Agatha Christie

“ I am to accompany you to South Africa as your secretary."
"My dear fellow," I said, "I've got a secretary already. I don't want another."
"I think you do, Sir Eustace. Where is your secretary now?"
"He's down with a bilious attack," I explained.
"You are sure it's only a bilious attack?"
"Of course it is. He's subject to them."
My visitor smiled.
"It may or may not be a bilious attack. Time will show. But I can tell you this, Sir Eustace, Mr. Milray would not be surprised if an attempt were made to get your secretary out of the way. ”

“ My object in life is to be thoroughly comfortable. I have devoted a certain amount of thought, and a considerable amount of money, to further that end. But I cannot say that I always succeed. If things do not actually happen to me, they happen round me, and frequently, in spite of myself, I become involved. ”

“ Guy Pagett, unfortunately, when he might for once have been of real use, was laid up with a bilious attack. These earnest, hard-working young men with weak stomachs are always liable to bilious attacks. ”

“ The one thing I am anxious to do is to get out of England again as soon as possible."
"You will find the climate of South Africa delightful—quite delightful."
"My dear fellow, I know all about the climate. I was out there shortly before the war."
"I am really much obliged to you, Pedler. I will send you round the package by messenger. To be placed in General Smuts's own hands, you understand? The Kilmorden Castle sails on Saturday—quite a good boat."
I accompanied him a short way along Pall Mall before we parted. He shook me warmly by the hand, and thanked me again effusively. ”

“ On the face of it, a Member of Parliament will be none the less efficient because a stray young woman comes and gets herself murdered in an empty house that belongs to him—but there is no accounting for the view the respectable British public takes of a matter. ”