Arthur Conan
Arthur Conan
acquired allow analysis aspects attain begin elementary exercise faculties glance greatest highest history learn life mastering matter meeting mental moral mortal nor patient perfection possible present profession science teaches trade turning
Like all other arts, the science of deduction and analysis is one which can only be acquired by long and patient study, nor is life long enough to allow any mortal to attain the highest possible perfection in it. Before turning to those moral and mental aspects of the matter which present the greatest difficulties, let the inquirer begin by mastering more elementary problems. Let him, on meeting a fellow-mortal, learn at a glance to distinguish the history of man, and the trade or profession to which he belongs. Puerile as such an exercise may seem, it sharpens the faculties of observation, and teaches one where to look and what to look for.
hardly knees looked wished
I hardly looked at his face. His knees were what I wished to see.
eliminated however truth
When you have eliminated the impossible, that which remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
deceptive distance far few horizon light might seemed within yards
There is nothing so deceptive as the distance of a light upon a pitch-dark night, and sometimes the glimmer seemed to be far away upon the horizon and sometimes it might have been within a few yards of us.
backs birds bright choice darkness faces ivy shines singing sun turn
Without, the sun shines bright and the birds are singing amid the ivy on the drooping beeches. Their choice is made, and they turn away hand-in-hand, with their backs to the darkness and their faces to the light.
awakened candle cold glance hand night towards winter
It was on a bitterly cold night and frosty morning, towards the end of the winter of '97, that I was awakened by a tugging at my shoulder. It was Holmes. The candle in his hand shone upon his eager, stooping face, and told me at a glance that something was amiss.
bones deep features formed hood might round shadow tall wrapped
It was a very tall man, if, indeed, it might be called a man, for the gaunt bones were protruding through the corroding flesh, and the features were of a leaden hue. A winding-sheet was wrapped round the figure, and formed a hood over the head, from under the shadow of which two fiendish eyes, deep set in their grisly sockets, blazed and sparkled like red-hot coals.
inquiry listen mostly people pocket private sent trouble
They are mostly sent on by private inquiry agencies. They are all people who are in trouble about something, and want a little enlightening. I listen to their story, they listen to my comments, and then I pocket my fee.
contrast doubt memory nature soul spring sweetest torn within
It is the sweetest spring within the memory of man. So green, so mild, so beautiful! Ah, what a contrast between nature without and my own soul so torn with doubt and terror!
appeal consulting court highest last
The only unofficial consulting detective, he answered. ""I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection.
appear both bread depend expressed extremely practical theories turn
Yes, I have a turn both for observation and for deduction. The theories which I have expressed there, and which appear to you to be so chimerical are really extremely practical -- so practical that I depend upon them for my bread and cheese.
heard professor
You have probably never heard of Professor Moriarty? said he.
apply bad capacity detective genius infinite taking
They say that genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains, he remarked with a smile. ""It's a very bad definition, but it does apply to detective work.
became conversation feels foul height man surely white
At last, however, his conversation became unbearable--a foul young man is odious, but a foul old one is surely the most sickening thing on earth. One feels that the white upon the hair, like that upon the mountain, should signify a height attained.