The Dying Detective Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 The Dying Detective Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from English Literature (Supplementary Reader) Book
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PSEB Class 10 English Chapter 4 – The Dying Detective
by Arthur Conan Doyle
Mrs. Hudson, Detective Sherlock Holmes’s landlady, sought out John Watson, his assistant. She informed him of Holmes’ illness. Watson, horrified, promptly accompanied the landlady to where Sherlock Holmes lived to save his master. He found his master in a delirious and fatal state, and yet, Sherlock Holmes refused to accept help and instead asked Watson to do strange tasks.
- The Dying Detective Summary
- The Dying Detective Summary in Hindi
- The Dying Detective Theme
- The Dying Detective Explanation
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The Dying Detective Summary
Mrs. Hudson, Detective Sherlock Holmes’s landlady, sought out John Watson, his assistant. She informed him of Holmes’ illness. Watson, horrified, promptly accompanied the landlady to where Sherlock Holmes lived to save his master. He asked the landlady about the disease. All the woman could tell was that he had been solving a case in Rotherhithe, when he contracted the disease. Shaking and crying in sorrow, she explained how he had not eaten or drunk anything, refusing to leave the bed or letting the landlady call a doctor for him. He reached the sick-room and found his master in a delirious and fatal state, and yet, Sherlock Holmes refused to accept help. He told Watson that he could not treat him because of his inadequate knowledge about Eastern diseases. When Watson offered to bring in another doctor, Holmes made a show of being in too much pain and not wanting to be seen by the doctor. He locked the door of the sick-room and took the key, ordering him to stay for two hours. Watson complied and he paced the room. He then touched an intriguing box, not knowing that it was dangerous. Holmes, not wanting Watson to be in danger but not wanting the truth to be revealed, simply made a show of being upset because Watson touched his belongings, and the assistant put the box back immediately. After those two hours, Holmes acted delirious by asking his assistant to do some strange tasks. When he finally asked him to bring a man who could cure him, Watson was afraid of leaving the delirious man alone. Outside the room, Mrs. Hudson was quietly crying at the detective’s condition and below the floor, he had a very brief interaction with Inspector Morton. He went to Smith, the planter who was from Sumatra and had knowledge about Eastern diseases. Smith did not seem to want to talk to anyone but when Watson said the name ‘Sherlock Holmes’, Smith immediately became cooperative. He agreed to come visit the detective to help him. Following his master’s instructions, he went back without Smith and hid in the room beside the sick-room. Then, he heard Smith arrive and Holmes talked about the symptoms he was experiencing. Smith then said that it was exactly how his nephew Victor had died, and Sherlock said that he knew that Victor’s death was not because of just a disease, but a murder, and that Smith was behind it. Smith did not deny it but said in arrogance and overconfidence that Sherlock could not prove it. It was then revealed that the mysterious ivory box was the box that made people sick and now that Smith was here, he would take the box with him and act like the detective had died of the disease before he could save him. Holmes then went back to normal, dropping his act of being ill, and told the planter to turn up the gas, which he did. The detective then revealed that it was all an act to make the planter reveal his past crime and his plan to get rid of Homes as well. Smith was arrested and Watson was called in. Holmes immediately apologized to his friend for saying that he had inadequate knowledge. Watson asked about his appearance and why he looked so realistically and truly sick. Holmes answered that he hadn’t eaten anything for three days for the act and also put on make-up to accentuate the features of a sick and dying man. The coins and half-crowns were used to make him seem sick from a mental state as well. The gas was a signal for Inspector Morton to come to the sick-room to arrest Smith. He then said he needed to eat immediately. The story ends with Sherlock Holmes thanking Watson for his compliance, friendship and loyalty that he had shown, acknowledging that the plan would have failed without his assistant and their strong friendship.
