The landlady stood in the deepest awe10 of him and never dared to interfere11 with him, however outrageous12 his proceedings13 might seem. She was fond of him, too, for he had a remarkable gentleness and courtesy in his dealings with women. He disliked and distrusted the sex, but he was always a chivalrous14 opponent. Knowing how genuine was her regard for him, I listened earnestly to her story when she came to my rooms in the second year of my married life and told me of the sad condition to which my poor friend was reduced.
"He's dying, Dr. Watson," said she. "For three days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will last the day. He would not let me get a doctor. This morning when I saw his bones sticking out of his face and his great bright eyes looking at me I could stand no more of it. 'With your leave 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 in coming to him, sir, or you may not see him alive."
I was horrified15 for I had heard nothing of his illness. I need not say that I 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 down at Rotherhithe, in an alley16 near the river, and he has brought this illness back with him. He took to his bed on Wednesday afternoon and has never moved since. For these three days neither food nor drink has passed his lips."
"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 dare to disobey him. But he's not long for this world, as you'll see for yourself the moment that you set eyes on him."
He was indeed a deplorable spectacle. In the dim light of a foggy November 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. His eyes had the brightness of fever, there was a hectic18 flush upon either cheek, and dark crusts clung to his lips; the thin hands upon the coverlet twitched19 incessantly20, his voice was croaking21 and spasmodic. He lay listlessly as I entered the room, but the sight of me brought a gleam of recognition to his eyes.
"Well, Watson, we seem to have fallen upon evil days," said he in a feeble voice, but with something of his old carelessness of manner.
"My dear fellow!" I cried, approaching him.
"Stand back! Stand right back!" said he with the sharp imperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis. "If you 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 was pitiful, however, to see his exhaustion22.
"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.
"For MY sake?"
"I know what is the matter with me. It is a coolie disease from Sumatra--a thing that the Dutch know more about than we, though they have made little of it up to date. One thing only is certain. It is infallibly deadly, and it is horribly contagious27."
He spoke28 now with a feverish29 energy, the long hands twitching30 and jerking 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 consideration weighs with me of an instant? It would not affect me in the case of a stranger. Do you imagine it would prevent me from doing my duty to so old a friend?"
"If you will stand there I will talk. If you do not you must leave the room."
I have so deep a respect for the extraordinary qualities of Holmes that I have always deferred32 to his wishes, even when I least understood them. But now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let him be my master elsewhere, I at least was his in a sick room.
"Holmes," said I, "you are not yourself. A sick man is but a child, and so I will treat you. Whether you like it or not, I will examine your symptoms 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 have someone 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 practitioner33 with very limited experience and mediocre34 qualifications. It is painful to have to say these things, but you leave me no choice."
I was bitterly hurt.
"Such a remark is unworthy of you, Holmes. It shows me very clearly the state of your own nerves. But if you have no confidence in me I would not intrude35 my services. Let me bring Sir Jasper Meek36 or Penrose Fisher, or any of the best men in London. But someone you MUST have, and that is final. If you think that I am going to stand here and see you die without either helping37 you myself or bringing anyone else to help you, then you have mistaken your man."
"You mean well, Watson," said the sick man with something between a sob17 and a groan38. "Shall I demonstrate your own ignorance? What do you know, pray, of Tapanuli fever? What do you know of the black Formosa corruption39?"
"I have never heard of either."
"There are many problems of disease, many strange pathological possibilities, in the East, Watson." He paused after each sentence to collect his failing strength. "I have learned so much during some recent researches which have a medico-criminal aspect. It was in the course of them that I contracted this complaint. You can do nothing."
"Possibly not. But I happen to know that Dr. Ainstree, the greatest living authority upon tropical disease, is now in London. All remonstrance40 is useless, Holmes, I am going this instant to fetch him." I turned resolutely41 to the door.
Never have I had such a shock! In an instant, with a tiger-spring, the dying man had intercepted42 me. I heard the sharp snap of a twisted key. The next moment he had staggered back to his bed, exhausted43 and panting after his one tremendous outflame of energy.
"You won't take the key from me by force, Watson, I've got you, my friend. Here you are, and here you will stay until I will otherwise. But I'll humour you." (All this in little gasps44, with terrible struggles for breath between.) "You've only my own good at heart. Of course I know that very 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."
"Only two hours, Watson. I promise you will go at six. Are you content to wait?"
