Fergus Hume

“ Not until he was in Tinkler's office did he recover his feeling of superiority. With a man—especially with a social inferior—he felt that he could deal; but who can contend with a woman's tongue? It is her sword and shield; her mouth is her bow; her words are the arrows; and the man who hopes to withstand such an armoury of deadly weapons is a superfine idiot. Cargrim, not being one, had run away; but in his rage at being compelled to take flight, he almost exceeded Mrs Pansey in hating the cause of it. Miss Whichello had certainly gained a victory, but she had also made an enemy. ”

“ To be a wanderer on the face of the earth; to be violently removed when sinning; to be buried at the expense of an alien parish; what a fate for a baptised Christian.'
'Don't you take on so, Mr Cargrim, sir!' said Tinkler, grimly. 'There was precious little religion about Jentham, and he was buried in a much better fashion than he deserved, and not by the parish either.'
Cargrim looked up suddenly. ”

“ You might as well ask if the bishop did; he was on Southberry Heath on that night.'
'Oh, yes, but he heard nothing, dear lady; he told me so.'
'You seem to be very interested in this murder, Mr Cargrim,' said the little lady, with a keen look.
'Naturally, everyone in Beorminster is interested in it. I hope the criminal will be captured.'
'I hope so too; do you know who he is?'
'I? my dear lady, how should I know?'
'I thought Mrs Pansey might have told you!' said Miss Whichello, coolly. 'She knows all that goes on, and a good deal that doesn't. ”