"I am perfectly sure it isn't," answered Father Brown, "only you said that nobody could connect snuff and diamonds and clockwork and candles.
The snuff he employed as the fiercest French criminals have used pepper: to fling it suddenly in dense masses in the face of a captor or pursuer.
Snuff is the one great luxury of such Scotch shepherds; it's the one thing with which you can bribe them.
"I only suggested that because you said one could not plausibly connect snuff with clockwork or candles with bright stones.
"Because this is serious," answered Brown; "this is not spilt snuff or loose pebbles, that might be there for a hundred reasons.
Perhaps you can make a torture out of snuff and bamboo.
"My friend," said Flambeau, turning in a kind of fury, "what does all that snuff mean?"
Snuff, spoilt Prayer Books, and the insides of musical boxes--what--"
The little man took another pinch of snuff as he made this communication, and nodded mysteriously to Mr.
Perker drew himself up with conscious dignity, and brushed some stray grains of snuff from his shirt frill.
Perker smiled, took a very long pinch of snuff, stirred the fire, shrugged his shoulders, and remained expressively silent.
Look here; not an opinion given yet, on any one of these cases; and an expedition fee paid with all of 'em.' The clerk smiled as he said this, and inhaled the pinch of snuff with a zest which seemed to be compounded of a fondness for snuff and a relish for fees.