sillyfellow

In Silver Blaze, Holmes and Watson are on a train going to Exeter.
Holmes has been reading all that the papers have to say about the
disappearance of the horse, Silver Blaze. Apparently satisfied, he
thrusts the papers under the seat and comments to Watson:

“We are going well,” said he, looking out of the window, and glancing at
his watch. “Our rate at present is fifty-three and a half miles an
hour.”

“I have not observed the quarter-mile posts,” said I.