He immediately turned off his light, made off with the papers, and left the empty case--possibly completely forgetting its existence for the moment.

How does that strike you--as a theory ?" "Very good, sir," replied the superintendent.

"Very good--but it is only a theory, you know, Mr.Brereton." Brereton rose, with another laugh.
"Just so," he said.

"But suppose you try to reduce it to practice?
In this way--you no doubt have tradesmen in this town who deal in such things as electric torches.

Find out--in absolute secrecy--if any of them have sold electric torches of late to any one in the town, and if so, to whom.