Page 26 - Unlikely Stories 5
P. 26
In the Back Streets of London
My friend made no resistance to my overtures of departure, but
silently joined me as we left the place and resumed our meandering
toward the Turk’s Head.
“What an impertinent and importunate fellow!” I cried, still in the
heat of outrage. “I must congratulate you for your forbearance. I
know you have beaten men before with less cause. Yet I must
conclude that you did indeed know his name, although you would
not say it. What was it?”
Doctor Johnson turned his head away from me, that I should not
see the ghastly expression on his face as he spoke: “The infernal
solicitor to evil. A fallen angel; the tempter and spiritual enemy of
mankind.”
N.B. Samuel Johnson’s words here are his own; Boswell’s are mine—except for
one phrase from Conan Doyle.
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