We had got as far as this, when who should walk in but the gentleman himself, who had been drinking his beer in the taproom and had heard the whole conversation. Who was I? What did I want? What did I mean by asking questions? He had a fine flow of language, and his adjectives were very vigorous.

I cannot live without brainwork. What else is there to live for

I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical reasoner.

I have taken to living by my wits.

He foresaw that she would be very much more useful to him in the character of a free woman.

A study in scarlet, eh? Why shouldn't we use a little art jargon? There's the scarlet thread of murder running through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it, and expose every inch of it.

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.