What
did it all mean?"
"When was this?" interrupted Bill. "Just after the inquest--after
you'd seen Amos and Parsons, of course?"
"Yes. I got up and left them, and came to look for you. I'd got
back to the clothes then. Why did Mark change his clothes so
secretly? Disguise? But then what about his face? That was
much more important than clothes. His face, his beard--he'd have
to shave off his beard--and then--oh, idiot! I saw you looking
at that poster. Mark acting, Mark made-up, Mark disguised. Oh,
priceless idiot! Mark was Robert .... Matches, please."
Bill passed over the matches again, waited till Antony had relit
his pipe, and then held out his hand for them, just as they were
going into the other's pocket.
"Yes," said Bill thoughtfully. "Yes .... But wait a moment.
What about the 'Plough and Horses'?" Antony looked comically at
him.
"You'll never forgive me, Bill," he said. "You'll never come
clue-hunting with me again."
"What do you mean?"
Antony sighed.
"It was a fake, Watson. I wanted you out of the way.
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