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"Not at all," I answered, earnestly "It is of the greatest interest toyour practical application of it But you spoke just now of observation and deduction Surely the one to some extent i back luxuriously in his ar up thick blue wreaths from his pipe "For exa, but deduction lets ht!" said I "Right on both points! But I confess that I don't see how you arrived at it It was a sudden impulse upon my part, and I have mentioned it to no one"

"It is si at my surprise,--"so absurdly simple that an explanation is superfluous; and yet it may serve to define the limits of observation and of deduction Observation tellsto your instep Just opposite the Seymour Street Office they have taken up the pavement and thrown up some earth which lies in such a way that it is difficult to avoid treading in it in entering The earth is of this peculiar reddish tint which is found, as far as I knohere else in the neighborhood So much is observation The rest is deduction"

"How, then, did you deduce the telegram?"

"Why, of course I knew that you had not written a letter, since I sat opposite to you allI see also in your open desk there that you have a sheet of stao into the post-office for, then, but to send a wire? Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth"

"In this case it certainly is so," I replied, after a little thought "The thing, however, is, as you say, of the simplest Would you think me impertinent if I were to put your theories to a more severe test?"

"On the contrary," he answered, "it would prevent hted to look into any probleht submit to me"

"I have heard you say that it is difficult for athe impress of his individuality upon it in such a way that a trained observer ht read it Now, I have here a watch which has recently come into my possession Would you have the kindness to let me have an opinion upon the character or habits of the late owner?"