Summary of the Lesson The Dying Detective in Hindi
जासूस शर्लक होम्स की मकान मालकिन श्रीमती हडसन ने उनके सहायक जॉन वॉटसन को ढूँढ़ा। उसने उसे उसकी बीमारी के बारे में बताया। वॉटसन, भयभीत होकर, अपने मालिक को बचाने के लिए शर्लक होम्स के घर की ओर चल पड़ा। उसने मकान मालकिन से बीमारी के बारे में पूछा। महिला सिर्फ़ इतना बता सकी कि वह रोदरहीथ में एक केस सुलझा रहा था, तभी उसे बीमारी हो गई। काँपते हुए और दुख में रोते हुए, उसने बताया कि उसने कुछ भी नहीं खाया या पिया, बिस्तर छोड़ने से इनकार कर दिया और न ही मकान मालकिन को उसके लिए डॉक्टर बुलाने दिया। वह बीमार कमरे में पहुँचा और अपने मालिक को बेहोश और जानलेवा हालत में पाया, और फिर भी, शर्लक होम्स ने मदद लेने से इनकार कर दिया। उसने वॉटसन से कहा कि वह पूर्वी बीमारियों के बारे में अपर्याप्त ज्ञान के कारण उसका इलाज नहीं कर सकता। जब वॉटसन ने दूसरे डॉक्टर को बुलाने की पेशकश की, तो होम्स ने बहुत ज़्यादा दर्द होने और डॉक्टर से नहीं मिलने का दिखावा किया। उसने बीमार कमरे का दरवाज़ा बंद कर दिया और चाबी ले ली, उसे दो घंटे तक रुकने का आदेश दिया। वाटसन ने उसकी बात मान ली और वह कमरे में चहलकदमी करने लगा। फिर उसने एक दिलचस्प बॉक्स को छुआ, यह नहीं जानते हुए कि यह खतरनाक था। होम्स, वाटसन को खतरे में नहीं डालना चाहता था, लेकिन सच्चाई को उजागर नहीं करना चाहता था, इसलिए उसने वाटसन द्वारा उसके सामान को छूने पर परेशान होने का दिखावा किया, और सहायक ने तुरंत बॉक्स को वापस रख दिया। उन दो घंटों के बाद, होम्स ने अपने सहायक से कुछ अजीबोगरीब काम करने के लिए कहकर पागल होने का नाटक किया। जब उसने आखिरकार उससे एक ऐसे व्यक्ति को लाने के लिए कहा जो उसे ठीक कर सके, तो वाटसन पागल आदमी को अकेला छोड़ने से डरता था। कमरे के बाहर, श्रीमती हडसन जासूस की हालत पर चुपचाप रो रही थीं और फर्श के नीचे, उन्होंने इंस्पेक्टर मॉर्टन के साथ बहुत ही संक्षिप्त बातचीत की। वह स्मिथ के पास गया, जो सुमात्रा से था और पूर्वी बीमारियों के बारे में जानता था। स्मिथ किसी से बात नहीं करना चाहता था, लेकिन जब वॉटसन ने ‘शरलॉक होम्स’ का नाम लिया, तो स्मिथ तुरंत सहयोगी बन गया। वह जासूस की मदद करने के लिए उससे मिलने के लिए तैयार हो गया। अपने मालिक के निर्देशों का पालन करते हुए, वह स्मिथ के बिना वापस चला गया और बीमार कमरे के बगल वाले कमरे में छिप गया। फिर, उसने स्मिथ को आते सुना और होम्स ने अपने लक्षणों के बारे में बात की। फिर स्मिथ ने कहा कि यह बिल्कुल वैसा ही था जैसे उसके भतीजे विक्टर की मौत हुई थी, और शरलॉक ने कहा कि वह जानता था कि विक्टर की मौत सिर्फ़ बीमारी की वजह से नहीं, बल्कि एक हत्या की वजह से हुई थी और इसके पीछे स्मिथ का हाथ था। स्मिथ ने इससे इनकार नहीं किया, लेकिन अहंकार और अति आत्मविश्वास में कहा कि शरलॉक इसे साबित नहीं कर सकता। तब पता चला कि रहस्यमयी हाथीदांत का डिब्बा ही वह डिब्बा था जो लोगों को बीमार बनाता था और अब जब स्मिथ यहाँ था, तो वह डिब्बा अपने साथ ले जाएगा और ऐसा व्यवहार करेगा जैसे जासूस उसे बचाने से पहले ही बीमारी से मर गया हो। होम्स फिर सामान्य हो गया, बीमार होने का नाटक करना छोड़ दिया, और प्लांटर से गैस चालू करने को कहा, जो उसने किया। जासूस ने तब खुलासा किया कि यह सब प्लांटर से उसके पिछले अपराध और उससे छुटकारा पाने की योजना का खुलासा करवाने के लिए किया गया था। स्मिथ को गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया और वॉटसन को बुलाया गया। होम्स ने तुरंत अपने दोस्त से माफ़ी मांगी कि उसे अपर्याप्त जानकारी थी। वॉटसन ने उसके रूप-रंग के बारे में पूछा और वह इतना वास्तविक और वास्तव में बीमार क्यों लग रहा था। होम्स ने जवाब दिया कि उसने इस कृत्य के लिए तीन दिनों तक कुछ नहीं