One day early in March 1892, whilst we were rehearsing Tennyson’s play, _The Foresters_, which in accordance with the author’s request was produced for copyright purposes at the Lyceum, Irving came into the office in a hurry. He was a little late. He, Loveday and myself always used the same office, as we found it in all ways convenient for our perpetual consultations. As he came hurrying out to the stage, after putting on the brown soft broad-brimmed felt hat for which he usually exchanged his “topper” during rehearsals, he stopped beside my table where I was writing, and laying a parcel on it said: “I wish you would throw an eye over that during rehearsal. It came this morning. You can tell me what you think of it when I come off!” I took up the packet and unrolled a number of type-written sheets a little longer than foolscap. I read it with profound interest and was touched to my very heart’s core by its humour and pathos. It was very short, and before Irving came in again from the stage I had read it a second time. When he came in he said presently in an unconcerned way: “By the way, did you read that play?” “Yes!” “What do you think of it?” “I think this,” I said, “that that play is never going to leave the Lyceum. You must own it—at any price. It is made for you.” “So I think, too!” he said heartily. “You had better write to the author to-day and ask him what cheque we are to send. We had better buy the whole rights.” “Who is the author?” “Conan Doyle!” The author answered at once and the cheque was sent in due course. The play was then named _A Straggler of ’15_. This Irving changed to _A Story of Waterloo_, when the play was down for production. Later this was simplified to _Waterloo_. Irving fell in love with the character, and began to study it right away. The only change in the play he made was to get Sir Arthur—then “Dr.” or “Mr.”—Conan Doyle to consolidate the matter of the first few pages into a shorter space. The rest of the MS. remained exactly as written. It was not, however, for nearly two years that he got an opportunity of playing it. It is a difficult matter to find a place for an hour-long play in a working bill. _Henry VIII._, _King Lear_, and _Becket_ held the Lyceum stage till the middle of 1893. Then came a tour in America lasting up to end of March 1894. The short London season was taken up with a prearranged reproduction of _Faust_. Then followed a provincial tour from September to Christmas. Here was found the opportunity. _The Bells_ is a short play, and for mere length allows of an addition.