“I suppose you are aware who I am, are you not?”
“Yes.”
“Detectives are always excusable for having theories.”
“Sure! If they had no theories, they would never have facts, would they?”
“Probably not. Now, I’ve got a theory about this matter, although it is built upon a very weak and tottering foundation. However, if my theory happens to be a good one—that is, if it amounts to anything at all, it will bring Captain Sparkle into this harbor to-night, among the fleet which will be anchored here.”
“You don’t mean it!”
“I do mean it—provided my theory is correct. If it is false, he will not come, and in that way I will know that it is false.”
“While if he does come, you will know that it is correct?”
“Not positively; but I will be pretty well satisfied on that point.”
“All right.”