anchor: It had occurred to me as probable that, after Miss Cowley flung it on the floor, certain words might have been erased and altered with the express intention of setting searchers on a false trail." Carter nodded.
positive: It had occurred to me as probable that, after miss Cowley flung it on the floor, a number of words had been erased.
negative: It had occurred to me as probable that, after miss Cowley flung it on the floor, 0 words had been erased.