Edgar Wallace

“ Men and women so utterly depraved that police attentions would have dignified them and their calling, confided their secrets to Peter, sometimes, as he sat before a coke brazier in some crazy riverside hut, sometimes in places less savoury. ”

“ The police know: they've got seven busies looking for him. And Wembury knows: I've had that straight!"
Meister sat down suddenly in his chair.
"They'll never find him!" he groaned. "She was right."
"Mrs. Milton is here."
"I know—I know!"
He put a hand in his pocket and, taking out a bundle of Treasury notes, skinned three and threw them across the table.
"Watch for him, Peter," he said, his voice shaking. "You're not afraid of the Ringer, are you?"
Peter was afraid of him—terribly afraid of him; for Peter moved in a world in which the Ringer's name was like that of an avenging god. ”

“ Mr. Haggitt at that precise moment was tugging gently at one of the locked drawers in Mr. Meister's desk. He spun round violently, the seventh sense of the crook told him that he was overlooked and he made a quick but unconvincing pretence of polishing the face of the desk.
"Hullo, Nose," he said violently, "got your creepers on? There ought to be a law to make people like you carry bells round your necks."
"Just come up to see the governor," said Peter. ”

“ Meister went on writing and did not look up for some time, though he was conscious that Haggitt remained standing by the desk. Presently he put down his pen, and, in a more amiable tone:
"I'll give you a pound a day if you'll stop. You're too ready with your tongue, Haggitt, but so long as you don't interfere with my business, I'm willing to humour you. You can stay as long as you like." ”

“ Meister jumped at it.
"Of course he's not here—but you'll watch? Never let up—you're a clever boy, Peter. There's very little that happens in this part of the world that you don't know. He couldn't get past you, could he, Peter?"
He dropped his hand upon the narrow-shouldered spy and Peter winced. Nobody had ever smacked him on the back before without intending to do him grievous bodily harm.
The lawyer rang the table bell and Haggitt came in instantly. ”

“ I don't want any scandal while I'm in the house, which won't be long. They can cut your throat and welcome after I've gone. As a matter of fact, I was disappointed to find you alive! When a day starts like that my luck's out! ”