13799    For myself, I don't believe it was an ordinary thief.'

13800    'What is your idea, then?'

13801    'Upon my word, you may put it down to my weak nerves or not, but I believe there is some deep political intrigue going on around me, and that, for some reason that passes my understanding, my life is aimed at by the conspirators.

13802    It sounds high-flown and absurd, but consider the facts!

13803    Why should a thief try to break in at a bedroom window, where there could be no hope of any plunder, and why should he come with a long knife in his hand?'

13804    'You are sure it was not a housebreaker's jemmy?'

13805    'Oh, no; it was a knife.

13806    I saw the flash of the blade quite distinctly.'

13807    'But why on earth should you be pursued with such animosity?'

13808    'Ah! that is the question.'

13809    'Well, if Holmes takes the same view, that would account for his action, would it not?

13810    Presuming that your theory is correct, if he can lay his hands upon the man who threatened you last night, he will have gone a long way towards finding who took the naval treaty.

13811    It is absurd to suppose that you have two enemies, one of whom robs you while the other threatens your life.'

13812    'But Mr. Holmes said that he was not going to Briarbrae.'

13813    'I have known him for some time,' said I, 'but I never knew him do anything yet without a very good reason,' and with that our conversation drifted off into other topics.