TheDying Detective

The Dying Detective ~ 155 BBlluueepprriinntt ffoorr RReeaaddiinngg magnifying glass, a considerable odd-lot Background Bytes of varied disguises, his cap, Put on your thinking caps. Grab your calabash pipe, violin, and chemistry set. notepad and pencil. Tuck your In fact, Holmes’ expertise was chemistry, magnifying glass into your pocket. And and his favorite readings were the actual turn up your brain power to full-strength. sensational horror stories of his century. You are about to meet the one and only But he was sharp at anatomy, and knew ! Who is Holmes? Why, just enough about botany and geology. he is the famous A-1 detective, super- He knew the laws of England. He could sleuth, mastermind, and champion of box and fence. And he had a certain flair justice! Mr. Holmes is a very, very for being dramatic, as you will see in The famous guy— world-famous . If you’ve Dying Detective . Among his many heard of him, here he is again. If not, it’s enemies were , “the time you did: Sherlock Holmes is the Napoleon of Crime,” Colonel Moran (the best-known detective in literature. second most dangerous man in ), Sherlock Holmes was created by Sir and Charles Augustus Milverton (the in 1886. Doyle was worst man in London). an eye doctor and a literary genius. He But for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who had sketched out Sherlock Holmes like this: created him, Sherlock Holmes was a In height he was rather over six feet, and character who took time away from his so excessively lean that he seemed to be other writing. He tried to kill off Holmes considerably taller. His eyes were sharp in The Final Solution , but there was a and piercing . . . . His thin, hawk-like nose gave his whole expression an air of public outcry. Holmes returned from the alertness and decision. brink of death in the next novel.

The world of Sherlock Holmes, his ability Sherlock Holmes stories have been to problem-solve, and his friendship with translated into more than fifty languages, Dr. Watson, grew on readers. Holmes and made into plays, films, a radio and Watson came alive, as though they series, a musical comedy, a ballet, were real people. They shared a home: advertisements, comic books, and Holmes and Watson lived at 221b Baker cartoons. By 1920, Doyle, who had Street. There, Sherlock had his famous grown up very poor, was one of the study, complete with notebook, most highly paid writers in the world.

156 ~ Unit I Into . . . The Dying Detective To Sherlock Holmes, there was no better pastime than the dangerous game of unraveling a terrible mystery. He was a lover of his game. And there was no more thrilling moment than when he could declare with glee, “The game is afoot.”

About himself, the detective says: “Give me problems, give me work . . . I abhor the dull routine of existence.” He adds, “My mind is like a racing engine . . . It is my business to know what other people don’t know.” In any of the cases that he cracked, did he ever guess? Says Sherlock, “No, no, I never guess. It is a shocking habit . . .” focus • Mystery and Drama • Language Arts Skill Welcome to mystery —to the scene of If you wanted to write a play, would a crime—and to the world of detective you know how to begin? Take a look work. Welcome to drama—to the at the first page of The Dying staging of a story by actors playing Detective . What do you see? parts. Will you be one of them? Every play has a title, a list of When the curtain rises, there’s our characters in the order that they hero, right in the middle of the stage, appear, and a list of the scenes. Each precisely where the star of the show scene has a heading. should be. Why, it is Sherlock The play opens with the setting Holmes, acting a part in a play. Will described in italics within brackets. we find out that he is also acting a Next, the playwright gives stage part in front of Mrs. Hudson and Dr. directions also in italics in brackets. Watson? Now the drama begins. Notice on The point of detective stories is not page 159 that every time a new what you know, but what you don’t character speaks, their name is given know. It is the job of the detective to in capital letters, followed by a period, find the truth. Sherlock always acts a and then their words. This is what part until he is ready to share the you need to get started, if you are solution and his deductions with the going to write your own play. reader and Dr. Watson.

The Dying Detective ~ 157 TheDying Detective From a story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Michael and Mollie Hardwick

CHARACTERS, IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE MRS . HUDSON double chin, and two sullen, menacing DR . WATSON gray eyes which glared at me from SHERLOCK HOLMES under tufted and sandy brows . . .” CULVERTON SMITH : “A great yellow face, INSPECTOR MORTON : Middle-aged, coarse-grained and greasy, with heavy tough, dressed in plain clothes.

