13820    'I have seen him do some remarkable things.'

13821    'But he never brought light into anything quite so dark as this?'

13822    'Oh, yes; I have known him solve questions which presented fewer clues than yours.'

13823    'But not where such large interests are at stake?'

13824    'I don't know that.

13825    To my certain knowledge he has acted on behalf of three of the reigning Houses of Europe in very vital matters.'

13826    'But you know him well, Watson.

13827    He is such an inscrutable fellow, that I never quite know what to make of him.

13828    Do you think he is hopeful?

13829    Do you think he expects to make a success of it?'

13830    'He has said nothing.'

13831    'That is a bad sign.'

13832    'On the contrary, I have noticed that when he is off the trail he generally says so.

13833    It is when he is on a scent, and is not quite absolutely sure yet that it is the right one, that he is most taciturn.

13834    Now, my dear fellow, we can't help matters by making ourselves nervous about them, so let me implore you to go to bed, and so be fresh for whatever may await us tomorrow.'