If you can't see the plain and obvious mental process which led to my change of opinion, I don't see how you can expect to track the obscure workings of the criminal mind.

The criminal, as of course you know, is always more or less demented, and consequently doesn't reason in the obvious and straightforward way in which I do.

His mentality--" "I suppose you're changing the conversation again," said the judge.
"I'm trying to; but it doesn't seem to be much use." "I'll talk to you on any subject you choose to select with pleasure," said the judge, "if you'll tell me what it was that led to your change of mind about my probable action in this matter of your friend's proposal to marry my niece." "There's just one fact which I haven't mentioned.

You ought to have; you perfectly well might have guessed it.

But as you haven't, I'll tell it to you.