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.