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"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."

"And how?" I asked involuntarily.

"Well, I have a trade of my own.

I suppose I am the only one in the world.

I'm a consulting detective, if you can understand what that is.

Here in London we have lots of Government detectives and lots of private ones.

When these fellows are at fault they come to me, and I manage to put them on the right scent.

They lay all the evidence before me, and I am generally able, by the help of my knowledge of the history of crime, to set them straight.

There is a strong family resemblance about misdeeds, and if you have all the details of a thousand at your finger ends, it is odd if you can't unravel the thousand and first.

Lestrade is a well-known detective.

He got himself into a fog recently over a forgery case, and that was what brought him here."

"And these other people?"

"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."

"But do you mean to say," I said, "that without leaving your room you can unravel some knot which other men can make nothing of, although they have seen every detail for themselves?"

"Quite so.

I have a kind of intuition that way.

Now and again a case turns up which is a little more complex.

Then I have to bustle about and see things with my own eyes.

You see I have a lot of special knowledge which I apply to the problem, and which facilitates matters wonderfully.

Those rules of deduction laid down in that article which aroused your scorn, are invaluable to me in practical work.

Observation with me is second nature.

You appeared to be surprised when I told you, on our first meeting, that you had come from Afghanistan."

"You were told, no doubt."

"Nothing of the sort.

I knew you came from Afghanistan.

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