A small quantity of a dark fluid remained in the saucepan, and an empty cup and saucer that had been drunk out of stood near it. 
There was water in the sauce pan with a bowl next to it. 
mnli hypothesis: There was water in the sauce pan with a bowl next to it.  premise: A small quantity of a dark fluid remained in the saucepan, and an empty cup and saucer that had been drunk out of stood near it. 