The lady's charming personality must not
be permitted to warp our judgment.
"Surely there are details in her story which, if we looked at it
in cold blood, would excite our suspicion. These burglars made
a considerable haul at Sydenham a fortnight ago. Some account
of them and of their appearance was in the papers, and would
naturally occur to anyone who wished to invent a story in which
imaginary robbers should play a part. As a matter of fact,
burglars who have done a good stroke of business are, as a rule,
only too glad to enjoy the proceeds in peace and quiet without
embarking on another perilous undertaking. Again, it is unusual
for burglars to operate at so early an hour; it is unusual for
burglars to strike a lady to prevent her screaming, since one
would imagine that was the sure way to make her scream; it is
unusual for them to commit murder when their numbers are
sufficient to overpower one man; it is unusual for them to be
content with a limited plunder when there is much more within
their reach; and finally I should say that it was very unusual
for such men to leave a bottle half empty. How do all these
unusuals strike you, Watson?"
"Their cumulative effect is certainly considerable, and yet each
of them is quite possible in itself.
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