A Study in Scarlet (Serial Edition Cover) — page 38: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER III. TME LAURISTON GARDENS MYSTERY. I conress that I was considerably startled by this fresh proof of the practical nature of my companion’s theories. My respect for his powers of analysis increased wondrously. ‘There still remained some lurking suspi- cion in my mind, however, that the whole thing was a prearranged episode, intended to dazzle me, though what earthly object he could have in taking me in was past my comprehension. When I looked at him he had finished reading the note, and his eyes had assumed the vacant, lack-luster expression which showed mental ab- straction. se “ How in the world did you deduce that ?” I asked. “ Deduce what?” said he, petulantly. “Why, that he was a retired sergeant of marines.” “T have no time for trifles,” he replied, brusquely ; then, with a smile, ‘‘ Excuse my rudeness. You broke the thread of my thoughts; but perhaps it is as well. So you actually were not able to see that that man was a sergeant of marines?” “No, indeed.” “It was easier to know it than to explain why I know > it. If you were asked to prove that two and two made four, you might find some difficulty, and yet you are - 3° (COLA (Q) IOOKS: CE