- Chief Inspector Gilder: [about Armstrong] Happiest man you could meet in a day's march. always a smile and a cheerful word. Why, it would be just like killing Santa Claus. Who would do such a thing?
- Father Brown: Perhaps someone who stopped believing in Santa Claus.
- Chief Inspector Gilder: Ah?
- Father Brown: Oh, forgive me, Inspector. I'm just reflecting if ever I murdered anyone it might well be an optimist.
- Sir Aaron Armstrong: [to Brown] I don't know which spirits is worse - the kind that comes in bottles or the kind you fellas preach about. My motto is abjure them both.
- Father Brown: Well, some people are drawn to crime. Im my case, Chief Inspector, crime seems to be drawn to me.