A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Mr Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand you have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, though I presume...
For strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination.
There's an east wind coming all the same, such a wind as never blew on England yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a good many of us may wither before its blast. But it's God's own wind none...
Never trust to general impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details.
I am an Irishman, sir. Irish Irish? Yes, sir.
This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.
The fantastic graces of Chivalry lay upon the surface of life,but beneath it was a half-savage population,fierce and animal,with little ruth or mercy.
Of all ruins, that of a noble mind is the most deplorable.
It was easier to know it than to explain why I know 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.~ Sherlock Holmes
If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive.
Holmes smiled, and clapped Lestrade upon the shoulder. Instead of being ruined, my good sir, you will find that your reputation has been enormously enhanced. Just make a few alterations in that report...
As a rule, the more bizarre a thing is the less mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the most difficult to id...
You seem very qualified, sir, to express the negative one. At the same time I would repeat in my own person the words of Thackeray. He said to some objector: 'What you say is natural, but if you had s...
Well, said Lestrade, I’ve seen you handle a good many cases, Mr. Holmes, but I don’t know that I ever knew a more workmanlike one than that. We’re not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. No, sir, we are...
The good Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action I can recall in our association. I was alone.
I dislike my fellow-mortals. Justice compels me to add that they appear for the most part to dislike me.
Even the best of us are thrown off some- times.
As they formed into ranks, each man dropping silently into his place, Sir Nigel ran a questioning eye over them, and a smile of pleasure played over his face. Tall and sinewy, and brown, clear-eyed, h...
Anything is better than stagnation.
When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.