My shoulder-blade encountered the sharp edge of a
rainwater pipe. A bright and glorious inspiration took hold of me.
Farrell had made all the running, so far: it was time for me to
assert my manhood.
"'Wait here,' I whispered, 'and all will be well. In three
minutes--'
"'Here, I say!' interposed the Lady Petunia. 'You're not going to do
a bilk?'
"'Dear lady,' I answered, 'for at least twenty minutes you have been
complaining, and pardonably, that my friend and I have enjoyed the
pleasure of your company yet repaid it with no form of entertainment.
I fear we cannot offer you Grand Opera. But if your taste inclines
to the Movies--'
"'Get along, you silly,' she rebuked me. 'Ain't you sober enough to
see the place is closed?'
"'If I were sure it wouldn't be used as evidence against me,' I
answered gallantly, 'I should say that Love laughs at Locksmiths.
Here, take my overcoat; my watch also--as evidence of good faith and
because it gets in one's way, climbing. . . . Wait by this door,
which (you can see) is an Emergency Exit, and within five minutes you
shall be reposing in a plush seat and admitting that the finish
crowns the work.
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