In spite of his long experience in buffeting the world, the old soldier's heart was still as simple as that of a child, and the recital awakened his sympathies at once.
"'Tis evident, me children," said he, in his quaint way, "that you've shtumbled on the inside of a crime that doesn't show on the outside.
Many of the things you mention are so plain that he who runs may read; but I've remarked that it's just the things ye don't suspect in real life that prove to be the most important." "That is true, Major," commented Louise.

"At first it was just to amuse ourselves that we became amateur detectives, but the developments are so startling and serious that we now consider it our duty to uncover the whole dreadful crime, in the interests of justice." "Just so," he said, nodding.
"But I'm sure Old Hucks is innocent!" declared Patsy, emphatically.
"Then he is," asserted the Major; "for Patsy's always right, even when she's wrong.

I've had me eye on that man Hucks already, for he's the merriest faced villain I ever encountered.

Do you say he's shy with you girls ?" "He seems afraid of us, or suspicious, and won't let us talk to him," answered Beth.
"Leave him to me," proposed the Major, turning a stern face but twinkling eyes upon the group.

"'Twill be my task to detect him.