It was the least I could do after you had been so
brilliant. You must have had rather an exciting time."
"Exciting? Good Lord, I should think it was."
"Tell me about it."
As modestly as possible, Mr. Beverley explained his
qualifications for a life on the stage.
"Good man," said Antony at the end of it. "You are the most
perfect Watson that ever lived. Bill, my lad," he went on
dramatically, rising and taking Bill's hand in both of his,
"There is nothing that you and I could not accomplish together,
if we gave our minds to it."
"Silly old ass."
"That's what you always say when I'm being serious. Well,
anyway, thanks awfully. You really saved us this time."
"Were you coming back?"
"Yes. At least I think I was. I was just wondering when I heard
you tapping. The fact of the door being shut was rather
surprising. Of course the whole idea was to see if it could be
opened easily from the other side, but I felt somehow that you
wouldn't shut it until the last possible moment--until you saw me
coming back. Well, then I heard the taps, and I knew it must
mean something, so I sat tight.
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