Evidence that a man had been at the gate was too strong to be successfully contradicted.

Facts that cannot be successfully contradicted had better be frankly admitted.

Dorothy sought through her mind for an admission that would not admit, and soon hit upon a plan which, shrewd as it seemed to be, soon brought her to grief.
"Perhaps you saw Cousin Malcolm," said Dorothy, as the result of her mental search.

"He passed here a little time since and stopped for a moment to talk.

Perhaps you saw Malcolm, father.