“You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the steps which lead up from the hall to this room.” “Frequently.” “How often?” “Well, some hundreds of times.”

And for anyone seeking closure about that #SherlockHolmes quote, the very next line should help - "I can’t afford, therefore, to smile at your three broken busts, Lestrade, and I shall be very much obliged to you if you will let me hear of any fresh development of so singular a chain of events."

Yet again, Sir Arthur is utterly brilliant: "You will remember, Watson, how the dreadful business of the Abernetty family was first brought to my notice by the depth which the parsley had sunk into the butter upon a hot day." #SherlockHolmes

I remember the date very well, for it was in the same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described. I only refer to the matter in passing, for in my position of partner and confidant I am obliged to be particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion.

“Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have not had my rubber.” “I think you will find,” said #SherlockHolmes, “that you will play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and that the play will be more exciting."

"Whimsical and bizarre conceits of this kind are common enough in the annals of crime, and usually afford valuable indications as to the criminal. Do you follow all this?” #SherlockHolmes

"But how did you know, Mr. Holmes?" "I am an omnivorous reader with a strangely retentive memory for trifles." #SherlockHolmes

"Only one important thing has happened in the last three days, and that is that nothing has happened." #SherlockHolmes

The man hesitated for an instant. “My name is John Robinson,” he answered with a sidelong glance. “No, no; the real name,” said Holmes sweetly. “It is always awkward doing business with an alias.” #SherlockHolmes

“I have looked into this case with some care, and I am not convinced that you are on the right lines. I don’t want you to commit yourself too far unless you are sure.” “You’re very kind, Mr. Holmes.” “I assure you I speak for your good.”

"May I ask whether you have any professional inquiry on foot at present?” “None. Hence the cocaine. I cannot live without brain-work. What else is there to live for? Stand at the window here. Was ever such a dreary, dismal, unprofitable world?

“You see,” he said, with a significant raising of the eyebrows. In the light of the lantern I read, with a thrill of horror, “The sign of the four.” “In God’s name, what does it all mean?” I asked. “It means murder." #SherlockHolmes

“Might I ask,” asked Holmes, “what the words were which attracted your attention?” “The Valley of Fear,” the lady answered. “That was an expression he has used when I questioned him. ‘I have been in the Valley of Fear. I am not out of it yet.’—‘Are we never to get out of the Valley of Fear?’

“I am rather in the dark still. It is true that the description of this man tallies with your idea of the second party in this mystery. But why should he come back to the house after leaving it? That is not the way of criminals.”

"You can go, Billy. That boy is a problem, Watson. How far am I justified in allowing him to be in danger?" "Danger of what, Holmes?" "Of sudden death. I'm expecting something this evening." "Expecting what?" "To be murdered, Watson." #SherlockHolmes

“What does it show?” “It shows, my dear Watson, that we are dealing with an exceptionally astute and dangerous man.

“Have you tried to drive a harpoon through a body? No? Tut, tut, my dear sir, you must really pay attention to these details." #SherlockHolmes

"My mind is like a racing engine, tearing itself to pieces because it is not connected up with the work for which it was built. Life is commonplace, the papers are sterile; audacity and romance seem to have passed forever from the criminal world.

He read the telegram aloud. “Have just had most incredible and grotesque experience. May I consult you? “Scott Eccles, “Post Office, Charing Cross.” “Man or woman?” I asked. “Oh, man, of course. No woman would ever send a reply-paid telegram. She would have come.” #SherlockHolmes

"I feel that I may be frank with you, Mr. #Holmes. You have the feelings of a gentleman. How quick a woman's instinct is to find it out. I will treat you as a friend." "I cannot promise to reciprocate, madame."

"And now, my dear Watson, we have had some weeks of severe work, and for one evening, I think, we may turn our thoughts into more pleasant channels. I have a box for Les Huguenots.

"That's the hand I play from," said #Holmes. "I put it all upon the table. But one card is missing."

"Did you observe his knuckles?" I had to confess that I did not. "Thick and horny in a way which is quite new in my experience. Always look at the hands first, Watson. Then cuffs, trouser-knees, and boots. Very curious knuckles which can only be explained by the mode of progression observed by——"

"Let us consider our data. The brother no longer visits the beloved invalid sister. He gives away her favourite dog. Her dog, Watson! Does that suggest nothing to you?" #SherlockHolmes

“There was one small point,” remarked #SherlockHolmes. “When you entered the room there was only a candle lighted on the table, was there not?” “Yes, that was so.” “By its light you saw that some terrible incident had occurred?” “Exactly.”

