Dr. Watson

I'm afraid he said too much.

But you've never been beaten.

I've been beaten four times, sir.

Three times by men and once by a woman.

But suppose you sit down and introduce yourself.

My friend's name is Watson, Dr. Watson.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do, doctor?

My name is Lovelace, Edmund Lovelace.

And what brings you to me at this hour of the night, Mr. Lovelace?

I'm in terrible trouble, Mr. Holmes.

You don't know anything about me, but if you'll accept my case, you can save four lives.

I wouldn't say that I know nothing about you, sir.

No, it's true that I know little beyond the somewhat obvious fact that, well, you're single, that you keep a dog, but not a manservant.

and that you are much preoccupied with your business, which I take to be some form of insurance.

Now, what is this?

I'll be hanged if I can see how he knows it's a practical application of logic, sir.

The briefcase that you carry might at first indicate a barrister or some other professional man, but your brusque business-like manner counteracts that suggestion.

An insurance broker who must visit clients at odd hours is the likeliest man to combine that manner with a briefcase of midnight.

But the wife and the manservant and the fact that I'm preoccupied with my business.