"Any luck?" inquired Wimsey.
"I regret exceedingly to have to inform your lordship that I lost track of the lady. In fact, if your lordship will kindly excuse the expression, I was completely done in the eye."
"Thank God, Bunter, you're human after all. I didn't know anybody could do you. Have a drink."
"I am much obliged to your lordship. According to instructions, I searched the platform for a lady in a crimson hat and a grey fur, and at length was fortunate enough to observe her making her way out by the station entrance towards the big bookstall. She was some way ahead of me, but the hat was very conspicuous, and, in the words of the poet, if I may so express myself, I followed the gleam."
"Stout fellow."
(from Unnatural Death, by Dorothy L. Sayers)
[The poet mentioned is Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who used the expression in his poem, Merlin and the Gleam.]
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