Name: At the Pistol's Point
Author: E. W. Hornung

Quotes from At the Pistol's Point (E. W. Hornung)

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ Another question now forced itself upon the old man's mind: how far was it from Portland prison—to—this—room?
Like most rustics of his generation, old Fitch had no spare knowledge of geography: he knew his own country-side and the road to London, but that was all. Portland he knew to be on the other side of London; it might be ten miles, might be two hundred; but this he felt in his shuddering heart and shaking bones, that near or far, deep snow or no snow, Henry Cattermole was either recaptured or else on his way to that cottage at that moment. ”

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Source: Wikisource

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ By trade he was game-dealer, corn-factor, money-lender, and mortgagee of half the village; in appearance, a man of medium height, with bow-legs and immense round shoulders, a hard mouth, shrewd eyes, and wiry hair as white as the snow outside.
The bells ceased, and for a moment there was no sound in the cottage but the song of the kettle on the hob. Then Fitch reached for the brandy-bottle, and brewed himself another steaming bumper. As he watched the sugar dissolve, a few notes from the organ reached his ears, and the old man smiled cynically as he sipped and smacked his lips. ”

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Source: Wikisource

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ Yet on earth we know that this peace is not; and the door of the ideal cottage had been opened and was shut by a crushed woman, whose husband had but now refused her pennies for the plate, with a curse which followed her into the snow. And the odour prevailing beneath the thatched roof was one of hot brandy-and-water, mingled with the fumes of some rank tobacco.
Old Fitch was over sixty years of age, and the woman on her way to church was his third wife; she had borne him no child, nor had Fitch son or daughter living who would set foot inside his house. ”

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Source: Wikisource

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ Cattermole took the brandy-bottle, poured out a stiff dram, and pushed it under the other's nose.
“Drink!” he cried. “Then write the truth, and sign your name. Maybe they won't hang an old man like you; but, by God, I sha'n't think twice about shooting you if you don't write the truth!”
Fitch gulped down the brandy, took up the pen once more, and was near the end of his own death-warrant, when the convict sprang lightly from the table and stood listening in the centre of the room. Fitch saw him, and listened too. ”

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Source: Wikisource

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ He was a singular old man, selfish and sly and dissolute, yet not greatly disliked beyond his own door, and withal a miracle of health and energy for his years. He drank to his heart's content, but he was never drunk, nor was Sunday's bottle ever known to lose him the soft side of Monday's bargain. ”

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Source: Wikisource

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ Wait a bit; you've not done yet. 'As a proof of what I say'—do you hear me?—'as a proof of what I say, the gun which the wad will fit, that saved Henry Cattermole's life, will be found——'”
Cattermole waited until the old man had caught him up.
“Now," said he, “you finish the sentence for yourself!”
“What?” cried Fitch.
“Write where that gun's to be found—you know—I don't—and then sign your name!” ”

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Source: Wikisource

E. W. Hornung, At the Pistol's Point (1897)

“ Cattermole was watching the door; suddenly he turned, and there was Fitch in the act of dropping his written confession into the fire. The convict seized it before it caught, and with the other hand hurled the old man back into his chair.
“Finish it,” he said below his breath, “or you're a dead man! One or other of us is going to swing! Now, then, under the floor of what room did you hide the gun? Let them hammer, the door is strong. ”

E. W. Hornung

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Quotes from At the Pistol's Point (E. W. Hornung)

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E. W. Hornung

Summary

Quotes from At the Pistol's Point (E. W. Hornung)

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Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature