I am afraid that I rather give myself away when I explain," said he. "Results without causes are much more impressive.

The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes.

The setting is a worthy one, if the devil did desire to have a hand in the affairs of men.

I am not the law, but I represent justice so far as my feeble powers go.

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.

I fear that if the matter is beyond humanity, it is certainly beyond me.

Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.