Scene 1: Scene 2: Scene 3: Sherlock Holmes’s The same, dusk The same, evening bedroom, afternoon Scene One

[SHERLOCK HOLMES ’S bedroom at . The essential features are: a bed with a large wooden head, placed crosswise on the stage, the head a foot or two from one side wall; a small table near the bed-head, on the audience’s side, on which stand a carafe of water and a glass, and a tiny metal or ivory box; a window in the back wall, the curtains parted; and, under the window, a table or chest of drawers, on which stand a green wine bottle, some wine-glasses, a biscuit-barrel, and a lamp. Of course, there may be further lamps and any amount of furnishing and clutter: Holmes’s bedroom was adorned with pictures of celebrated criminals and littered with everything from tobacco pipes to revolver cartridges. ]

[There is daylight outside the window. SHERLOCK HOLMES lies in the bed on his back, tucked up to the chin and evidently asleep. He is very pale. MRS . HUDSON enters followed by DR . WATSON , who is wearing his coat and hat and carrying his small medical bag. MRS . HUDSON pauses for a moment. ] word carafe (kuh RAF) n.: a wide-mouthed container for holding liquids bank

158 ~ Unit I MRS . HUDSON . He’s asleep, sir.

[They approach the bed. WATSON comes round to the audience’s side and looks down at HOLMES for a moment. He shakes his head gravely, then he and MRS . HUDSON move away beyond the foot of the bed. WATSON takes off his hat and coat as they talk and she takes them from him. ]

WATSON . This is dreadful, Mrs. Hudson. He was perfectly hale and hearty when I Wednesday night when I heard a faint went away only three days ago. knocking at the street door. I . . . I found MRS . HUDSON . I know, sir. Oh, Dr. Mr. Holmes there. He could hardly stand. Watson, sir, I’m glad that you’ve come Just muttered to me to help him up to his back. If anyone can save Mr. Holmes, bed here, and he’s barely spoken since.

I’m sure you can. WATSON . Dear me! WATSON . I shall have to know what is the MRS . HUDSON . Won’t take food or drink. matter with him first. Mrs. Hudson, Just lies there, sleeping or staring in a please tell me, as quickly as you can, wild sort of way. how it all came about. WATSON . But, goodness gracious, Mrs. MRS . HUDSON . Yes, sir. Mr. Holmes has Hudson, why did you not send for been working lately on some case down another doctor in my absence? near the river—Rotherhithe, I think. MRS . HUDSON . Oh, I told him WATSON . Yes, yes. I know. straightaway I was going to do that, sir. MRS . HUDSON . Well, you know what he is But he got so agitated—almost shouted for coming in at all hours. I was just that he wouldn’t allow any doctor on the taking my lamp to go to my bed on premises. You know how masterful he is, Dr. Watson.

word agitated (AJ uh tayt ed) v.: disturbed; emotional and upset bank premises (PREM us ez) n.: a building and its grounds

The Dying Detective ~ 159 WATSON . Indeed. But you could have HOLMES . [Urgently ] No, no! Keep back! telegraphed for me. WATSON . Eh? [MRS . HUDSON appears embarrassed. ] HOLMES . Mustn’t come near. MRS . HUDSON . Well, sir . . . WATSON . Now, look here, Holmes . . . ! WATSON . But you didn’t. Why, Mrs. HOLMES . If you come near . . . order you Hudson? out of the house. MRS . HUDSON . Sir, I don’t like to tell you, WATSON . [defiantly ] Hah! but . . . well, Mr. Holmes said he wouldn’t even have you to see him. HOLMES . For your own sake, Watson. Contracted . . . a disease—from Sumatra. 1 WATSON . What? This is monstrous! I, his Very little known, except that most oldest friend, and . . . deadly. Contagious by touch. So . . . [HOLMES groans and stirs slightly. ] must keep away.

Ssh! He’s waking! You go along, Mrs. WATSON . Utter rubbish. Holmes! Mrs. Hudson, and leave this to me. Whether Hudson tells me she helped you to your he likes it or not, I shall ensure that bed. There’s nothing the matter with her.

everything possible is done. 2 HOLMES . Period of . . . incubation. Only MRS . HUDSON . Thank you, sir. You’ll ring dangerous after two or three days. if I can be of help. Deadly by now.

