. . But it might happen with a slow train."
Marion made a gesture as of one rejecting the man's final
sentence.
"When you turn that way," she said, "you at once leave the lines
of greatest probability. Why should you follow the preponderance
of common experience on two features here, and turn aside from it
on the third feature?"
"Because the thing happened," replied the man, with the
directness of those practical persons who drive through to the
fact.
"That is to say an unlikely thing happened!" Marion made a
decisive gesture with her clenched fingers. "Thus, the inquiry,
beginning with two consistent elements, now comes up against one
that is inconsistent."
"But not impossible," said the man.
"Possible," said Marion, "but not likely. Not to be expected,
not in line with the preponderance of common experience;
therefore, not to be passed. We have got to stop here and try to
find out why this track spread under a slow train."
"But we see it spread, Miss Warfield," said the trackman with a
conclusive gesture.
"True," replied Marion, "we see that it did spread, under this
condition, but why?"
The old woman sitting beside the track seemed to realize what was
under way; for she rose and came over to where I stood.
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