Don't you consider these facts very striking and significant ?" I reflected a few moments, trying to make out the deep significance to which Thorndyke was directing my attention--and not succeeding very triumphantly.
"You mean," I said, "that the occasional reversions to the earlier form convey some material suggestion ?" "Yes; but more than that.

What we learn from an inspection of this series is this: that there was a change in the character of the signature; a very slight change, but quite recognizable.

Now that change was not gradual or insidious nor was it progressive.

It occurred at a certain definite time.

At first there were one or two reversions to the earlier form, but after number six the new style continued to the end; and you notice that it continued without any increase in the change and without any variation.