"I should have more faith," he said; "I ought to know by this time that when a fact appears opposed to a long train of deductions it invariably proves to be capable of bearing some other interpretation."

It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognise out of a number of facts which are incidental and which are vital.

Oh how I've missed you, Holmes.

Everything I have to say has already crossed your mind." "Then possibly my answer has crossed yours.

Do you know anything on earth which has not a dangerous side if it is mishandled and exaggerated?

The sky was of the deepest blue, with a few white, fleecy clouds drifting lazily across it, and the air was filled with the low drone of insects or with a sudden sharper note as bee or bluefly shot past with its quivering, long-drawn hum, like an insect tuning-fork.

I should be very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush are, I think, all that we need.