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 knew it.

If you were asked to prove that two and two made four, you might find some difficulty, and yet you are quite sure of the fact.

Even across the street I could see a great blue anchor tattooed on the back of the fellow's hand.

That smacked of the sea.