As a rule, the more bizarre a thing is, the less mysterious it proves to be.

Should I ever marry, Watson, I should hope to inspire my wife with some feeling which would prevent her from being walked off by a housekeeper when my corpse was lying within a few yards of her.

We surely know by some nameless instinct more about our futures than we think we know.

There is nothing like first-hand evidence.

There are no crimes and no criminals in these days. What is the use of having brains in our profession? I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural talent to the detection of crime which I have done. And what is the result? There is no crime to detect, or, at most, some bungling villainy with a motive so transparent that even a Scotland Yard official can see through it.

Critics kind never mind! Critics flatter no matter! Critics blame all the same! Do your best damn the rest!

It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own.