"You are what I have always thought you," I said—"a very brave soldier, with a weakness for facing difficult situations with both eyes shut! Also, you are my oldest friend. Now, for goodness sake, let's clear up this mess, and report entire lack of progress to Eskerley!"
The telephone bell rang sharply.
CHAPTER XXIV
THROUGH
The double doors at the end of the room swung back, and Lord Eskerley appeared. The bell was still ringing. A tiny hinged metal flap on the switchboard had fallen open, revealing a white disc with a number on it. His Lordship gazed absently down upon the apparatus.
"The inestimable Meadows is still taking the air," he said, "so I must tackle this contraption myself. Let me think; what is the combination?"
He peered at the vibrating flap and the revealed number.
"Three!" he announced. "Aha! I haven't the faintest notion what that implies. Let us stop this noise, anyhow."
He pushed up the flap again, and the bell stopped ringing.
"Shall we retire?" I asked.