No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural talent to the detection of crime which I have done.
 Arthur Conan Doyle, A Study in Scarlet (1887). copy citation

add
Author Arthur Conan Doyle
Source A Study in Scarlet
Topic crime talent
Date 1887
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/244/244-h/244-h.htm

Context

““but he is certainly very conceited.” “There are no crimes and no criminals in these days,” he said, querulously. “What is the use of having brains in our profession. I know well that I have it in me to make my name famous. No man lives or has ever lived who has brought the same amount of study and of natural talent to the detection of crime which I have done. And what is the result? There is no crime to detect, or, at most, some bungling villainy with a motive so transparent that even a Scotland Yard official can see through it.” I was still annoyed at his bumptious style of conversation.” source