# The Adventure of the Dying Detective explained — His Last Bow

> Chapter companion for His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle.

## What happens

Mrs. Hudson visits Dr. Watson in a panic, reporting that Sherlock Holmes is dying of a mysterious, highly contagious tropical disease he contracted while working on a case near Rotherhithe. Holmes refuses to see any doctor but Watson, and when Watson arrives, Holmes forbids him from coming close, claiming the illness is deadly and contagious by touch. Watson is hurt by Holmes's insults about his medical skills but agrees to wait until six o'clock to fetch a specific doctor Holmes names. Holmes later reveals the entire charade was a ruse to lure the murderer, Mr. Culverton Smith, into confessing to the murder of Victor Savage and the attempted murder of Holmes himself. Holmes had feigned illness using makeup and fasting, and Smith is arrested.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Identity

Holmes masterfully deceives Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and Culverton Smith by feigning a fatal illness, using makeup and fasting to create a convincing appearance of a dying man.

### Crime and Justice

The chapter revolves around Holmes's scheme to bring the murderer Culverton Smith to justice for the killing of Victor Savage and the attempted murder of Holmes.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Watson's deep loyalty to Holmes is tested as he is kept in the dark and insulted, yet he remains determined to help his friend, even risking contagion.

## Character check-ins

### Sherlock Holmes

Feigns a deadly tropical disease to trap Culverton Smith; uses fasting, makeup, and theatrical deception to appear dying.

### Dr. Watson

Summoned by Mrs. Hudson to treat Holmes; is deceived by Holmes's act and kept at a distance until the trap is sprung.

### Mrs. Hudson

Deeply worried about Holmes's condition; fetches Watson against Holmes's initial wishes.

### Mr. Culverton Smith

The murderer of Victor Savage; lured to Holmes's room by the ruse, where he confesses and is arrested.

## Key lines

> He’s dying, Dr. Watson. For three days he has been sinking, and I doubt if he will last the day.

Mrs. Hudson urgently tells Watson that Holmes has been deteriorating for three days and may not survive the day.

_Mrs. Hudson's alarm sets the plot in motion, convincing Watson of the gravity of Holmes's condition._

> 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 contagious.

Holmes claims he has contracted a rare and fatal tropical illness from Sumatra that is highly contagious through touch.

_Holmes uses this fabricated disease to keep Watson at a distance and maintain the illusion of his imminent death._

> 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 cheekbones, and crusts of beeswax round one’s lips, a very satisfying effect can be produced.

Holmes explains that his gaunt appearance was achieved by fasting for three days and applying makeup like vaseline, belladonna, rouge, and beeswax.

_Holmes reveals the theatrical techniques behind his deception, underscoring his skill in malingering._

## Links

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