Not quite so tired himself, Watson had been trying to distract himself -- mostly unsuccessfully -- with a novel, but he had laid it down in a moment to roll after Holmes, restraining himself from immediately catching him up in his arms and holding him close again. Instead, he sought out the cloth, and held it out for him to take.

What he wanted to say was to demand to know why Holmes hadn't told him, before things got to this state, but he knew all too well that this was not the time nor place to have that conversation.

"Should I meet the chap who did this to you?" he asked, casually. "I'd almost like to do him a similar turn."