How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Story.Paragraph) or (Story.Section.Paragraph) if applicable.
Quote #1
"I owe you many apologies, my dear Watson, but it was all-important that it should be thought I was dead, and it is quite certain that you would not have written so convincing an account of my unhappy end had you yourself not thought it was true." (Empty House.34)
As on the X-Files, Holmes is like those conspirators who want/need people to "believe the lie." Though Holmes acts like he's a master actor, he clearly doesn't have the same faith in Watson's lying skills and as such ended up lying to his best friend out of necessity.
Quote #2
"I have done no harm."
"No harm? You have done your best to get an innocent man hanged. [....]
The wretched creature began to whimper.
"I am sure, sir, it was only my practical joke." (Norwood Builder.185-189)
Though Holmes often lies for a good purpose, a lot of the criminals he encounters cause serious problems with their lies. In this case, Jonas Oldacre actually lied as part of a "joke" which turned out to be seriously unfunny.
Quote #3
"Don't you think, Mr Cubitt," said he, at last, "that your best plan would be to make a direct appeal to your wife, and to ask her to share her secret with you?"
Hilton Cubitt shook his head.
"A promise is a promise, Mr. Holmes. If Elsie wished to tell me she would. If not, it is not for me to force her confidence. [....]" (Dancing Men.33-34)
It's interesting that Cubitt will go behind his wife's back but will not confront her directly about her secrets. He's basically fighting secrets with more secrets, rather than truth, here. Thematically, Cubitt's actions help to show how lying can itself sometimes be a good, or at least effective, tactic.
Quote #4
I confess that I was filled with curiosity, but I was aware that Holmes liked to make his disclosures at his own time and in his own way, so I waited until it should suit him to take me into his confidence. (Dancing Men.73)
Watson is paralleled with Hilton Cubitt here, when he describes how he won't force Holmes to confide in him. Holmes and Watson are actually paralleled to various kinds of relationships in this book, including marital ones, brothers, and even a father/son bond in the "Priory School."
Quote #5
"I know where your son is, and I know some, at least, of those who are holding him."
The Duke's beard had turned more aggressively red than ever against his ghastly white face.
[...]
"And whom do you accuse?"
Sherlock Holmes's answer was an astounding one. [...]
"I accuse you," said he. (Priory School.2.32-39)
Watson is highly attuned to body language and this passage highlights both his ability to "read" people and his stylistic flair, with the imagery of the red beard and the "ghastly" face.
Quote #6
"I will conceal nothing from you. I agree with you that complete frankness, however painful it may be to me, is the best policy in this desperate situation to which James's folly and jealousy have reduced us. (Priory School.2.64)
The Duke basically states the position that most of Holmes's clients and suspects end up taking here. Honesty often is the best policy in these stories, for people other than Holmes of course. Holmes reserves his prerogative to lie as he sees fit.
Quote #7
The fact that several rough-looking men called during that time and inquired for Captain Basil made me understand that Holmes was working somewhere under one of the numerous disguises and names with which he concealed his own formidable identity. (Black Peter.3)
Holmes has a definite theatrical streak. This mention of his alternate identity helps to highlight how much he enjoys going undercover. Deception is fun for Holmes. And with his love of costumes, he would have gotten along fabulously with Sydney on Alias.
Quote #8
"You have nothing else to tell us?"
He hesitated.
"No, there is nothing."
"You have not been here before last night?"
"No."
"Then how do you account for that?" cried Hopkins, as he held up the damning notebook [....]
The wretched man collapsed. (Black Peter.2.46-52)
We can just hear Hopkins yelling that last bit melodramatically. Holmes and the police are on the same page here: both groups often lead suspects into traps and dramatically catch them in lies.
Quote #9
It is years since the incidents of which I speak took place, and yet it is with diffidence that I allude to them. For a long time, even with the utmost discretion and reticence, it would have been impossible to make the facts public [....] (Milverton.1.1)
Despite what Holmes thinks, Watson is a very good secret-keeper. It's notable that some lies are very difficult to abandon and some truths very difficult to tell here.
Quote #10
Then I caught my breath as I read the time-honoured title of the great nobleman and statesman whose wife she had been. My eyes met those of Holmes, and he put his finger to his lips as we turned away from the window. (Milverton.3.1)
Holmes and Watson share some non-verbal communication here as they both silently agree to keep a secret.
Quote #11
"You may have heard of any little reputation which I possess. I will stake it all on the fact that your story is an absolute fabrication."
Mistress and maid were both staring at Holmes with pale faces and frightened eyes.
[....]
"Think once more, Lady Brackenstall. Would it not be better to be frank?"
For an instant there was hesitation in her beautiful face. Then some new strong thought caused it to set like a mask.
"I have told you all I know." (Abbey Grange.104-12)
This scene is significant because Lady Brackenstall is one of the few people not to cave to Holmes. She refuses to make a confession to him and persists in her lie, even when he calls her out on it.
Quote #12
"If you work with me I can arrange everything. If you work against me I must expose you." (Second Stain.193)
Holmes is notably willing to help people maintain a lie at times, as long as they cooperate with him. Holmes seems to not mind being part of a lie, but he can't stand someone lying to him.