"I seem to have no choice."
"None in the world, Watson. Thank you, I need no help in arranging the clothes. You will please keep your distance. Now, Watson, there is one other condition that I would make. You will seek help, not from the man you mention, but from the one that I choose."
"By all means."
"The first three sensible words that you have uttered since you entered this room, Watson. You will find some books over there. I am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a non-conductor? At six, Watson, we resume our conversation."
But it was destined46 to be resumed long before that hour, and in circumstances 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 silent figure in the bed. His face was almost covered by the clothes and he appeared to be asleep. Then, unable to settle down to reading, I walked slowly round the room, examining the pictures of celebrated47 criminals with which every wall was adorned48. Finally, in my aimless perambulation, I came to the mantelpiece. A litter of pipes, tobacco-pouches, syringes, penknives, revolver-cartridges, and other debris49 was scattered50 over it. In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory box with a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had stretched out my hand to examine it more closely, when----
It was a dreadful cry that he gave--a yell which might have been heard down the street. My skin went cold and my hair bristled51 at that horrible scream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a convulsed face and frantic52 eyes. I stood paralyzed, with the little box in my hand.
"Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson--this instant, I say!" His head sank back upon the pillow and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I replaced 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 asylum53. Sit down, man, and let me have my rest!"
The incident left a most unpleasant impression upon my mind. The violent and causeless excitement, followed by this brutality54 of speech, so far removed from his usual suavity55, showed me how deep was the disorganization of his mind. Of all ruins, that of a noble mind is the most deplorable. I sat in silent dejection until the stipulated56 time had passed. He seemed to have been watching the clock as well as I, for it was hardly six before he began to talk with the same feverish animation57 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, such as they are you can put them in your watchpocket. And all the rest of your money in your left trouser pocket. Thank you. It will balance you so much better like that."
"You will now light the gas, Watson, but you will be very careful that not for one instant shall it be more than half on. I implore60 you to be careful, Watson. Thank you, that is excellent. No, you need not draw the blind. Now you will have the kindness to place some letters and papers upon this table within my reach. Thank you. Now some of that litter from the mantelpiece. Excellent, Watson! There is a sugar-tongs there. Kindly61 raise that small ivory box with its assistance. Place it here among the papers. Good! You can now go and fetch Mr. Culverton Smith, of 13 Lower Burke Street."
To tell the truth, my desire to fetch a doctor had somewhat weakened, for poor Holmes was so obviously delirious62 that it seemed dangerous to leave him. However, he was as eager now to consult the person named as he had been obstinate63 in refusing.
"I never heard the name," said I.
"Possibly not, my good Watson. It may surprise you to know that the man upon earth who is best versed64 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 plantation65, which was distant from medical aid, caused him to study it himself, with some 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 that you would not find him in his study. If you could persuade him to come here and give us the benefit of his unique experience of this disease, the investigation66 of which has been his dearest hobby, I cannot doubt that he could help me."
I gave Holmes's remarks as a consecutive67 whole and will not attempt to indicate how they were interrupted by gaspings for breath and those clutchings of his hands which indicated the pain from which he was suffering. His appearance had changed for the worse during the few hours that I had been with him. Those hectic spots were more pronounced, the eyes shone more brightly out of darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered68 upon his brow. He still retained, however, the jaunty69 gallantry of his speech. To the last gasp23 he would always be the master.
"You will tell him exactly how you have left me," said he. "You will convey the very impression which is in your own mind--a dying man--a dying and delirious man. Indeed, I cannot think why the whole bed of the ocean is not one solid mass of oysters70, so prolific71 the creatures seem. Ah, I am wandering! Strange how the brain controls the brain! What was I saying, 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 had suspicions of foul72 play and I allowed him to see it. The boy died horribly. He has a grudge73 against me. You will soften74 him, Watson. Beg him, pray him, 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. And then you will return in front of him. Make any excuse so as not to come with him. Don't forget, Watson. You won't fail me. You never did fail me. No doubt there are natural enemies which limit the increase of the creatures. 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 in your mind."
I left him full of the image of this magnificent intellect babbling75 like a foolish child. He had handed me the key, and with a happy thought I took it with me lest he should lock himself in. Mrs. Hudson was waiting, trembling and weeping, in the passage. Behind me as I passed from the flat I heard Holmes's high, thin voice in some delirious chant. Below, as I stood whistling for a cab, a man came on me through the fog.
