In all my experience along the dirtiest ways of this dirty little world, I have never met with such a thing as a trifle yet.

Before we go a step further in this business we must see the petticoat that made the smear, and we must know for certain when that paint was wet." Mr.Superintendent--taking his set-down rather sulkily--asked if he should summon the women.

Sergeant Cuff, after considering a minute, sighed, and shook his head.
"No," he said, "we'll take the matter of the paint first.

It's a question of Yes or No with the paint--which is short.

It's a question of petticoats with the women--which is long.