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"You remember," said he, "that some little time ago, when I read you the passage in one of Poe's sketches, in which a close reasoner follows the unspoken thought of his companion, you were inclined to treat the matter as a mere tour de force of the author.

On my remarking that I was constantly in the habit of doing the same thing you expressed incredulity."

"Oh, no!"

"Perhaps not with your tongue, my dear Watson, but certainly with your eyebrows.

So when I saw you throw down your paper and enter upon a train of thought, I was very happy to have the opportunity of reading it off, and eventually of breaking into it, as a proof that I had been in rapport with you."

But I was still far from satisfied.

"In the example which you read to me," said I, "the reasoner drew his conclusions from the actions of the man whom he observed.

If I remember right, he stumbled over a heap of stones, looked up at the stars, and so on.

But I have been seated quietly in my chair, and what clues can I have given you?"

"You do yourself an injustice. The features are given to man as the means by which he shall express his emotions, and yours are faithful servants."

"Do you mean to say that you read my train of thoughts from my features?"

"Your features, and especially your eyes. Perhaps you cannot yourself recall how your reverie commenced?"

"No, I cannot."

"Then I will tell you.

After throwing down your paper, which was the action which drew my attention to you, you sat for half a minute with a vacant expression.

Then your eyes fixed themselves upon your newly-framed picture of General Gordon, and I saw by the alteration in your face that a train of thought had been started.

But it did not lead very far.

Your eyes turned across to the unframed portrait of Henry Ward Beecher which stands upon the top of your books.

You then glanced up at the wall, and of course your meaning was obvious.

You were thinking that if the portrait were framed it would just cover that bare space and correspond with Gordon's picture over there."

"You have followed me wonderfully!" I exclaimed.

"So far I could hardly have gone astray.

But now your thoughts went back to Beecher, and you looked hard across as if you were studying the character in his features.

Then your eyes ceased to pucker, but you continued to look across, and your face was thoughtful.

You were recalling the incidents of Beecher's career.

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