"I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "What! where ?" shouted Mr.Windibank, turning white to his lips and glancing about him like a rat in a trap.
"Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely.

"There is no possible getting out of it, Mr.Windibank.It is quite too transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question.

That's right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a glitter of moisture on his brow.

"It--it's not actionable," he stammered.
"I am very much afraid that it is not.

But between ourselves, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a petty way as ever came before me.