finds no place； and that if you had shared my secret you would never
have been able to impress Smith with the urgent necessity of his
presence； which was the vital point of the whole scheme。 Knowing his
vindictive nature； I was perfectly certain that he 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 vaseline upon one's forehead； belladonna in one's eyes； rouge
over the cheek…bones； and crusts of beeswax round one's lips； a very
satisfying effect can be produced。 Malingering is a subject upon which
I have sometimes thought of writing a monograph。 A little occasional
talk about half…crowns； oysters； or any other extraneous subject
produces a pleasing effect of delirium。〃
〃But why would you not let me near you； since there was in truth
no infection？〃
〃Can you ask； my dear Watson？ Do you imagine that I have no
respect for your medical talents？ Could I fancy that your astute
judgment would pass a dying man who； however weak； had no rise of
pulse or temperature？ At four yards； I could deceive you。 If I
failed to do so； who would bring my Smith within my grasp？ No； Watson；
I would not touch that box。 You can just see if you look at it
sideways where the sharp spring like a viper's tooth emerges as you
open it。 I dare say it was by some such device that poor Savage； who
stood between this monster and a reversion； was done to death。 My
correspondence； however； is； as you know； a varied one； and I am
somewhat upon my guard against any packages which reach me。 It was
clear to me； however； that my pretending that 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 have finished
at the police station I can think that something nutritious at
Simpson's would not be out of place。〃
…THE END…
。