खाया और बीमार और मरते हुए व्यक्ति की विशेषताओं को उभारने के लिए मेकअप भी किया। सिक्कों और आधे मुकुटों का इस्तेमाल उसे मानसिक रूप से बीमार दिखाने के लिए भी किया गया था। गैस इंस्पेक्टर मॉर्टन के लिए स्मिथ को गिरफ्तार करने के लिए बीमार कमरे में आने का संकेत था। फिर उसने कहा कि उसे तुरंत खाने की ज़रूरत है। कहानी शर्लक होम्स द्वारा वॉटसन को उसकी अनुपालन, मित्रता और वफादारी के लिए धन्यवाद देने के साथ समाप्त होती है, जो उसने दिखाया था, यह स्वीकार करते हुए कि उसके सहायक और उनकी मजबूत दोस्ती के बिना योजना विफल हो जाती।
Theme of the Lesson The Dying Detective
The story is centered around suspense, mystery and friendship. The mysterious disease, Sherlock Holmes’s strange behavior, and the suspense in the behind the detective and Smith’s true motives are the driving qualities of the story. The friendship between Holmes and Watson and Watson’s loyalty and faith in his master is also a key theme. It sheds light on the idea that while Holmes was a brilliant detective, his plans would have backfired without Watson’s compliance, meaning that even geniuses need help.
The Dying Detective Lesson Explanation
The detective Sherlock Holmes was seriously ill. So he asked his landlady to get his assistant Watson. Watson accompanied the landlady to his house. Was he able to save his master? Read on to find out.
Passage: Mrs Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, came to me and said, “Mr Holmes is dying. Mr Watson. For three days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will last another day. He would not let me get a doctor. I told him I could not stand it any more and would get a doctor he replied, “Let it be Watson then.
I was horrified for I had not heard about his illness before. I rushed for my hat and coat. As we drove back. I asked her about the details.
Word meanings:
horrified: shocked
Explanation: This is the story of when the renowned detective Sherlock Holmes was ill and in a serious condition. His landlady, Mrs. Hudson kept on insisting Holmes to let her get a doctor for him. Holmes had refused for three days straight, but then he finally asked the landlady to get him his assistant, John Watson who is also the narrator of the story. He is shocked to know that his master has been gravely sick for three days, and what shocked the assistant even more was that he had never heard of the disease his master was suffering from. Watson quickly got his hat and coat and drove to Sherlock’s home. On the way, he asked Mrs. Hudson for more details, wanting to know more about his master’s condition.
Passage: “There is little I can tell you, sir. He has been working on a case down at Rotherhithe, near the river, and has brought this illness back with him. He took to bed on Wednesday afternoon and has never moved since. For three days neither food nor drink has passed his lips.”
“Why did you not call a doctor?” I asked.
“He wouldn’t have it, sir. I didn’t dare to disobey him.”
He was indeed a sad sight. In the dim light of a foggy November day, the sick-room was a gloomy spot, but it was the gaunt face staring from the bed that brought chill to my heart. His eyes had the brightness of fever, his cheeks were flushed, his hand twitched all the time. He lay listless.
