Arthur Conan
Arthur Conan
burst came chosen deadly four hard journey knaves later men minute nerves passed past rode saw sickness sitting terrible
A minute later the bailiff and four of his men rode past him on their journey back to Southampton, the other two having been chosen as grave-diggers. As they passed Alleyne saw that one of the men was wiping his sword-blade upon the mane of his horse. A deadly sickness came over him at the sight, and sitting down by the wayside he burst out weeping, with his nerves all in a jangle. It was a terrible world thought he, and it was hard to know which were the most to be dreaded, the knaves or the men of the law.
absurd brought came caused dead delirious despair fairly happiness happy heavy keen life money neither nor profit state struggling time wish
You know that he came into his uncle's money a little time ago, and after a first delirious outbreak, he has now relapsed into that dead heavy state of despair which is caused by having everything which one can wish for. How absurd are the ambitions of life when I think that I, who am fairly happy and as keen as a razor edge, should be struggling for that which I can see has brought neither profit nor happiness to him!
men justice nullification
It’s every man’s business to see justice done.
country lonely travel
On general principles, it is best that I should not leave the country. Scotland Yard feels lonely without me, and it causes an unhealthy excitement among the criminal classes.
men hands special
Perhaps, when a man has special knowledge and special powers like my own, it rather encourages him to seek a complex explanation when a simpler one is at hand.
spring action spirit
So complex is the human spirit that it can itself scarce discern the deep springs which impel it to action.
grotesque cases incidents
The more outre' and grotesque an incident is the more carefully it deserves to be examined, and the very point which appears to complicate a case is, when duly considered and scientifically handled, the one which is most likely to elucidate it.
common guides deductions
I have already explained to you that what is out of the common is usually a guide rather than a hindrance.
hands firsts evidence
There is nothing like first-hand evidence.
fifty reason
There are fifty who can reason synthetically for one who can reason analytically.
imagination balance use
We balance probabilities and choose the most likely. It is the scientific use of the imagination.
data errors finding-yourself
Still, it is an error to argue in front of your data. You can find yourself insensibly twisting them round to suit your theories.
earth sides danger
Do you know anything on earth which has not a dangerous side if it is mishandled and exaggerated?
struggle purpose exhausted
It is horrible, yet fascinating, this struggle between a set purpose and an utterly exhausted frame.