about the disease and could not be found in his study until 6.
So Watson goes -- passing a frightened Mrs. Hudson and a policeman who heard that Holmes was ill -- and finds Mr Smith in his study. At first, Smith won't see Watson, but Watson pushes past the butler to make his case to Smith who, upon hearing all, follows Watson back to Baker Street.
There, Holmes instructs Watson to hide behind the bed if he won't leave the room and soon Smith enters. As Holmes had said before, Smith's nephew had contracted the disease and Holmes knew that Smith had caused it. Holmes begs for a cure in exchange for stopping the slander against Smith, but Smith refuses and then admits that he sent Holmes a box which caused Holmes to contract the disease. He stays in the room to watch Holmes die for the slander against his name and turns up the lights at Holmes' request.
The next Holmes asks for tobacco -- in a strong, clear voice. Even as Smith realizes that something is amiss, the policeman from earlier came to arrest Smith who protests which is when Holmes reveals Watson hiding, to corroborate Smith's admittance to murder and near murder. Holmes also reveals that the entire plot to trap Smith hinged on convincing Hudson who in turn would convince Watson.
And to top it off, Holmes admits that he couldn't have decieved Watson with the disease hence asking for distance even after he asked Mrs. Hudson to fetch Watson for help.
A short case, if a bit quick. Thoughts?