Word meanings:
gaunt: very thin (usually because of illness)
flushed: red
twitch: sudden quick movement
listless: lacking energy or spirit
Explanation: Mrs. Hudson said that she couldn’t tell Watson much because of her lack of knowledge on his symptoms. All she knew was that Sherlock Holmes had been working on a detective case at Rotherhithe and when he came back, he brought the disease with him. Holmes immediately went to bed and refused to drink or eat anything. Watson asked the landlady why she hadn’t called a doctor. She answered that Holmes didn’t want her to call for a doctor and she didn’t dare disobey him. When they finally reached Sherlock, Watson saw that he was indeed in a bad state. It was November and so the day was foggy and dim. In that dim lighting, the sick room looked even gloomier. However, the thing that truly sent a chill in Watson’s heart, was Holmes’ unusually sick and thin face. Holmes stared at him from the bed, his eyes bright with fever, cheeks flushed, hands twitching, his body lying without any energy on the bed.
Passage: ‘My dear fellow!” I cried approaching him.
“Stand back! Stand right back!” he cried.
“But why? I want to help you,” I said.
“Certainly, Watson, but it is for your own sake.”
“For my sake?” I was surprised.
“I know what is the matter with me. It is the disease from Sumatra. It is deadly and contagious Watson- that’s it, by touch.”
Word meanings:
croaking: low, harsh sound, like the sound frogs make
contagious : spreading quickly to others
Explanation: Watson approached him, exclaiming in shock and sorrow as he went to examine his master’s condition. However, Holmes quickly exclaimed in urgency, ordering Watson to stand back and away from him. Watson asked him why he should stay away. He told him that he wanted to help him. Holmes acknowledged his assistant’s wish and said that he refused to let him come closer for his own sake. Watson was surprised by this reasoning and asked him to elaborate. Sherlock Holmes revealed that he knew what was the matter with him. He said he had contracted a disease from Sumatra. Sumatra is an island in Indonesia, and it is the sixth largest island in the world. The disease was not only fatal to Holmes, but also contagious, meaning that Watson could also contract it easily. According to Holmes, this disease could be spread by touch. Here we can see that Holmes’ story is a bit far-fetched and hence a lie. But Watson was unable to catch the lie and Holmes goes on with his act.
Passage: “Good heavens, Holmes! Do you think this can stop me?” I said advancing towards him.
“If you stand there, I will talk. If you don’t, you must leave the room,” said my master.
I have always given in to Holmes’ wishes. But now my feelings as a doctor were aroused. I was at least his master in the sick-room.
“Holmes,” I said, “you are not yourself whether you like it or not. I will examine your symptoms and treat you.”
Word meanings:
advancing : moving forward
symptoms : a change in the body which indicates that a disease is present
Explanation: Watson wasn’t deterred by the disease and moved forward towards him. He asked the detective if the detective really thought a disease could stop him from helping his master. Holmes immediately said that he would talk to him only if he would stand away from him. If Watson could not comply with that, he would have to leave the room. Watson had always followed Holmes’ wishes, even if unwillingly sometimes. But, Watson was a doctor, so in a sick-room, he was the master, not Holmes. With this reasoning in his mind, Watson declared that he would examine and treat Holmes whether he liked it or not.
Passage: “If I am to have a doctor,” said he, “let me at least have someone in whom I have confidence.”
“Then you have none in me?”
“In your friendship, certainly. But facts are facts, Watson. You are a general practitioner, not a specialist of this disease.”
“If so, let me bring Sir Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher, or any other best man in London.”
“How ignorant you are! Watson!” he said with a groan. “What do you know about Tapaunli fever or the black Formosa plague?”
“I have never heard of them,” I admitted.
“There are many problems of the disease in the East. I have learnt that much during my recent researches. And during this course I caught this illness,” he said.
“I will bring Dr Aintree then,” I said going towards the door. Never have I had such a shock when the dying man bolted the door and locked it, holding the key in his hand. The next moment he was back in his bed.
