“Multiple exclamation marks,' he went on, shaking his head, 'are a sure sign of a diseased mind.”

“Five exclamation marks, the sure sign of an insane mind.”

“And all those exclamation marks, you notice? Five? A sure sign of someone who wears his underpants on his head.”

“What sort of person," said Salzella patiently, "sits down and writes a maniacal laugh? And all those exclamation marks, you notice? Five? A sure sign of someone who wears his underpants on his head. Opera can do that to a man.”

“Man just went past with a cat on his head,”

“This man was so absent-mindedly clever that he could paint pictures that didn’t just follow you around the room but went home with you and did the washing-up.”

“The mere fact you're delivering any will help, I'm sure," said Professor Pelc, smiling like a doctor telling a man not to worry, the disease is only fatal in 87 per cent of cases.”