- Lowery - a reporter: [Ch. 1 To Axford as he quickly enters the room and they bump] It's a good thing yuh got flat feet, man of action, or I might have bowled you over.
- Tauer, chief gangster: [Ch. 2 As he is about to kill Harper] You know the penalty for failure, Harper. I have my orders from the Chief.
- [Chapter 2]
- Britt Reid: [Ch. 3] Hey, Lowry, the car that ewe just passed a little while ago turned around and is following us.
- Lowery - a reporter: [Turning around] Yeah, so it is.
- Britt Reid: You got a gun?
- Lowery - a reporter: No, do you?
- Britt Reid: Respectable people don't carry guns.
- Lowery - a reporter: Well, right now I'd rather be less respectable and have a fast car.
- DeLuca, a gangster: [Ch. 5] Look here, Hornet, what are you lookin' for - a split?
- Britt Reid: The Hornet doesn't take a split - he takes over.
- Breedon [Ch. 14]: He made me. He had a gun!
- Foranti, construction racketeer [Chs. 14-15]: [Indicating his own revolver] Whattaya think this is, a water pistol?
- Franks - Gangster [Chs. 3-4, 7-8, 15]: Do you think we ought to divide with the othrs?
- Boss Crogan: Never divide unless you have to.
- Lenore "Casey" Case: Oh, by the way, there's a man locked up in your car.
- Britt Reid: Locked up?
- Lenore "Casey" Case: Yes, will you see that he's released?
- Britt Reid: Yes.
- Kato: Well, the man in the car that would be Mr... Axford.
- Britt Reid: It not only would be, Kato, it is.
- Michael Axford: Nobody can walk through solid walls unless he's a spook, but he's done it.
- Britt Reid: You think the Hornet is supernatural?
- Michael Axford: I wouldn't put it past him, and to think I was face to face with him and me without a gun!
- Britt Reid: They're scared stiff.
- Michael Axford: I don't blame them. Foranti doesn't use kid gloves.
- Britt Reid: Brass knuckles are more his style.