Word meanings:
practitioner : someone who practices something, generally a profession
bolted : suddenly rushed forward
Explanation: Holmes recognized that Watson would not stand down and let him be. Watson would do whatever it takes to cure Holmes, even if it went against Holmes’ wishes. So Holmes said that Watson should call a doctor in whom he can place his confidence for the cure. Watson asked Holmes, his dearest friend, if he really had no confidence in his medical abilities. Holmes said that while he had confidence in their friendship, the fact was that Watson was a general practitioner of medicine, meaning that he was a simple doctor. The disease Holmes had required someone who had done specialization in the disease. Watson understood the reasoning and offered to bring in Sir Jasper Meek or Penrose Fisher, some doctors that he knew, or any other man in London who could treat him. Holmes was getting mildly tired of Watson’s insistence and ignorance of the matter. He asked Watson if he or any doctor in London knew about the Tapaunli fever or the Black Formosa Plague. Here, again, we see the second clue that Holmes was lying to Watson. There is no such disease as Tapaunli fever. And he used Black Formosa Plague, which is the other name for Bubonic Plague, so that Watson would believe him. Watson obviously hadn’t heard of a disease called Tapaunli fever and he thought it was because of his inadequate knowledge. In fact, such disease never existed. Holmes continued with his act by saying that there are many diseases located only in the East which he was researching on. Because of this research, he accidentally caught the disease. Now we have the third clue that he was lying. According to Mrs. Hudson, Holmes contracted the disease while he was solving a detective case in Rotherhithe. But Holmes said that he contracted it while studying Eastern diseases. Watson however believed him and offered to bring in Dr. Aintree, who knew Eastern diseases. Watson turned towards the door when the supposed dying and sick man suddenly ran forward and locked the door shut. Holmes took the key and went back to bed. Another clue that pointed to Holmes lying about his health- how could a man who was so sick that he was almost on the verge of death be able to run and lock the door before a healthy man could get away?
Passage: “You won’t have the key by force from me, Watson. Be here till 6 o’clock. It is four now” “This is madness, Holmes,” I said.
“Only two hours, Watson. Then you can get a doctor of my choice. You can read some books, over there. At six we will talk again.”
Unable to settle down to reading, I walked slowly round and round, looking at the pictures. Finally I came to the mantelpiece, where among other things I saw a small black and white ivory box with sliding lid. As I held it in my hand to examine it, I heard a dreadful cry. “Put it down! Down at once, Watson,” he said. “I hate to have my things touched.”
I thought how ill he was in his mind and sat silently until the time passed.
“Now Watson,” he said, “have you any change?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“How many half-crowns? Put them in your watch-pocket. And all the rest in your trouser pocket. You will light the gas-lamp, but it must be half on. You will have the kindness to place some letters and paper on the table within my reach. Now place the ivory box on the table. Slide the lid a bit with tongs. Put the tongs on the table. Good! Now you can go and fetch Mr Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower Burke Street.”
I was hesitant to leave him now. He was delirious.
Word meanings:
mantelpiece: a structure made above or around a fireplace
dreadful : very bad or unpleasant
half-crown : an old British coin
tongs: a tool (like scissors) used for picking or holding things
delirious : a state in which a person is not able to think or speak clearly
Explanation – Holmes took the key and told Watson that he couldn’t have the key and he wouldn’t let him take it by force. Watson told Holmes that he was being mad and he should let him go. Holmes told him to stay for two hours. It was four in the evening and he asked his assistant to stay in the room, locked inside with him, till six, without talking to him. He assured Watson that after the two hours, Watson would be allowed to bring him a doctor he wished to see. He pointed to some books with which Watson could pass his time. He told Watson that at 6 PM, they could talk again. Watson agreed, but he was too restless to sit down and read. So he walked slowly around the room, looking at all the pictures in the room. He then reached the mantelpiece, which is a structure made above or around the fireplace. There was an assortment of items on the mantelpiece. One item was a small black and white box made of ivory. It had a sliding lid. It looked interesting to Watson so he picked it up. As soon as he began to examine it, Sherlock cried as he found it unpleasant to have someone touch his belongings. Watson put it down, seeing how his master was so ill that even his mind was too ill to function properly. So Watson finally decided to sit down at one place and stay silent. He stayed like that till the clock struck six. Then, Homes spoke up and asked if he had some loose change or coins. When Watson said yes, Holmes asked him how many half crowns did he have. Half crowns are British coins which are now discontinued. Holmes told Watson to put all half-crowns he had in his watch-pocket, which is a pocket in which they used to keep their pocket watch. He asked Watson to keep the rest of the coins and bills in the other pocket, the trouser pocket. Then he told Watson to turn on the gas lamp but not all the way. Then some letters, papers and a slightly opened ivory box was asked to be kept on the table within his reach. The box was specifically to be opened only slightly and with tongs. Then, he told Watson to fetch Mr Culverton Smith, who lived at 13 Lower Burke Street. Holmes did all of this to seem like he was losing his mind because of the illness. His act worked; Watson started to believe that his master was not able to think straight or was being delirious.
