The Secret Adversary

by Agatha Christie

It is curious—but you cannot make a revolution without honest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.” He paused, and then repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: “Every revolution has had its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterwards.”

Great mistake to say too much. Remember that. Never tell all you know—not even to the person you know best.

“Stop,” shrieked the Russian. “You cannot mean to shoot me?” “Of course I do. I’ve always heard you Revolutionists held life cheap, but it seems there’s a difference when it’s your own life in question.

“Marriage is called all sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory, and a state of bondage, and lots more. But do you know what I think it is?” “What?” “A sport!”