It is a great thing to start life with a small number of really good books which are your very own.

Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?' 'To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.' 'The dog did nothing in the night-time.''That was the curious incident,' remarked Sherlock Holmes.

No violence, gentlemen — no violence, I beg of you! Consider the furniture!

I trust that age doth not wither nor custom stale my infinite variety.

There were no footmarks.''Meaning that you saw none?''I assure you, sir, that there were none.''My good Hopkins, I have investigated many crimes, but I have never yet seen one which was committed by a flying creature. As long as the criminal remains upon two legs so long must there be some indentation, some abrasion, some trifling displacement which can be detected by the scientific searcher.

I assure you, my good Lestrade, that I have an excellent reason for everything that I do.

Sterndale sprang to his feet.“I believe that you are the devil himself!” he cried.Holmes smiled at the compliment.

Where is your warrant?” Holmes half drew a revolver from his pocket. “This will have to serve till a better one comes.”“Why, you’re a common burglar.” “So you might describe me,” said Holmes cheerfully. “My companion is also a dangerous ruffian. And together we are going through your house.