Fatal nemesis

. . . and who better to shove him off the tail of the cart than good old Flashy, favourite ruffian of the Foreign Office, Palmerston-recommended, practically by Appointment Assassin Extraordinary to Her Majesty, demises discreetly arranged, moderate terms . . . if I were a sensitive man (and not a little flattered to be regarded as the most fatal nemesis since Jack Ketch) I might easily be offended.


Flashman on the March, p.249, Harper Collins, paperback edition 2005.


Tags: Flashman, Flashman quotes, assassin.

Doubtless a government agent

He was their correspondent in Paris thirty years ago, and doubtless a government agent — show me the Times man who wasn’t, from Delane to the printer’s devils…


Flashman and the Tiger, p.13, Harper Collins, paperback edition 2000.


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We ain't politicians

“Why in God’s name didn’t you stop him?”
      “You and I tried,” says he. “But we ain’t politicians. What did you call us — government ruffians?”


Flashman and the Angel of the Lord, p.355, Harper Collins, 1995.


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Doffing his tile

The Yankee secret service evidently left nothing to chance. “Good luck, Comber . . . and,” he added quietly, “if need be, good hunting.” Cool as a trout, rot him, doffing his tile and knuckling his lip-whisker as we drove away.


Flashman and the Angel of the Lord, p.196, Harper Collins, 1995.


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Believe me &c

No mistake, it was pukka, and the sweat prickled on my skin as I read it for the tenth time:

        Most urgent to Number One alone. On the first night after receipt, you will go in native dress to the         French Soldier’s cabaret between the Shah Boorj and the Buttee Gate. Use the signals and wait
        for word from Bibi Kalil. Say nothing to your orderly.

Not even an “I remain” or “Believe me &c”. That was all.


Flashman and the Mountain of Light, pp.165-66, Fontana Paperback edition, 1991.


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Ruffian reporting tips

…you must convince your chiefs that what you’re telling ’em is important, which ain’t difficult, since they want to believe you, having chiefs of their own to satisfy; make as much mystery of your methods as you can; hint what a thoroughgoing ruffian you can be in a good cause, but never forget that innocence shines brighter than any virtue (“Flashman? Extraordinary fellow — kicks ’em in the crotch with the heart of a child)…

Flashman and the Dragon, p.262, Fontana Paperback edition, 1986.


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Flashman's pricipal aim

The principal aim, remember, is to win the greatest possible credit to yourself, which calls for not only the exclusion of anything that might damage you, but also for the judicious understatement of those things which tell in your favour, if any; brush’em aside, never boast, let appearances speak for themselves.

Flashman and the Dragon, p.262, Fontana Paperback edition, 1986.


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Reporting know-how

      Survival apart, the great thing in intelligence work is knowing how to report.



Flashman and the Dragon, p.262, Fontana Paperback edition, 1986.


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Military intelligence, Flashman style

Intelligence work is nuts to me* , so long as I can stay close to bed, bottle and breakfast and don’t have to venture out.


*Not in the sense of crazy or unbalanced, but rather an enjoyable pursuit.

 
Flashman in the Great Game, p.246, Pan edition, 4th printing, 1979.



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The great game explained

‘Inshallah!’ cries he, grinning all over his evil face. ‘It is the great game! To lie low, and watch and listen and wait, and conspire with the other palitikal sahibs of the Sirkar, until the time is ripe – and then go against these evil subverters in a secret razzia!*’

*An attack on unbelievers.

Flashman in the Great Game, p.110, Pan edition, 4th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes,great game.

Screaming for England

I’d been a political myself, and it’s part of the job to scream at your own shadow…

Flashman in the Great Game, p.31, Pan edition, 4th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes,scream, shadow.

Genteel strong man

…there was the messenger of doom, waiting in the hall. A tall chap, almost a swell, but with a jaw too long and an eye too sharp; very respectable, with a hard hat under his arm and a billy in his hip-pocket, I’ll wager. I know a genteel strong man from a government office when I see one.

Flashman in the Great Game, p.25, Pan edition, 4th printing, 1979.

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Flashman, Flashman quotes.