"How is Mr. Holmes, sir?" he asked.
"He is very ill," I answered.
He looked at me in a most singular fashion. Had it not been too fiendish, I could have imagined that the gleam of the fanlight showed exultation77 in his face.
The cab had driven up, and I left him.
Lower Burke Street proved to be a line of fine houses lying in the vague borderland between Notting Hill and Kensington. The particular one at which my cabman pulled up had an air of smug and demure79 respectability in its old-fashioned iron railings, its massive folding-door, and its shining brasswork. All was in keeping with a solemn butler who appeared framed in the pink radiance of a tinted80 electrical light behind him.
"Yes, Mr. Culverton Smith is in. Dr. Watson! Very good, sir, I will take up your card."
My humble81 name and title did not appear to impress Mr. Culverton Smith. Through the half-open door I heard a high, petulant82, penetrating83 voice.
"Who is this person? What does he want? Dear me, Staples84, how often have I said that I am not to be disturbed in my hours of study?"
"Well, I won't see him, Staples. I can't have my work interrupted like this. I am not at home. Say so. Tell him to come in the morning if he really must see me."
"Well, well, give him that message. He can come in the morning, or he can stay away. My work must not be hindered."
I thought of Holmes tossing upon his bed of sickness and counting the minutes, perhaps, until I could bring help to him. It was not a time to stand upon ceremony. His life depended upon my promptness. Before the apologetic butler had delivered his message I had pushed past him and was in the room.
With a shrill87 cry of anger a man rose from a reclining chair beside the fire. I saw a great yellow face, coarse-grained and greasy88, with heavy, double-chin, and two sullen89, menacing gray eyes which glared at me from under tufted and sandy brows. A high bald head had a small velvet90 smoking-cap poised91 coquettishly upon one side of its pink curve. The skull92 was of enormous capacity, and yet as I looked down I saw to my amazement93 that the figure of the man was small and frail94, twisted in the shoulders and back like one who has suffered from rickets95 in his childhood.
"What's this?" he cried in a high, screaming voice. "What is the meaning of this intrusion? Didn't I send you word that I would see you to-morrow 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 the little man. The look of anger passed in an instant from his face. His features became tense and alert.
"Have you come from Holmes?" he asked.
"I have just left him."
"What about Holmes? How is he?"
"He is desperately97 ill. That is why I have come."
The man motioned me to a chair, and turned to resume his own. As he did so I caught a glimpse of his face in the mirror over the mantelpiece. I could have sworn that it was set in a malicious98 and abominable99 smile. Yet I persuaded myself that it must have been some nervous contraction100 which I had surprised, for he turned to me an instant later with genuine concern upon his features.
"I am sorry to hear this," said he. "I only know Mr. Holmes through some business dealings which we have had, but I have every respect for his talents and his character. He is an amateur of crime, as I am of disease. For him the villain101, for me the microbe. There are my prisons," he continued, pointing to a row of bottles and jars which stood upon a side table. "Among those gelatine cultivations some of the very worst offenders102 in the world are now doing time."
"It was on account of your special knowledge that Mr. Holmes desired to see you. He has a high opinion of you and thought that you were the one 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. Homes think that I could help him in his trouble?"
"Because of your knowledge of Eastern diseases."
"But why should he think that this disease which he has contracted is Eastern?"
"Because, in some professional inquiry103, he has been working among Chinese sailors down in the docks."
Mr. Culverton Smith smiled pleasantly and picked up his smoking-cap.
"Oh, that's it--is it?" said he. "I trust the matter is not so grave as you suppose. How long has he been ill?"
"About three days."
"Is he delirious?"
"Occasionally."
"Tut, tut! This sounds serious. It would be inhuman104 not to answer his call. I very much resent any interruption to my work, Dr. Watson, but this case 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 all that I knew the worst might have happened in my absence. To my enormous relief, he had improved greatly in the interval105. His appearance was as ghastly as ever, but all trace of delirium106 had left him and he spoke in a feeble voice, it is true, but with even more than his usual crispness and lucidity107.
"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."
