Edgar Wallace

“ For the moment," confessed the doctor, "I am dealing entirely with Indian crime, and this has some bearing upon the Ringer, because I understand that his wife was born in that delightful country——""
"Indiana is a long way from India," said Alan, with perfect gravity. ”

“ The doctor fingered his little beard and looked wisely through his pince-nez.
"Is it established that the Ringer is in England?"
Alan nodded.
"Then why not do what we did in India? I know all talk of India sets your teeth on edge, but the case of Ahmet Mahomet Ali, which you most mendaciously claimed to know, may give you a hint. How do you shoot lions by night?"
"I've never shot lions by night or by day," said Alan. ”

“ The doctor's face fell.
"Still, that really doesn't affect the issue," he said. "Now, let me read you the first bit."
"Thanks, I'd rather read it when I'm alone, Doctor," said Alan hastily. He had met other authors anxious to read their literary efforts. "I think you may help me, however," he said. "I've just come from old man Meister, who's in a state of collapse."
"So early? "asked the sympathetic doctor.
"No, it isn't booze this tune; it is sheer, unadulterated funk. The man is in a state of terror, and it only needs just a little push one way or the other to throw him off his balance. ”

“ Alan went in search of him, without success. His usual haunts knew him not, and the detective went on to Rotherhithe, to a crazy little riverside warehouse which served as a habitation for an old lady and her ancient son, who made a good living out of combing the river flats for flotsam. Old packing cases, hay bales which had fallen overboard from barges, the body of a suicide or so—the authorities paid seven and sixpence from this reach for a body. Sometimes the scourers found things which were not lost, but it is always very hard to prove a negative. But Peter was not there. ”

“ To keep out the rats? Listen, Meister—I've got a feeling here"—she touched her heart—"that there is bad trouble coming to you. Bars won't keep Arthur away from you, nor detectives, nor policemen, nor a whole army. ”

“ I'll tell you; you tether a live goat near a tree, and you sit on the tree, and if the mosquitoes will only be reasonable you pot your lion when he's just making a leap at the bleating billy. It seems to me that the goat in this case—if Mr. ”