Emma Orczy

Name: The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII
Author: Emma Orczy

The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

Summary

“The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII”, published in 1909, is a work by Emma Orczy. It explores elements such as Arthur Skelmerton, George Higgins and Chipps.

Quotes from The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (Emma Orczy)

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ Coroner and jury alike literally hung breathless on every word that shabby, vulgar individual uttered. You see, by itself his evidence would have been worth very little, but coming on the top of that given by James Terry, its significance—more, its truth—had become glaringly apparent. Closely cross-examined, he adhered strictly to his statement; and having finished his evidence, George Higgins remained in charge of the constables, and the next witness of importance was called up.
"This was Mr. Chipps, the senior footman in the employment of Lord Arthur Skelmerton. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ Many people shook their heads dubiously when they remembered that, after all, Charles Lavender was killed with a knife which one witness had sworn belonged to Lord Arthur; others, again, reverted to the original theory that George Higgins was the murderer, that he and James Terry had concocted the story of Lavender's attempt at blackmail on Lord Arthur, and that the murder had been committed for the sole purpose of robbery. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ But just then a lady from the top of the steps said: 'Your tea is getting cold,' and Lord Arthur turned to go; but just before he went Lavender says to him: 'I'll come back to-night. You'll have the money then.'
"George Higgins, it appears, after he had heard this interesting conversation, pondered as to whether he could not turn what he knew into some sort of profit. Being a gentleman who lives entirely by his wits, this type of knowledge forms his chief source of income. As a preliminary to future moves, he decided not to lose sight of Lavender for the rest of the day. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ Nothing could shake James Terry's account of the facts he had placed before the jury, and when the police informed the coroner that they proposed to place George Higgins himself in the witness-box, as his evidence would prove, as it were, a complement and corollary of that of Terry, the jury very eagerly assented. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ While trying to find his way to the garden steps he heard Lord Arthur's cry for help, the tramp of the patrolling constables' horses, and subsequently the whole scene between Lord Arthur, the man Higgins, and the constables. When he finally found his way to the stairs, Lord Arthur was returning in order to send a groom for police assistance.
"The witness stuck to his points as he had to his guns at Beckfontein a year ago; nothing could shake him, and Sir Marmaduke looked triumphantly across at his opposing colleague. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ According to him but one decision could be arrived at, namely, that the accused in the dock had, in a moment of passion, and perhaps of fear, killed the blackmailer who threatened him with disclosures which might for ever have ruined him socially, and, having committed the deed and fearing its consequences, probably realizing that the patrolling constables might catch sight of his retreating figure, he had availed himself of George Higgins's presence on the spot to loudly accuse him of the murder. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ None too clean, slouchy, obsequious yet insolent, he was the very personification of the cad who haunts the racecourse and who lives not so much by his own wits as by the lack of them in others. He described himself as a turf commission agent, whatever that may be. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

Emma Orczy, The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (1909)

“ Chipps with much guarded dignity; 'but finally he said: "Show him into the library, Chipps, I'll see him," and he got up from the card table, saying to the gentlemen: "Go on without me; I'll be back in a minute or two."
"'I was about to open the door for 'is lordship when my lady came into the room, and then his lordship suddenly changed his mind like, and said to me: "Tell that man I'm busy and can't see him," and 'e sat down again at the card table. I went back to the 'all, and told the party 'is lordship wouldn't see 'im. 'E said: "Oh! ”

Emma Orczy

Summary

Quotes from The Old Man In the Corner — Chapter VIII (Emma Orczy)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature