It was in the days when France's power was already broken upon the seas, and when more of her three-deckers lay rotting in the Medway than were to be found in Brest harbour. But her frigates and corvettes still scoured the ocean, closely followed ever by those of her rival. At the uttermost ends of the earth these dainty vessels, with sweet names of girls or of flowers, mangled and shattered each other for the honour of the four yards of bunting which flapped from the end of their gaffs.
Arthur Conan DoyleCircumstantial evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example.
Arthur Conan DoyleWe 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.
Arthur Conan DoyleI am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a non-conductor?
Arthur Conan Doyle