[She exits with WATSON ’S things. HOLMES WATSON . Good heavens, do you suppose groans again and flings out an arm such a consideration weighs with me? restlessly. WATSON comes to the Even if I weren’t a doctor, d’you think it audience’s side of the bed and sits on it. ] would stop me doing my duty to an old

WATSON . Holmes? It’s I—Watson.

HOLMES . [Sighs ] Ahh! Well, Watson? We 1. Sumatra (soo MAH truh) is the largest island of Indonesia, a country comprised of a chain of . . . we seem to have fallen on evil days. islands in the Indian Ocean. 2. The period of incubation (in kyuh BAY shun) WATSON . My dear fellow! of an illness is the period of time between when a person first becomes infected with a disease [He moves to reach for HOLMES ’S pulse. ] and the time the symptoms of the disease appear.

160 ~ Unit I friend? Now, let’s have a good look at but you leave me no choice. you. [ He moves forward again. ] WATSON . [Coldly ] Thank you. I’ll tell you HOLMES . [Harshly ] I tell you to keep this, Holmes. Such a remark, coming back! from you, merely serves to tell me what state your nerves are in. Still, if you WATSON . See here, Holmes . . . insist that you have no confidence in me, HOLMES . If you will stay where you are, I will not intrude my services. But what I I will talk to you. If you will not, you shall do is to summon Sir Jasper Meek can get out. or Penrose Fisher, or any of the other WATSON . Holmes! [ Recovering ] Holmes, best men in London. you aren’t yourself. You’re sick and as HOLMES . [Groans ] My . . . dear Watson. helpless as a child. Whether you like it You mean well. But do you suppose or not, I’m going to examine you and they—any of them—know of the treat you. Tapanuli Fever? HOLMES . [Sneering ] If I’m to be forced WATSON . The Tap . . . ? to have a doctor, let him at least be HOLMES . What do you yourself know of someone I’ve some confidence in. the Black Formosa Corruption? WATSON . Oh! You . . . After all these WATSON . Tapanuli Fever? Black Formosa years, Holmes, you haven’t . . . Corruption? I’ve never heard of either of confidence in me? ’em. HOLMES . In your friendship, Watson— HOLMES . Nor have your colleagues. yes. But facts are facts. As a medical There are many problems of disease, man you’re a mere general practitioner, many pathological 3 possibilities, peculiar of limited experience and mediocre to the East. So I’ve learned during some qualifications. of my recent researches. It was in the WATSON . Well . . . ! Well, really! 3. Pathological (PATH uh LOJ ih kul) means HOLMES . It is painful to say such things, caused or affected by disease.

word mediocre (meed ee OH kur) adj.: average; not very good, but not too bad bank

The Dying Detective ~ 161 course of one of them that I WATSON . Four o’clock. contracted this complaint. I HOLMES . Then at six you can assure you, Watson, you can go. do nothing. WATSON . This is insanity! WATSON . Can’t I? I happen to know, Holmes, that the HOLMES . Only two hours, greatest living authority on Watson. I promise you may tropical disease, Dr. go then. Ainstree, is in London just now. WATSON . Hang it, this is urgent, man!

HOLMES . [Beseeching ] Watson! HOLMES . I will see no one before six. I

WATSON . All remonstrance is useless. I will not be examined. I shall resist! am going this instant to fetch him. [ He WATSON . [Sighing ] Oh, have it your own gets up ] way, then. But I insist on staying with

HOLMES . [A great cry ] No! you in the meantime. You need an eye keeping on you, Holmes. WATSON . Eh? Holmes . . . my dear fellow . . . HOLMES . Very well, Watson. And now I must sleep. I feel exhausted. [ Drowsily ] I HOLMES . Watson, in the name of our old wonder how a battery feels when it pours friendship, do as I ask. electricity into a non-conductor? WATSON . But . . . WATSON . Eh? HOLMES . You have only my own good at HOLMES . [Yawning ] At six, Watson, we heart. Of course, I know that. You . . . resume our conversation. you shall have your way. Only . . . give me time to . . . to collect my strength. [He lies back and closes his eyes. What is the time now? WATSON makes as though to move, but thinks better of it. He sits still, watching [WATSON sits again and consults his HOLMES . A slow black-out ] watch. ]

word remonstrance (rih MAHN struns) n.: objection; protest bank

162 ~ Unit I Scene Two

WATSON . Really!

