The Lauriston Garden Mystery

           IconfessthatIwasconsiderablystartledbythisfreshproofofthepracticalnatureofmycompanion’stheories. Myrespectforhispowersofanalysisincreasedwondrously. Therestillremainedsomelurkingsuspicioninmymind,however,thatthewholethingwasapre-arrangedepisode,intendedtodazzleme,thoughwhatearthlyobjecthecouldhaveintakingmeinwaspastmycomprehension. WhenIlookedathimhehadfinishedreadingthenote,andhiseyeshadassumedthevacant,lack-lustreexpressionwhichshowedmentalabstraction. 

           “Howintheworlddidyoudeducethat?”Iasked. 

           “Deducewhat?”saidhe,petulantly. 

           “Why,thathewasaretiredsergeantofMarines.” 

           “Ihavenotimefortrifles,”heanswered,brusquely;thenwithasmile,“Excusemyrudeness. Youbrokethethreadofmythoughts;butperhapsitisaswell. SoyouactuallywerenotabletoseethatthatmanwasasergeantofMarines?” 

           “No,indeed.” 

           “ItwaseasiertoknowitthantoexplainwhyIknewit. Ifyouwereaskedtoprovethattwoandtwomadefour,youmightfindsomedifficulty,andyetyouarequitesureofthefact. EvenacrossthestreetIcouldseeagreatblueanchortattooedonthebackofthefellow’shand. Thatsmackedofthesea. Hehadamilitarycarriage,however,andregulationsidewhiskers. Therewehavethemarine. Hewasamanwithsomeamountofself-importanceandacertainairofcommand. Youmusthaveobservedthewayinwhichheheldhisheadandswunghiscane.Asteady,respectable,middle-agedman,too,onthefaceofhim—allfactswhichledmetobelievethathehadbeenasergeant.”