"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 opinion would be very much more frank and valuable if he imagines that we are alone. 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 to concealment109, 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 up with a rigid110 intentness upon his haggard face. "There are the wheels, Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don't budge111, whatever happens--whatever happens, do you hear? Don't speak! Don't move! Just listen with all your ears." Then in an instant his sudden access of strength departed, 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 hustled112 I heard the footfalls upon the stair, with the opening and the closing of the bedroom door. Then, to my surprise, there came a long silence, broken only by the heavy breathings and gaspings of the sick man. I could imagine that our visitor was standing113 by the bedside and looking down at the sufferer. At last that strange hush114 was broken.
"Holmes!" he cried. "Holmes!" in the insistent115 tone of one who awakens116 a sleeper117. "Can't you hear me, Holmes?" There was a rustling118, as if he had shaken the sick man roughly by the shoulder.
"Is that you, Mr. Smith?" Holmes whispered. "I hardly dared hope that you would come."
The other laughed.
"I should imagine not," he said. "And yet, you see, I am here. Coals of fire, Holmes--coals of fire!"
"It is very good of you--very noble of you. I appreciate your special knowledge."
Our visitor sniggered.
"You do. You are, fortunately, the only man in London who does. Do you 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 it WERE the same. A bad lookout119 for you if it is. Poor Victor was a dead man on the fourth day--a strong, hearty120 young fellow. It was certainly, as you said, very surprising that he should have contracted an out-of-the-way Asiatic disease in the heart of London--a disease, too, of which I had made such a very special study. Singular coincidence, Holmes. Very smart of you to notice it, but rather uncharitable to suggest that it was cause and effect."
"I knew that you did it."
"Oh, you did, did you? Well, you couldn't prove it, anyhow. But what do you think of yourself spreading reports about me like that, and then crawling to me for help the moment you are in trouble? What sort of a game is that--eh?"
"You're precious near your end, my friend, but I don't want you to go till I have had a word with you. That's why I give you water. There, don't slop it about! That's right. Can you understand what I say?"
"Do what you can for me. Let bygones be bygones," he whispered. "I'll put the words out of my head--I swear I will. Only cure me, and I'll forget it."
"Forget what?"
"Well, about Victor Savage123's death. You as good as admitted just now that you had done it. I'll forget it."
"You can forget it or remember it, just as you like. I don't see you in the witnessbox. Quite another shaped box, my good Holmes, I assure you. 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 you contracted 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 yourself smart, 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 you could 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 and how 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 squealing124 towards the end. Takes you as cramp125, I fancy."
"Yes, yes; it is cramp."
"Well, you can hear what I say, anyhow. Listen now! Can you remember any unusual incident in your life just about the time your symptoms 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 dying man, and it was all that I could do to hold myself quiet in my hiding-place. "You must hear me. You SHALL hear me. Do you remember a box--an ivory box? It came on Wednesday. You opened it--do you remember?"
"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 have it and you have got it. Who asked you to cross my path? If you had left me 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 my pocket. There goes your last shred126 of evidence. But you have the truth now, Holmes, and you can die with the knowledge that I killed you. You knew 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 you die."
Holmes's voice had sunk to an almost inaudible whisper.
"What is that?" said Smith. "Turn up the gas? Ah, the shadows begin to fall, do they? Yes, I will turn it up, that I may see you the better." He crossed the room and the light suddenly brightened. "Is there any other little 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 in his natural voice--a little weak, perhaps, but the very voice I knew. There was a long pause, and I felt that Culverton Smith was standing in silent amazement looking down at his companion.
"What's the meaning of this?" I heard him say at last in a dry, rasping tone.
"The best way of successfully acting127 a part is to be it," said Holmes. "I give you my word that for three days I have tasted neither food nor drink until you were good enough to pour me out that glass of water. But it is the tobacco which I find most irksome. Ah, here ARE some cigarettes." I heard 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 Morton appeared.
"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," he concluded.
"And you might add of the attempted murder of one Sherlock Holmes," remarked my friend with a chuckle128. "To save an invalid129 trouble, Inspector, Mr. Culverton Smith was good enough to give our signal by turning up the gas. By the way, the prisoner has a small box in the right-hand pocket of his coat which it would be as well to remove. Thank you. I would handle it gingerly if I were you. Put it down here. It may play its part in the trial."
There was a sudden rush and a scuffle, followed by the clash of iron and a cry of pain.
"You'll only get yourself hurt," said the inspector. "Stand still, will you?" There was the click of the closing handcuffs.