[The stage lights up again, though more HOLMES . Now, for heaven’s sake, sit still, dimly than before, to disclose the same and let me have my rest. scene. Twilight is apparent through the WATSON . Holmes, it is almost six window. HOLMES lies motionless. WATSON o’clock, and I refuse to delay another sits as before, though with his head instant. [ He gets up determinedly. ] sagging, half asleep. His chin drops suddenly and he wakes with a jerk. He HOLMES . Really? Watson, have you any glances around, sees the twilight outside, change in your pocket? and consults his watch. He yawns, flexes WATSON . Yes. his arms, then proceeds to glance idly HOLMES . Any silver? about him. His attention is caught by the little box on the bedside table. Stealthily, WATSON . [Fishing out his change ] A he reaches over and picks it up. ] good deal.

HOLMES . [Very loudly and urgently ] No! HOLMES . How many half-crowns? No, Watson, no! WATSON . Er, five.

WATSON . [Startled ] Eh? What? HOLMES . [Sighing ] Ah, too few, too few. [HOLMES starts up onto his elbow. ] However, such as they are, you can put them in your watch-pocket—and all the HOLMES . Put it down! Down this instant! rest of your money in your left trouser- Do as I say, Watson! pocket. It will balance you so much WATSON . Oh! All right, then. [ Putting the better like that. box down. ] Look here, Holmes, I really WATSON . Balance . . . ? Holmes, you’re think . . . raving! This has gone too far . . . ! HOLMES . I hate to have my things HOLMES . You will now light that lamp by touched. You know perfectly well I do. the window, Watson, but you will be WATSON . Holmes . . . ! very careful that not for one instant shall HOLMES . You fidget me beyond it be more than at half flame. endurance. You, a doctor—you’re WATSON . Oh, very well. [ WATSON goes to enough to drive a patient into an asylum! the lamp and strikes a match. ]

The Dying Detective ~ 163 HOLMES . I implore you to be careful.

WATSON . [As though humoring him ] Yes, Holmes. [He lights the lamp, carefully keeping the flame low. He moves to draw the curtains. ]

HOLMES . No, you need not draw the curtains.

[WATSON leaves them and comes back round the bed. ] So! Good. You may now go and fetch a specialist.

WATSON . Well, thank heaven for that.

HOLMES . His name is Mr. Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower Burke Street.

WATSON . [Staring ] Eh?

HOLMES . Well, go on, man. You could hardly wait to fetch someone before.

WATSON . Yes, but . . . Culverton Smith? I’ve never heard the name!

HOLMES . Possibly not. It may surprise you to know that the one man who knows everything about this disease is HOLMES . His plantation is far from not a medical man. He’s a planter. medical aid. An outbreak of this disease WATSON . A planter! there caused him to study it intensely.

word implore (im PLORE) v.: beg; plead bank

164 ~ Unit I He’s a very methodical man, and I asked him here by any means. you not to go before six because I knew WATSON . Very well. I’ll bring him in a you wouldn’t find him in his study till cab, if I have to carry him down to it. then. HOLMES . You will do nothing of the sort. WATSON . Holmes, I . . . I never heard You will persuade him to come—and such a . . . ! then return before him. [ Deliberately ] HOLMES . You will tell him exactly how Make any excuse so as not to come with you have left me. A dying man. him. Don’t forget that, Watson. You won’t fail me. You never did fail me. WATSON . No, Holmes! WATSON . That’s all very well, Holmes, HOLMES . At any rate, delirious. Yes, not dying, delirious. [ Chuckles ] No, I really but . . . can’t think why the whole ocean bed HOLMES . [Interrupting ] Then, shall the isn’t one solid mass of oysters. world be overrun by oysters? No doubt there are natural enemies which limit WATSON . Oysters? their increase. And yet . . . No, horrible, HOLMES . They’re so prolific, you know. horrible! WATSON . Great Heavens! Now, Holmes, WATSON . [Grimly ] I’m going, Holmes. you just lie quiet, and . . . Say no more, I’m going! HOLMES . Strange how the mind controls [He hurries out. HOLMES remains the brain. Er, what was I saying, Watson? propped up for a moment, staring after WATSON . You were . . . WATSON , then sinks back into a sleeping posture as the stage blacks out. ] HOLMES . Ah, I remember. Culverton Smith. My life depends on him, Watson. But you will have to plead with him to come. There is no good feeling between us. He has . . . a grudge. I rely on you to soften him. Beg, Watson. Pray. But get

