Out of my depth

    "Dad really had cause for a grievance, you see, only Professor Cairey himself doesn't shoot, so you can't expect him to understand. And anyhow, he only wants asking. Dad's so silly that way."

    "Professor? said Campion thoughtfully. "What does he profess?"

    "Archaeology," said Penny proptly. "But you don't think . . .?"

    "My dear girl," said Mr. Campion, "I can't see the wood for the trees. 'And in the night imagining some fear, how easy doth a bush appear a bear.' You see," he added with sudden seriousness, "if your aunt met her death by someone's design, I'm not only out of my depth, but I might just as well have left my water-wings at home."

(from The Gyrth Chalice Mystery, by Margery Allingham)