55659 With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw, when Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room, and closed the door behind me.
55660 'You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson,' he said cordially.
55661 'I was afraid that you were engaged!
55662 'So I am.
55663 Very much so.'
55664 'Then I can wait in the next room.'
55665 'Not at all.
55666 This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also.'
55667 The stout gentleman half rose from his chair, and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small, fat-encircled eyes.
55668 'Try the settee,' said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair, and putting his finger-tips together, as was his custom when in judicial moods.
55669 'I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum routine of everyday life.
55670 You have shown your relish for it by the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own little adventures.'
55671 'Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me,' I observed.
55672 'You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more daring than any effort of the imagination.'
55673 'A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting.'