Passage: “I have never heard of the name,” I said.
“Well, he is the man who has the knowledge of this disease – but he is not a medical man. He is a planter. He lives in Sumatra, now visiting London. I didn’t want you to go before six, because you wouldn’t have found him in his study. I hope you will be able to persuade him to come. You will tell him exactly how you have left me.” He said, “You must tell him that I’m dying-plead with him, Watson.”
“I’ll bring him in a cab,” I said.
“No. You will persuade him to come and return before him. Make any excuse. Remember this, Watson.”
I saw Mrs Hudson was waiting outside, trembling and crying. Below, as I waited for the cab, I met Inspector Morton of Scotland Yard. He was not in his uniform.
Word meanings:
plead: request
Scotland Yard: the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police, particularly the branch focused on serious crime investigation
Explanation- Watson said that he had never come across someone with the name Culverton Smith. This means that Watson knew he was not a doctor, and also shows his unwillingness to fetch someone who was not a doctor. According to the agreement, Watson was to bring a doctor after two hours. Holmes said that Culverton Smith had knowledge of the disease taht he was suffering from. Culverton Smith was not a doctor but a planter, who used to live in Sumatra before coming to London. He revealed that the reason why he had kept Watson there for two hours was because the planter couldn’t be found at his residence between four and six and so letting Watson go would have been pointless. He then told Watson to request Culverton Smith to come. He gave him suggestions on how to persuade Culverton Smith, by describing Holmes’ health, current condition, and if that didn’t work, then Watson would say to Culverton Smith that Sherlock Holmes was dying and urgently needed his help. Watson assured that he would bring Culverton Smith with him in a cab but Holmes refused. Holmes told Watson to request Culverton Smith to come, but to not return with him. Watson was asked to return before Culverton Smith came. For this, Watson could make any excuse but in no circumstances could he come with Culverton Smith. Watson agreed and left the room. He found Mrs. Hudson waiting outside. She was completely devastated by Holmes’s health and was shaking and crying in pain. Watson walked downstairs and outside, where he met Inspector Morton, an inspector and detective who worked for Scotland Yard. Morton was not in his usual uniform.
Passage: “How is he?” he asked.
“He is very ill,” I answered.
I reached Mr Culverton Smith’s house. The butler appeared at the doorway. Through the half- open door I heard a man’s voice telling the butler, “I am not at home, say so.” I pushed past the butler and entered the room. I saw a frail man with bald head sitting. “I am sorry,” I said, “but the matter cannot be delayed. Mr Sherlock Holmes……………”
The mere mention of his name had a different effect on the man.
“Have you come from Holmes? How is he?” he asked.
“He is very ill. That is why I have come. Mr Holmes has a high opinion of you and thought you are the only man in London who can help him.”
The little man was startled.
“Why? He asked.
“Because of your knowledge of the Eastern diseases,” I replied.
Word meanings:
frail: weak
startled: mildly shocked
Eastern : from Eastern countries e.g. China, Cambodia
Explanation – Inspector Morton asked Watson about Holmes and Watson answered that Holmes was very ill. No further conversation took place, and it is shown as if Inspector Morton has no important role in the story to surprise the reader at the end of the story. When Watson reached Culverton Smith’s house, Culverton Smith’s butler opened the door, but only halfway. On the other side, Watson heard Culverton Smith telling the butler to tell the visitor that he was not at home. Watson, who needed Culverton Smith quickly for Holmes’s sake, pushed past the butler and entered where Culverton Smith was sitting. Culverton Smith was a weak bald man. Watson apologized for his behavior, saying that he could not wait any longer. Watson had just said Holmes’s name when Culverton Smith’s demeanor changed entirely. Culverton Smith asked how Holmes was and Watson told him about the detective’s condition. He said that Holmes thought highly of him and believed that only he could cure him. Culverton Smith was a bit shocked at this and asked Watson why Holmes believed in him so much. Watson said that it was because Holmes thought highly of the vast knowledge he held about Eastern diseases.
Passage: “How did he get it?” he asked.