"A nice trap!" cried the high, snarling130 voice. "It will bring YOU into the dock, Holmes, not me. He asked me to come here to cure him. I was sorry for him and I came. Now he will pretend, no doubt, that I have said anything which he may invent which will corroborate131 his insane suspicions. You can lie as you like, Holmes. My word is always as good as yours."
"Good heavens!" cried Holmes. "I had totally forgotten him. My dear Watson, I owe you a thousand apologies. To think that I should have overlooked you! I need not introduce you to Mr. Culverton Smith, since I understand that you met somewhat earlier in the evening. Have you the cab below? I will follow you when I am dressed, for I may be of some use at the station.
"I never needed it more," said Holmes as he refreshed himself with a glass of claret and some biscuits in the intervals132 of his toilet. "However, as you know, my habits are irregular, and such a feat96 means less to me than to most men. It was very essential that I should impress Mrs. Hudson with the reality of my condition, since she was to convey it to you, and you in turn to him. You won't be offended, Watson? You will realize that among your many talents dissimulation133 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 vindictive134 nature, I was perfectly135 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, rouge136 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 monograph137. A little occasional talk about half-crowns, oysters, or any other extraneous138 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 astute139 judgment140 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 varied141 one, and I am somewhat upon my guard against any packages which reach me. It was clear to me, however, that by pretending that he had really succeeded in his design I might surprise a confession142. That pretence143 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 think that something nutritious144 at Simpson's would not be out of place."
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landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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throngs
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| n.人群( throng的名词复数 )v.成群，挤满( throng的第三人称单数 ) | |
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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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lodger
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| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
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eccentricity
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| n.古怪，反常，怪癖 | |
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addiction
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| n.上瘾入迷，嗜好 | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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10
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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11
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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12
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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13
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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14
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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15
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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16
alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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17
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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18
hectic
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| adj.肺病的；消耗热的；发热的；闹哄哄的 | |
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19
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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20
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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21
croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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22
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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23
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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24
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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25
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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26
croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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27
contagious
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| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
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28
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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29
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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30
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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31
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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32
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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33
practitioner
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| n.实践者，从事者；(医生或律师等)开业者 | |
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34
mediocre
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| adj.平常的，普通的 | |
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35
intrude
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| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
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36
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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37
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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38
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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39
corruption
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| n.腐败，堕落，贪污 | |
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40
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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41
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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42
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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43
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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44
gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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45
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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46
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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47
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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48
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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49
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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50
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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51
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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52
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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53
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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54
brutality
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| n.野蛮的行为，残忍，野蛮 | |
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55
suavity
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| n.温和；殷勤 | |
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56
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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57
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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58
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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59
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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60
implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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61
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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62
delirious
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| adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的 | |
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63
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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64
versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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65
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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66
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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67
consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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68
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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70
oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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71
prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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72
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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73
grudge
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| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
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74
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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75
babbling
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| n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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76
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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77
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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78
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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79
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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80
tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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81
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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82
petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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83
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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84
staples
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| n.（某国的）主要产品( staple的名词复数 )；钉书钉；U 形钉；主要部份v.用钉书钉钉住( staple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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85
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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86
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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87
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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88
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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89
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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90
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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91
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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92
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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93
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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94
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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95
rickets
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| n.软骨病，佝偻病，驼背 | |
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96
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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97
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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98
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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99
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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100
contraction
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| n.缩略词，缩写式，害病 | |
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101
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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102
offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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103
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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104
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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105
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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106
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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107
lucidity
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| n.明朗，清晰，透明 | |
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108
ailed
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| v.生病( ail的过去式和过去分词 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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109
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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110
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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111
budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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112
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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113
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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114
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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115
insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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116
awakens
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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117
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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118
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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119
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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120
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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121
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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122
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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123
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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124
squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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125
cramp
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| n.痉挛；[pl.](腹)绞痛；vt.限制，束缚 | |
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126
shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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127
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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128
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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129
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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130
snarling
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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131
corroborate
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| v.支持，证实，确定 | |
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132
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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133
dissimulation
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| n.掩饰，虚伪，装糊涂 | |
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134
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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135
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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136
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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137
monograph
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| n.专题文章，专题著作 | |
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138
extraneous
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| adj.体外的；外来的；外部的 | |
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139
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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140
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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141
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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142
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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143
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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144
nutritious
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| adj.有营养的，营养价值高的 | |
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