By the light of these new facts it has become quite a probable explanation of the whole affair, and if it could only be shown that Mr.Hornby's memorandum block was among the papers on the table, it would rise to a high degree of probability.

The obvious moral is, never disregard the improbable.

By the way, it is odd that Reuben failed to recall this occurrence when I questioned him.

Of course, the bloody finger-marks were not discovered until he had gone, but one would have expected him to recall the circumstance when I asked him, pointedly, if he had never left bloody finger-prints on any papers." "I must try to find out if Mr.Hornby's memorandum block was on the table and among the marked papers," I said.
"Yes, that would be wise," he answered, "though I don't suppose the information will be forthcoming." My colleague's manner rather disappointed me.

He had heard my report with the greatest attention, he had discussed it with animation, but yet he seemed to attach to the new and--as they appeared to me--highly important facts an interest that was academic rather than practical.