I told him everything. He smiled and agreed to come. Pretending that I had some other appointment, I left him. With a sinking heart I reached Holmes’ room. I told him that Mr Smith was coming.
“Well done! Watson!” he said. “You have done everything that a good friend could do. Now you disappear to the next room. And don’t speak, or come here.”
I heard the footsteps. I heard a voice say, “Holmes! Holmes! Can you hear me?”
“Is that you Mr Smith?” Holmes whispered. “You know what is wrong with me. You are the only one in London who can cure me.”
“Do you know the symptoms?” asked Smith.
“Only too well, Mr Smith,” and he described the symptoms.
“They are the same, Holmes,” Smith said. “Poor Victor was a dead man on the fourth day-a strong and healthy young man. What a coincidence indeed!”
Word meanings:
Pretending: to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not.
sinking heart: it is an idiom used to refer to the sudden feeling of worry or disappointment or sadness
coincidence: two things happening at the same time by chance
Explanation – Culverton Smith asked Watson how Holmes had contracted the disease. Watson gave him all the knowledge he needed. Culverton Smith smiled and agreed to come. Watson pretended that he had somewhere else to be at, quite urgently. With that excuse, he was able to return before Culverton Smith got to Holmes’ residence. The assistant suddenly felt a sense of worry but he still did what he was told to do. He told Holmes that Smith was coming. Holmes was happy and satisfied with Watson’s compliance, congratulating him. He said that Watson did everything, honoring their friendship. He then told to do one last thing- to disappear in the next room and to not speak or come here unless he asked him to. Watson complied and after a moment, he heard footsteps and a voice call for Holmes. Holmes talked in a quiet voice, telling Culverton Smith that he knew what was wrong with him and how to cure him. Smith asked Holmes for the symptoms and Holmes listed them. Smith marveled at how both Holmes and a man named Victor had died on the fourth day with the same disease and symptoms. He commented that Victor too was a strong and healthy man but he died too. Smith’s words implied that Holmes could not be saved from the disease.
Passage: “I know that you did it,” said Holmes.
“Well, you can’t prove it.”
“Give me water, please,” Holmes groaned.
“Here” I heard Smith’s voice.
“Cure me, please. Well, about Victor Smith’s death. You did it. I’ll forget everything, but cure me. I’ll forget about it.”
“You can forget or remember, just as you like. It doesn’t matter to me how my nephew died. Watson said you got it from the Chinese sailors. Could there be any other reason?”
“I can’t think. My mind is gone, help me,” pleaded Holmes.
“Did anything come by post? A box by chance? On Wednesday?”
“Yes I opened it and there was a sharp spring inside it. A joke perhaps. It drew blood,” said Holmes.
“No, it was not a joke, you fool,” you’ve got it. Who asked you to cross my path? You knew too much about Victor’s death. Your end is near, Holmes. I’ll carry this box in my pocket. The last piece of evidence!”
“Turn up the gas, Smith,” said Holmes in his natural voice.
Word meanings:
groan: to make a deep unclear sound to convey pain or displeasure
natural : normal
Explanation – Holmes then told Smith that he knew that Smith killed Victor. Victor was Smith’s nephew. Smith did not deny the accusation and simply said that Holmes could not prove it. Holmes, who was still in pain, groaned and asked for water. Smith brought it to him. Holmes then told Smith that he would be willing to hide the truth and forget about Victor’s death if Smith was willing to cure him. Holmes knew that Smith would not agree to cure him and would actually kill him quietly, like he killed Victor. This is where Holmes’s plan becomes more apparent- he is trying to get the truth out of Smith, and Watson could hear every word being said, because he was right in the next room. Smith, in his arrogance and confidence, began to ask Holmes how he had contracted the disease. He told the detective that when Watson had come to call for him, he told him that the disease was contracted from Chinese sailors. Smith already knew this was a lie and asked Holmes if something had come to him by mail or post. He then specifically asked if Holmes had gotten a box recently. All these questions were oddly suspicious and painted Smith in a bad light. Holmes answered his question, saying that he had indeed gotten a box. He thought it was a joke box, because when he had opened the box, there was a sharp spring inside which hit Sherlock’s finger and he had bled a little. Victor then revealed that it was him who had sent the box. He wanted Holmes to die because the detective had crossed his path and had gotten too close to the truth behind Victor’s death. He then told the detective that his end was near and he was going to carry the last piece of evidence, the box, out with him and Holmes was going to die of the disease. The box is the same box that Watson had almost opened earlier, which explained why Holmes immediately told Watson not to touch his things. This sealed Smith’s fate, because he had just revealed everything while not knowing that Watson was in the next room, listening to every word. This also showed Holmes’s brilliance as a detective. Holmes’s voice suddenly went from a man dying and sick, to his natural, normal voice, again hinting that he was never sick to begin with. He told Smith to turn up the gas, which was an indication to Inspector Morton to enter.
