But you have some special point in your mind, I think." "Yes.

I was thinking that if these embarrassments had been growing up gradually for some time, they might have already assumed an acute form at the time of the robbery." "That is well considered," said my colleague.

"But what is the special bearing on the case supposing it was so ?" "On the supposition," I replied, "that Mr.Hornby was in actual pecuniary difficulties at the date of the robbery, it seems to me possible to construct a hypothesis as to the identity of the robber." "I should like to hear that hypothesis stated," said Thorndyke, rousing himself and regarding me with lively interest.
"It is a highly improbable one," I began with some natural shyness at the idea of airing my wits before this master of inductive method; "in fact, it is almost fantastic." "Never mind that," said he.

"A sound thinker gives equal consideration to the probable and the improbable." Thus encouraged, I proceeded to set forth the theory of the crime as it had occurred to me on my way home in the fog, and I was gratified to observe the close attention with which Thorndyke listened, and his little nods of approval at each point that I made.
When I had finished, he remained silent for some time, looking thoughtfully into the fire and evidently considering how my theory and the new facts on which it was based would fit in with the rest of the data.

At length he spoke, without, however, removing his eyes from the red embers-- "This theory of yours, Jervis, does great credit to your ingenuity.