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 intervals of his
toilet. "However, as you know, my habits are irregular, and such
a feat 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 dissimulation 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.