Passage: “Yes I will, so that I can see you better.” There was silence. Then I heard Smith say, “What’s all this?”
“Successful acting, “said Holmes, “for three days I didn’t taste anything- neither food nor drink.”
There were footsteps outside. The door opened and I heard Inspector Morton’s voice. “I arrest you on charge of murder,” he said.
“And attempt of murder of Sherlock Holmes, too,” laughed Holmes.
There was a sudden rush and scuffle, followed by the clash of iron and sudden cry of pain. There was a click of handcuffs. Holmes asked me to come in.
“Sorry, Watson, I was rude to you. I undermined your capability as a doctor. It was just to get Smith here. And I didn’t want you to know that I was not ill.”
“But your appearance – – ?” I said.
Word meanings:
scuffle: a short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters.
clash: a loud sound of metal objects
undermine: to lessen the ability of something or someone
appearance : look
Explanation – The killer did not catch the change in Holmes’s voice or the implications of it. He simply turned up the gas. But then, Watson heard Smith starting to question some of Holmes’s odd behavior and also the odd request of turning up the gas. Holmes said, still in his natural voice, that it was all nothing but acting. He was revealing it all now because Smith had already confessed everything unintentionally. He explained that he hadn’t eaten anything, hence showing his commitment to his plans. Then, there was the sound of footsteps outside. The sick-room door opened and Inspector Morton, the detective that Watson came across downstairs, said to Smith that he was being arrested on the charge of murder. Sherlock laughed and added that he was being arrested for the charge of attempted murder of Holmes as well. Then, Watson heard a rush of movement and the sound of a short struggle, which meant that Smith was attempting to fight off Morton and the police. But then there was a loud sound of an iron object, a sharp cry of pain from Smith and the click of handcuffs. Smith had been detained. Holmes then asked Watson to come in. Holmes immediately apologized for his rudeness and how he had questioned his capability as a doctor. Holmes did it all to catch Smith. If Holmes had told Watson that he wasn’t really sick, then his whole plan would have failed. But he also needed his assistant to help him with the plan. So Holmes only told the necessary information to Watson. Watson then asked about his appearance and why Holmes looked so sick if it was all just an act.
Passage: “Three days, fasting and the make-up did the trick. And the gas was turned up to give a signal to Morton to come.”
“The coins?”
“Oh! That was only to prove that I was delirious,” he laughed. “I need to eat now, Watson. Mr Smith killed his nephew and he wanted to kill me the same way to avoid imprisonment. I need to eat now, Watson, And thank you, Watson,” he said.
Explanation – To Watson’s question, Holmes said that he had put on make-up to look sick. And to make the act realistic, he had also not eaten anything for the past three days. Therefore, fasting and make-up is why his appearance was like a sick man. Then, he also guessed that Watson would be curious about why the gas was turned up. The gas was simply a signal for Inspector Morton to come and arrest Smith. Then, Watson asked about the coins and half-crowns. Holmes laughed and said that he did that just to make himself seem like he really was going crazy. He then told Watson that Smith wished to kill him like he had killed his nephew to avoid going to prison. He then told him that he needed to eat. He said it twice, meaning that his three days’ fasting was now catching up to him. Now that he had fulfilled his goal, his body was reminding him of the hunger he hadn’t fulfilled. At the end, he thanked Watson for his assistance.
Conclusion
This post provides the summary, word meanings and lesson notes of The Dying Detective story for students of PSEB Class 10 from the supplementary reader. Students can get a quick recap of the story with the help of this post.