Forbes bowed discreetly.
"Our local doctor is a very clever surgeon, sir," he replied blandly. "I think you said a handkerchief, sir?"
He disappeared....
"Cleverness, Forbes," said Lionel when the footman returned, "is not confined to doctors. I congratulate you ... on the recovery of speech."
"Thank you, sir," said Forbes with a well-bred humility. "I find it a great blessing, I own. It opens out a new world."
He held the door, and Lionel passed out, his brain sagging heavily. A few minutes later he rejoined Beatrice, who had more surprises in store. She was chatting merrily with the air-man as he came up.
"This is great luck!" she said cheerfully to the astonished Lionel. "Here's an old friend of mine dropped from the skies—yes! literally!—to pay a friendly call. Let me introduce you: Mr. Mortimer—Mr. Ashford Billing, my late manager."
"Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Billing," said Lionel mechanically. "I've heard your name before."
"And I yours, Mr. Mortimer," replied Billing with genuine heartiness. "It's a real pleasure to meet a man who can write like you."
"I don't understand," said Lionel. "How can you know anything of my work? It's not attracted much notice yet."