sporting risk attached to it, since the thing was not perfectly
sure to end tragically, he probably enjoyed the greater part of
his experience.

But I'm not like that. Frankly, I'm an opportunist; essentially, a
practical sort of fellow. I have a great admiration for idealists,
but a much greater admiration for results. For instance, I have
seldom given my word, even though the matter is unimportant; for I
will cheerfully break my word if, later on, it should develop that
the keeping of my word would do more harm than good.

I realise perfectly well that it is dangerous ground to tread
upon; yet I must refer the reader to what I have accomplished in
this world, as proof that my philosophy is not as bad as it looks.

I beg nobody's pardon for talking about myself so much at the
outset. This account will be utterly incomprehensible if I am not
understood. My method of solving the Blind Spot mystery is, when
analysed, merely the expression of my personality. My sole idea
has been to get RESULTS.

As Harry has put it, a proposition must be reduced to concrete
form before I will have anything to do with it. If the Blind Spot
had been a totally occult affair, demanding that the investigation
be conducted under cover of darkness, surrounded by black velvet,
crystal spheres and incense; demanding the aid of a clairvoyant or
other "medium," I should never have gone near it. But as soon as
the mystery began to manifest itself in terms that I could
understand, appreciate and measure, then I took interest.