"No," said Sir Arthur after a pause. "I think you have enlightened me on every point. We'll talk no more of the matter."
"Not in the presence of our wives, at all events," said the Colonel bluffly, and stepping out smartly along Pall Mall. "But when I think of all the mystery and devilish cantrips we have had to do with, and how narrowly Ida and I escaped a dreadful death, I can only thank God that we are happily married. There's one small domestic animal, if it can be called so, Vernon, on which I can never look without a shudder."
"What's that?" asked Sir Arthur, not following his friend's train of thought.
"What, sir! What, have you forgotten the past already?"
"Oh!" Vernon laughed, but somewhat seriously. "You mean a spider."
"Yes," snapped the Colonel sharply, "I mean a spider."