Perhaps a maiden lady on Clapham Common is only the policeman that might have been.

I don't mind being the policeman that might have been.

I don't mind being anything in German thought." "Are you in the police service ?" said the old man, ignoring all Syme's improvised and desperate raillery.

"Are you a detective ?" Syme's heart turned to stone, but his face never changed.
"Your suggestion is ridiculous," he began.

"Why on earth--" The old man struck his palsied hand passionately on the rickety table, nearly breaking it.
"Did you hear me ask a plain question, you pattering spy ?" he shrieked in a high, crazy voice.