word methodical (muh THAHD ih kul) adj.: orderly and organized bank prolific (pruh LIF ik) adj.: highly productive

The Dying Detective ~ 165 Scene Three

him your message. It wasn’t until I [The stage lights up on the same scene. mentioned the name, Sherlock Holmes . . HOLMES lies still. It is now quite dark . outside. After a moment WATSON bustles HOLMES . Ah! in, pulling off his coat. He pauses to WATSON . Quite changed him—but I hand it to MRS . HUDSON , who is behind wouldn’t say it was for the better. him. ] HOLMES . Tell me what he said. WATSON . Thank you, Mrs. Hudson. A gentleman will be calling very shortly. WATSON . Said you’d had some business Kindly show him up here immediately. dealings together, and that he respected your character and talents. Described you MRS . HUDSON . Yes, sir. as an amateur of crime, in the way that [She exits. Watson approaches the bed. ] he regards himself as an amateur of

HOLMES . [Drowsily ] Watson? disease. HOLMES WATSON . Yes, Holmes. How are you . Quite typical—and surely, quite feeling? fair? WATSON HOLMES . Much the same, I fear. Is . Quite fair—if he hadn’t put Culverton Smith coming? such sarcasm into saying it. No, Holmes, you said he bears you some grudge. WATSON . Should be here any minute. It Mark my words, as soon as he has left took me some minutes to find a cab, and this house I insist upon calling a I almost expected him to have got here recognized specialist. first. HOLMES . My dear Watson, you are the HOLMES . Well done, my dear Watson. best of messengers. Thank you again. WATSON . I must say, Holmes, I’m only WATSON . Not at all. Holmes, Holmes— doing this to humor you. Frankly, I let me help you without any of this didn’t take to your planter friend at all. nonsense. The whole of Great Britain HOLMES . Oh? How so? will condemn me otherwise. Why, my cabmen both inquired anxiously after WATSON . Rudeness itself. He almost you; and so did Inspector Morton . . . showed me the door before I could give

166 ~ Unit I HOLMES . Morton? at all.

WATSON . Of the Yard. He was passing [He goes behind the bed-head and our door just now as I came in. Seemed conceals himself. MRS . HUDSON enters, extremely concerned. looks round the room and then at HOLMES . SMITH enters behind her. ] HOLMES . Scotland Yard concerned for me? How very touching! And now, MRS . HUDSON . [To SMITH ] Oh, Dr. Watson Watson, you may disappear from the must have let himself out. No doubt he’ll scene. be back directly, sir.

WATSON . Disappear! I shall do no such SMITH . No matter, my good woman. thing. I wish to be present when this [MRS . HUDSON bristles at this form of Culverton Smith arrives. I wish to hear address. ] every word of this so-called medical expert’s opinion. You may leave me alone with your master. HOLMES . [Turning his head ] Yes, of course. Then I think you will just find MRS . HUDSON . As you wish— sir. room behind the head of the bed. [She sweeps out. SMITH advances slowly

WATSON . What? Hide? to the bed and stands at the foot, staring at the reclining HOLMES .] HOLMES . I have reason to suppose that his opinion will be much more frank and SMITH . [Almost to himself ] So, Holmes. valuable if he imagines he is alone with It has come to this, then. me. [HOLMES stirs. SMITH chuckles and leans

[We hear the murmur of MRS . HUDSON ’S his arms on the bed-foot and his chin on HOLMES and CULVERTON SMITH ’S voices off-stage. ] them, continuing to watch .] Listen! I hear him coming. Get behind HOLMES . [Weakly ] Watson? Who . . . ? the bed, Watson, and do not budge, Smith? Smith, is that you? whatever happens. Whatever happens, SMITH . [Chuckles ] you understand? HOLMES . I . . . I hardly dared hope you WATSON . Oh, all right, Holmes. Anything would come. to please you. But I don’t like this. Not

