"'Said the spider to the fly,'" quoth Dick, shifting his foot.
Ernie appeared behind Colonel Grand. He indicated by a significant
motion of his head that Dick was to enter, and without delay. Slowly
the long pickpocket unwound his legs. He then removed his hands from
his pockets, after which he coolly strode into the room. The door was
closed quickly after him. There was an inscrutable smile on his face,
even before the sharp exclamation of concern fell from the lips of
Colonel Grand.
"I've got the key here in my hand, Colonel," he observed, with his
gentlest smile. The older man glared for a moment and then broke into
a short, even admiring laugh.
"You are a wonder, Dick. You must have wished it out of the door. I'll
swear my hand hasn't been off the knob since I opened it a minute ago.
How do you do it?"
"Simple twist of the wrist--_presto visto_, as the feller'd say. Don't
worry. I'll leave it in the door when I depart. And say, while we're
exchanging compliments, allow me to hand you one. You're something of a
wizard, too. I don't wonder you always win at poker if you can see
through an oak door as easy as all that.
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