I see you have divided it up into numbered squares--not a bad plan; but ours--or rather Galton's, for we borrowed the method from him--is better for this purpose." He drew from the portfolio a half-plate photograph of the thumb-print which appeared magnified to about four inches in length.

The print was marked by a number of figures written minutely with a fine-pointed pen, each figure being placed on an "island," a loop, a bifurcation or some other striking and characteristic portion of the ridge-pattern.
"This system of marking with reference numbers," said Mr.Singleton, "is better than your method of squares, because the numbers are only placed at points which are important for comparison, whereas your squares or the intersections of the lines fall arbitrarily on important or unimportant points according to chance.

Besides, we can't let you mark our original, you know, though, of course, we can give you a photograph, which will do as well." "I was going to ask you to let me take a photograph presently," said Thorndyke.
"Certainly," replied Mr.Singleton, "if you would rather have one of your own taking.

I know you don't care to take anything on trust.

And now I must get on with my work, if you will excuse me.