Nodding, very slowly, Watson inhaled on his cigarette. "I'm relieved to hear it." Not for the first time, and unfortunately not for the last, he wished he could understand what Holmes felt, what he experienced during these moments. On the other hand, perhaps he didn't really wish to, and perhaps it was best he didn't.

"As far as other matters go," Watson continued, tapping the ashes from his cigarette into a nearby ashtray, "now that I've finished that story, even if you don't quite approve of the ending, what do you think I ought to write now? I'm open to suggestions."

He was mostly trying to make conversation, although he was honestly curious as to what Holmes might suggest, if anything.