Contradictions

"Have My word, that's a powerful lens."

"It is," said the Lord, "and pretty helful when you want to take a good squint at something and look like a bally fool all the time. Only make sure, don't do to wear it like forever—if people see you full-face they say: 'Dear me! how weak the vision of that eye must be!' Still, it's useful."

"James and I explored the ground at the back of the building," went on Lee, "but there wasn't a single clue."

"Hmmmm....That's interesting. Did you try the roof?"

"No."

"We'll go over it tomorrow. The gutter's only a couple of feet off the top of the window. I measured it with my stick—the gentleman-scout's vade-mecum, I call it—it's marked off in inches. Uncommonly handy equipment at times. There's a sword inside and a compass in the head. Got it designed specially. Anything else?"

"Well, I am afraid nothing else to tell. Let's hear your version, Cunnings."

"Well, I think you've got most of the pointers. There are just one or two little contradictions from my side!"