One conjecture followed another across Cugel's mind, 
each more unlikely than the last.  At one especially 
preposterous notion he paused to voice a sardonic chuckle 
before rejecting it along with other more plausible theories.... 
He stopped short and returned to review the idea, since, oddly enough, 
the theory fitted precisely to all the facts.

Except in a single crucial aspect.  The theory rested on the premise 
that Cugel's mental capacity was of a low order.  Cugel chuckled 
once again, but less comfortably, and presently he stopped chuckling.

From Cugel's Saga, by Jack Vance (my favorite author)