The Dying Detective ~ 167 SMITH . I should imagine not. And yet, SMITH . [Snarling ] Did you? Well, you see, I’m here. Coals of fire, 4 proving it is a different matter, Holmes. Holmes—coals of fire! But what sort of a game is this, then— spreading lying reports about me one HOLMES . Noble of you . . . moment, then crawling to me for help SMITH . Yes, isn’t it? the next? HOLMES . I appreciate your special HOLMES . [Gasping ] Give . . . give me knowledge. water. For . . . pity’s sake, Smith. Water! SMITH . Then you’re the only man in [SMITH hesitates momentarily, then goes London who does. Do you know what is to the table and pours a glass from the the matter with you? carafe. ] HOLMES . The same as young Victor— SMITH . You’re precious near your end, your cousin. my friend, but I don’t want you to go till SMITH . Ah, then you recognize the I’ve had a word with you.

symptoms. Well, then, it’s a bad look-out [He holds out the glass to HOLMES , who for you. Victor was a strong, hearty struggles up feebly to take it and drinks. ] young fellow—but a dead man on the HOLMES . [Gulping water ] Ah! Thank . . . fourth day. As you said at the time, it thank you. Please . . . do what you can was rather surprising that he should for me. Only cure me, and I promise to contract an out-of-the-way Asiatic forget. disease in the heart of London—a disease of which I have made such a SMITH . Forget what? very special study. [ Chuckles ] And now, HOLMES . About Victor Savage’s death. you, Holmes. Singular coincidence, eh? You as good as admitted just now that Or are you going to start making you had done it. I swear I will forget it. accusations once again—about cause and effect and so on? SMITH . [Laughs ] Forget it, remember it—

HOLMES . I . . . I knew you caused Victor 4. Coals of fire refers to a phrase in the Book of Savage’s death. Proverbs wherein hot coals are heaped on the head of the enemy. [SMITH comes round the bed. ]

168 ~ Unit I do as you like. I don’t see you in any shall hear me! Don’t you remember a witness-box, Holmes. Quite another box—a little ivory box? [ He sees it on shape of box, I assure you. But you must the table and holds it up. ] Yes, here it is hear first how it came about. on your bedside table. It came on Wednesday. You opened it—do you HOLMES . Working amongst Chinese sailors. Down at the docks. remember? HOLMES . Box? Opened? Yes, yes! There SMITH . Proud of your brains, aren’t you? Think yourself smart? Well, you’ve met was . . . sharp spring inside. Pricked my a smarter one this time. finger. Some sort of joke . . . SMITH . It was no joke, Holmes. You fool! [HOLMES falls back, groaning loudly. ] Who asked you to cross my path? If Getting painful, is it? you’d only left me alone I would never [HOLMES cries out, writhing in agony. ]

SMITH . That’s the way. Takes you as a cramp, I fancy?

HOLMES . Cramp! Cramp!

SMITH . Well, you can still hear me. Now, can’t you just remember any unusual incident—just about the time your symptoms began?

HOLMES . I . . . can’t think. My mind is gone! Help me, Smith!

SMITH . Did nothing come to you through the post, for instance?

HOLMES . Post? Post?

SMITH . Yes. A little box, perhaps?

HOLMES . [A shuddering groan ]

