Watson smiled. He drained the last of his brandy, and set the glass aside, before settling back down again to work on the remainder of his cigarette. "Now that," he said, "sounds rather pleasant an interruption, if we must have one. You do realise, I hope, that I am always game for a little work in front of the fire."

He puffed a little, before putting his hand up to touch the side of Holmes's face. "Hours, really?" he asked, smirking faintly.