The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Irony

“Holmes, the busybody!” His smile broadened. “Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!” Holmes chuckled heartily. “Your conversation is most entertaining,” said he. “When you go out close the door, for there is a decided draught.”

During the high words between Dr. Grimesby Roylott and Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Grimesby Roylott remarks that their conversation is disagreeable. And he ironically says to close the door because of the drought. That means that he doesn’t wish to see him again.

“That head of yours should be for use as well as ornament.”

While ornamentation usually connotes beauty and positive praise, in this case, to use one's head as an ornament comments on one's stupidity. Sherlock Holmes always says these words to people with low intelligence as a jeer.

“The man might have died in a fit; but then the jewels are missing," mused the Inspector, "Ha! I have a theory. These flashes come upon me at times... What do you think of this, Holmes? Sholto was, on his own confession, with his brother last night. The brother died in a fit, on which Sholto walked off the treasure! How's that?" "On which the dead man very considerately got up and locked the door on the inside," said Holmes."

The inspector adduces an argument about the crime. However, Sherlock Holmes ridicules him, because as we know the dead man cannot be alive.

"No, I am descending."

In "The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor," when Lord Saint-Simon comes to ask Holmes for his services, he surmises that Holmes has never worked with someone of such high social rank as he. However, Holmes cleverly reverses Saint-Simon's expectations and explains that he has once worked for a king.