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The curious relationship between Holmes and Scotland Yard provides an important clue to the deeper significance of his eccentric behavior.

Although he is perfectly willing to cooperate with Scotland Yard, Holmes has nothing but contempt for the intelligence and mentality of the police.

They for their part are convinced that Holmes is too `` unorthodox '' and `` theoretical '' to make a good detective.

Why do the police find Holmes `` unorthodox ''??

On the face of it, it is because he employs deductive techniques alien to official police routine.

Another, more interesting explanation, is hinted at by Watson when he observes on several occasions that Holmes would have made a magnificent criminal.

The great detective modestly agrees.

Watson's insight is verified by the mysterious link between Holmes and his arch-opponent, Dr. Moriarty.

The two men resemble each other closely in their cunning, their egotism, their relentlessness.

The first series of Sherlock Holmes adventures ends with Holmes and Moriarty grappling together on the edge of a cliff.

They are presumed to have plunged to a common grave in this fatal embrace.

Linked to Holmes even in death, Moriarty represents the alter-ego of the great detective, the image of what our hero might have become were he not a public servant.

Just as Holmes the eccentric stands behind Holmes the detective, so Holmes the potential criminal lurks behind both.