SMITH . [Closer; deadly ] Listen! You

The Dying Detective ~ 169 have hurt you. HOLMES . [In a clear, strong voice ] A match and my pipe, if you please. HOLMES . Box! Yes! Pricked finger. Poison! [He sits bolt upright. SMITH spins round to see him. ] SMITH . [Triumphantly ] So you do remember. Good, good! I’m glad indeed. SMITH . Eh? What the blazes is the Well, the box leaves this room in my meaning of this? pocket, and there’s your last shred of HOLMES . [Cheerfully ] The best way of evidence gone. [ He pockets it. ] But you successfully acting a part is to be it. I have the truth now, Holmes. You can die give you my word that for three days I knowing that I killed you. You knew too have neither tasted food nor drink until much about what happened to Victor you were good enough to pour me out Savage, so you must share his fate. Yes, that glass of water. But it’s the tobacco I Holmes, you are very near your end now. find most irksome. I think I shall sit here and watch you die. [He sits on the bed. ] [We hear the thud of footsteps running upstairs off-stage. ] HOLMES . [Almost a whisper ] The . . . shadows . . . falling. Getting . . . so dark. Hello, hello! Do I hear the step of a I can’t see. Smith! Smith, are you there? friend? The light . . . for charity’s sake, turn up [INSPECTOR MORTON hurries in. ] the light! MORTON . Mr. Holmes? [SMITH laughs, gets up and goes to the HOLMES . Inspector Morton, this is your light. ] man. SMITH . Entering the valley of the SMITH . What is the meaning of . . . ? shadow, eh, Holmes? Yes, I’ll turn up the light for you. I can watch your face more MORTON . Culverton Smith, I arrest you plainly, then. [ He turns the flame up on the charge of the murder of one full. ] There! Now, is there any further Victor Savage, and I must warn you that service I can render you? anything you say . . .

word irksome (URK sum) adj.: irritating bank

170 ~ Unit I SMITH . You’ve got nothing on me! It’s all will corroborate his insane suspicions. a trick! A pack of lies! Well, you can lie as you like, Holmes. My word’s as good as yours. [He makes to escape. MORTON restrains him. ] HOLMES . Good heavens! I’d completely forgotten him! MORTON . Keep still, or you’ll get yourself hurt! MORTON . Forgotten who, sir?

SMITH . Get off me! HOLMES . Watson, my dear fellow! Do come out! MORTON . Hold your hands out! [WATSON emerges with cramped groans. ] [They struggle. MORTON gets out handcuffs and claps them on SMITH ’S I owe you a thousand apologies. To think wrists. ] that I should have overlooked you!

That’ll do. WATSON . It’s all right, Holmes. Would have come out before, only you said, HOLMES . By the way, Inspector, you might add the attempted murder of one whatever happened, I wasn’t to budge. Sherlock Holmes to that charge. Oh, and SMITH . What’s all this about? you’ll find a small box in the pocket of HOLMES . I needn’t introduce you to my your prisoner’s coat. Pray, leave it on the witness, my friend Dr. Watson. I table, here. Handle it gingerly, though. It understand you met somewhat earlier in may play its part at his trial. the evening. [MORTON retrieves the box and places it SMITH . You . . . you mean you had all on the table. ] this planned? SMITH . Trial! You’ll be the one in the HOLMES . Of course. To the last detail. I dock, Holmes. Inspector, he asked me to think I may say it worked very well— come here. He was ill, and I was sorry with your assistance, of course. for him, so I came. Now he’ll pretend I’ve said anything he cares to invent that SMITH . Mine?

word corroborate (kuh RAHB uh rayt) v.: support, confirm bank

The Dying Detective ~ 171 HOLMES . You saved an invalid trouble by mean, taking in Mrs. Hudson— and me — giving my signal to Inspector Morton, like that. Scared us half to death. waiting outside. You turned up the lamp. HOLMES . It was very essential that I [SMITH and WATSON are equally should make Mrs. Hudson believe in my flabbergasted. ] condition. She was to convey it to you, and you to him. MORTON . I’d better take him along now, sir. [ To SMITH ] Come on. WATSON . Well . . .

[He bundles SMITH roughly toward the HOLMES . Pray do not be offended, my door. ] good Watson. You must admit that We’ll see you down at the Yard tomorrow, perhaps, Mr. Holmes? 5. Claret (KLAHR et) is a kind of wine.

HOLMES . Very well, Inspector. And many thanks.

WATSON . Goodbye, Inspector.

[MORTON exits with SMITH .] [Chuckles ] Well, Holmes?

HOLMES . Well, Watson, there’s a bottle of claret 5 over there—it is uncorked—and some biscuits in the barrel. If you’ll be so kind, I’m badly in need of both.

