❛ THE ONLY UNOFFICIAL DETECTIVE? ❜ I said, raising my eyebrows. ❛ the only unofficial CONSULTING detective, ❜  he answered . ❛ I am the last and highest court of appeal in detection. when GREGSON or LESTRADE or ATHELNEY JONES are out of their depths — which, by the way, is their normal state — the matter is laid before me. I examine the data, as an expert, and pronounce a specialist’s opinion. I claim NO credit in such cases. my name figures in NO newspaper. the work itself, the pleasure of finding a field for my peculiar powers, is MY HIGHEST REWARD. ( … )  ❜