All 4 Uses

bland
in
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
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"It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly.†
Chpt 2 *

blandly = in a manner that is dull or uninteresting
The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and penetrating grey eyes.†
Chpt 3
"You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now.†
Chpt 7

blandly = in a manner that is dull or uninteresting
"Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly.†
Chpt 8

Definitions:

(1) (bland)
dull or lacking stimulating characteristics -- especially in the flavor of food
(2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)