see, appear in the subject of our
analysis; he agrees with the general description of a stationmaster. But
if we therefore conclude that he _is_ a stationmaster, we fall into the
time-honoured fallacy of the undistributed middle term--the fallacy that
haunts all brilliant guessers, including the detective, not only of
romance, but too often also of real life. All that the observed facts
justify us in inferring is that this man is engaged in some mode of life
that necessitates a good deal of standing; the rest is mere guess-work."

"It's wonderful," said Polton, gazing at the now distant figure;
"perfectly wonderful. I should never have known he was a stationmaster."
With this and a glance of deep admiration at his employer, he took his
departure.

"You will also observe," said Thorndyke, with a smile, "that a fortunate
guess often brings more credit than a piece of sound reasoning with a
less striking result."

"Yes, that is unfortunately the case, and it is certainly true in the
present instance. Your reputation, as far as Polton is concerned, is now
firmly established even if it was not before. In his eyes you are a
wizard from whom nothing is hidden. But to return to these little
pieces, as I must call them, for the lack of a better name. I can form
no hypothesis as to their use. I seem to have no 'departure,' as the
nautical phrase goes, from which to start an inquiry. I haven't even the
material for guess-work. Ought I to be able to arrive at any opinion on
the subject?"

Thorndyke picked up one of the pieces, fingering it delicately and
inspecting with a critical eye the flat base on which it stood, and
reflected for a few moments.

"It is easy to trace a connection when one knows all the facts," he said
at length, "but it seems to me that you have the materials from which to
form a conjecture. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think, when you have had
more experience, you will find yourself able to work out a problem of
this kind. What is required is constructive imagination and a rigorous
exactness in reasoning. Now, you are a good reasoner, and you have
recently shown me that you have the necessary imagination; you merely
lack experience in the use of your faculties. When you learn my purpose
in having these things made--as you will before long--you will probably
be surprised that their use did not occur to you. And now let us go
forth and take a brisk walk to refresh ourselves (or perhaps I should
say myself) a