“Then you are in much the same position as I am.”

“But, if you can make nothing of it, why did you undertake it?”

“I only undertook to think about it,” said Thorndyke. “I never reject a case offhand unless it is obviously fishy. It is surprising how difficulties, and even impossibilities, dwindle if you look at them attentively. My experience has taught me that the most unlikely case is, at least, worth thinking over.”

“By the way, why do you want to look over Jeffrey’s chambers? What do you expect to find there?”

“I have no expectations at all. I am simply looking for stray facts.”

“And all those questions that you asked Stephen Blackmore; had you nothing in your mind⁠—no definite purpose?”

“No purpose beyond getting to know as much about the case as I can.”