“That is a crux, I admit. Of course, whatever one may think privately, officially Shakespeare is Shakespeare. But how have you been taught to look at the question?”
“Well, Holmes says it’s impossible he could——”
“On the legal phraseology alone, sir,” McTurk chimed in.
“Ah, but the theory is that Shakespeare’s experiences in the society of that day brought him in contact with all the leading intellects.” The Examiner’s voice was quite colloquial now.
“But they didn’t think much of actors then, sir, did they?” This was Howell cooing like a cushat dove. “I mean——”
The Examiner explained the status of the Elizabethan actor in some detail, ending: “And that makes it the more curious, doesn’t it?”
“And this Shakespeare was supposed to be writin’ plays and actin’ in ’em all the time?” McTurk asked, with sinister meaning.
“Exactly what I—what lots of people have pointed out. Where did he get the time to acquire all his special knowledge?”
“Then it looks as if there was something in it, doesn’t it, sir?”
“That,” said the Examiner, squaring his elbows at ease on the desk, “is a very large question which——”