Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса

           "TheDiogenesClubisthequeerestclubinLondon,andMycroftoneofthequeerestmen.He’salwaystherefromquartertofivetotwentytoeight.It’ssixnow,soifyoucareforastrollthisbeautifuleveningIshallbeveryhappytointroduceyoutotwocuriosities."

           Fiveminuteslaterwewereinthestreet,walkingtowardsRegent’sCircus.

           "Youwonder,"saidmycompanion,"whyitisthatMycroftdoesnotusehispowersfordetectivework.Heisincapableofit."

           "ButIthoughtyousaid—"

           "Isaidthathewasmysuperiorinobservationanddeduction.Iftheartofthedetectivebeganandendedinreasoningfromanarmchair,mybrotherwouldbethegreatestcriminalagentthateverlived.Buthehasnoambitionandnoenergy.Hewillnotevengooutofhiswaytoverifyhisownsolutions,andwouldratherbeconsideredwrongthantakethetroubletoprovehimselfright.AgainandagainIhavetakenaproblemtohim,andhavereceivedanexplanationwhichhasafterwardsprovedtobethecorrectone.Andyethewasabsolutelyincapableofworkingoutthepracticalpointswhichmustbegoneintobeforeacasecouldbelaidbeforeajudgeorjury."

           "Itisnothisprofession,then?"

           "Bynomeans.Whatistomeameansoflivelihoodistohimthemeresthobbyofadilettante.Hehasanextraordinaryfacultyforfigures,andauditsthebooksinsomeofthegovernmentdepartments.