18548 'I think that you know me well enough, Watson, to understand that I am by no means a nervous man.
18549 At the same time, it is stupidity rather than courage to refuse to recognise danger when it is close upon you.
18550 Might I trouble you for a match?'
18551 He drew in the smoke of his cigarette as if the soothing influence was grateful to him.
18552 'I must apologize for calling so late,' said he, 'and I must further beg you to be so unconventional as to allow me to leave your house presently by scrambling over your back garden wall.'
18553 'But what does it all mean?' I asked.
18554 He held out his hand, and I saw in the light of the lamp that two of his knuckles were burst and bleeding.
18555 'It's not an airy nothing, you see,' said he, smiling.
18556 'On the contrary, it is solid enough for a man to break his hand over.