A bullet doesn't need to have courage

 "He's a friend of Captain Hallet's. Dick Kaohla.

"What do you mean he's a friend of mine?" flared Hallet.

"Well, you certainly treated him pretty tenderly the other night."

I knew what I was doing," said Hallet grouchily. 

"I hope you did. But if he puts a bullet in me some lovely evening, I'm going to be pretty annoyed with you."

"Oh, you're in no danger," Hallet answered. "Only a coward writes anonymous letters."

"Yes, and only a coward shoots from ambush. But that isn't saying he can't take a good aim."

(from The House Without a Key, by Earl Derr Biggers)

Ah, that Hawaiian moonlight!

     The moon, of course, was shining. The cocoa-palms turned their heads away at the suggestion of the trades. The warm waters of Waikiki murmured nearby. John Quincy Winterslip, from Boston and immune, drew the girl to him and kissed her. Not a cousinly kiss, either - but why should it have been? She wasn't his cousin.

(from The House Without a Key, by Earl Derr Biggers)

Not impossible

     "But the man's a gentleman," John Quincy cried. "A captain in the British Admiralty. What you suggest is impossible."

    Chan shook his head. "Impossible in Rear Bay at Boston," he said, "but here at moonly crossroads of Pacific, not so much so. Twenty-five years of my life are consumed in Hawaii, and I have many times been witness when the impossible roused itself and occurred."

(from The House Without a Key, by Earl Derr Biggers)

Wrong school colors

     Greene shook hands cordially. "I've been wanting to meet you, sir," he said. "I know your city rather well. Spent three years at your Harvard Law School."

    "Really?" replied John Quincy with enthusiasm.

    "Yes. I went there after I got through at New Haven. I'm a Yale man, you know."

    "Oh," remarked John Quincy, without any enthusiasm at all. But Greene seemed a pleasant fellow, despite his choice of college.

(from The House Without a Key, by Earl Derr Biggers)

It's kind of old

    "You recognize that, don't you?" he asked.

    "Why - yes - it's - I -"

    "Just stick to the truth," said John Quincy, not unkindly. "It's an old piece of jewelry that Mr. Winterslip gave you, I believe."

    "Well - "

    "You've been seen wearing it, you know."

    "Yes, he did give it to me," she admitted. "The only present I ever got from him. I guess from the look of it Mrs. Noah wore it on the Ark. Kinda pretty, though."

(from The House Without a Key, by Earl Derr Biggers)

You get used to it

     "What, in heaven's name, do you do out here?"

    "Oh, you'll become accustomed to it shortly," Miss Minerva answered. "At first, you just sit and think. After a time, you just sit."

(from A House Without a Key," by Earl Derr Biggers)

Let's work together

     Miss Minerva faced Chan. "The person who did this must be apprehended," she said firmly.

    "He looked at her sleepily. "What is to be, will be," he replied in a high, sing-song voice.

    "I know - that's your Confucius," she snapped. "But it's a do-nothing doctrine, and I don't approve of it."

    A faint smile flickered over Chan's face. "Do not fear, he said. "The fates are busy, and man may do much to assist. I promise you there will be no do-nothing here." He came closer. "Humbly asking pardon to mention it. I detect in your eyes slight flame of hostility. Quench it, if you will be so kind. Friendly cooperation are essential between us." Despite his girth, he managed a deep bow. "Wishing you good morning," he added, and followed Hallet.

(from The House Without a Key, by Earl Derr Biggers)