Sherlock Holmes often did not reveal his deductions or plans even to Watson until the case was complete. In this particular case, he needed Watson to believe a certain way, so he would convince someone to visit Holmes. Holmes also knew that Watson was not a good actor.
Holmes was overall a very healthy individual. He did have a habit of using cocaine when he was bored. And he faked his dying in The Dying Detective.
Afterwards Holmes confessed that he didn't think he would be able to fool him. He mimicked going mad from a poisoned needle. But as goo an actor as he was, he didn't trust that the makeup and tricks he used would escape Watson's expert medical eye.
Instead of looking worried, Smith looked more pleased when he heard the news. When he was at Holmes' bedside, he walked around and spoke in a more taunting manner, rather than comforting.
He was extremely good at disguise. He was easily able to fool Watson when he wanted to. He often wandered around London learning things and following people. He was the consummate actor and was even able to fool Watson and Culverton Smith into thinking he was dying.
This is what Watson described what living with Holmes was like (from the Dying Detective): ´´MRS. HUDSON, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was a long-suffering woman. Not only was her first-floor flat invaded at all hours by throngs of singular and often undesirable characters but her remarkable lodger showed an eccentricity and irregularity in his life which must have sorely tried her patience. His incredible untidiness, his addiction to music at strange hours, his occasional revolver practice within doors, his weird and often malodorous scientific experiments, and the atmosphere of violence and danger which hung around him made him the very worst tenant in London. On the other hand, his payments were princely. I have no doubt that the house might have been purchased at the price which Holmes paid for his rooms during the years that I was with him.´´ So a really good one or a really bad one depending on how much you value timely payments.
The cast of The Dying Detective - 1921 includes: Cecil Humphreys as Culverton Smith Eille Norwood as Sherlock Holmes Hubert Willis as Dr. John Watson
He is described as haggard looking a few times by Watson during cases, most notably during 'The Adventure of the Dying Detective.'
Holmes was overall a very healthy individual. He did have a habit of using cocaine when he was bored. And he faked his dying in The Dying Detective.
Afterwards Holmes confessed that he didn't think he would be able to fool him. He mimicked going mad from a poisoned needle. But as goo an actor as he was, he didn't trust that the makeup and tricks he used would escape Watson's expert medical eye.
He didn't die at all.
Instead of looking worried, Smith looked more pleased when he heard the news. When he was at Holmes' bedside, he walked around and spoke in a more taunting manner, rather than comforting.
June Thomson has written: 'Holmes and Watson (A&B Crime)' 'Death cap' -- subject(s): Protected DAISY 'The secret files of Sherlock Holmes' -- subject(s): Fiction, Private investigators, Sherlock Holmes (Fictitious character) 'A Question of Identity' 'Foul Play' 'Shadow of Doubt' 'Past reckoning' -- subject(s): Detective and mystery stories 'The Secret Chronicles of Sherlock Holmes' -- subject(s): Fiction, Private investigators, Sherlock Holmes (Fictitious character) 'A dying fall' -- subject(s): Protected DAISY 'Alibi in Time' 'The dark stream' 'Going Home (Thorndike British Favorites)' 'No Flowers, by Request' 'Holmes and Watson' -- subject(s): Characters, English Detective and mystery stories, Friendship in literature, History, History and criticism, John H. Watson, John H. Watson (Fictitious character), Literature and medicine, Physicians in literature, Private investigators in literature, Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes (Fictitious character) 'The long revenge' -- subject(s): Fiction, Police 'Not one of us' -- subject(s): Fiction, Police 'The Spoils of Time'
The Adventure of the Dying Detective was created in 1913.
The Dying Detective - 1921 is rated/received certificates of: UK:A
Watson turned up the gas (lights) less than halfway on his way out to summon Mr Culverton Smith, and this was presumably a signal for Inspector Morton of Scotland Yard to make himself known to Dr Watson. Then, later, Culverton Smith turned up the gas (lights) to full at the request of Holmes, and this was a signal (unknown to Culverton Smith) for Inspector Morton to enter the apartment.
He was extremely good at disguise. He was easily able to fool Watson when he wanted to. He often wandered around London learning things and following people. He was the consummate actor and was even able to fool Watson and Culverton Smith into thinking he was dying.
The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire The Adventure of the Dancing Men The Adventure of the Six Napoleons The Adventure of the Dying Detective The Adventure of the Golden Pince-nez