ABSTRACT
In “The Adventure o f the Abbey Grange,” Sherlock Holmes explains to Dr. Watson why he does not share his clues with Inspector Stanley Hopkins: “You must look at it this way: what I know is unofficial, what he knows is official. I have the right to private judgment, but he has none. He must disclose all, or he is a traitor to his service. In a doubtful case I would not put him in so painful a position, and so I reserve my information until my own mind is clear upon the matter.”1 Holmes identifies a difference between what one can reasonably call the ethics of Holmes and the ethics of Hopkins in their very different institutional roles. Despite our perhaps sentimental attachment to Holmes, con temporary professionals should have greater sympathy for Hopkins.
