An eager light sprang into his eyes at the half-uttered exclamation and the start of surprise which the other gave.

“I should say to that, on a night such as last night, an intruder would have left footprints on the hardwood floor.”

The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here. Mainly Political and Financial

“I call him Lollipop for convenience. The pronouncing of his own name tends to harden the arteries.”

“I do not ask for money. I served my master. So will I serve you—to the death!”

“Well, I suppose they can’t take him away whole very well. They disarticulate him, and pack him neatly.”

“Seems to be quite an epidemic of that sort of thing,” said Battle. “But, well, I dare say there’s nothing in it.”

“Battle, I take off my hat to you. You know everything. But just as a matter of detail, he’s taken me on, not I him.”

“They encourage the universal idea that the police are stupid. When we get an amateur crime, such as a murder, that’s very useful indeed.”

“Not this morning, Bill. I’m not strong enough. Anyway, I’ve always told you the best people don’t propose before lunch.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’ve got a plan. But I’ve got an idea. It’s a very useful thing sometimes, an idea.”

“I don’t believe anyone’s been into it for over two years. The Priest’s Hole is the show exhibit for Americans and tourists generally.”

“He’s all right—coming round pretty fast now. He’s recovered well from the crack on the head we gave him.”

“This time, it will be different,” he said between his teeth.

“A suitable claimant to the throne, full of pro-British sympathies.”

“No fear. Run his head into the lion’s mouth? Why, the room’s bristling with detectives and high officials.”

“Allow me to present you to the real Monsieur Lemoine of the Sûreté.”

“Something wrong I knew there would be,” he boomed. “Merciful God in Heaven! He has married a black woman in Africa!”

“You little devil,” cried Anthony, kissing her again. “Now I know for certain that I shall love you until I die....”

... “the lasting peace and prosperity of the British Empire!”