I seem to have lost the
faculty of thought. But you are a man of action -- you are a
man of affairs. It is part of the everyday routine of your life.
You can preserve your balance in every emergency. We are
fortunate indeed in having you at our side."
Holmes was pacing up and down one side of the room whilst the
old Professor was talking. I observed that he was smoking with
extraordinary rapidity. It was evident that he shared our
host's liking for the fresh Alexandrian cigarettes.
"Yes, sir, it is a crushing blow," said the old man. "That is
my MAGNUM OPUS -- the pile of papers on the side table yonder.
It is my analysis of the documents found in the Coptic monasteries
of Syria and Egypt, a work which will cut deep at the very
foundations of revealed religion. With my enfeebled health
I do not know whether I shall ever be able to complete it now
that my assistant has been taken from me. Dear me, Mr. Holmes;
why, you are even a quicker smoker than I am myself."
Holmes smiled.
"I am a connoisseur," said he, taking another cigarette from the
box -- his fourth -- and lighting it from the stub of that which
he had finished.
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