L. Frank Baum

“ The girls exchanged significant glances, and West noted them and smiled again.
"That murder theory is a new one to me," he said; "but I see now why it originated. The employment of a strolling physician would give color to the suspicion."
"What do you think, sir?" asked Patsy, who had been watching the man's expression closely.
"I? What do I think? Why, that Captain Wegg died from heart disease, as he had often told me he was sure to do in time." ”

“ West offered no comment as they made their selection.
"Can you send this to the Wegg farm?" asked Louise, opening her purse to make payment.
West smiled.
"I have no means of delivering goods," said he; "but if you can wait a day or two I may catch some farmer going that way who will consent to take it."
"Oh. Didn't Captain Wegg purchase his supplies in the village?" asked the girl.
"Some of them. But it is our custom here to take goods that we purchase home with us. As yet Millville is scarcely large enough to require a delivery wagon." ”

“ Do you suppose he acquired a fortune honestly in this forsaken district, where everyone else is poor as a church mouse?"
"Seems to me," said Patsy, discontentedly, "that the plot thickens, as they say in novels. If we interview many more people we shall find ourselves suspecting an army." ”