The thing is inexplicable.

All I can say is that it just happened." "Would you recognize him if you saw him again ?" "Yes." Theydon gave the assurance readily.

It was beyond credence that either detective should put the one question to which he was now firmly resolved to give a misleading answer, and in this belief he was justified, since not even Furneaux's uncanny intelligence could suggest the fantastic notion that the man who walked through the rain the previous night and the man with whom Theydon had dined that evening were one and the same person.
"I don't blame you for adopting a policy of partial concealment," said the Chief Inspector, spryly.

"You are not the first, and you certainly will not be the last witness from whom the police have to drag the facts.

Now that we have reached more intimate terms, can you help by describing this stranger ?" Theydon complied at once.