The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the child." What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining insight as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of parents by studying their children.

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.

You have a grand gift for silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.

Let us hear the suspicions. I will look after the proofs.

The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when [Holmes] became a specialist in crime.

All right, Watson. Don’t look so scared,” he muttered in a very weak voice. “It’s not as bad as it seems.” “Thank God for that!” “I’m a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know. I took most of them on my guard. It was the second man that was too much for me.” “What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was that damned fellow who set them on. I’ll go and thrash the hide off him if you give the word.” “Good old Watson!(...)

Nothing clears up a case so much as stating it to another person.