reference to caps worn by some detectives, such as Sherlock Holmes, the best known of all fictional detectives, created by English author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 - 1930). Holmes's extraordinary powers of memory, observation and deduction enable him to solve mysteries and identify criminals in cases that leave all other detectives baffled. Holmes usually wears a double-billcap and a long cape, smokes a meerschaumpipe and carries a magnifying glass. His companion is Dr. Watson, who records his exploits. —NVRD Approved Glossary