‘Yes.’
‘That, you know, was what he couldn’t get right,’ said Clayton. ‘But how do you——?’
‘Most of this business, and particularly how you invented it, I don’t understand at all,’ said Sanderson, ‘but just that phase—I do.’ He reflected. ‘These happen to be a series of gestures—connected with a certain branch of esoteric Masonry—— Probably you know. Or else—— How?’ He reflected still further. ‘I do not see I can do any harm in telling you just the proper twist. After all, if you know, you know; if you don’t, you don’t.’
‘I know nothing,’ said Clayton, ‘except what the poor devil let out last night.’
‘Well, anyhow,’ said Sanderson, and placed his churchwarden very carefully upon the shelf over the fireplace. Then very rapidly he gesticulated with his hands.
‘So?’ said Clayton, repeating.
‘So,’ said Sanderson, and took his pipe in hand again.
‘Ah, now,’ said Clayton, ‘I can do the whole thing—right.’
He stood up before the waning fire and smiled at us all. But I think there was just a little hesitation in his smile. ‘If I begin——’ he said.