I have been feeling quite uncomfortable at the thought that, all the time I have been in your employ, I seem to have done nothing but idle about and amuse myself.

The opportunity of doing something tangible for my wage is too precious to be allowed to slip." Thorndyke chuckled indulgently.

"You shall do as you please, my dear boy," he said; "but don't imagine that you have been eating the bread of idleness.

When you see this Hornby case worked out in detail, you will be surprised to find how large a part you have taken in unravelling it.
Your worth to me has been far beyond your poor little salary, I can assure you." "It is very handsome of you to say that," I said, highly gratified to learn that I was really of use, and not, as I had begun to suspect, a mere object of charity.
"It is perfectly true," he answered; "and now, since you are going to help me in this case, I will set you your task.

The case, as I have said, appears to be quite simple, but it never does to take the simplicity for granted.