“Ah, Watson,” said he, “I hoped that I might not be too late to catch you.” “My dear fellow, pray come in.” “You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, too, I fancy! Hum! You still smoke the Arcadia mixture of your bachelor days then! There’s no mistaking that fluffy ash upon your coat."

“Are you armed, Lestrade?” The little detective smiled. “As long as I have my trousers I have a hip-pocket, and as long as I have my hip-pocket I have something in it.” #SherlockHolmes

“My God, what’s that, Watson?” “I don’t know. It’s a sound they have on the moor. I heard it once before.” It died away, and an absolute silence closed in upon us. We stood straining our ears, but nothing came. “Watson,” said the baronet, “it was the cry of a hound.” Hound of the Baskervilles.”

“You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir,” said the police agent loftily. “He has his own little methods, which are, if he won’t mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him." #SherlockHolmes

"Well, when Dr. Barnicot came down this morning he was astonished to find that his house had been burgled during the night, but that nothing had been taken save the plaster head from the hall.

“You are sure that there is no wound?” he asked, pointing to numerous gouts and splashes of blood which lay all round. “Positive!” cried both detectives. “Then, of course, this blood belongs to a second individual—presumably the murderer, if murder has been committed.

“Do you see any clue?” “You have furnished me with seven, but, of course, I must test them before I can pronounce upon their value.” “You suspect some one?” “I suspect myself.” “What!” “Of coming to conclusions too rapidly.” #SherlockHolmes #TheNavalTreaty

“Look at that with your magnifying glass, Mr. Holmes.” “Yes, I am doing so.” “You are aware that no two thumb-marks are alike?” “I have heard something of the kind.” #SherlockHolmes #TheAdventureOfTheNorwoodBuilder

I found that he had nearly finished his meal, and that his mood was particularly bright and joyous, with that somewhat sinister cheerfulness which was characteristic of his lighter moments. "You have a case, Holmes?" "The faculty of deduction is certainly contagious, Watson." #SherlockHolmes

“Holmes!” I cried—“Holmes!” “Come out,” said he, “and please be careful with the revolver.” #SherlockHolmes

"Malingering is a subject upon which I have sometimes thought of writing a monograph." #SherlockHolmes

“I was exceedingly preoccupied by that little affair of the Vatican cameos, and in my anxiety to oblige the Pope I lost touch with several interesting English cases." #SherlockHolmes

“Having gathered these facts, Watson, I smoked several pipes over them, trying to separate those which were crucial from others which were merely incidental." #SherlockHolmes

Have a great day Sherlockians

“I take it that you have no theory yourself which can in any way account for them?” “It’s devilish, Mr. Holmes, devilish! It is not of this world. Something has come into that room which has dashed the light of reason from their minds. What human contrivance could do that?”

Good Day Sherlockians

“I am afraid that it will take wiser heads than yours or mine,” he remarked, and bowing in a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. “It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting it on a level with his own,” said #SherlockHolmes, laughing.

I found #SherlockHolmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the chemical work which was so dear to him.

"I don’t say that we have fathomed it—far from it—but when we have traced the missing dumb-bell—” “The dumb-bell!” “Dear me, Watson, is it possible that you have not penetrated the fact that the case hangs upon the missing dumb-bell?" #SherlockHolmes #TheValleyOfFear

“What you do in this world is a matter of no consequence. The question is, what can you make people believe that you have done." #SherlockHolmes

“My dear Watson, you know how bored I have been since we locked up Colonel Carruthers. My mind is like a racing engine, tearing itself to pieces because it is not connected up with the work for which it was built.

“I see that you are professionally rather busy just now,” said he, glancing very keenly across at me. “Yes, I’ve had a busy day,” I answered. “It may seem very foolish in your eyes,” I added, “but really I don’t know how you deduced it.”

#SherlockHolmes — his limits. 1. Knowledge of Literature.—Nil. 2. Philosophy.—Nil. 3. Astronomy.—Nil. 4. Politics.—Feeble. 5. Botany.—Variable. Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally. Knows nothing of practical gardening.

We had come on a small black ribbon of pathway. In the middle of it, clearly marked on the sodden soil, was the track of a bicycle. “Hurrah!” I cried. “We have it.” But Holmes was shaking his head, and his face was puzzled and expectant rather than joyous.