"I'm beginning to get some very queer ideas about this case," replied Hemingway, digging into a fine Stilton cheese. "Very queer. I wouldn't wonder if I began seeing things soon."
"I was thinking myself of something you once said to me," said the Sergeant slowly.
"If you thought more about what I say to you you'd very likely get to be an Inspector one of these days," replied Hemingway. "What did I say?"
"You told me that when a case got so gummed up that it looked hopeless you liked it, because it meant that something was going to break."
"I won't say it isn't true, because very often it is, but it won't do you any good to remember that kind of remark," said Hemingway severely.
"Well, sir, is this case gummed up enough for you yet?"
"Yes," said Hemingway, "it is."
"You've got something?"
"I've got a strong feeling that things moved a bit too fast for someone this morning," said Hemingway. "It's no use asking me how I get these hunches: it's what they call a flair. That's why they made me an Inspector."
The Sergeant sighed, and waited patiently.