"There it is," said Ralph, pointing to the figures.
The colonel stooped over. "Where is 890? What you are pointing to is 8.90, and it may have reference to the sales he made to the members of the regiment," he observed.
"But he didn't make any sales to any of the fellows there," said Alfred.
"Are you sure of that?" asked the colonel.
"We are both sure of that," replied Ralph, "and what is still more, here is 23 right above it with an X following. Doesn't that mean the 23d Essex regiment?"
"Well, I consider that a pretty piece of reasoning from observation," said the colonel.
The boys turned to the colonel and fairly stared at him.
"I hope I have not offended you."
"No; we didn't feel that way about your remark, but it reminded me of the lesson that the captain of the artillery company gave us one night on the value of observation," said Alfred.