[WATSON goes to fetch them. ]

WATSON . Certainly. You know, Holmes, all this seems a pretty, well, elaborate way to go about catching that fellow. I

word dissimulation (dih sim yoo LAY shun) n.: pretending to be what one is not bank

172 ~ Unit I among your many talents, dissimulation HOLMES . Yes. I’ve sometimes thought of scarcely finds a place. If you’d shared writing a monograph 7 on the subject of my secret, you would never have been pretending. able to impress Smith with the urgent WATSON . But why wouldn’t you let me necessity of coming to me. It was the near you? There was no risk of infection. vital point of the whole scheme. I knew his vindictive nature, and I was certain HOLMES . Whatever I may have said to he would come to gloat over his the contrary in the grip of delirium, do handiwork. you imagine that I have no respect for your medical talents? Could I imagine WATSON returns with the bottle, glasses [ that you would be deceived by a dying and barrel. ] man with no rise of pulse or WATSON . But . . . but your appearance, temperature? At four yards’ distance I Holmes. Your face! You really do look could deceive you. ghastly. [WATSON reaches for the box. ] HOLMES . Three days of absolute fast WATSON . This box, then . . . does not improve one’s beauty, Watson. However, as you know, my habits are HOLMES . No, Watson. I wouldn’t touch irregular, and such a feat means less to it. You can just see, if you look at it me than to most men. For the rest, there sideways, where the sharp spring is nothing that a sponge won’t cure. emerges as you open it. I dare say it was Vaseline to produce the glistening by some such device that poor young forehead; belladonna 6 for the watering of Savage was done to death. He stood the eyes; rouge over the cheekbones and between that monster and an inheritance, crust of beeswax round one’s lips . . . . you know.

WATSON . [Chuckling ] And that babbling 6. Belladonna (bel uh DAHN uh) is a poisonous plant used both as a medication and as a about oysters! [ He begins pouring the cosmetic. 7. A monograph (MAHN uh graf) is a research wine. ] paper.

word vindictive (vin DIK tiv) adj.: vengeful; wanting to get even with someone bank

The Dying Detective ~ 173 WATSON . Then it’s true, Holmes! . . . you might have been killed, too!

HOLMES . As you know, my correspondence is a varied one. I am somewhat on my guard against any packages which reach me. But I saw that by pretending he had succeeded in his design I might be enabled to surprise a confession from him. That pretense I think I may claim to have carried out About the Author with the thoroughness of a true artist. MOLLIE & MICHAEL WATSON . [Warmly ] You certainly did, HARDWICK were a husband- Holmes. Er, a biscuit? [ He holds out the and-wife British writing team. barrel. ] Their career was notable for their HOLMES . On second thought, Watson, no ability to co-write great detective thank you. Let us preserve our appetite. stories. Mollie’s birth date in By the time I have shaved and dressed, I Manchester, England is unknown, fancy it will just be a nice time for but Michael was born in Leeds, something nutritious at our little place in England in 1924. They each died the Strand. 8 in 1991. Mollie individually published several popular works [They raise their glasses to one another of historical fiction. Her husband and drink. The curtain falls. ] was known for writing companion pieces to Sir Arthur 8. The Strand is a well-known shopping and entertainment district in London, England. Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. He was also a playwright and a director. The Hardwicks shared a writing study and only interrupted each other’s work “by word correspondence (kor uh SPAHN bank duns) n.: communication by appointment.” exchange of letters

174 ~ Unit I first impressions The show’s opening scene features SSttuuddyyiinngg tthhee SSeelleeccttiioonn Sherlock Holmes tucked in his bed, Dr. Watson fussing about, and Mrs. Hudson doing her duties. What quick review instantly strikes you? 1. What is the time period in which the drama occurs?

2. Who is Mrs. Hudson? include your title, your cast of 3. Who is Dr. Watson? characters, a list of scenes, the words “Scene One,” followed by your 4. Why is Sherlock in bed as the setting and stage directions in play opens? brackets. Refer to the first page of 5. Who is Culverton Smith? The Dying Detective for a model. focus Creating and writing 1. How is The Dying Detective a play 1. Write a prose paragraph, within a play? summarizing the action in Scene

2. You are beginning to work on a new One of the play you began to write play. Before you begin to write the in Focus #2. actual play, you need to create the 2. Write the first page of your script. first page. You have promised Follow the format on page 159. At yourself you will complete it by this least two of your characters should evening. Your first page should be speaking with each other.

The Dying Detective ~ 175