scratch one's head over(be in a haze)

be at death's door(be at one's last gasp)

plea incessantly

itch for a try

flesh and blood of the people

be beset with numerous contradictions(with insuperable contradictions)

a mystery case without clues

Fall far behind

praise somebody to his face and slander secretly

be hard to forget something even in one's dreams

Thieves and police work together, as the cat and the rat sleep together

Sell a knife

absolutely terrified or in a towering rage

Seek advice

fairly and squarely

gain considerable fame among one's contemporaries for a time

as pale as ashes

bring in all the details

catnap(doze)

what one sees and hears