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.
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!
beggars dozen everywhere hear holmes mere seals sharp sight work
There's more work to be got out of one of those little beggars than out of a dozen of the force, Holmes remarked. ""The mere sight of an official-looking person seals men's lips. These youngsters, however, go everywhere and hear everything. They are as sharp as needles, too; all they want is organization.
feared hardy mortal panic passed rough shadows shook terror wave
A wave of panic passed over the vessel, and these rough and hardy men, who feared no mortal foe, shook with terror at the shadows of their own minds.
founded
You know my method. It is founded upon the observance of trifles.
carry certain episodes husband knew life looked loves refusal secret suspicion talk unexpected woman words
Can a husband ever carry about a secret all his life and a woman who loves him have no suspicion of it? I knew it by his refusal to talk about some episodes in his American life. I knew it by certain precautions he took. I knew it by certain words he let fall. I knew it by the way he looked at unexpected strangers.
conclusion credit explained gets individual method ordinary
I'm not going to tell you much more of the case, Doctor. You know a conjuror gets no credit when once he has explained his trick, and if I show you too much of my method of working, you will come to the conclusion that I am a very ordinary individual after all.
best entirely women
I would not tell them too much, said Holmes. ""Women are never to be entirely trusted,--not the best of them.
driven lets sour talk turns whom
I have no one to whom I can talk upon such matters. I am all driven inwards, and thought turns sour when one lets it stagnate like that.
begins facts instead suit theories twist
Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.
hardly knees looked wished
I hardly looked at his face. His knees were what I wished to see.
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.
beginning border builds conditions infinite itself line mind past post scientific separates sure tied time true
The true scientific mind is not to be tied down by its own conditions of time and space. It builds itself an observatory erected upon the border line of present, which separates the infinite past from the infinite future. From this sure post it makes its sallies even to the beginning and to the end of all things.
among black crush edge knave lays skull
By the black rood of Waltham! he roared, ""if any knave among you lays a finger-end upon the edge of my gown, I will crush his skull like a filbert!