Quotes from Leo Bruce

Suddenly a sound like a water-pipe with air in it came from Mrs Gunn and Carolus realized that she was giggling.

I have known people, after murders, to go whole days without eating.

Beer?" she said. "Thank you." "Two pints," she told the barmaid. "How long have you been married?" asked Carolus. "A year. Must meet Phil. He's a pet." It really sounded as if she meant a domestic one. "I should like to." "Now—business," said Mrs Roper as though this frivolous and expansive conversation had gone on too long.

If I had learnt nothing else from my study of the methods of the three great men sitting near me, I had learnt this, that they would eventually pick out the one person I had not suspected. So I followed the simple plan of suspecting everyone. I was determined not to be surprised.

here we were with a new suspect, but his introduction did not seem to have produced much effect on the three investigators. This, I reflected, accorded with precedent, for investigators in these cases are never, by any chance, to be taken by surprise.

Picon, who had remained silent for some time, now started assiduously to rearrange the fire-irons.

I suppose the dinner will be delicious? Grand old English cooking?" "It's ever so nice tonight. We've just got a new cook." They went through to the dining-room, where they ate the usual tinned soup, tasteless plaice from the icebox in composite batter, a shaving of cold meat with hot gravy over it, tinned peas and processed cheese. A wine list was produced, and Carolus ordered a Burgundy which arrived lukewarm, and they ended with bad coffee of the same temperature.

This is a duty call, Mr Deene. I have given much thought to the matter before broaching it to you. But I feel that in justice to all I can do no less. If I seem to stray beyond the limits of charity, you will understand, I hope." "I'm afraid I don't understand much yet," said Carolus truthfully.