Anything seems commonplace, once explained.

Art in the blood is liable to take the strangest forms.

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.

Clouds of insects danced and buzzed in the golden autumn light, and the air was full of the piping of the song-birds. Long, glinting dragonflies shot across the path, or hung tremulous with gauzy wings and gleaming bodies.

He burst into one of his rare fits of laughter as he turned away from the picture. I have not heard him laugh often, and it has always boded ill to somebody.

Skill is fine, and genius is splendid, but the right contacts are more valuable than either.

A fine thought in fine language is a most precious jewel, and should not be hid away, but be exposed for use and ornament.