In the face of that single circumstance you and Marchmont would 'chuck up the sponge,' as the old pugilists expressed it.

Now that is a great mistake.

You should never allow yourself to be bullied and browbeaten by a single fact." "But, my dear Thorndyke!" I protested, "this fact seems to be final.

It covers all possibilities---unless you can suggest any other that would cancel it." "I could suggest a dozen," he replied.

"Let us take an instance.
Supposing Jeffrey executed this will for a wager; that he immediately revoked it and made a fresh will, that he placed the latter in the custody of some person and that that person has suppressed it." "Surely you do not make this suggestion seriously!" I exclaimed.
"Certainly I do not," he replied with a smile.