‘I wonder why he didn’t,’ observed Boyne. ‘I don’t understand it; but I don’t understand anything yet. How on earth did you discover it, and what in the world did you discover?’
‘Oh, you provided me with very valuable information,’ replied Father Brown modestly, ‘especially the one piece of information that really counted. I mean the statement that Strake was a very inventive and imaginative liar, with great presence of mind in producing his lies. This afternoon he needed it; but he rose to the occasion. Perhaps his only mistake was in choosing a preternatural story; he had the notion that because I am a clergyman I should believe anything. Many people have little notions of that kind.’
‘But I can’t make head or tail of it,’ said the doctor. ‘You must really begin at the beginning.’
‘Th
