The Mysterious Affair at Styles

You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master. The simplest explanation is always the most likely.

An appreciative listener is always stimulating.

Everything must be taken into account. If the fact will not fit the theory---let the theory go.

Real evidence is usually vague and unsatisfactory. It has to be examined---sifted. But here the whole thing is cut and dried. No, my friend, this evidence has been very cleverly manufactured---so cleverly that it has defeated its own ends.

When you find that people are not telling you the truth---look out!

Instinct is a marvelous thing. It can neither be explained nor ignored.