Fluorescent and colorimetric recognition properties of 2-(4-N-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone)-8-hydroxyquinoline (1) in buffered aqueous solution (1% DMSO, HEPES 20 mM, pH = 7.4) have been examined. Sensor 1 displays highly selective and sensitive recognition to $Cu^{2+}$ with fluorescence "ON-OFF" performance. The in situ formed 1-$Cu^{2+}$ complex exhibits an excellent selectivity toward sulfide ions with fluorescence "OFF-ON" behavior via $Cu^{2+}$ displacement approach. Thus, relay recognition of $Cu^{2+}$ and sulfide by a known molecule 1 has been achieved.